Student Profiles

Bhaavana Oruganty ‘23

What institution did you transfer from?
Pennsylvania State University

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
I wanted to have access to a smaller and more tight knit community for college. I also sought an environment that allows me to form close connections with my professors and have smaller class sizes.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The passion and intelligence you see in all the students!

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
Engineering, Chemistry, Pre-med

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
Library student worker and Dare to Soar 

Where is your favorite place on campus?
Singer! The study rooms are great to reserve with a group of friends.

Jinia Meherin ‘23

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
During my first semester at the University of Arizona, I quickly realized it wasn't the college experience I wanted. UofA is a large commuter state school, so it was difficult to build connections with professors and feel like I was actually a part of a student community. The major requirements were also rigid, and I knew I would have difficulty exploring other academic areas or interests beyond biology. The massive lack of diversity and focus on Greek life was not the most comfortable either. Swat is kind of the complete opposite of that, so it worked for me.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The classes, resources, and people. I'm always surprised at how much I'm learning and how my perspectives constantly expand and shift. Swat also has several resources in various forms, so if you have an idea or need some support regarding anything, it's usually just an email or application away. And I know everyone says people, but I mean it. I really value the people I've met and the friends I've made. Struggling together during finals just hits differently.

What are your majors, minors, or academic interests?
I'm double majoring in Biology and Medical Anthropology. I used to be on the pre-med track, but I'm now leaning more towards Public Health or Law, so I'm happy to share my experience if anyone has concerns about changing paths or continuing pre-med. 

Are you involved in any campus jobs and extra-curriculars?
I'm the President of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) and the Transfer Student Organization (TSO). I also work as a Student Academic Mentor (SAM) and a Research Assitant in the Politics and Equal Participation Lab (PEPL) under the Lang Center with Sociology Professor Daniel Laurison.

Where is your favorite place on campus? 
I really enjoy walking by Parrish Beach on warm sunny days, Wharton Courtyard in the Fall to see the red and orange trees, Worth Courtyard after a snowfall in the Winter, and Sci Quad in the Spring for the cherry blossoms. I don't get to see all four seasons in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, so it's sometimes surreal being able to experience them in an arboretum.  

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
Culture, Health, and Illness with Professor Schuetze. That class will dramatically change how you understand biomedicine or health systems in the West and introduce you to different illness perspectives. It's a recommendation you'll probably hear often from others, but it's for a good reason. 

Damion DeShield ‘23

What institution did you transfer from? 
Montgomery College

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
Swarthmore College is highly regarded for its academic rigor, as well as for developing agents of positive social change. Additionally, Swarthmore College provided me with the most in financial aid offers in comparison to the other colleges I applied to, which mattered to me as a low income student

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
I like the physical environment of Swarthmore. The plants on and surrounding campus are well taken care of and provides an atmosphere of beauty and peace.

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
I Major in Political Science and Minor in Film and Media Studies

Are you involved in any campus jobs and extra-curricular activities?
I worked as an Archival Researcher for the Friends Historical Library. I am now Interning with Scribe Video Center as a Research Assistant. I have also been involved with Capoeira Club, Salsa Club, and the Transfer Student Association. 

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
I recommend everyone take the course Identity Politics with Professor Balkan so that you can better understand the issues faced by diverse identity groups and challenge personal biases and assumptions.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
I grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the USA in 2017. I have a passion for music and interest in learning parkour, and various martial arts.  My current work focuses on documentary filmmaking, and has led me to an interest in journalism and other forms of political communication. I hope to use what I learn in my academic life to one day aid in the political/economic development of Jamaica and to positively impact the wider world.

Long Tran-Bui ‘24

What institution did you transfer from?
SUNY Rockland Community College

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
At Rockland, I found meaningful academic and social enrichment through participating in my its honors program. The program's rigorous academics prepared me as a student whilst its small student body yielded long-lasting friendships. From that, I experienced tremendous personal growth and knew I wanted a similar environment at my transfer institution. Swarthmore College provides that, and more. Yes, it has world-class faculty teaching a small and intimate student body. Yes, its honors program and classes push students to fulfill our potential. What particularly stood out to me, however, was the sheer number of resources the school has to offer.  From a staggering endowment to countless career outreach programs, I can count on Swarthmore to invest and both me and my fellow Swatties' futures. Oh, also because I was accepted.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The faculty and staff.

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
I'm special majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). I am head over heels for the humanities.

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
At Swarthmore, I conduct research for the political science department, work on stories for War News Radio, and play club badminton. On my own time, I like to write and marvel at revival architecture.

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
Global History of Architecture with Professor Brian Goldstein.

Where is your favorite place on campus?
I really like to cozy up on the train station benches because they're clean, quiet, and comfortable.

Daniella Fadjoh ‘23

What institution did you transfer from?
Villanova University

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
Wanted the change of a small liberal arts college, (I don't want to say for the rigor, but low-key for that), diverse and engaged student community + abundant resources for students

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
I love the specific support transfers get from our dean (s/o to Liz!) and being able to go to different events - whether it is to see my friends perform in musicals, be a part of their cultural events, or revel in their research or art. 

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
Political Sociology, Philosophy, French, Black Studies

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
I've worked at the campus store, tutor in French, and will be working as a Research and Info Associate in the library this year. I am also a member of SASS and SASA and the Transfer Students Organization.

Where is your favorite place on campus?
My favorite places on campus are tied between the old IC courtyard and the cherry blossom fields next door to the BCC. My favorite study spots are an empty seminar room in Trotter or somewhere by a window in Singer :)

Chayanne Petit ‘23

What institution did you transfer from?
Michigan State University

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
I transferred because I wanted the rigorous, interdisciplinary academic experience offered by Swarthmore which allows me to explore my various academic interests. I was also very excited about the idea of being in a small school setting that has more of a community-minded culture than my previous institution.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The people! The friends I have made here are incredible people that I anticipate will be in my life for a very long time.

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
I am a Biochemistry major and a Mandarin Chinese minor.

Are you involved in any campus jobs and extra-curriculars?
I work as an RA on campus and also enjoy rock climbing!

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
Culture, Health, and Illness with Professor Schuetze - it completely changed my understanding of Western medical systems and the roles of physicians within them.

Where is your favorite place on campus?
I love studying in the basement of Cornell because of the large windows that let in a lot of sunlight and give a great view of the trees in the Crum. It's also close to a printer and the Sci coffee bar!

Leor Hecht ‘24

What institution did you transfer from?
Lafayette College

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
For a better academic and soccer environment

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The core group of friends I now have and the academic freedom I have to pursue my genuine interests 

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
Global Political Economy and Psychology

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
Garnet Go Green, CIL Fellowship

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
PSYC 035: Social Psychology

Where is your favorite place on campus?
Singer atrium. I love the open environment and the light buzz in the area with everyone else also studying

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
I am extremely passionate about soccer. In addition to captaining the Varsity Men’s team, Swarthmore has given me the chance to do extensive research on soccer and its intersections with global and local societies. Swat has helped me pursue my passion and express it through an academic lens.

Elaine Kim ‘23

What institution did you transfer from?
The Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus)

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
Although I loved Penn State's environment and school spirit, the extremely large student body size often left me feeling lost in the crowd. I found it difficult to build strong relationships with both students and professors, and wished to be a part of a small knit community.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
Nobody's a stranger! Even after my first semester, I was able to quickly recognize a good number of faces when walking around campus.

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
I'm currently a chemistry major on the pre-med track.

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
I've been a chemistry lab TA for the past two semesters and plan on continuing going forward. 

Where is your favorite place on campus?
The tables outside Singer Hall (when the weather is nice). Pennsylvania gets cold super quick, so I like to enjoy the warm weather when I can!

Connie Jiang ‘23

What institution did you transfer from?
Deep Springs College

Why did you transfer to Swarthmore?
I went to a two-year institution and wanted to complete my Bachelor's. I had my eyes set on Swarthmore because they advertised their seminar culture, honors program, and academic grind atmosphere really well. I also wanted to continue flitting around in the liberal arts since I didn't really know what I wanted to specialise in after my sophomore year.

What is your favorite part about Swarthmore?
The Parrish Beach culture wherein people hang out, eat, read, and (my personal favourite on the PB) sleep is wonderful. Also, the grass and sunlight is rather soft there.

What are your majors, minors or academic interests?
Classics Honors Major and Philosophy Honors Minor

Are you involved in any campus jobs?
I currently work in McCabe library and around the school in the groundskeeping team.

What is a course that you recommend everyone take?
If you're really interested in something particular, you should ask the professor if they're down to do an independent study with you.