My name is Amara and my preferred pronouns are she, her, and hers. I am a sophomore from Zimbabwe who enjoys dancing, listening to all kinds of music, and occasionally knitting. My academic interests include pursuing a biochemistry major with a minor in dance.

Hi everyone! I’m Aaron (He/Him), a sophomore at Bates from Brooklyn, NY. I am a first- generation student Majoring in Economics, possibly minoring in Sociology or Theatre/Dance. I am passionate about Social Justice and enjoy listening to Neo-Soul, old R&B and Reggae music in particular.

My name is Maya Karmaker (she/her/hers) and I am from the Bronx, NY. I am a senior at Bates College majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Educational Studies. I hold leadership positions in the Bollywood Club and South Asian Student Association. These are two spaces on campus where I find community, joy, and laughter besides when I am at the OIE or with my friends at Commons. In my free time, I love to try new restaurants, crochet, watch reality tv shows, and go on walks.

Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan

Class Year: 2026

Major: Math & Physics (Civil Engineering)

Activities: Created the first wall of kindness in Afghanistan (featured in the

New York Times), Captained the Lighting Ladies futsal team for two years,

Started a women’s cafe in Kabul, Co-founded three summer programs in

three different provinces in Afghanistan, did three semesters of business in

AUAF and a short term in Bard College before coming to Bates, and

worked with Al-Jazeera on a documentary.

I like to travel, do photography, and create art (drawing, henna, applying

makeup, styling hair, and designing clothes).