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Hi, I'm Udathari, a first year PhD student in Physics.

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My Tufts story just began.

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Last August, I came all the way from Sri Lanka.

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It was the first flight I have ever taken, and
the first time flying away from my country.

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I was both nervous and excited
because everything is different here.

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Tradition, food, people, weather.

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So I thought, would I be able to fit in and survive?

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But Tufts was always there for me in every step

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I took and supported me with a huge transition.

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The mentor collective at Tufts
connected me with a trained mentor.

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She guided me even before coming to the USA.

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There are many resources at Tufts that helped me,

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the International Center, the StAAR Center, and a lot more.

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As an international student, everything was challenging,

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but there is always someone whom
I can reach out for the guidance.

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The Provost Fellowship I got
is great financial support for me.

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I love the way Tufts inspires and
supports the underrepresented minorities.

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Tufts gave me a great supportive learning environment.

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Close interactions and collaboration
among faculty and students

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are significant for me as a grad student.

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Working as a TA is more interesting.

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I love spending time with my students.

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As a nature lover, I like going on
hikes and capturing natural landscape.

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Apple picking was a great experience
because I have never done it before.

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Also, I'm enjoying the color changing for the first time.

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As a student from a tropical country,
these little things made me more excited

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I'm never tired of exploring
the historical Boston city.

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Also, I am planning to join the
Tufts table tennis team too.

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Thanks to Tufts, my community
is expanding day by day

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During my time at Tufts, I
hope to give my contribution

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to the advancement of science.

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As a female student from a developing
country, I had a lot of challenges

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Lack of infrastructure is a huge
obstacle to carry out scientific research.

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So I hope to share my experience with such
underprivileged communities and get their

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contribution to the field of science and
then improve the diversity in STEM fields.

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So my Tufts story is yet in making.

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I have five more years to make my own Tufts story.