Bonor Ayambem Strives to Keep Learning

In the four years Bonor Ayambem ‘23 has spent at Lehigh, one quality has driven many of her experiences—curiosity.

Ayambem is an international student from Nigeria. As a senior in high school, she wanted to pursue an education in the United States and narrowed her search to Pennsylvania because she had family living in the state. After an online search of Pennsylvania universities, Lehigh piqued her interest, and her curiosity.

“If I have an idea, I will do it 100% of the time,” Ayambem said. “I don't really get intimidated by the idea of trying something new. I trust myself enough to just be able to do things.”

Ayambem decided to major in computer engineering because she wanted to understand how advancing technologies work. But, not wanting to limit herself to the world of STEM and wanting to practice reading and writing—hobbies she loves—she also chose to minor in English.

Her minor reignited a love for storytelling, which led to accolades, including the Williams Prize for a fiction story.

Looking to extend her learning beyond Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she applied to the Martindale Student Associates Honors Program. She was one of 12 students selected to travel to Denmark and complete research. She landed on the topic of immigration.

“Martindale really fit me because the very core part of the program is asking questions, and one thing about me is, I have a question,” Ayambem says leaning forward with a laugh. “At any point in time, I have a question.”

She also found time to emcee Lehigh’s dance showcase FUSION because she wanted to practice public speaking, and attend a debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans on Civil Engagement Day because she wanted to learn more about American politics. She joined African Renaissance, TUMBAO and Bad Company early in her undergraduate career to get into dancing, and served as a tutor for Broughal Middle School in her first year to contribute her knowledge to the community.

Most recently, she joined the Women’s Wrestling Club and ran her first half-marathon.

“I joined wrestling to challenge myself, push my body, see what it's capable of,” Ayambem says. “Challenge your ideas about who you are because I see the girls that are wrestling and I'm like, ‘That can never be me,’ but how do you know if you're this kind of person or that kind of person if you don't even try it out. I tried out wrestling, and I love it.”

She said every significant experience she’s had at Lehigh points back to wanting to learn more about herself.

Her word of advice to other students? You will only get out what you put in, so care about what you’re doing, and get involved, as it will make your experience better.

“Every single thing I've ever involved myself with at Lehigh has taught me something new about myself,” she says. “Keep, keep, keep learning because knowing yourself gives you a lot of confidence."

–By Christina Perrier