Connecting with Culture: FAU’s Indian Student Association

The Hindu festival of colors, Holi, is one of the most important cultural events to Indian culture and tradition. However, for individuals who are non-residential Indians, such a festival helps us connect with our culture even though we live in an American environment. Being able to learn more about my family background and traditions of India provides me with a sense of freedom and relaxation from the stressful life of schooling. Holi is an adrenaline-filled experience that highlights the celebration of the defeat of evil in our world, and such a significant event helps to draw family, friends, and peers together to cherish their relationships. Providing students with such an opportunity to learn and experience more about the world around them while helping them relieve any stress or fears from their lives while also making sure my traditions were the main reason I started the Jupiter Indian Student Association in the 2020 Fall Semester.

The Jupiter Indian Student Association on this campus works to highlight the aspects of Indian culture that we believe students should learn more about. As a minority ethnicity within the university setting, it is hard for students to indulge in such cultural activities while balancing their school and work lives. Furthermore, such a cultural club helps to provide representation for Indian students on this campus, allowing for their ideas and opinions to be heard while tying student life with cultural education. This is why the Jupiter ISA has set up events for Diwali, Ramadan, De-stress Week, and several other events for all of the students on campus to learn more about South Asian culture.

Overall, Jupiter ISA believes that Indian representation on this campus sets an example for how students can connect with their peers after they leave the university setting while also respecting all cultures. In a world that is filled to the brim with prejudice and bias, teaching students about the importance of international cultures helps students understand different perspectives. Jupiter ISA hopes to set up more events similar to this Holi event in our future while collaborating with clubs of all cultures. We hope that students can both enjoy these events while also connecting with the people around them and the cultures of the world.  

 

For students interested in joining and getting involved with the Indian Student Association, please send an email to the President, rbandi2019@fau.edu