Rashida Saherwala

Answer:Hey! I’m Rashida, and I’m an international student studying Advertising and Film at BU. I was born in India, but I’ve lived in Bahrain my whole life. Coming to BU was a big step for me. Bahrain is a really small island– about 1.5 million people, so everyone knows everyone. Growing up somewhere small, you tend to dream big. You’re always watching media that makes college life look like this big adventure — full of friends, travel, and self-discovery. I came in expecting all of that, probably too much of it. I told myself that since I came from so far away, I had to make the most of every opportunity. So I got involved in a bunch of random clubs– Fashion Retail Association, Badminton Club, Table Tennis Club, just to try everything. But the one that really stuck with me was AdClub. I actually came in as a Media Science major, and it was AdClub that made me realise I wanted to switch to Advertising. Everything I know about the field started there, and now I’m the Executive Vice President of the club. It’s been a defining part of my BU experience– not necessarily because I met all my friends there, but because it helped me understand the industry and the kind of people I want to work with.

Answer:Honestly, one of my biggest support systems came from finding my on-campus job in BU’s Marketing & Communications Department. It might sound funny, but that job gave me structure and a community. My team became mentors for me. They were older, professional, and really encouraging. It helped take me out of that freshman-year uncertainty and gave me something meaningful to put my energy into. That experience also helped me realise I want to be a producer. Seeing how my mentors worked inspired me to think about leadership and creativity in a new way.

Answer:That’s a good question. I used to think home was a fixed, physical place, but BU taught me that it’s much more transient. It changes with the people you meet and the environments you’re in. So in a way, I’ve found home here by changing how I define it. I feel more okay with uncertainty and finding comfort in people rather than places. Finding your people in a community that big can be hard. My first year wasn’t easy, and I don’t think it is for anyone. But looking back, I needed that adjustment period to grow into who I am now. At the time, I wasn’t prepared for what college life or living in a big city would actually feel like. But in hindsight, that challenge was essential. It pushed me to become more independent and self-aware.

Answer:Honestly, a bit of luck. I’d love to say BU clubs and organisations directly helped me, and in some ways they did, but I think it came down to being open. I stopped judging people based on first impressions and started letting things happen naturally. You can’t really force friendships; sometimes, you just meet the right people at the right time.

Answer:Yeah, I’ve been lucky to have a few different ones. After freshman year, I did BU’s Paris Internship Program, which was my first hands-on experience in advertising. It was a tiny agency– just me and two bosses– and it was amazing. After that, I interned in India with Netflix and The Viral Fever, both on the film side. Netflix was production-heavy, so I got to be on set and really see how everything comes together. The Viral Fever was more development-focused, where I read scripts, gave feedback, and learned what makes a story commercially viable. Then I spent a summer interning in L.A., again in development, and now I’m working with NBCUniversal in Boston on the marketing team. BU’s study abroad program really opened these doors for me. I even did an internship in London through BU. Those experiences have all been major in helping me figure out what I want to do.

Answer:It’s tough, honestly. You have to work twice as hard to get noticed. Networking can be intimidating, especially if you’re introverted like me, but it’s crucial. I learned early on to reach out to everyone — upperclassmen, alumni, anyone who could offer insight. And I said yes to any opportunity, even if it was small or unpaid. It’s about gaining experience and staying active. The visa process can be frustrating, and it’s easy to take rejections personally, but it’s important to remember it’s not you, it’s the system. And the U.S. isn’t the only option; BU’s study abroad programs helped me explore opportunities in other countries, too. There’s a whole world out there.

Answer:I think it starts with embracing your identity. For me, the more I connected with my culture, my Indian side, the more I felt like I belonged here. When you appreciate what makes you unique, you bring something new to BU’s community. Finding belonging isn’t just about joining clubs; it’s about understanding yourself and then finding spaces that reflect that. Once I did that, everything else started falling into place.

Answer:I’d tell her that she’s doing okay. I put a lot of pressure on myself that first year to have everything figured out, to make everything perfect. I’d remind myself that it’s fine not to have all the answers. You’ll be okay, you’ll be happy, and you’ll find your way.

Answer:Do what you can, make the most of the opportunities BU gives you, and don’t let fear hold you back. Remember that your worth isn’t tied to one country. There are so many paths and places where you can thrive.