Uncertainty is one of the scariest feelings. When I got into Harvard, I was over the moon, but as move-in day crept closer, that excitement slowly gave way to anxiety. 

I started worrying about whether I’d be able to make friends in a completely new environment. As someone who’s usually introverted, I feared I’d end up feeling isolated, left out, and with no one I could truly relate to. My journey to Harvard didn’t help either: it took nearly 24 hours, including long layovers and delayed flights. By the time I arrived, I was exhausted, tense, and honestly a little overwhelmed. It was dreadful, and I’m not even exaggerating.

One of the best decisions I made was applying to the First-Year International Program, known as FIP in Harvard lingo. It’s one of the pre-orientation programs, designed specifically to help international students adjust to life in the US through mentoring and support with practical things. From the moment I arrived, I felt seen. Imagine landing in a foreign country after nearly 24 hours of travel, only to be greeted at the airport by a group of smiling Harvard students who didn’t even know you, but were genuinely excited to welcome you. It was heartwarming. I spent the ride to campus with one of the FIP leaders, who chatted with me the entire way. That simple act of kindness helped me start to relax. In my head, I remember thinking: Harvard students are actually normal people, not the intimidating geniuses I had imagined.

My first real community at Harvard was my FIP family. We were a group of about ten first-year international students led by three FIP “parents”, two "moms" and a "dad", who were international upperclassmen there to support us. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to a bunch of strangers so quickly, but somehow, we clicked. We looked out for each other, celebrated each other’s wins, and made an effort to stay in touch even after the program ended. It felt comforting to know I had a group of people who genuinely cared. That was the first time I felt like I belonged at Harvard. Even as I head into sophomore year, I know that bond will stick. We’ll always be each other’s first little Harvard family.

The African community at Harvard has been my haven. If you see me around campus — whether I’m studying, grabbing a meal, or just hanging out — I’m almost always with my African friends. The Harvard African Students Association has been a huge part of that, creating space to celebrate the many cultures and stories that make up the continent. Through it, I’ve made friends from Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, and, most importantly, South Sudan where I was born, and Kenya where I grew up. Honestly, the best part of my day is knowing that I can bump into someone from home, speak Swahili, and just understand each other. It’s a little piece of home in a place that can sometimes feel far from it.

The Kenyan students on campus have this little tradition every Saturday night when we meet up to cook together. It’s nothing fancy. It's just a few of us in someone’s dorm kitchen making ugali, chapati, and sukuma wiki, talking and laughing for hours. I have that time marked in my calendar every week because it’s honestly the best way to end the week. It’s where I feel most at ease, catching up with people, and sharing food that tastes like home. My closest friend on campus is Kenyan too, and hanging out with her has been one of the most uplifting parts of my Harvard experience. And the best part? We’re going to be roommates next year …I can’t wait!

One of the main reasons I chose Harvard was because so many students and alumni always talked about the people, the friendships, the communities, the unexpected connections that made their experience special. Harvard has lived up to that for me. I’ve found people who make me feel seen, heard, and like I'm at home. What I love most is that everyone eventually finds their place here, whether it’s through a cultural group, a club, a class, or a random late-night conversation in the dining hall. There’s a community for everyone. You just have to give it time and be open to finding it.