Iman Sebunya, Class of 2012
Davis United World College Scholar
Waterford Kamhlaba United World College

Born: Berlin, Germany
Lived in: Germany, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya, Swaziland and the USA.
Major: International Affairs

Although Iman Sebunya, a graduate of Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA College, was born in Berlin, Germany, she is the product of many other cultures. Due to her family’s constant travels Iman arrived in Burkina Faso at the age of three weeks. Ghana is where she went to kindergarten and first grade. Second and third grade saw her in Maputo, Mozambique. Then came seven lovely years in Nairobi, Kenya, followed by four years shuttling between the UWCSA boarding house in Swaziland and her family home in Maputo, Mozambique. Her family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in July 2007 and this is where she is currently acclimating to life in the US. She does not feel she has a country that she can call home, but she is good at creating home through friendships, interests and involvement.

When Iman's family moved to Maputo in Mozambique, there was no question that she would attend any school other than Waterford Kamhlaba in neighboring Swaziland. Going to a UWC, while definitely a tremendous priviledge, felt so right for a young lady that had already lived in six different countries and traveled to many more. Growing up in these different countries and cultures she felt that a UWC would not only feel like home to her, but that she would be valued for her background and past experiences and continue to be stretched socially and academically.

Iman chose to attend Lewis & Clark because she thought she would do well in the international, relatively small, caring, diverse and academically progressive atmosphere that she thinks she sees in Lewis & Clark. She especially likes the international outlook and the inter-disciplinary approach to teaching, particularly in the departments of International Affairs and Ethnic Studies which are her intended major and minor. She feels the challenges facing Africa (which she hopes one day to be able to help address) are complicated and require creative approaches drawing from many disciplines.

Iman has great hopes she will feel at home in Portland and be able to contribute towards the special microcosm that is Lewis & Clark. She hopes to contribute academically, socially and particularly with international student groups and also on the sports fields and at times in the art studio. Ultimately she looks forward to giving back to the countries that have made her who she is today.