As a member of the University Honors Program, Folake has explored research, leadership, and professional development opportunities that have shaped her time as a Jayhawk. A summer internship helped her apply the skills she’s gained in the classroom to real projects in data analysis and business operations. 

Folake took a unique route as an international student. She began her studies at Johnson County Community College and then transferred to KU. In fact, both she and her brother Dami followed this path, which gave them time to adjust to life in the U.S. while building a strong academic foundation. 

During her time at KU, Folake has found support through academic resources, campus organizations, and her involvement as a KU Student Ambassador. From campus events to her favorite places around Lawrence, she’s made the most of her Jayhawk experience and encourages other international students to do the same.

Q: Is KU a good place for international students? What’s the vibe like on campus?

A: Yes, KU is a very good place for international students. Being an international student from Nigeria, I would say it’s a very different culture. I started at Johnson County Community College and transferred in August 2024, and the transition was very smooth. 

There’s so much support on campus for students and many communities to join. There are different clubs and organizations that help you connect with your culture. I’m the event coordinator for the KU Nigerian Student Association. Coordinating events has been really fun and something I plan to continue doing.

Q: Why did you choose KU? What stood out to you when you were exploring universities? 

A: KU really stood out because of its strong programs in Business Analytics and the welcoming community I felt even before stepping on campus. As a transfer student and international student, I was looking for a place that not only had academic opportunities but also felt like home, and KU checked both boxes. I connected with advisors who genuinely cared, and I could tell that there were so many ways to get involved and grow here. The campus itself is beautiful, but it was the people and the support systems that really made KU feel like the right fit for me.

Q: What is your major? Do you feel supported in your academic goals? 

A: KU always supports our academic goals. I’m studying business analytics in the KU School of Business. For every major and every class, there is always a teaching assistant who can help with homework and office hours. If you ever need help, you can schedule a time to meet with your instructor or a TA {teaching assistant}. There are also group study opportunities you can get involved in.

Q: Is it possible to work on campus as an international student? What kinds of jobs are available?

A: Yes, it’s very possible to work on campus as an international student. I currently work as a KU Student Ambassador, where I give campus tours to students who are looking at KU or considering their options. 

There are also many other job options you can find through the KU student job site. I’m also a teaching assistant for one of my previous classes, and it’s a fun experience with good pay as well.

Q: How did you find housing at KU as an international student?

A: I moved to Lawrence without knowing much about housing or how living on or off campus worked. The International Support Services Office (ISS) helped point me in the right direction for finding housing, including on-campus options. Right now, I live off campus. For students without cars, there are bus routes that make it easy to get to and from campus, so transportation is not a problem.

Q: Besides ISS, what other support services have been helpful to you?

A: One of my favorites is CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). If you ever feel stressed or need mental health support, CAPS is available through the Watkins Health Center. The first session is free, and any additional sessions are charged to your student account. 

Another great resource is the Rec Center, which is free for students. It’s a good way to exercise and clear your mind without having to pay for an outside gym membership.

Q: Have you completed any internships, research projects, or other hands-on learning experiences while at KU? 

A: I’ve been fortunate to be involved in a couple of hands-on learning experiences at KU. One of the most exciting has been my research project on explainable AI for generative AI tools, which has been a fantastic opportunity to apply the concepts I’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world challenge. It’s allowed me to dive deep into the complexities of AI and its impact, especially in terms of transparency and accountability. Working on this project has given me practical experience in data analysis, machine learning, and presenting technical findings. 

This summer, I had the privilege of participating in a rotational internship program at Commercial Capital Company. The rotational program exposed me to different areas of the business while working on projects that challenged me to grow both professionally and personally.

Q: What is the best KU event you’ve been to so far?

A: Union Fest is my favorite event. It happens the Saturday before classes start, on Jayhawk Boulevard. Different clubs and organizations set up tables and share information about what they do. It’s my favorite because there’s free food, you get to make new friends, and you can collect lots of free stuff. It’s a great way to learn about campus before the semester begins.

Q: Where do you go if you’re craving food from home?

A: When I’m craving food from home, I go to my favorite restaurant in Kansas City. There’s a bus that goes from Lawrence to the Overland Park and Kansas City area, and I take it to Teetasty African Restaurant to enjoy delicious Nigerian food.

Q: What has surprised you the most about your experience at KU, in Kansas or in the U.S.?

A: One of the biggest surprises has been how genuinely kind and supportive people are both at KU and in Kansas in general. I wasn’t sure what to expect coming in as an international student, but I’ve been met with so much warmth. Professors, staff, and even strangers have gone out of their way to help or just say hello. 

Q: What are three things you love about KU’s campus?

A: Three things I love about campus are the School of Business because it’s the prettiest place to be, the Kansas Union because it has all the food spots and the bookstore where I love to window shop, and the new stadium, which has the most beautiful updates.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about living in Lawrence?

A: My favorite thing about living in Lawrence is being around so many wonderful people. Campus isn’t far from anything, which is another great perk. Lawrence is a small college town with grocery stores and shops close by. The downtown area is really nice, and I love going to the shopping center that has TJ Maxx, Burlington, and Ross. Just walking around there is always fun. Lawrence is a very enjoyable place to be.

Q: If you could go back and tell yourself something before moving here, what would it be?

A: I would say take what you enjoy doing passionately more seriously. Personally, I enjoy fashion design and cooking, but I didn’t pay much attention to them before. Now I see that what you love doing can take you places you never expect. I currently model for Kansas City Fashion Week, and it’s been an amazing experience. If I had taken fashion more seriously earlier, maybe I would have been designing instead of modeling. Whatever your passion is, take it seriously.

Q: What’s your favorite KU tradition?

A: My favorite KU tradition is walking under the Campanile at graduation. I can’t wait for that moment because it’s such a big part of the KU experience. Something I’ll always remember is that KU is the only place where you get to be a Jayhawk. Rock Chalk forever.