My name is Ashish Solanki and I am a member of the Class of 2019 from India. Before coming to Williams, I took a gap year to found a community organization to rescue and rehabilitate commercial sex workers in New Delhi. I also conducted intensive research at Harvard University on the same issue. During my gap year, I traveled throughout India and performed in various theater festivals employing techniques of method acting and perspective mirroring.
At Williams, I am actively involved with College Council and was elected to be the Class of 2019 representative. I am also on the rugby team, Dance Dhamaka, our Indian dance troupe and the South Asian Students Association. I’m in the process of founding the Williams College Consulting Collective, which serves local not-for-profit organizations in the Berkshires.
In just the past couple of months, I’ve been exposed to various topics and disciplines that I never thought I’d be interested in, or able to learn about, including third-century Greek tragedies, Islamophobia, principles of mind reading, and so much more. It is not only the amazing resources here that excite me, but also the diversity, with people from so many nationalities and walks of life living, succeeding, supporting and inspiring each other academically in this amazing place. When I look back at the person I was at the beginning of the Williams journey, I am so humbled to see my transition, and even more so excited to see what the next several years have in store for me!
None of this would have been possible without the amazing financial aid program at Williams. When I applied to college I was nervous, because receiving financial aid as an international student is usually a challenge. However, I did get into Williams and did get a full ride, which made the decision to attend America’s top college a no-brainer. I honestly pledge to give back to my alma mater to ensure that another student’s dream of a college education can come true too. I am very grateful to all the amazing alumni who contribute in whatever capacity they can to the Alumni Fund. Thank you for securing our dreams and letting Williams thrive on forever.
Sincerely,
Ashish Solanki ’19
On February 17, 2016, the entire student body came together to celebrate all the things that members of the Williams community do for one another and to show their gratitude and “EphPreciation” for your Alumni Fund contribution by signing thank you cards. As such, the signature inside your card may not belong to the student profiled on this page. To learn more about the EphPreciation event, visit williams.edu/ephpreciation; to read about the students your gift impacts, visit williams.edu/ephprofiles.