Fisk House is a cooperative residence for women graduate students enrolled at BU that is supported & maintained by the BU Women’s Guild and administered by Residence Life. Some of the amazing residents that live there shared their reflections with us.
Sanaz Bagheri
MFA in Theatre Production Management
Class of 2026
Tell us about your experience at Fisk House.
Getting admitted to Fisk House was truly one of life’s miracles for me. As an international student, this opportunity not only made it possible for me to come to the U.S. but also helped me afford my living expenses.
I arrived at Fisk House straight from the airport, and the moment I stepped inside, I thought, Oh my God, I love this house! It immediately felt like home, and I knew I was incredibly lucky to be living in such a beautiful building with such wonderful people as neighbors.
Now, in my second year here, I feel grateful every single day for being part of this warm, respectful, and supportive community. Living at Fisk House has allowed me to form invaluable friendships with people from different cultures—some, like me, who are far from home, and others who are American. This experience has helped me adjust to my new life, giving me a broader perspective on how beautiful humanity is in all its diversity.
Hear more from Sanaz
What is your dream job and why?
Theatre is the love of my life. No matter the role I take on, I am passionate about being part of a theatre group and telling stories that resonate with people worldwide.
My ultimate dream is to establish a multicultural theatre company that creates performances meaningful to all people, regardless of their background. I want to show that, despite our differences—our race, color, culture, or religion—we are all connected. I believe that if we see ourselves as many souls within one body, embracing love and understanding, we can make the world a better place to live.
Tell us about your interests and how they would impact other people. How will you pay it forward?
I am deeply passionate about theatre, not just as an art form but as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and social change. Theatre has the ability to bring people together, challenge perspectives, and create meaningful conversations. My interest lies in using storytelling to bridge cultural gaps and highlight the shared human experience.
As a theatre production manager, I aim to create inclusive and accessible spaces where diverse voices are heard and celebrated. One of my biggest goals is to mentor and support emerging artists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, so they can find their voice and contribute to the industry.
I believe in the power of mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Throughout my career, I want to provide opportunities for aspiring theatre professionals—whether through workshops, collaborations, or simply being a supportive guide. I was fortunate to receive help from incredible mentors, and I want to pay it forward by creating a network where artists can thrive, no matter where they come from.
Additionally, I am committed to making theatre more globally connected. I dream of bringing international artists together, creating productions that reflect different cultures, and showing audiences that art has no borders. By fostering a sense of unity and understanding through theatre, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the world.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
I am almost 35, and when I decided to go abroad to continue my studies in Production Management, many people told me I wasn’t young enough to leave everything behind and start over. The idea of changing my entire life—especially after only starting to learn English in the fall of 2022—seemed impossible to them.
But I believed in myself, and I did it.
If there’s one thing I want to share, it’s this: follow your dreams, no matter what others say. Focus on your goals, take the leap, and make it happen. Life is too short, and it’s your life. We don’t have time to sit back and regret the chances we didn’t take.
Purnima Sainani
Doctorate of Dental Medicine
Graduating class of 2028
Tell us about your experiences in the Fisk House.
When I first moved into Fisk House in July 2024, it was my first time living alone in a different country at just 21 years old. I was excited but also a little nervous about adjusting to this new chapter of my life. However, from the moment I stepped into Fisk House, I felt a deep sense of community and belonging. The incredible women in the house quickly became my first friends in Boston, and the friendships I formed over the summer have stuck with me. They helped me adjust to my new environment, showed me around the city, and created a support system that made the transition feel seamless. Some of us still have study hangouts, go on walks together, and share meals or tea, making Fisk House feel like a true home. More than anything, I am grateful to Fisk House and the Boston University Women’s Guild for giving me a roof over my head so that I can pursue my dream of becoming a dentist. Knowing I have a safe and welcoming place to live has allowed me to focus entirely on my studies, and I cannot overstate how much this has meant to me.
Hear more from Purnima
What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is to become a dentist, a passion that has been with me since childhood. It all started with my Play-Doh Drill and Fill toy—I would spend hours “fixing” teeth, fascinated by the idea of restoring smiles. At the time, I had no idea that this simple toy would plant the seed for my future career. This early curiosity was further reinforced when I experienced a dental emergency firsthand. One morning, I cracked my tooth while eating cereal, and the discomfort and anxiety I felt in that moment made me truly appreciate the skill and compassion of my dentist. The precision with which they worked, their ability to alleviate my pain, and the way they explained everything to me with such clarity left a lasting impression. I realized how impactful dentistry could be, not just in restoring oral health but in giving patients comfort, confidence, and peace of mind. As I got older, my passion for dentistry only deepened. Years of shadowing dentists and working in a clinic gave me invaluable firsthand experience, solidifying my desire to enter this field. I had the opportunity to observe complex procedures, understand patient care dynamics, and even work with digital dentistry tools like 3D printing for appliance design. Through these experiences, I saw how dentistry is a perfect blend of science, artistry, and problem-solving—three things I love. Now, as a dental student, I am one step closer to turning this dream into reality. Whether through direct patient care, research in dental implants, or mentoring future dental students, I am eager to contribute to the field and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Tell us about your interests and how they would impact other people. How will you pay it forward?
I am passionate about mentorship, education, and innovation in dentistry. As a first-year dental student, I have already experienced how valuable mentorship can be in navigating the challenges of professional school. One of my biggest goals is to help guide future dental students—especially those who, like me, maybe moving far from home and adjusting to a new environment. Not only will I pay it forward as a dentist by helping patients regain their confidence, restore their smiles, and relieve their pain, but I also hope to support the next generation of dental professionals. I plan to mentor incoming dental students, providing them with the same guidance that has helped me, and assist pre-dental students on their journey to dental school. This passion for mentorship stems from my background in music. As an accomplished pianist, I have spent years teaching piano to elementary school students, fostering young musicianship, and helping them build confidence in their abilities. Seeing my students grow, develop discipline, and find joy in music has been incredibly rewarding. This is exactly what I aspire to do in dentistry as well. Just as I have nurtured young musicians, I hope to inspire and support future dentists, ensuring they have the knowledge, confidence, and encouragement to succeed in this field.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
I wake up every day and am grateful to be pursuing my dreams of becoming a dentist and I just wanted to emphasize just how transformative this experience has been for me. Moving to a new country on my own at 21 was a daunting step, but Fisk House gave me not just a place to live, but a family and support system. The friendships I made here have enriched my life beyond measure, and I carry this sense of community with me every day. This journey has reinforced my belief in the power of support networks, and I am committed to creating and fostering similar communities wherever I go—whether in my future dental practice, research collaborations, or mentorship opportunities. Thank you to Fisk House and the Women’s Guild for making my dreams a reality.
Sophie
DMA candidate in the Music Education program at the College of Fine Arts
Graduation candidate for May 2026
Tell us about your experiences in the Fisk House.
I arrived at Fisk House in September 2024 as I was about to enter into a transitional period in my time at BU. I was finished with my coursework and most of my cohort would be leaving campus to work full time while they work on their dissertations and I was apprehensive about feeling lonely as an international student. Thankfully, at Fisk House, I have found a wonderful community filled with women who make me feel like I have a community of support. I enjoy late-night chats with my roommate and passionate discussions about anything and everything over dinner with other housemates.
Hear more from Sophie
What is your dream job and why?
My dream job would be to become a professor of education (hopefully music education). I think that being a professor would put me in a special position where I can still work with students – thinking through big ideas about what it means to educate, what the purpose of music education is, and be a part of preparing future music teachers for the world of teaching, while also researching and using my work to try and make a difference in policy spaces.
Tell us about your interests and how they would impact other people.
My research focuses on student workload and institutional values and I plan to use this research to advocate for financial support for students from low-income families. Music has, for most of my life anyway, been very financially exclusive and I want to use my research to change this in the future so that music can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone. Living at Fisk House has taken a lot of financial strain off of me so that I can focus on this research and advocacy and I plan to use this opportunity to take on policy advocacy work.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
To practice balance in my own life as much as I advocate for balance in my students’ lives, I enjoy baking, bird watching, and cross-stitching. I like to share these activities with my friends and enjoy a life outside of my academic commitments.
Gracie Anderson
Occupational Therapy
Graduation Candidate for Summer 2026
Tell us about your experiences in the Fisk House.
Living at Fisk House has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. The kindness and warmth of everyone here have made my grad school experience feel more supportive and uplifting. I’ve always appreciated community living, and I’m grateful for the meaningful friendships I’ve been able to build here.
Hear more from Gracie
What is your dream job and why?
I aspire to work as an occupational therapist serving children in foster care because I see myself in them. As an adoptee in a transracial family, I grew up with a sense of otherness, and I hope to empower children in similar situations to embrace and celebrate their uniqueness.
Tell us about your interests and how they would impact other people.
One of my greatest passions growing up was being part of a band program, surrounded by friends who feel like family. I cherished my time marching piccolo in the Longhorn Band and have always valued staying connected with the programs that shaped me. I hope to give back to the organizations that have had such a meaningful impact on my life.
Hannah Mefferd
Masters in international affairs with a focus in diplomacy
Graduation candidate for May 2026
Tell us about your experiences in the Fisk House.
I have loved my time in Fisk House so far. When I got into Boston University one of my first thoughts was, “How am I going to afford to live here?”. I come from a rural city in Tennessee where most people don’t leave for an undergraduate education, let alone a master’s degree. When Fisk House was presented as an option it felt like it was possible for me to achieve my dreams and move to Boston. The women I have met at Fisk House are some of the smartest and kindest people I know. I will always think so fondly of our conversations in the kitchen and laughter with my roommate.
Hear more from Hannah
What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is working as a diplomat abroad. I love learning about other cultures and people, and finding ways to connect with them to make a more globalized civil society. I believe that interdisciplinary work such as this is how we are going to forge new pathways to solving complex problems that affect us all.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
Fisk House has afforded me the opportunity to focus on my studies and not worry about things such as monthly housing payments. This is a huge privilege and one that I hope to pay forward during my time here at BU and after.
Jennifer Madu
Public Health
Graduation candidate for May 2026
Tell us about your experiences in the Fisk House.
Living in the Fisk House has been a comforting, trusting, and safe experience for me. It feels like a second home, providing a sense of security and belonging. The diversity and sisterhood within the house have been incredibly supportive, helping me navigate tough times and easing any worries I may have.
Hear more from Jennifer
What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is to be a researcher focusing on maternal and child health issues on a global scale. As a Nigerian-American, I recognize the challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, women’s rights, and the need for improvement. I want to contribute to solving these issues not only for my people but for other countries in need. My goal is to help people become self-sufficient, reducing exploitation and dependency, while empowering and educating them to make healthier decisions and advocate for themselves and their communities.
Tell us about your interests and how they would impact other people. How will you pay it forward?
I am deeply passionate about social justice and advocacy. I strive to spread valid and useful information through various platforms while continuously educating myself on important issues. My work impacts others by teaching them how to access information that fosters sympathy and empathy, as well as equipping them with the tools to stand up for themselves and others in meaningful and effective ways.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Fisk House and the Boston University community. I am deeply grateful for these experiences and encourage others to consider BU for their academic journey!