NOTE: This is one in a series of articles on Brock’s 2024-25 Horizon Graduate Student Scholarship recipients. Read other stories in the series on The Brock News.

Serenity Amegashie’s journey to graduate school has been anything but conventional.

As an Applied Health Sciences master’s student, Amegashie is navigating the complexities of being an immigrant, a mother and a researcher. Her perseverance, and determination to help others, earned her a 2024-25 Horizon Graduate Student Scholarship.

She says the scholarship is a “huge relief,” allowing her to focus on her research without the added stress of financial strain.

Amegashie’s research focuses on supporting African immigrant mothers, particularly those experiencing first-time childbirth in a foreign health-care system.

Born in Ghana, she grew up in a family where education was highly valued. She often felt the weight of these expectations while also aspiring to forge her own path.

Amegashie initially dreamed of becoming a nutritionist, but financial constraints led to her working as a high school teacher and a mentor for girls at a boarding school instead.

In 2022, her life took a turn when she relocated to Calgary, Alta., for her husband to continue his PhD. Amegashie was 32 weeks pregnant with their first child at the time.

The pregnancy brought its own set of challenges, including the task of finding a health-care provider in a new country.

“In Ghana, midwives are the primary caregivers during childbirth, but in Canada, there are different options and variables to consider,” she says. “I had to choose between a midwife and a doctor, which was an overwhelming decision for me.”

This experience sparked her interest in the challenges faced by immigrant mothers and would later become the focus of her research when she decided to further her education.

“I saw how many immigrants, like me, struggle to access the right care during pregnancy and childbirth,” she says. “There’s a gap in understanding how cultural values and experiences influence decisions when choosing health-care providers.”

She received an offer of admission from Brock in 2023, having secured funding and a supportive supervisor, but she discovered she was pregnant with her second child.

Amegashie deferred her start date and eventually moved to St. Catharines with her family in 2024 to begin her studies.

She says she hopes to create a platform that helps first-time immigrant mothers access resources.

“My research is about educating and empowering African immigrant mothers, particularly those experiencing childbirth for the first time in a new country,” she says. “I want to help these mothers navigate the health-care system and make informed choices as there are so many underutilized resources available in Canada.”

Looking ahead, Amegashie is still deciding whether to pursue a PhD or transition into the workforce, but her commitment to supporting immigrant communities is unwavering.

She credits her husband and daughters for always encouraging her to pursue her dreams, even when the path is uncertain.

“It’s been a balancing act, but my family and God’s grace keep me grounded. My family is my biggest source of strength,” she says. “It’s not always easy, but I want to show my daughters that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, even as a mother.”