Winter break is in full swing, with late mornings and even later nights. While my friends are in places like Cairo and Istanbul, I’ve been home reading, cooking, and trying to get ahead before the new year. 2024 was a great year, although a bit stressful at times, so today, I’d like to dedicate a post to commemorate how much learning and growing we did this past year.

The beginning of 2024 now feels like a lifetime ago, yet looking back, I marvel at how much that year taught me about the depth of culture and the power of equity and connectedness. At the very start of the year, I intended to engage more deeply with the diverse communities around me, and those experiences have become memories that I treasure the most.

Some of the defining moments of 2024 were those spent working with the Diversity Club, from organizing discussions on microaggressions to participating in cultural events. I have watched dialogue bring people closer and create an environment where everyone feels valued. The conversations weren’t always easy; they never are when discussing injustices, but they further cemented that sometimes uncomfortable truths must be confronted to see real change.

This year has also deepened my understanding of intersectionality—a concept I explored in a research paper on the biologization of race and its impact on marginalized communities. Learning about critical race theory and intersectionality on a deeper level opened my perspective to how systems of power come into contact with identities in ways that cement inequality. It was an academic journey, not just theoretical; it informed my approach to leadership and advocacy, pushing me to amplify often unheard voices.

Beyond academics and extracurriculars, 2024 was a year to explore my culture and identity further. Celebrating Diwali or making rangoli patterns with friends from Botswana, Ecuador, and Pakistan reminded me much about how culture shapes our identity and story. These experiences, though, have been very humbling in that there is always more to learn and more connections to forge.

Travel this year was limited, but that didn’t stop me from exploring. My family and I visited Jamaica and Canada, both places with unique cultures that broadened my view. The reading I did about other places around the world just fueled my appetite to explore these places someday, not as a tourist but as a student of the world, always ready to listen and learn.

I carry forward into 2025 the lesson learned from 2024: cultural competence is a journey, not a destination, and accurate equity requires constant effort and reflection. May this coming year offer opportunities to grow, connect, and work towards a future where diversity isn’t just celebrated, understood, and embraced.