Amani Chowdhury

College affiliation: College Nine

Department: Sociology

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? Fanny Carruthers Award in Sociology (Spring 2023)

When do you expect to graduate? Spring 2024

Where do you call home? Santa Clara, CA but also Bangladesh which is where my parents are from.

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? The extensive opportunities for hands-on interactive internships and programs as well as the sense of an encouraging community that rather than being competitive, focuses on growth together.

What is your field of focus? Sociology

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I’m hoping to be able to directly work with underprivileged communities and families to help them access the resources they need to thrive and succeed.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? I’m not sure if it is a specific moment, but every class session I had in a discussion-based form (such as my Sociology of Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum class with Christie Mccullen) always feels like such a warm and rewarding experience that always motivates me to continue my academic journey.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? I would tell them to be confident in your abilities and to embrace your uniqueness that makes you special on our campus.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? This scholarship will provide me with great financial support to continue my education here and to help me obtain my degree, hopefully by Spring 2023.