Bio: Unita Ahdifard is an international student and doctoral student in the English literature program at UCSB. She was also a transfer student from the University of Waterloo to the University of Toronto in Canada. Unita’s research interests are focused on diasporic and postcolonial literatures, particularly in literary works focused on the Middle East in the English language. She is committed to mentoring transfer students, as well as underrepresented and minoritized students at large. In her spare time, Unita enjoys spending time with friends and family, soaking up the Californian sun, and playing the piano.

Education:  B.A., English Literature, Minor: Middle Eastern Studies, University of Waterloo and University of Toronto; M.A., English Literature, University of Toronto; Ph.D. in progress, English Literature, UC Santa Barbara

Advice for New Transfer Students: Find your spaces and your people both on- and off-campus at UCSB. Knowing that you have a safe space to study or relax, as well as a community of people that you feel welcome around and foster a genuine connection with (academically or socially), will lead to a greater sense of well-being and in turn promote academic success.