Guest Spotlights

Meet Dr. Kassahun Yimer

Who You Are

My name is Kassahun, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the capital city of Africa that somehow manages to be both ancient and fast‑moving at the same time. I completed my Bachelor’s in Medicine (2018) and later specialized in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (2024) at Addis Ababa University. 

When I’m not buried in research or textbooks, you’ll probably find me reading psychology or historical books, trying to understand both the human mind and the world that shaped it.

What Brought You to Atlanta & Villa

I came to Atlanta to pursue my MPH in Epidemiology at Emory University, diving deeper into the intersection of medicine and public health, the place where individual stories meet population‑level impact.

I first heard about Villa International from a friend who stayed here and described it as “the safest landing spot for anyone new to Atlanta.” He was right!

Villa, or as we affectionately call it, “The little UN”, has been far more than a place to sleep. It’s a home where people from every corner of the world gather, share stories, and somehow become family. It’s the kind of place where you discover talents you didn’t know you had, where you learn dances, you didn’t know existed, and where you taste flavors, you can’t pronounce but instantly love.

 

Villa Has been far more than a place to sleep, It’s a home where people from every corner of the world gather, share stories, and somehow become family.

And the Villa team? Rebecca’s everyday joy, cheerfulness, and compassion; Steve’s toolbox magic for every tiny appliance issue, Marcia’s organization and meticulousness, Maryam’s monthly party‑planning energy, Taiko’s calm kindness, and Caren’s friendship and jokes all shape the heart of Villa.  They’re the unofficial parents for everyone, organizing holiday celebrations, surprise treats, birthday cakes, and offering the kind of support you don’t realize you need until you’re far from home. You never feel alone here. Leaving Villa comes with a surprising side effect: melancholy.

Future Plans

Professionally and academically, I hope to continue contributing to clinical medicine, public health research, and the broader scientific community. My time at Villa, surrounded by people who are all trying to make the world a little better, strengthened my commitment to global health. It reminded me that this field isn’t just a career path; it’s a shared human effort, built on collaboration, empathy, and community.

Villa Experience

There are many great memories of my time spent in Villa, but a few moments that stand out like snapshots include:

  • Cultural and religious celebrations that turned the dining room into a global festival
  • Cornhole and billiard tournaments that brought out everyone’s competitive spirit
  • Movie nights where we bonded over popcorn and plot twists
  • Cooking nights where the kitchen smelled like five continents at once

But the heart of Villa is in the small, unforgettable moments: Backyard campfires, roasting marshmallows while sipping beer, laughing with people whose names you learned only days ago, but who somehow already feel like family. Late‑night conversations with residents from countries that challenge your geography knowledge. The kind of spontaneous connections that make you forget you ever arrived here alone. Villa gave me belonging. It made me comfortable in community spaces, taught me about the beauty of American culture, and reminded me how powerful shared humanity can be.