Christian Katumba '25 dives into what drew him to UNH's economics program and how stepping out of his comfort zone changed his college experience.
HOMETOWN 🏠
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
PROGRAM 📚
INTERESTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT UNH 👩💻
Black Student Union Business Manager, UNH Entrepreneurship Center, Student Body President AY24-25
Why I Chose UNH
When I was researching colleges in the U.S., UNH stood out. I was really drawn to the economics program that they had here. I'm very interested in developing places and countries, and I see economics as a way to move towards development.
But it wasn't just the academics. I was looking at the campus. It's very attractive! And it's not dense – it gives you room to breathe.
I made a good decision. This program is full of passionate professors and hands-on learning opportunities. I never foresaw dual majoring, but this place really pushes you to explore diverse interests.
Discovering EcoGastronomy: A Perfect Complement to Economic
I'm a big lover of food, so I decided to try the introductory EcoGastronomy course. It was very interesting! We learned about where food comes from and issues related to sustainability and treatment of farmworkers.
I think this unique combination will allow me to approach global development from multiple angles.
Growing Through Campus Involvement
When I first arrived at UNH, I was pretty reserved. But the welcoming community helped me branch out.
I'm proud of myself for being a part of the groups that I am involved in. I wasn't expecting going into college to be part of clubs. Meeting people and networking. It was a huge step outside my comfort zone.
Now, I'm the Business Manager for the Black Student Union, participate in UNH ECenter programs, and I'm even going to be student body president next year!
Looking Ahead: From UNH to the United Nations
My experiences at UNH have set me up for exciting future possibilities – my end goal is to eventually work for the UN. I'm even considering UNH's M.S. in Economics program to further my studies. Like I said before: the teachers here are really passionate. I'd love to continue learning from them.
When it comes to being student body president, I basically want to be a voice for people who have different perspectives. I want to make sure every student's voice is heard. And I'd like to leave UNH even better than I found it.
Advice for Future Students
If you're an international student – or any student – considering UNH, here's my advice: Don't be afraid to try. That's the biggest thing I've learned.
You won't know what you like until you dive in. Find what sticks with you.
