Big open skies and the roars of wildlife fill the air. The sun rises in Kenya as she looks past it in order to chase her future.
Born and brought up in Mombasa, Kenya, Prishita Vora, junior health administration major, moved to Tanzania when she was in sixth grade, where she lived for 10 years.
Vora came to the United States in 2005 for further studies and graduated high school in 2010. After that, she moved back to Mombasa for three years and then came back to the U.S. once again to pursue another degree. Previous to this, Vora obtained an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound) from Loma Linda University.
Vora described Kenya as a beautiful country with amazing people and perfect weather.
“Kenya is home,” she said. “Kenya is where my heart is. Kenya has made me the person that I am.”
Her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts have influenced her values, traditions and culture. She said she will never forget the delicious food and beautiful warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
“One of my favorite memories about Kenya will be my parents and all the times I have been with them, because their smile is my happiness,” Vora said.
Vora’s family has lived in Kenya for 65 years. She lives in a joint house with 14 people, which includes her grandparents, uncle, two aunts, five cousins, one brother and her parents.
Though as beautiful as Kenys is, what drives Vora the most toward her passion for her country is to improve the health care system there.
“Kenya, as we know, is a Third World country and the healthcare system is very poor,” Vora said. “The meaning of life in the government hospitals is just the numbers that come in and don’t go out. In the government hospitals, staff don’t go the extra mile, and I wish to change that one day. That’s my actual drive for my education.”
Vora said she dreams of one day opening her own low-cost medical center and becoming a part of a non-government organization, that will help change the face of humanity for the better. Not only is this a big dream she wishes to accomplish, but Vora has done so much already.
In Kenya, Vora received her certification in scuba diving. She was part of a charitable cancer institute and was an administrator of a medical center for a year. Vora was also a member of several community service organizations before she came to the U.S.
“They say if your dreams don’t scare you, then you’re not dreaming big,” Vora said. “You are in this world for the greater good and that the small things really don’t matter in life, because what you carry upstairs is an empty suitcase.”
Aside from her cultural traditions, Vora said she is a huge thrill junkie and loves having conversations and debates about anything and everything. She said she believes there is so much to talk about in this world.
“Anything that defines my existence, I am game for,” Vora said.
Renee Flannery, senior journalism major and connections intern for the International Center, said Vora is very kind. Flannery remembered one night that Vora noticed a student leaving for a school event without a jacket and knew the student would be cold, so she gave the student her jacket.
“When I first met Prishita, I noticed right off the bat how outgoing, sociable and friendly she is,” Flannery said. “She’s definitely not afraid to be herself and say what she thinks, which usually ends up being hilarious and makes me laugh.”
Vora said she is a devotee to anything related to science and medicine. She has loved her college experience at California Baptist University and says the people are nice and the professors are awesome.
“The campus is so beautiful, and the food is delicious,” Vora said.
Witty and dedicated to achieving her dream, Vora said she is thankful for her parents for sending her to study and for CBU for providing her second step toward her goal.
