My name is Tinde and I am currently a junior at Brown College studying Cognitive Science and Linguistics on the pre-med track. Outside of studying chemical structures for Organic Chemistry, brain waves for my neuroscience classes, and sound patterns for my linguistics classes, I am involved in several cultural clubs on campus.

I am a member of the Rice African Student Association, where I can learn more about African culture — especially ones that are different from my own. At the general body meetings, we are able to try food from all around Africa, such as suya from Nigeria and samosas from Uganda.

I am also involved in the dance team, which is called Akoma (meaning “the heart” from the Asante in Ghana). Dancing is my way of destressing from class and having fun, and I have been on the team since my freshman year. In fact, I was actually a choreographer during my sophomore year, which not only helped me improve my dancing skills but also taught me how to lead other people. This opportunity gave me the chance to experience leadership in different forms.

This year, I am on the executive board for the Caribbean Student Society. Although I am not Caribbean, being a part of the club has taught me a lot about Caribbean culture. This past October, we hosted a Caribbean-inspired Halloween event featuring Caribbean food, candy, and scary stories. This event enriched my overall experience within the greater Rice community and gave me the chance to meet people who come from different backgrounds, which is really what college is all about.

Although my extracurricular activities do not necessarily align with my academic interests, they have made my student experience more vibrant and robust. I have learned how to be a strong leader, and I have also been able to cultivate an adaptable mindset, which is definitely helpful in Rice’s collaborative atmosphere. I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t look a specific way, and that it is more about the skills you obtain and how you use them to lead a group that matters. Being a part of these clubs has definitely helped me develop better people skills and better technical skills, which have been helpful in spaces inside and outside of the classroom. A piece of advice about extracurriculars: join clubs that help you grow as a person and allow you to have fun, whether they are academics-related or not!

-Tinde, Brown ‘26  (Published on 02/25/2025)