Nadia Howse is freshman at UIC, majoring in Science in Health Information Management at the ripe age of sixteen. She’s an inspirational and caring young woman who has started her very own not-for-profit organization- read more to find out about Nadia and her organization!
HC: So, you are only sixteen years old, how in the world did you manage to get into college so early?
I skipped pre-kindergarten, second grade, and my junior year of high school.
HC: You must have worked extremely hard to get here at UIC, how did you stay motivated?
I studied really hard, and had to sacrifice certain things, but I always knew that the end result would be worth it. That’s what motivated me.
HC: What made you choose UIC opposed to other universities?
Because of my younger age, a lot of universities didn’t wouldn’t allow me to stay on campus, which I knew I wanted to do. I also really liked the research available at UIC, and it wasn’t too far from home either.
HC: What are you involved with here at UIC and outside of school?
I started a not-for profit organization called Nadia’s Howse of Hope so I’m usually involved with that, and I play the violin, sometimes for events and just for fun.
HC: Tell us about your not-for-profit organization; how you started it, why you started it, etc.
My organization is for kids who are in the hospital for extended periods of time. The purpose is to make sure that they don’t fall behind in their education, I make sure they have backpacks, paper, educational toys, books, and even these things called Enabler devices (devices that allow patients to hold i-Pads up if they aren’t strong enough to). I started Nadia’s Howse of Hope because when I was younger I was in the hospital for long periods of time. I had pneumonia twice and Kawasaki’s disease. Both were very dangerous diseases, and if I hadn’t had my mom and dad to help me not fall behind, I would have struggled with staying caught up in school. I view education very importantly, so I thought that instead of using my money on myself, I should put it towards a cause that was important to me. I was standing in my closet packing for vacation and I was thinking about the clothes that I wanted to buy, but instead I talked to my mom about starting a foundation for this cause. That’s how it all started.
HC: When you have free time (if you ever do!) what do you like to do?
I enjoy going downtown and exploring parts of the city that I haven’t seen before. I feel like it’s so great to live in a big city like this, and I want to make sure that while I’m here I get to experience it.
HC: What are you studying and what would you like to do with your major?
I want to go into healthcare administration. I’m majoring in Science in Health Information Management.
HC: Do you live on campus or commute?
I live on campus at JST, I think it’s much more convenient than commuting would be!
HC: Do you get homesick often, especially being younger than the average college student?
I don’t get as homesick as often as I thought I would. I think it’s because I was born at Rush hospital and for about 6 years of my life I lived not too far from here. Also I have relatives that live about 5 minutes away from UIC, so I can always visit them.
HC: How’s your college experience at UIC going so far?
College has been great so far, but I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I live on campus. It’s a great yet different experience not just going to class with my friends, but that I actually live with them. And I enjoy that what I’m learning is becoming more related to what I want to do.
HC: What piece of advice would you give to someone who’s interested in starting their own not-for-profit organization?
If anyone wants to start their own organization, you have the right people help you. There are fees involved in paying for paperwork for it to become official, but it is definitely worth it. I would just say make sure you are specific and detailed about all that you want your organization to help with. I would also recommend having fundraisers and trying to get major corporations to make donations. It helps more people to learn about the organization and what it involves, plus it will bring more money for the cause.
To learn more about Nadia’s Howse of Hope visit her website- www.nadiashowseofhope.org