I Chose America

Book excerpt: At the age of 19, Ike Udeh made the difficult decision to travel thousands of miles from his hometown of Enugu, Nigeria, to the United States of America in pursuit of a better life and more opportunity for his family. As a young Nigerian national team soccer player, he was presented with a tough choice: immediate wealth and stardom on a professional European team or a scholarship to play for Alabama A&M University while getting his education. He chose America and an education. Along the way, he was also able to play in major league soccer in the USA. Ike was met regularly with cultures shocks and the challenges entailed in being an immigrant college student and athlete in northern Alabama. He dealt with the pain and disappointment of being away from the home and culture he knew, as well as multiple heartbreaks, but eventually he found lasting love and a worldwide family.