11 saint francis magazine | spring 2024 Xiaoxue Cui (BSN ’22) found her faith in Fort Wayne. When she came to the United States from China, her goal was to see another part of the world, explore continued medical education and find direction for her life. She succeeded in unexpected ways. Today, Xiaoxue is living in Loxahatchee, Florida, married and expecting a child, and considers herself an entirely different person due to her belief in Jesus Christ. Her road to Christianity wound through Saint Francis, as well as the International House, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization in Fort Wayne. “I knew nothing about religion,” Xiaoxue said. “When I transferred to the University of Saint Francis (from the University of Alabama-Birmingham), theology class was required. It was really confusing to me. Ann Heign (executive director) at the International House helped me understand. She helped me to read the Bible and understand it, and I began seeking the truth of life and everything. “People who believe in Jesus are very different,” she said. “They are friendlier and nicer, and they share their love with others. I could see the light in them. And, as I went along, I could see the brightest light that is God.” Xiaoxue had spent many years studying in China, ultimately pursuing neurology. But as she grew older, she felt a strong desire to explore life outside of her home country. She initially landed in Birmingham, Alabama. “I was there for one semester and my parents started to worry about me,” she said. “They have friends in Fort Wayne, and they asked me if I would like to transfer to Saint Francis and live with their friends. So that’s what I did, and they took care of me.” Saint Francis’ nursing program was a major draw. “This was a great opportunity to do clinicals and see how the hospital system works in America,” she said. Xiaoxue faced a learning curve improving her ability to English fluently. In China, English is a focus with reading and writing, but not with speech. Her classroom and clinical work helped her rapidly improve her oral communication. As she developed more skills in the nursing program, she also found a change emerge in how she interacted with patients. In China, the interaction between healthcare professionals and patients is cold; literally, it can be clinical. “How I work, how I think about patients—the University of Saint Francis influenced me a lot,” she said. “Not only do they teach you knowledge, but they teach you how to take care of patients in a Catholic way. A lot of times, not only do patients have physical needs, but if they are happy, it’s very helpful for the whole process of healing. It’s very important to show kindness and you don’t see that kind of culture in China in healthcare.” Once she graduated, Xiaoxue landed a position in Florida and ended up meeting her husband David Frost at a local park while she attended a church small-group meeting. The couple, married last May, expects their first child soon. Xiaoxue’s experience at Saint Francis changed her as deeply as a person as it did as a healthcare professional. “I am much more patient. I was not patient before I came here; I was a spoiled only child,” she said. “I can understand people’s feelings better. I respect other people more. I think about other people more—not just their physical needs but their spiritual needs. That part is what Saint Francis taught me.” Xiaoxue credits her time at Saint Francis and in Fort Wayne with shaping her spiritual walk, and with making her a better person as she navigates her life as a wife and soon-to-be mother. “Jesus is the solution that I’ve found, and the solution to save the culture of the world,” she said. “If you love other people and share that love, it’s contagious. People recognize that and appreciate that.” Xiaoxue Cui grew up in China and worked as a neurologist, but a move to the United States put her on a new path. Her time at Saint Francis changed her life in more ways than one. “When you look for me, you will find me.” JEREMIAH 29:13 (NABRE) Photography courtesy of Xiaoxue Cui
