Dayishaa Daga

Dayishaa Daga ’22 credits her closeness with professors with her success in pursuing two rigorous STEM majors,  biological sciences and data science. In addition to feeling connected to faculty through her academics, Dayishaa serves on multiple committees and clubs that have helped her feel closer to the community. This summer before her junior year, funding through the College’s Lynk initiative enabled her to pursue a remote internship in data science in her home country of Nepal. She learned new skills related to her major and explored possible career paths.

When you invest in Mount Holyoke, particularly through one of our scholarship aid destinations, you pave the way for students like Dayishaa to thrive academically, professionally and personally.

“I would not be here and would not have been able to pursue higher education at a college like Mount Holyoke if it had not been for alum contributions. The fact that I am now in a place where I am being given the platform to pursue all of my goals is monumental.”

— Dayishaa Daga ’22
Biological sciences and data science double major
Kathmandu, Nepal

Why did you choose Mount Holyoke?
I chose Mount Holyoke College because through my research I found that it was one of the most diverse liberal arts institutions in the United States and that it provided generous need-based scholarships to international students.

What do you value most about your Mount Holyoke education? How has this community helped you thrive?
I value the fact that we have smaller classes and a tight-knit community where I can access resources and very easily be in direct contact with professors and faculty. This sort of open-door communication system has really helped me survive and thrive. I have the comfort of knowing I can reach my supervisors, professors and faculty and that they are receptive, understanding and accommodating to my concerns.

What academic project or pursuit are you most proud of and why?
I am proud of the fact that I am able to pursue two rigorous STEM majors. This has taught me how to handle multiple tasks and a heavy workload. I am also very proud of the opportunity I had to pursue a research internship in the field of data science with a research organization (NAAMII) in my home country this summer through the help of Lynk funding from the College. It helped me learn new skills related to my major and figure out what career path I would be best suited for in the future.

What cocurricular activities are you involved in and how have they impacted your academic work?
I am the student representative of the Multicultural Community and College Life Committee, an Orientation Fellow, a Community Advisor, social media representative at Eliot House (home of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life), and a member of the Nepali Students Organization and the STEMPOC club. I also work for Athletics. These activities have helped me feel closer to the Mount Holyoke community by introducing me to people I wouldn't have come across or been in conversations with otherwise. It also strengthened the affinity I feel with the College by helping me have conversations I care deeply about and explore new environments.

What are your long-term goals and how do you think your Mount Holyoke education will help you to achieve those goals?
My long-term goals are to pursue a graduate degree in biology or data science. My Mount Holyoke education makes me feel like I am being put into rigorous situations and learning new concepts that will help me take on my future endeavors with confidence in myself and my knowledge.

What would you say to an alum who donates to Mount Holyoke to support things like student scholarship aid and internships?
I would not be here and would not have been able to pursue higher education at a college like Mount Holyoke if it had not been for alum contributions. The fact that I am now in a place where I am being given the platform to pursue all of my goals is monumental. So many students who do not have the resources to pursue their dreams would benefit from alum contributions, just as I have. It will change their lives.

How has scholarship aid impacted your Mount Holyoke experience?
Scholarship and need-based aid is a major reason I was able to come to Mount Holyoke at all. It has shaped my entire college experience.