Thobani Nxumalo '19
When Thobani Nxumalo ’19, was in high school in Johannesburg, South Africa, he heard presentations from dozens of American universities. But Bryant was the first to discuss its actuarial program, and that caught his attention.
“It was very highly ranked within the region and the country," he noted. He also was drawn to Bryant's small class size and the potential to have faculty mentors.
Attending Bryant also would help Nxumalo achieve his desire to become “more culturally diverse.”
“I felt like I was stuck in the South African bubble,” he says. “There is an entire world out there, and I knew it would be good for me to explore a different culture.”
He didn’t visit the Bryant campus until arriving for his first semester, and admits he was nervous about starting school in a new country. Fortunately, his concerns were alleviated by Bryant’s 4Mile (Multicultural and International Leadership Experience), a program tailored to the unique needs of first-year international and domestic multicultural students.
“It was such a great way to introduce American culture to me and get settled into Bryant,” he says. “It got my mind straight and helped me start thinking about some of the goals I wanted to achieve while I was here.”
Nxumalo is now fully immersed in the Bryant experience. He is a resident assistant, a mentor in Bryant’s Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, and a facilitator for Linked Through Leadership.
“Coming to Bryant is a great opportunity to step out of the bubble that you’re in now,” he says. “It’s very challenging, but also rewarding in the sense that you’ll be more equipped to be a better person in business. You will also learn about yourself and your role within society, and how to best execute that role.”
Nxumalo is still envisioning what he wants to do once he graduates from Bryant.
“It’s subject to change, but I’d like to work for an insurance company in the U.S. for a couple years and then go back to South Africa and start an asset management firm,” he says. “From there, I’d like to use the proceeds to start an academy for sports leadership.”
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“Bryant helps students thrive and develop their passions. I really found that Bryant fit well with my multifaceted identity. Being somebody who is interested in immunology and epidemiology, but also fashion and communication, I found that Bryant allows you to do so much and not burn yourself out.”
“The literary and cultural studies program taught me to approach the world through a critical lens. They are so incredibly empathetic and welcoming. You aren’t just learning the material, but you’re learning their perspective, their experiences, and they’re learning from yours.”
“I was particularly drawn to Bryant because of the small class sizes and many opportunities to get real-world experience. The small classes have offered me opportunities to really get to know my professors. They know me by name, show genuine interest in my goals, and advocate for my success.”