# @ucberkeleyofficial on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYVHkG2D275
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65648759-ucberkeleyofficial-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/593db5fc18.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-14T18:58:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** UC Berkeley (@ucberkeleyofficial) — https://gondola.cc/ucberkeleyofficial

## Caption

At 17 years old, I packed my whole life into two suitcases and flew to California. 

I grew up in Dubai with my mother and two sisters. After my parents’ divorce, my mother took complete responsibility for us and decided that I should go to school in the United States so that I could pursue a better education and build an independent life for myself, just like we both wanted. My personality comes from her resilience.

In South Asian culture, it is uncommon for young women to move abroad for their studies. My mother married at a young age and gave birth to me around the same age I am now. She was determined to break that generational curse. 

I arrived in the United States with no friends or family. Everything from opening a bank account to cooking a meal was foreign to me.

I began my studies at De Anza College, then transferred to UC Berkeley in spring 2025. The second I received my acceptance letter to Berkeley, I knew I had to go. I called my mother immediately and, even though it was 4 a.m. for her, she celebrated with me. Berkeley’s acceptance was the culmination of what we both had worked for.

Berkeley pushed me to find spaces where I could truly belong and contribute to. I joined the Muslim Tech Collaborative, where I was president for the 2025-26 academic year and I became the international student-appointed officer for the University of California Student Association. Berkeley also gave me tools to express my thoughts without feeling intimidated because I know the people around me are just as determined to grow. I’ve been privileged to be surrounded by future leaders.

As a political economy major, I’m interested in how politics, culture and economics shape everyday life and affect societies in different communities. 

After graduation, I plan on staying in the Bay Area and working at a startup in San Francisco; I hope to one day also work at the United Nations in international policymaking.

I’ve worked hard the past four years building a life for myself in California and I’m excited to continue to grow, taking Berkeley’s mindset with me.

More linked in bio: https://bit.ly/4eIdwW4 

Grad photos courtesy of 812visions 

#UCBerkeley #CalGrad

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## Tags

ucberkeley, calgrad

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