We invited students participating in Berkeley Connect in Spring 2017 to enter our Student Voice Contest and share with us a memorable experience they had in Berkeley Connect. The winning entry was written by Surina Gulati, who participated in Berkeley Connect in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.
Surina reads her blog post to her Berkeley Connect classmates.
Surina and friends celebrate with cupcakes.
Berkeley Connect has given me a tremendous sense of belonging at UC Berkeley. This is my fourth semester taking this course and I feel like I’ve become a part of a family. I made friends from different majors and colleges that I wouldn’t have otherwise met and learned that everyone has a profound story that has molded them into the person they are today. Berkeley Connect has provided me with a space to express myself and get to know my fellow peers on a deeper, more personable level. I enjoyed interacting with my mentors both inside and outside of the traditional classroom through events put on by Berkeley Connect. I have been exposed to performances in Zellerbach Hall, hidden treasures in the Doe Library, and rich historical artifacts in UC Berkeley’s Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive. These are experiences I would have never had if I did not join Berkeley Connect. I am truly grateful for the long-lasting friendships I have built with my peers and mentors and the memories we have created. Taking part in Berkeley Connect is most definitely one of the best decisions I have made during my journey at UC Berkeley.