“There is something very powerful about making a new place feel like home. When I look around San Diego, I’m reminded of Syria. The coastline, the citrus trees, the small moments that bring me back. I carry Syria with me everywhere; it is always in my heart. I was born and raised in Damascus, and I’m grateful my parents gave me the opportunity to come to the United States. But when I arrived, I quickly learned that my experience didn’t easily translate. It took time, persistence and resilience to find my place. Eventually, I had the opportunity to teach Arabic and share my culture with U.S. Navy sailors. That experience was transformative. It deepened my understanding of who I am and showed me the power of connection across cultures. When I joined UC San Diego, I felt a strong sense that I was meant to be here, especially after discovering an unexpected connection to my family through a colleague. But I still felt something was missing: community. That changed during a Ramadan ifta...