When I first came to Rice, I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Having grown up in Abu Dhabi and attending an international school, I was exposed to so many cultures. But despite that diversity, I realized I wasn’t deeply connected to my Desi heritage. I wanted to change that in college, connect more with my culture, and find a community where I truly felt at home. 

At the beginning of my freshman year, I decided to attend one of the Rice South Asian Society (SAS) events, Garba. Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance performed during Navratri, where people dance in circles to music and celebrate together. I had never celebrated Garba before, and was excited to see what it was all about. I definitely wasn’t expecting to walk into McMurtry commons to see the space decorated with lights, tables filled with food (paneer pizza!), and the sound of traditional music filling the air. The room was packed with people from all different backgrounds, not just South Asians, dancing and enjoying the celebration. I remember instantly feeling connected not just to the people around me, but also to a part of my culture that I hadn’t explored much before.

I knew I wanted to get more involved with SAS and help create these kinds of experiences for others. By the end of my freshman year, I ran for the club’s events coordinator position, excited at the opportunity to plan and organize SAS’s cultural events. As part of the board, I helped coordinate Diwali, Holi, and our biggest event of the year, Dhamaka, the annual cultural showcase. For Dhamaka, we bring together performances from Rice Bhangra, Rasikas, Riyaaz, Rangilas, Basmati Beats, and many individual acts. Dhamaka is definitely my favorite event of the year and is always something I look forward to.

This year, as one of the presidents of SAS, I’ve had the privilege of helping to lead and shape the organization. The most rewarding part of being on the board has been working with our team to create events where everyone, South Asian or not, can come together and celebrate. Being involved in SAS, whether as a member or in an executive role, has truly shaped my time at Rice. It’s given me a sense of belonging and an opportunity to connect with others who share similar cultural backgrounds, while also introducing our traditions to those outside of our community.

I truly believe that my Rice experience would not have been complete without being involved in SAS. I definitely wouldn’t have imagined that I’d become president, especially as someone who didn’t feel very connected to my culture initially. It’s really helped me grow in ways I never expected. Whether it’s through large events like Dhamaka, or just spending time with friends, being part of SAS has made my time at Rice feel more meaningful. If you feel like you want to connect with your culture or explore something new, I’d definitely encourage you to get involved in cultural clubs at Rice. There's a place for everyone to thrive.

-Bela, Duncan ‘26  (Published on 5/27/2025)