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Alumni Profile: Khalid Abdulraheem '23 and Gifts from Other Places
By Jill Perry Balzano
“BBA gave me a foundation of confidence and belonging. It showed me that being different can be a strength and that kindness and curiosity can open doors anywhere in the world.” - Khalid Abdulraheem '23
“BBA gave me a foundation of confidence and belonging. It showed me that being different can be a strength and that kindness and curiosity can open doors anywhere in the world.” - Khalid Abdulraheem '23
Snow
It was the first time he saw snow. In the fall of 2021, the first flurries in the Green Mountains came in early November. It was soft, fluffy, blanketing snow, but spotty in covering. For Khalid Abdulraheem ’23, an international student from Nigeria, it was both a gift and a challenge.
“At first,” he recalls, his easy smile widening, “I was excited about the snow, but then it started to get really cold, and I was thinking, ‘Oh, what is this?’”
“But I was lucky. My host mom encouraged me to join the Nordic ski team to stay active, and that was one of the best decisions I made, because it helped me learn how to stay warm when you’re outside.”
“At first, it was challenging to adjust to the weather, food, and culture, and being far from my family. But over time, I learned that challenges can become opportunities for growth.”
Khalid would go on to become a captain of that Nordic ski team, as well as a captain of the track team, fall in love with a subject he thought he didn’t like (biology), make friendships and deep relationships that would sustain him while away from his family, secure a place to study at an American university, and at Burr and Burton’s commencement, be awarded the hallowed EH Henry Award—awarded to only two seniors who demonstrate outstanding qualities of responsibility, integrity, and service.
To those who know Khalid, his extraordinary achievement is matched only by his deep sincerity and magnanimity. People’s faces light up when you mention his name. And though he came to Burr and Burton to learn, the education seems reciprocal; the community learned at least as much from Khalid.
Kindness and Community
“Back home,” he says, “We have seasons: the rainy season, the dry season, and winter with no snow–the coldest it gets is 50 degrees.”
Khalid describes Funtua, Nigeria as “a warm and lively city” with a close-knit community known for its emphasis on respect, faith, and education. With an estimated population of nearly 400,000 people, Funtua is a very large city compared to any in Vermont, and with an average year-round temperature of 86.5 degrees, it’s also significantly warmer.
He recalls developing a sense of community through his family at a young age: “My dad believed in helping anyone whenever you can. He encouraged us to do that. When our neighbors needed something, I would go help.” Drawing from his Muslim faith, Khalid’s father taught him and his siblings to be kind, honest, patient, and respectful.
In primary school and junior secondary school, Khalid learned all the traditional subjects and English, which he became proficient at speaking. When local government officials reached out to his school to nominate candidates for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES Program) sponsored by the US Department of State, teachers picked Khalid. From there it was a very competitive process where nominees traveled to the state capital to take an exam. High scorers were then interviewed by a US Embassy diplomat, and finalists had to pass a rigorous English language test.
Khalid was selected from Nigeria in 2021, and as he describes, he was randomly assigned to Burr and Burton in Vermont, “There were 20 students from Nigeria; one of my friends went to Delaware, another went to California.”
Khalid reflects on what he brought with him to Burr and Burton: [In Funtua] there’s always a sense of energy and connection among people. Growing up there taught me the importance of community.
“Moving from such a vibrant city to a small, peaceful Vermont town was a big change, but it helped me appreciate both the quiet of nature and the strength of community that I carry from home.”
Khalid smiles broadly and never misses an opportunity to share credit: “BBA welcomed me with open arms and it quickly felt like a second home.”
Belonging and Leadership
Khalid also brought a unique kind of discipline and intellectual curiosity with him to Burr and Burton.
Longtime Social Studies teacher Tom Klein immediately recognized Khalid as a student who approached learning with genuine curiosity: “He was not a student taking things for granted,” Klein recalls. “He came in with his notebook out, answering questions, paying attention, making the effort. His bearing demonstrated a real appreciation for what was offered at BBA.”
Elizabeth Young, who hosted Khalid during his second year at BBA, and still has a very close relationship with him, viscerally recalls a moment that defined him for her:
“At one big Nordic meet, there was this wide, swooping turn, and Khalid’s binding suddenly slipped. He’d been in first place, and right behind him was another skier. Amazingly, both of them slipped out of their bindings at the same turn—one right after the other.
“The other skier just stopped, but Khalid didn’t. He got up. He kept repeating to himself, ‘Okay, next step.’ I could actually hear him saying it out loud, ‘Next step, next step.’ He brushed the snow out of his binding, cleared off his shoe, straightened it, and got going again.
“He ended up finishing third. It was incredible. He just kept his focus, one step at a time, and overcame it.”
It may have been more challenging for Khalid to embrace this new place in such an extraordinary way if he had not felt so welcome and supported by the International Program: “The staff and teachers were always patient and understanding,” Khalid says. “They helped with everything, organized trips to Washington, D.C., and New York City, and created opportunities to connect with other international students. I still stay in touch with friends from Spain and Germany.” Through this support, Khalid quickly discovered a sense of belonging: “Everyone valued inclusion, kindness, and community. It made me feel truly at home.”
As he adapted to life in Vermont, Khalid found new inspiration in his studies. His Honors and AP Biology teacher, Thom Collins, transformed the subject from abstract concepts into a hands-on, fascinating exploration of life. “Mr. Collins completely changed my view of biology,” Khalid says. “His teaching style was engaging and clear. He gave weekly reflection tests and taught us how to take notes effectively. I still use [the Cornell Notes] method—writing everything I learned in my own words.” Hands-on dissections and integrative research projects gave Khalid the confidence to think critically and take ownership of his learning.
Klein, who also co-coached Khalid’s track and field team, watched Khalid grow as a leader: “He was one of those quiet leaders that people would look to. He was strong as a student and athlete, but more than that, he was sincere, kind, and disciplined.” Khalid’s leadership wasn’t about being the loudest or most visible; it was about showing care, perseverance, and integrity—qualities that inspired those around him.
Given some time to reflect, Khalid says that developing the confidence to become a leader was one of the most important things he took away from Burr and Burton: “I was a captain for the Nordic ski team and the track team, and I also attended the [Bulldog] Leadership summits each Tuesday. I learned that everyone has a purpose, and you can choose what your purpose will be. Through being a captain and volunteering with my host families, I was able to apply those leadership skills.”
“BBA gave me a foundation of confidence and belonging. It showed me that being different can be a strength and that kindness and curiosity can open doors anywhere in the world.”
Purpose and Hope
It’s the middle of a very busy semester in his junior year at Quinnipiac University, and Khalid is considering what he can do to make deeper connections with the residents on his floor.
One of several leadership roles he has assumed at Quinnipiac, Khalid is a resident assistant (RA), supporting younger students in his dorm. He recounts, “One co-RA and I organized lawn games like cornhole and Connect 4 [and prepared some] walking tacos. Next week, we have a “suite visit” planned—just hanging out, playing games, and checking in with residents.”
Khalid was recently selected as a fellow in Quinnipiac’s acclaimed Sawhney Leadership Program, which provides participants with explicit leadership training and mentorship with regional leaders. “We meet monthly,” he says, “to discuss goals, work on weaknesses, and learn about [topics like] emotional intelligence . . . my current goal is connecting more with my residents and building stronger relationships with them.”
In this way, Khalid has taken the confidence and leadership skills he developed at Burr and Burton and applied them in this new context—-sharing out these gifts from other places.
He has also taken his love of biology and determined a hopeful path forward: “My goal is to become a pediatrician and build a career in the medical field. I hope to combine science, healthcare, and service to make a positive difference in people’s lives, both in the U.S. and back home in Nigeria.”
Lightning quick to share credit for his success, Khalid reflects on the path to the current moment: “Burr and Burton shaped who I am today. It taught me to be open-minded, resilient, and compassionate. My experiences there, especially as an exchange student, helped me discover the importance of leadership, service, and community. Those lessons continue to guide me in college and in my future goals.”
And true to the nature of this deeply reciprocal relationship, it comes into focus what we all have received from Khalid: Hope is the gift that Khalid gives us.
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