Moving to a new place can be daunting, especially when it’s thousands of miles away from home. Just ask Aishwarya “Aishu” Gowda, who journeyed from Maharashtra, India, to Chico, California, for her studies at Chico State University. Like many seeking connection and community in unfamiliar surroundings, Aishwarya’s story offers inspiration for anyone searching for a sense of belonging, perhaps even through a “Bollywood Dance Club Near Me”.
Aishwarya Gowda poses against a brick pillar on campus, wearing a white shirt and jeans.
Initially, Chico was just a small town in California to Aishwarya. Drawn by Chico State’s reputable engineering program and affordable costs, she transferred, carrying the hopes of her family and her own anxieties. The prospect of challenging academics and a new environment weighed on her. Restarting coursework added to the pressure of adapting to a different educational system and culture. “I was nervous about whether faculty members would accept me because I’m an international student, whether they’d like me or get to know me,” Aishwarya admitted.
However, her fears soon dissipated as she discovered the supportive nature of the faculty, particularly her academic advisor, Kathleen Meehan. With Meehan’s guidance, Aishwarya navigated initial hurdles like language barriers and unfamiliar testing methods. This support system proved crucial as she also explored her academic passions. Initially in computer science, Aishwarya, with Meehan’s help, transitioned to electrical engineering, a better fit for her interests in mathematics. This shift, alongside minors in Math, Management Information Systems, and Computer Engineering, put her on a path to thrive.
Covered in celebratory paint, Bollywood Dance Club founder, Aishwarya Gowda, center, performs with geology major Alinkar Nyein (right) and public health major Valinda Arnold (left) at Holi. The Hindu festival of colors, love, and spring was hosted by the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center and the Indian Students Association.
Beyond academics, Aishwarya found her niche and created a vibrant community through dance. As founder and president of the Bollywood Dance Club at Chico State, she cultivated a space where students from all backgrounds could come together. This club, boasting around 50 members with a significant portion from Chico itself, operates on the principle of inclusivity. “We support all types of dancers, regardless of your body type or abilities. We believe there are no non-dancers in the world. Everyone can dance and it’s just fear that keeps it away,” Aishwarya passionately stated. This philosophy of welcoming everyone, regardless of experience, is at the heart of what makes such clubs valuable, especially for those seeking a “bollywood dance club near me” to explore their own potential and passion for dance.
International students in the Global Student Society pose at their table during the annual Choose Chico event on campus during a sunny April afternoon.
Aishwarya’s journey underscores the power of finding connection and home away from home. For her, Chico State became more than just a university; it became a community where faculty and peers offered support and belonging. Her involvement in the Global Student Society and the Indian Student Association, alongside leading the Bollywood Dance Club, cemented this sense of place. “Some of the faculty members have become a family for me, some have become mentors. Everyone in their way has helped and supported me mentally, academically, and emotionally,” she reflected. This sentiment highlights the profound impact that supportive communities, like a “bollywood dance club near me”, can have on individuals in new environments.
The impact of the Bollywood Dance Club extended beyond just dance. Aishwarya recounts a touching moment after a performance at a multicultural event. Staff from the IEGE office surprised the club with flowers, a gesture that deeply resonated with the international students. “As soon as we came off stage, we saw Tasha (Alexander) and Cindy (McKay) with their moms, and they had brought flowers,” Aishwarya shared. This simple act of kindness exemplified the sense of family and care she found at Chico State. It’s these gestures, these communities, whether found in a university or a “bollywood dance club near me”, that truly create a feeling of home, no matter where you are in the world. Aishwarya’s experience is a testament to the fact that family extends beyond bloodlines and can be built through shared passions and supportive communities, like those found in dance.
