From Ghana to FSU: A Friendship and Mentorship That Spanned Continents

When new international students arrive at FSU, they are often excited to begin their academic journeys while navigating the challenges of settling into a new country. For first-year Ph.D. student Seth Alebia, that transition has been made easier thanks to a familiar face: his longtime friend and mentor, Desmond Adofo. Both students hail from Ghana's Ashanti Region and share a passion for English Education. This fall, Alebia attended FSU's international student orientation not only as a newly admitted doctoral student, but alongside the mentor who helped inspire his path to Tallahassee.

Their academic journeys first intersected in Ghana, where both earned associate and bachelor's degrees in English Education through the University of Cape Coast before connecting during their Master of Philosophy studies at the University of Education, Winneba. Adofo arrived at FSU in 2024 to pursue a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition. Motivated by a desire to expand opportunities beyond what was available at home, he embraced the challenge of studying abroad. "We sought to go overseas in search of the programs we could not find back home," Adofo said. "I wanted to maximize my potential."

As he settled into life at FSU, Adofo remained in close contact with Alebia, encouraging him to pursue doctoral studies and explore opportunities in the United States. He even helped cover Alebia's application fees during multiple admissions cycles. For Alebia, that support exemplifies a relationship that extends well beyond friendship. "Sometimes friends can be more than brothers," Alebia said. "I call him my uncle for a reason. Since I arrived, he cooks for me, takes me around town, and helps me adjust. Because of him, I don't feel that disconnected from home."

Since arriving in Tallahassee, Alebia has experienced many firsts, from navigating the Atlanta airport during his first international flight to seeing Doak Campbell Stadium in person. "The stadium amazed me," Alebia said with a laugh. "One university having this type of stadium? I think it is more beautiful than Kumasi Stadium." Outside the classroom, Adofo has helped Alebia become acquainted with his new home. The pair have explored Tallahassee together and continue searching for restaurants that remind them of Ghana, with local West African restaurant Omega Kontinental next on their list.

Both students also see themselves contributing valuable perspectives from Ghana to the FSU community. Their experiences as educators, researchers and advocates for culturally responsive teaching have shaped their commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds. For Adofo, studying abroad has reinforced the importance of mentorship and supportive systems. "One of the things I'd carry back home is the commitment to building supportive systems that allow people to grow rather than simply survive," he said. Alebia has been equally impressed by the resources available to students at FSU. "Student success here is an institutional responsibility," he said. "There is support at every step."

As Alebia begins his first semester and Adofo enters his third year, their story is a reminder that the journey to FSU is often shaped not only by individual ambition, but also by the mentors and friends who help others realize their potential.