Christian Ronald Guiteau (B.S. ’26)
Originally from Haiti, Georgia State senior Christian Ronald Guiteau (B.S. ’26) is preparing for his next chapter. An animal lover and biology major graduating in May, he has long dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. Now, he has reached an exciting milestone: He’s been accepted into the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University.
Interview by Paige White
Why did you choose Georgia State?
When I was home studying in Haiti and choosing which university I’d attend, Georgia State gave me a great opportunity to further my studies. When you’re from a third-world country, your options are limited, and Georgia State gave me the best opportunity for my future through the Presidential Out-of-State Tuition Waiver. It made my tuition the same as if I were an in-state student and it helped me a lot.
What made you want to study in America?
As they say, America is the land of opportunity. America has the best degrees, teachers and researchers, and it’s worth studying here. I think it was the best place for me to grow the knowledge I need to achieve my goals in the future.
Why do you want to be a veterinarian?
My plan is to study in the U.S., get my degree, go back home and make a change in the lives of animals and people. Everything is connected: the people, the environment and food regulation. With the knowledge I gain, I will be able to help my country not only with better animal care but also food safety.
I believe in advocating for animals and making sure they are treated with care. With no care for them, what they eat can also endanger the people of Haiti. That is my goal and vocation: to go back to Haiti and help the people and animals.
Any other plans for the future?
I want to give back to the U.S. because I had this great opportunity and great people in the education system who helped me a lot, so I really want to pay it forward to the community here.
I want to educate pet owners here so they understand the process of owning and adopting a pet, and I want to create a foundation that funds animal welfare, helps care for farm animals, and conserves and protects the environments they live in.
What challenges have you faced on your journey and how have you overcome them?
I’ve mostly faced financial challenges. I had to work full time to pay my tuition and be a full-time student at the same time. It was hard to balance. I didn’t get many opportunities to be involved in campus life because I was either at work or studying. Those were my priorities.
However, I believe that with the right mindset and the right people around you to support you, you will succeed. You can come from a different background with challenges like mine. You can be successful without being in any organization. Graduate programs, universities and jobs will still value your dedication and hard work.
What advice would you give to students who want a similar career path as you?
Go for your goals, because I have met people in the past who also wanted to be a vet but were discouraged because of how competitive it is. People will get discouraged by acceptance rates and statistics of programs, but I would remind them to find people with similar interests to themselves and confide in them. Volunteer with animals and find a way to be involved in the field because there are so many opportunities to learn.
You have to put your mind to it and do the work. There are many pathways you can take to make it happen if you put in the effort. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and ignore people who try to discourage you. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing or wonder if they are better than you. Just do what you have to do.
