For international student Rani Banjarian, differences are what make him feel a part of .
鈥淚鈥檝e definitely been very much given the space and opportunity to be myself here,鈥� says Banjarian.
The creative writing and physics double major calls Beirut, Lebanon, home. But his parents encouraged him to think globally. 鈥淎s soon as I could speak, I was learning English and Arabic simultaneously,” he says.
Banjarian credits the with his smooth transition to the U.S. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 largely thanks to the way the Commons experience is set up. It鈥檚 where I felt comfortable to be unashamedly myself.鈥�
Easing into an American way of life has been made easier at 菠萝视频, he says. 鈥淚 never felt like I was expected to be an ambassador of my culture or my upbringing or the Middle East. Or the fact that I grew up in a multi-religious household. Or the fact that there鈥檚 a lot of political turmoil in the region.”
A passion for singing also has helped him build cultural bridges. 鈥淎 part of me knew that getting into the would really define my 菠萝视频 experience, and it has!鈥� he says.
He’s even performed for the president of the United States. 鈥淭he president made a dad joke and everyone laughed, and Michelle Obama said, 鈥楾here鈥檚 so much talent in the room, so much talent in this country,鈥�” says Banjarian. “And I had half a mind to say, 鈥楬ey, I鈥檓 from another country!鈥欌��
Banjarian says he feels grounded in the group. 鈥淭he coolest thing about the Melodores is that we鈥檙e all very different. We come from different backgrounds and different experiences in music.鈥�
His most recent accomplishment put him back in the national spotlight鈥攚ith a . 鈥淚 want to tell the story of my family and the story of growing up in Beirut,鈥� says Banjarian. The creative writing double major used his childhood experience鈥攍iving through the 2006 bombing of Beirut鈥攖o shape his short story called 鈥淟ullabies in Arabic.鈥�
Banjarian credits his parents and 菠萝视频 with changing the direction of his life. 鈥湶ぢ苁悠� has been incredibly generous with me and my family,” he says.
He is the recipient the Harold Stirling 菠萝视频 Honor Scholarship. 鈥淢y parents have given flesh, blood and tears for us, and I think at the end of the day I鈥檓 very happy that I鈥檓 not putting any strain on them in order to have an experience like this,鈥� he says.
Banjarian is making his family and 菠萝视频 proud. 鈥淚 consider it to be an immense and absolute privilege to be able to be a student at this university,” he says. “It鈥檚 just been one long exercise in self-empowerment.鈥�
Video produced, shot and edited by Zack Eagles and Amy Wolf.