For many students, the decision to pursue higher education is not a particularly difficult one to make.
For St. Francis junior Bassith Yessoufou, the decision meant leaving his country, learning a new language and adapting to a culture that is wildly different from his home in the Ivory Coast.
That country is currently undergoing a period of political turmoil since an assassination attempt in 2002 on its current president.
Rebels took over the northern region of the African country after the failed coup, resulting in a civil war between the north and south that continues today.
But even amid chaos, Yessoufou and his friends were still able to find normalcy and consistency - through the game of basketball.
Yessoufou - known to his teammates as "Bass" - came to the United States four years ago as a junior in high school, starting his American playing days in California.
Following high school, the 6-9 center attended Palm Beach Community College, where he continued to work on his game and adjust to American lifestyle.
Yessoufou had to adapt his physical play to fit the style of American basketball, which differs in many ways from that of the Ivory Coast.
Since hailing from humble beginnings, adjusting to the resources and organization of American programs has been just the beginning for Yessoufou.
"The difference between there and here is that here people put more money into shoes, clothes [and] equipment," Yessoufou said. "It's not organized [in the Ivory Coast], people play just to have fun because they love the game of basketball."
The junior also found that his athleticism and impressive inside game would not be sufficient, and he worked to develop an perimeter game upon his arrival at Palm Beach.
"Back in the Ivory Coast, shooting wasn't important, and I didn't care about it because my game was always inside," Yessoufou said. "My game was just basically rebounding, jumping, dunking."
Playing at Palm Beach helped Yessoufou's outside stroke, although the center's main contribution to St. Francis will continue to be his dominance among the trees.
Although he most likely will not start this year, St. Francis coach Brian Nash will depend on Yessoufou as the team's sixth man and projects Yessoufou as a likely candidate for the top rebounder in the NEC.
But according to Nash, Yessoufou's greatest attribute cannot be found in a stat sheet.
"Bass is a breath of fresh air," Nash said. "He really appreciates everything that's given to him. He's had to work for everything and just has a workman's mentality."
Yessoufou admits he is homesick at times, as his family is still in the Ivory Coast.
But according to the center, living in America definitely has its perks, not the least of which is the cuisine.
"We don't have burgers in the Ivory Coast, so that's one of my favorite things about America," Yessoufou said.
Even though the United States has its advantages, Yessoufou still would like to return to the Ivory Coast when his time ends at St. Francis.
"I really want to go back and help my country," he said. "I want to try to use the knowledge I've gotten here to try and help fight poverty in the Ivory Coast."
And if what he has overcome so far is any indication, Yessoufou may be able to do just that.
