Fatima Karwandyar
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Major: Public Relations
Why did you want to come to Belmont?
Different reasons brought me to Belmont. I was looking for a school with a small student population. Belmont’s growing but it’s still a close-knit community. I was looking for the university that had really high standards for its students. Being in an environment where I had a lot of interaction with my professors was really important to me.
What are you involved in on campus?
I am a public relations major and political science minor. I’ve been involved with the Executive Leadership Program, Congress, Towering Traditions and Belmont Ambassadors. In public relations, I’m active in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and that has been a great experience. Being involved in a specific program within your major is so beneficial.
What have your relationships with your professors meant to you?It is one thing to strive academically on your own, but when you have the support of your professors, it means so much more. They’ve opened doors for me that I may never have had, with internships and just being available – sometimes 24/7. My sophomore year I was trying to register for classes, which is a very stressful time. I called my professor at 10 p.m. to figure out which class I should take and called him again at 6:30 in the morning and he was just so receptive and helpful. I’ve been able to be the kind of student I am because they are all always so willing to help. They’ve ultimately the reason I’ve been so successful.
What would you like to do after you graduate?
I hope to enter law school. A Belmont professor helped me find a pre-law program that really sparked my interest. But one thing I’ve learned from being at Belmont is that success isn’t really measured by your title or how much money you make. Now I’m more of a socially conscious individual. I’ve always volunteered my time but now I’ve become more aware of how I really can make a difference. My parents are from Afghanistan and I am so blessed to be in America and have that opportunity to get an education. I want to take that education and help do something over there – help the girls who were deprived of an education. It’s taking what you learn here and impacting the world.
