Plamedi Diakubama
B.S., cum laude, Computer Science, 2023
Data Entry Specialist
“Being an Alfie is to be able to actively participate in discussion about social issues, analyze their root causes as well as their connection to civility, and finally how they can be addressed by fostering civility. It also means being a part of a community where your voice is heard with care, love, and respect.”
Service & Work:
Collegia Advisor, Seattle University, 2022–2023
Global Leader, Bellevue College Office of International Students
Tutor in Math, English, and French in Bellevue College Academic Success Center
Awards & Honors:
President’s List
Dean’s List
Member, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
Alfie Scholars, Cohort 6, 2021–2023
Merit Scholarship
Bannan Scholarship
McGoldrick Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Plamedi’s Story
I am an international student from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was born and raised in Kinshasa, the capital. I am the third child in a family of six including five girls and one boy. I studied Biology and Chemistry in high school because my goal was to pursue a career as a dentist. Growing up, I have always had issues with my teeth and up until today I still do. Cavities, tooth sensitivity, Crooked teeth, gum problems, I had them all. When I was thirteen, I had four of my front teeth removed because they were a threat to my nervous system. After receiving treatment from a dentist, my family and myself realized that it was caused by a mistake another dentist made previously on me when trying to realign my teeth. The braces that I wore for years were not appropriate for me. The pressure put on my teeth was too high and caused them to start breaking up and exposing my nerves.
All this experience led me to believe that I was called to be a dentist. I thought about becoming a dentist so that I can help other kids not go through what I went through, which could also be a way for me to take my revenge over my dentist. I also thought that by being a dentist, I could reduce the pain I endured myself and had caused my parents. As years passed, I kept this idea in mind and was trying by all means to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. I choose to focus on Biology and Chemistry in high school so that it can help me reach my goal.
When I arrived here in 2018 to pursue my education it was time for me to make a final choice concerning my major. The idea of being a dentist was still in my head but deep inside me I knew that I was not one hundred percent convinced by that. So, I asked myself an important question that helped me make a final choice: “Plamedi, when things will get harder and harder for you through this journey, will your passion and love for this field be able to carry you through?” I knew that I am intelligent and able to succeed in school, but I was trying to discover if I truly loved this field and was passionate about it. Although I had great motivation behind my choice, the answer to this very important question is no. The idea of becoming a dentist was simply coming from a place of hate. Now, I knew that I had to let it go and start focusing on what Plamedi wanted and not what my anger or my guilt made me think I wanted.
I then started the journey of discovering my true self. I remember my experience in the U.S. in 2016 and 2017 and how amazed I was by technology. I started seeing how it could be used to improve and solve so many issues. For example, technology can help people, women especially, have access to education without necessarily having to physically attend a school. Technology is also a means to improving access to healthcare. So, I fell in love with Computer Science and all the possibilities this major has to offer. I still am passionate about helping people, but I simply choose to do it differently.
All I went through concerning my teeth was hard both physically and emotionally. At some point, I lost my smile. I was not enjoying smiling and being around people because I was emotionally drained and started to feel bad about myself. Fortunately, coming to the U.S. for the second time in 2017 was the boost that I needed. Being able to participate twice at a program organized by a prestigious American university made me realized that life had greater things ahead for me and I needed to wake up and exploit my full potential. So, I had the courage to reclaim my smile, and I have been wearing it with great joy and pride every single day!
My advice to everyone is to dream big, believe in yourself and work hard to make your dreams come true. Challenges will arise along the way but remember to take things step by step and whenever you are down look back at why you are doing what you are doing. Let your passion carry you through when your strength is no longer able to do so. Seek help when needed, allow yourself to be vulnerable sometime and never forget that there is no darkness that you cannot overcome.
Goals:
Growing up, I was not exposed to technology, and my first real experience using innovative technologies happened when I visited the U.S. Sat 16 years old. I definitely felt in love with technology and how it can be used improve people’s lives. I am glad that I got the opportunity to discover that and now to enter this field. I know that not every Congolese might get the same opportunity as me. So, my goal is to be able to create innovative technology solutions to inspire and encourage everyone, especially women, to work hard for the career they want and not what society is trying to force them to. I am planning to create an affordable online program and app that will expose Congolese to anything related to STEM (Science, Math and Engineering) so that they can have more career choices. I want to break the cycle of women being restricted on their careers choices and what they can or cannot do with their lives. To do so, I want to get a degree in computer science and work as a software engineer for few years to gain experience, design apps and websites, and later go to school to focus on artificial intelligence. I want to make technology more accessible in my country so to help empower women through access to useful resources.
On Civility:
Civility is recognizing that we live in a diverse and shared world where everyone has something different and unique to offer to the world. The fact that we lived in a shared place implies that resources are to be shared with everybody. So, civility in other words is the ability to acknowledge this and therefore choose to act out of love, respect, and care. By doing so, we will allow every human to enjoy the beauty of earth. The world is filled people who are unique and have a specific role to play. Thus, it is important that we acknowledge our limitations and strengths and allow everyone to freely play their parts by bringing what they have to the table.
