Dr Monica Peres Oikeh: 'I was always the only black person in the room'

Because I went to a Deis school (Blakestown Community School) in Blanchardstown, it was quite multicultural so I didn't really feel out of place. There were lots of people that looked like me.

It was when I got into college I felt that; ‘Oh my God, I must be in a foreign country' because I was always the only black person in the room.

Growing up in Nigeria, your parents have aspirations for you. My family used to always call me ‘doctor.’

That prophecy was fulfilled but I'm a different person now. I am who I want to be.

Growing up in Nigeria, it was just me and my mum. I was very dependent on her and then coming to Ireland, I felt alone in some sense - like I couldn't really depend on anyone.

It was a case of; 'If you really want to go to college, you have to get a job and pay for it.'

I didn't get the grant because I wasn't an Irish citizen. Another challenge after university was getting people to acknowledge that I am actually a doctor. I'm not just some random person who has a stethoscope around her neck, you know?

I’d never been to Cork before I moved there. I just wanted to start all over. There's a story that follows you and I wanted to be a different person - more independent. I’m very glad I did.

I did my internship in Cork and Kerry - that’s where I learned how to cycle, cook, drive. I became my own person.

I do [find myself saying Cork phrases]. Cork people are known for their curses. I’d never say ‘ya langer’ but I do unfortunately have to control my tongue sometimes.

I'm proud of finishing college and becoming a GP because it was very competitive getting into the game.

Honestly, the amount of Doubting Thomases - people just never had the confidence in you - and at some point, you just have to say; ‘I don’t give a shit what you think.’

When I started working, it dawned on me that I was done with my training. I literally just broke down in tears. It was very overwhelming, just thinking about it. I was so happy but so sad that my mum couldn't be part of it.

I’m 33 now. I got my home before I was 30 but I couldn't even brag about it.

I think my resilience is my greatest quality. I had no choice but to be.

I'm very easygoing, even with my patients. I’m not serious all the time. Sometimes [lightness] is actually needed more.

I talk to my dad about so many things but it hasn't always been that way. I like ranting to my dog while I talk to myself.

I don't like being around competitive people. We all have our own lanes and I stay in my lane [when that’s needed] - it’s a bit of both.

I have a public profile but I keep my circle very small. I surround myself with people who are very similar to me and we are all go-getters.

One of my biggest lessons came from working as a GP. Listening to people’s stories, you realise that everyone has their troubles, no matter how happy they seem.

The best life lesson I've learned is to be thankful for what you have and aspire to have more but don't let that get you down.

I’m surprised at how smart my dog Maya is. I wasn't a huge fan of dogs but during the pandemic, I got involved with my neighbor who had a dog.

I was living in an apartment. He had a dog that initially I was quite scared of but she was so lovely.

She got pregnant and the neighbour was quite elderly so I got the dog and two and half years later, I still have her. My friend kept saying I was going to bring her back.

I'm so scared to fail. I suppose you can’t achieve anything in life if you're not putting yourself in situations where you can't fail.

There’s huge pressure on people to get married and have a kid. If I hadn't left Nigeria, I definitely would have been married by now, maybe experiencing a different type of joy.

• Dr Monica Peres Oikeh is nominated for Educator of the Year at The Black & Irish Gala Awards, powered by RTÉ on Saturday, December 2.