Belonging

My first moment at UofA where I truly felt like I belonged was when I joined the Rotaract Club here on campus because I've always been passionate about doing community service and this club was oriented around that. From the club I was able to make really good friends, gain a leadership position and learn more about Tucson. I've been able to not just explore the city but truly incorporate myself into the community and give back to the place I'm calling home for 4 years. - Kanita, Junior, Physiology and Medical Sciences Major

I moved to Tucson from Atlanta, GA to start my undergrad journey. Thanks to my dorm, my random roommate & my courses, I was able to settle in quickly for my 3 and a half year journey. The city of Tucson allowed for me to explore the city, get to know myself and grow into adulthood all while being supported by University staff and resources. U of A provided me the space to grow with a tight knit, small community while Tucson remained major enough to allow me to travel to Atlanta or Seattle to visit my roots. Little did I know that I wouldn't be leaving after 3.5 years! I would go on find a career, my life partner, best friends and a graduate program all within the campus community. Tucson is now home, and is the best place to call home. It provides a picturesque background to explore every weekend, stay connected as an alumni through athletics and events and further my education in the UA Graduate College. - Paige O'Rourke , Arizona Alumni, Staff Member and Graduate Student

Belonging is being with people who you have a deep connection with and share similar values. Coming from the small town Sedona Arizona, I was overwhelmed with the size of the U of A. I tried various clubs and joined a sorority where I still didn't feel like I belonged. I starting feeling belonging when I decided to move in with two of my high school friends. I always go home to friendly faces. We cook together and watch movies and gossip about our day. I also feel like I belong in my job at SOS. I met my now really close friend Layal that I spend a lot of time out of work with working at SOS. I feel belonging with my friendships! - Serena, Junior, Sociology & Anthropology Major

Being a Tucson native, University of Arizona has always been my home. I am a second-generation Wildcat and grew up spending lots of time on campus, attending various sporting events, performances, and conferences. I already knew that U of A was a place where belonging is cultivated. Transitioning to coming to college here deepened my understanding and connection to that belonging. The variety of campus offerings creates this sense and brings our community, students, staff, and faculty together. My favorite part about this whole experience is that I have been able to see my friends from out of state find their belonging here on campus. - Austin, Sophomore, Precision Nutrition and Wellness Major

Belonging to me is where I'm needed the most. Where I can help others and know that what I did made an impact. Belonging to me is knowing that wherever I go, once I come back, I'll be greeted with open arms. - Augustin, First-Year Student

Over the past four transformative years as an international student at the University of Arizona, I, Kargi Chauhan from Gujarat, India, have collected memories etched deeply in my heart. Upon arriving in Tucson, Arizona, the vibrant campus, diverse student body, and the warmth of the southwestern United States embraced me, making me feel at home despite the distance from my family. The university provided an environment fostering both academic and personal growth. Rich courses and approachable, expert professors played a crucial role in shaping my educational journey. The commitment to research excellence enabled my participation in projects that expanded my knowledge and connected me with like-minded peers and mentors. Arizona's landscapes added a unique charm to my college life. Exploring nature became a therapeutic escape, with weekend trips, such as those to the Grand Canyon, creating lasting memories with friends. Completing my four-year journey, I am not merely earning a degree; I am gaining valuable experiences, lasting friendships, and a stronger sense of self. To future international students considering the University of Arizona, I would say, "Embrace every opportunity, challenge yourself, and savor every moment. Your time here will be more than an academic pursuit; it will be a life-changing adventure." Grateful for the incredible journey in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, my years as a Wildcat have been the best of my life.

I came to college as the first in my family to attend college and I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome in my first weeks here. I was scared that I wasn't capable of rising to the challenge, and that everyone else had a plan for their life while I was still figuring it out. A sense of belonging was really important to my ability to thrive here. I became very involved with the W.A Franke Honors College, where I felt like I was a part of a close knit community of like-minded students. In the Spring, I became an Orientation Leader and ever since, I've had the joy of working with other students who love our community and welcome the next generations of wildcats! I'm in my last year of the nursing program, and the connections I've made with my nursing peers have been profound and lovely. - Bree, Senior, First-Generation College Student, College of Nursing & W.A Franke Honors College

Being born and raised in Arizona, I've never known any other place to be home. I grew up going to school in Casa Grande, then I continued on to high school in Chandler and now I'm here in Tucson. Being a part of the different communities in these areas has taught me a lot. I've had some good times and I've had some bad times but at the end of the day, home is where the heart lives and mine is forever in love with Arizona. - Alondra, Senior

My sense of belonging at the University of Arizona was not immediate. I didn't meet close friends until later into my first semester, and I felt like I was doing college wrong. I had always grown up wanting to attend the University of Arizona and was worried I wouldn't meet people. However, with time I found friends in my dorm and connected to others through the W.A. Franke Honors College and through the College of Nursing. I am so grateful for what University of Arizona has brought me an I could not be happier to be a Wildcat! - Melissa, Senior, College of Nursing & W.A. Franke Honors College

After realizing freshman year that medicine was not the career for me, I changed my major from biochemistry to business management with a sports management certificate as I have always had a passion for sports, particularly baseball, and the community it creates. In turn, I found my sense of belonging in the Sports Management Association and in the opportunities the club has presented. Since joining the club, I have been offered, and have worked, two different internships - one in the Outbound Sales department of Arizona Athletics and one in event planning/operations for the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. I have also had the opportunity to hear from some amazing guest speakers in the sports industry and was even able to attend a networking trip to L.A. this semester. This trip helped me grow my network, my knowledge of various teams and stadiums, and allowed me to create my favorite college memories thus far. SMA also introduced me to some of my very best friends - many of whom now make up the intramural softball team I captain! Since switching my focus from science to sports, I am much more confident in myself and my role at the U of A. I am excited to take the experiences that I have had here into my future career, ideally in the Community Impact department for the Arizona Diamondbacks. - Paityn, Junior, Eller College of Management

I am proud to come from rural Virginia and to have faced and grown beyond the challenges of partaking in a formal college education as a previously unschooled learner. As a Creative Writing Major, I appreciate the opportunities college affords me to learn how to think critically and think beyond material goals. Liberal arts and the humanities are more important than ever in today’s world, and I am grateful to be a participant in a field of study that strives for a better tomorrow. Layla - Sophomore

I joined a fraternity and found my family, and I would recommend rushing in the fall. - Jack, Sigma Chi, Junior (Photo from UofA Photo Library)

I moved here from Alabama after spending my junior and senior years of high school online at a community college. Moving here, I knew no one and had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I found my place in the honors college, where I was offered the opportunity to do research starting the second semester of my freshman year. Not only did the honors college let me connect and find many of my current best friends but it also led me to join a sorority, something that was not on my bucket list. This sorority allowed me to take on leadership roles and connected me with some amazing people I would not have had the chance to meet otherwise. I also work on campus, and my job has helped me support myself and connected me to super amazing faculty who have steered my academic career. My biggest fear when going to a big school was that I would feel unknown but throughout my time, I have established myself and found the spaces where I feel heard too. Moving to Arizona opened my world up immensely and has helped me develop a sense of identity. - Dagny, Junior, Transfer Student

I joined the University of Arizona in 2021 as an international student—a decision that wasn’t easy right after COVID-19 pandemic. I completed my freshman year online from India and moved to Tucson in 2022 in my sophomore year. It was my first time living away from home, and the initial days were filled with challenges. I would often miss home, and daily video calls with my parents became my comfort. Over time, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone was key to growth. I learned to navigate life on my own—managing household chores, academics, and responsibilities that once felt overwhelming. More importantly, I discovered the true power of networking—not just making friends but building meaningful relationships with professors, mentors, and colleagues. In Spring 2023, I took a leap and started working on campus with Early Academic Outreach. Earning my own money and handling finances gave me a sense of responsibility I hadn’t experienced before. Then, in Fall 2024, I joined Research Development Services, further expanding my network and confidence. Looking back, I’m beyond grateful—to my parents for their unwavering support and to the friends and mentors I met in Tucson who became my second family. The ups and downs, the homesickness, the late-night study sessions, the moments of doubt—all of it shaped me into who I am today. As I prepare to graduate this semester, Spring 2025, I’m not just leaving with a degree; I’m walking away stronger, more independent, and ready for whatever comes next. - Purva, Senior, International Student

I found the APASA center my freshman year when I was looking for on-campus employment opportunities. I wasn't able to make many friends, nor find clubs or organizations that I felt I could be a part of until I went to the APASA center. I found some clubs there that allowed me to make friends. I also felt at home through the events that the center would hold, & I found more friends who had similar backgrounds as me. I found my own community through the center. - Mokshi Bhavinkumar | Senior

I was unschooled in rural Virginia and before coming to the University of Arizona had never been in a formal classroom setting. Adapting to both the urban landscape and the academic rigor of college took time but the people I met along the way and the lessons I learned both inside and outside of the classroom informed my learning and helped me grow in confidence and character. I am proud to be a student at the University of Arizona and am forever grateful for the opportunities college has afforded me. - Layla, Senior