Ashra Kolhatkar



Hometown: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India

Area of study: Biology Major/ Geography Minor (Class of 2010)

Interests: Guitar, music, reading, lounging, creative writing, traveling, biology, coffee

Extracurricular/Employment:  Society of All Nations, Eco Action, Mount A blogging, assistant in the Admissions office, Intramural sports, teaching assistant in the Biology department, Students’ Administrative Council, Bell Scholar

Why Mount A? I came from a small high school in a small town in India and I was looking for a university experience that would be new but not overwhelming. The environment that Mount A offered was perfect: small classes, a close-knit community, the opportunity to get to know professors, a beautiful town, and a wealth of new opportunities. In addition, I was awarded the Bell Scholarship, which allowed me access to an education that would have otherwise been financially out of reach for my family.

Favorite Mount A memory? A night out with friends at the end of my first year at Mount A. The night started in residence, moved to Mel’s (a local diner), and was followed by a couple of beers at the university Pub. It was a perfect night full of lots of laughter, great company and good music – things for which Mount A has a great reputation.

What is your favorite place on campus? The Alcove in the library. It’s a perfect place to study, it has a great view of a busy part of campus that allows you to sit and watch the world go by, you are likely to meet tons of people you know to provide needed breaks from studying, there’s coffee just an arm’s length away, and it’s always warm.

Which superpower do you think would be most helpful to have at Mount A?  I always choose flying, no matter what.

Knowing you can do anything, what would you like to do? I would love to pack a bag, hop on the nearest bike/bus/train/plane and travel the world.

Who do you respect most? I respect anyone who will stand up for what they believe yet have the strength to remain open-minded.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? That I have been able to make the most of opportunities open to me.

How did you spend your summer vacation? I was at home in India visiting my family for the first time in two years.

What quality do you most admire in someone? Openness

If you could tell one thing to everyone, what would it be? Stand up for what’s important, and be willing to admit it if you’re wrong.

What do you like most about Mount Allison? I love the way Mount A manages to be home to so many different people with so many different needs, interests, desires, dreams … It’s a place full of warmth and opportunity that’s just waiting for someone to come along and make the most of it.

What do you want to tell prospective Mount A Students? Be open to things that are new, even if it’s scary. Mount A has so much to offer, one just has to build up the courage to take a chance and run with it. I’m not sure there are many places like Mount A. The atmosphere is extremely nurturing and supportive, and if you’re willing to let it, it will become a place of huge opportunity that you will come to love.