In her own words
Maimouna Coulibaly
Ever since I was a little girl in West Africa Mali, Bamako, helping others and getting a higher education was all I wanted to do. I built a strong resiliency throughout my childhood, and I vowed to transfer this resiliency to others in Mali and the United States through counseling. I vowed to help make a difference in people’s lives. When I was three years old, my mother and father divorced; when I was six years old, my mother left me and my other two siblings to immigrate to the United States in hope for a better future for us. I had to raise my siblings and myself, which was not an easy process. We went through many hardships during this time. This includes not having meals three times a day, repeatedly being abused, and not having our basic needs met. Now, as an adult I want to use these early experiences to help others and make a difference in their lives. I have learned throughout my life that helping others is my passion, and I strive to put this value into practice by becoming a professional counselor. In addition, my diverse background and unique life experiences in West Africa and the United States will serve as great qualities for the Counseling Psychology and higher education field. Due to this country’s diverse population, who are requiring counseling and mental health services, I know that with my unique life experiences, knowledge, and ability to relate well with others, I can make a difference in other people’s lives.