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Varshini, a senior at UMass majoring in computer science, comes from Chelmsford, Mass., a medium-sized town with a predominantly white community. Varshini was raised in a traditional “hybrid Indian-American cultured,” household. Growing up she felt as though she had to mask that part of herself in order to fit in. Connecting with her cultural identity in school was missing. Going to UMass, Varshini was nervous to once again feel like a minority, but she was impressed by the amount of diversity the school offered. Upon arriving, she explained, she found an immediate community.

Varshini was initially interested in UMass because she wanted to be at a school where she wouldn't feel “stuck with minimal options.” UMass was the perfect combination of faces she had known from high school and faces of students that were potential new friends. The thought of who she would meet from across the country excited her. 

Varshini explained, “First semester is a huge change, but one of the first few things that felt like home was bonding with my floormates.” There were so many things that helped Varshini through the adjustment period—and all of them centered around meeting people. “Randomly going out and meeting people is nerve wracking,” she acknowledged, while emphasizing the importance of bonding with people around you, especially those that conveniently live on your floor. 

She really blossomed during the pandemic when she had time to think about what she is interested in and where she wants to spend her time. Varshini had joined the Indian Classical Arts Society (ICAS), during her freshman year, but she really began investing her time sophomore year. With the ICAS, Varshini was able to express herself creatively while representing her culture. It finally felt like she was, “giving back, paying respect to my teachers, family and culture.”

In every semester Varshini has felt like a new person, learning new things. When asked what she has learned over the past few years, Varshini explained, “making sure every day or every week I am spending time with people who have a positive influence on my life.” That work-life balance has been crucial for her to remain focused on her priorities, academics, extra-curriculars, and her well being. Varshini’s advice to incoming students: Don’t jump into everything right away because you will end up spreading yourself too thin. She encourages people beginning their journey at UMass to take their time finding where their interests lie. You can always take a step back from something if it isn’t for you, but trying is the crucial part.