Home away from home

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Written by: Sasha Vallabhaneni

Position, Member Since: General Member, Joined Fall 2025

Major & Track: Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, Pre-Med

Current Year: 2nd Year

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When I first arrived at college, I was overwhelmed.

Everything was new: a new place, a new home, and a sea of unfamiliar faces.

The excitement of independence was tangled with the anxiety of figuring out how to start over. I remember missing the comfort of my family around me, my old routines, and my hometown friends.

But as time went on, I realized that college has this funny way of forcing you to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.

Moments like the coffee runs that turn into deep talks, the late-night study sessions, and the random smiles from strangers who soon become your closest friends. What I've come to learn is that the people really do make the place. It's the support and guidance of others that transforms an overwhelming experience into a meaningful one. I am especially grateful (huge shoutout to my Archi, my Big) for guiding me and making me feel more at home, especially within AMWA.

This club combines two things that have always hit close to home for me, my whole life: women supporting women and medicine. As someone who grew up playing cricket, a sport often regarded as "the Gentleman's game," I know what it feels like to be the only girl in a male-dominated space. When I first started playing, I was constantly told I'd never be good enough and that cricket "wasn't meant for girls." But over time, I proved them wrong. That experience taught me the power of perseverance and community, two things I've found again through this club. Joining a group of women who lift each other, celebrate each other's wins, and inspire one another to chase dreams has been nothing short of amazing. It reminds me that confidence grows when you're surrounded by people who believe in you.

As Thanksgiving break approaches, I'm feeling extra thankful for the friendships I've made, the lessons I've learned, and the other women in this club who make me feel valued and appreciated at UF. To the people who push me, guide me, and cheer me on, thank you. I wouldn't want to be on this long journey with anyone else :)