F&M Stories

As they prepare for their May 15 Commencement Ceremony, Franklin & Marshall seniors look back at their four years on campus—and what's next.

Name: Abi Kelkai

Major: Dual major in government and public health (biology track)

What town do you call home? Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Activities at F&M:

Throughout my time here, I've been a part of many different organizations: I served on the first-year class board; I've been a housing adviser in Weis College House for three years; I've played on the women's club soccer team; and I'm part of the African Caribbean Students Association.

Your senior year has been unlike any other in F&M's history. What have you learned about yourself this year?

I learned that I am resilient—there were so many uncertainties this year, from not knowing if I was able to stay in the U.S. and continue my education if we went remote to uncertainties about what my future after F&M looks like. While there were low points, I am taking classes I love with professors I admire and I am grateful for a chance to be here. I am proud of every little thing that I have accomplished despite this pandemic.

What has been your most memorable moment or time here at F&M?

I'll never forget the time I met some of my closest friends on campus. We are all international students so we met during international orientation. International orientation was such a great time; I met students from all over the world and it provided me with a community that was also adapting to everything that came along with moving alone to a different country. I don't think my time here would have been the same without my friends!

What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?

Honestly, meeting so many different people! Everyone has a story and it is such a pleasure getting to meet and learn about people with so many different backgrounds.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

I chose F&M because it offers such a unique liberal arts education. As a high school senior with many academic interests, I wanted a liberal arts education that would allow me to explore all my interests. That is what I did with my majors. I knew I wanted a balance of both the sciences and humanities and F&M is one of the few schools where I could do that and much more in four years.

What advice do you have for incoming first-years?

Even if you know what you want to do for the rest of your life, take full advantage of the hundreds of courses taught here. You never know what might turn your life in a completely different direction. I would have never expected to be a government major; I came to F&M interested in neuroscience and I took international politics my first year and I was hooked! I took more and more government classes and decided to major in it after that. So keep an open mind.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I am getting my master's degree in public health in global health policy starting in the fall.