Rujuta Parekar

India

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

School Year: Junior

Major(s): Psychology

Team: Watermelon

Languages: Hindi, English, Marathi

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, drawing, painting, traveling, and being outdoors. I love dancing! I've been a dancer since I was four years old. I also like taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets.

Bio: I was born and raised in Pune, India. I moved to the United States when I was 17 to pursue my degree in Psychology. I have always been fascinated by the brain and behavior and how they are interlinked. I absolutely love studying psychology! I'd love to conduct research in psychology in the future.

Why I became a mentor: As an international student, I was scared of moving across the world for university. When I heard of IPMP and started talking to my mentors, I felt my anxiety about moving to another country reduce. My mentors were always there for me and guided me throughout my journey as a freshman. I met amazing people and made friends through the events hosted by the mentors. I really value the work that IPMP does, and I wanted to be a part of that mission and vision. Along with this, I love meeting new people and learning about their cultures, and being a part of IPMP is a great way to form new connections. Thus, I chose to become a mentor.

Favorite Spot on Campus: My favorite spot on campus is the 4th floor of the University Library.

Favorite thing about IUPUI: My favorite thing about IUPUI is the sense of community. Everyone can find their place on campus and be a part of clubs and organizations they are passionate about. I also admire how IUPUI works hard to become more diverse and inclusive every single day!