Community comes first

I have come to realize that community is the most important thing to me. With everything I get involved with, it is less about the work and more about being able to connect and foster strong relationships with the people around me. My environment makes who I am, so I am always looking for ways to surround myself with people who inspire me and make me feel good about myself. No matter how interested I am in exploring something, it will never become a passion if I am not able to share it with others. Some of the most important traits I look for in a community are support, a sense of belonging, passion, and drive. These are the things that make me feel like I am growing and learning from the people around me.

So, I will dedicate this entry to the communities that hold a special place in my heart.

IYA—IYA is goated. It was my first exposure to a community of people who were all super driven and passionate about what they do. Being surrounded by IYA people has made me so much more proactive in my own life because the energy is absolutely contagious. What do you mean you are meeting with a VC today? It’s only the third week of freshman year! Everyone is so inspiring and supportive of each other. Ideas are never met with discouragement, rather, they are met with enthusiasm and suggestions for improvement. IYA is my home.

StanfordXR—Everyone within StanfordXR is so sweet. They are all so cracked as well! I was able to feel at home within the community almost immediately despite barely knowing me. It is so nice to be able to share my interests with others and have them be just as excited about it as I am, and because it is a new space, anything anyone does is all very experimental. Pursuing these experimental projects requires a lot of drive and vision, making this the perfect little bubble of creativity and innovation. This is the space where everyone grows and learns from each other.

Hangar 18 (Upland location)—Shoutout to my climbing gym! Going to the gym 4x a week during the summer has allowed me to really get to know some people. I see the same faces every time I go, and it is so nice to be able to share a smile and a quick chat with them. It also provides a good bonding experience when we are all struggling to finish a route. The climbing community is so supportive and encouraging! I remember moments when strangers would cheer me on or ask me about a route, and these conversations suddenly turn into advice on how to meal prep in college.

Thank you to all the communities that have made me feel at home. I am grateful for the people I have met and the experiences I have had.