For international Madison College student Karen Kakou, tackling humanitarian work is not only a passion of hers, but also a lifelong mission.
In 2009 at age 21, Kakou made the journey from Ivory Coast, a West African French speaking country, to Madison, Wis. She moved to Madison to begin her studies as a freshman at UW-Madison. She said her transition to the United States began as a rocky road but became quite an easy one once she got involved on campus and found support in her new environment. Kakou is currently the president of the African Student Association and has been crowned Miss Ivory Coast. She is currently one of 25 finalists for Miss Africa.
Miss Africa is not Kakou’s first pageant. She has a history with pageants in high school, when she was crowned Miss College Modeme de Co Cody. “Previous pageants outside of Miss Africa were just for fame. The Miss Africa pageant is for a globally just cause.”
Kakou’s humanitarian goals focus on international students, aid and funding. She is an industrial engineering major and aims to improve the quality and productivity of hospitals and businesses.
Kakou comes from a very large Christian family. She is the fifth of 10 children. Mr. and Mrs. Kakou were somewhat concerned about their daughter participating in pageants due to the specific contests that reveal skin such as the swimsuit contest.
But the Miss Africa USA pageant is a scholarship pageant, which focuses solely on the betterment of young women’s lives; it supports their efforts and causes. Events like the swimsuit contest are optional and each contestant makes her own decision whether or not to participate, based on family principles and values.
Kakou decided not to participate in the swimsuit contest. Her family supports her in all that she does, and she is able to keep in contact with them quite often by using Skype, email and the telephone. Although sometimes she gets homesick and misses her family, she remembers that she is a leader who represents not only her family and friends but also a principle of leadership. Kakou is an individual who is committed to her goals. She plans to create more financial aid for international students.
Kakou is all about finding a new system that will help create bigger and better opportunities for international students worldwide who desire a college education in the United States.
She said, “Being involved in a pageant, like Miss Africa USA, is truly (a) rewarding experience but it is also quite time-consuming.” Time is only the first of many sacrifices one must make when entering a pageant. She has also had to sacrifice time from work and extra curricular activities to work on pageant projects and get ready for the finals in June.
“Pageants can surely add stress to your life but the benefits far exceed the drawbacks.,” she said. She described the experience as life-changing and appreciated the many lifelong friendships and increased awareness on her humanitarian work and efforts.
Kakou encouraged other young women to become involved in the Miss Africa pageant and other pageants with a similar cause. She states that any participant should be mentally and physically prepared. Kakou explains that pageants are incredible platforms for networking and social awareness. She said, “It helps young women grow up and collaborate and work with one another.”
Immediately, this pageant spoke to Kakou’s strong desire to create and implement change regarding international students and tuition costs.
High and rising tuition costs greatly affect all students but they especially affect the international students community. “It cost me $14,000 a semester to attend UW-Madison,” Kakou said. The high costs of UW-Madison became overbearing. But due to dedication and hard work she is in great academic standing to receive scholarships from future schooling institutions. This spring 2013 semester will be her last at Madison College.
Karen is currently the president of the African Student Association (ASA). The ASA has recently been holding events in celebration of Black History Month. A recently held fashion show allowed African-American students to learn about their cultural roots. The ASA will also be conducting an educational trip this month to Chicago.
It is her desire to transfer to the University of Wisconsin Platteville where she will finish her undergraduate degree in industrial engineering. In addition, Kakou plans to continue her education at the graduate level, where she hopes to obtain an MBA.
The Miss Africa pageant ends Jun. 29, 2013.
Kakou’s humanitarian work and that of other pageant participants are available at theaisaf.com. Voting information for Miss Africa will be posted to the website.