For Isatu Barrie ’22, the journey to Husson was substantially longer. Originally from Sierra Leone, Barrie arrived in Maine in 2014, settling in Bangor.
Married with three young children, Barrie earned dual degrees in accounting and business administration, a perfect fit for her love of numbers.
“Growing up, I always liked figures. When it comes to calculating, dealing with cash and money, I love it. I just like counting money. Even if the cash isn’t mine,” Barrie, who did an internship at the Bangor offices of accounting firm BerryDunn, said while laughing.
“I just like the fact that what I studied in school I can put it into practice. I’ve learned so much,” she said of the synergy between Husson and her internship.
Barrie plans on returning to Sierra Leone for the summer, where she will study for her CPA exam. When she returns in the fall, she will stay in Maine, take the exam and become a professional accountant.
“I love Maine,” Barrie said. “I love how quiet it is. It’s a great place to raise a family. I won’t leave Maine, but I may move to someplace in the southern part of the state.”
She says she will miss the camaraderie she found at Husson, where she enjoyed the consistent support of professors and peers alike.
“The professors have been very helpful,” she said. “It’s been a great school. If you need to speak to someone, you can speak with them right away. I would recommend it anytime, to anyone.”