Hi! I am Taspia, a rising senior at Penn studying Cognitive Science with minors in Data Science and Consumer Psychology. I fell in love with this campus before I even officially started and have been making the most of every moment since. I have interned at the City of Philadelphia, worked as a NASA Program Analyst, led Penn Bangla as Cultural Chair, and served as a PHINS Orientation Coordinator welcoming 200+ incoming students to campus. I tutor students in the Philadelphia community through Teach for America and spend way too much time at the Biopond pretending I am not stressed about finals. I know the best study spots when Van Pelt is packed, the West Philly restaurants worth skipping the dining hall for, the clubs that actually feel like community, and the honest truth about what Penn academics really feel like day to day. Whether you are excited, nervous, or somewhere in between — I get it. Come with all your questions and I will give you the real unfiltered Penn experience!

Hometown

Philadelphia

Major(s)

Cognitive Science

Minor(s)

Data Science and Consumer Psychology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Penn Bangla — Cultural Chair and Board Member UPenn Red and Blue Engagement Center — Student Ambassador PHINS Coordinator — New Student Orientation Teach for America Ignite Fellow UPenn Netter Center for Community Partnerships — Translation Associate UPenn South Asia Center — FLAS Fellow Summer Search Alumni Community

Describe your college experience

Coming to Penn was a full circle moment for me. I actually first stepped foot on this campus during the Pre-First Year Program in the summer of 2023 before I even officially started. Harrison College House became my first Penn home and that experience set the tone for everything that followed. As a first generation immigrant student I did not always know what to expect but Penn gave me the space to figure it out. I have grown academically, professionally, and personally in ways I never imagined. From interning at the City of Philadelphia to working as a Program Analyst at NASA, Penn has been the foundation for every opportunity I have pursued.

Tip for future students

Get involved early and do not wait until you feel ready because you never will. Go to the first club meeting even if you are nervous. Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you in class. Visit the Biopond when things feel overwhelming. And most importantly remember that everyone around you is figuring it out too. Penn can feel intimidating but it is also one of the most supportive communities you will ever be part of. Take advantage of every single opportunity because four years goes by faster than you think.

Favorite class

My favorite class at Penn has been Judgment and Decisions. It explores how people make choices under uncertainty, why we are predictably irrational, and how cognitive biases shape everything from personal decisions to organizational strategy. What I loved most was that it connected directly to my Cognitive Science major while also being deeply practical. Understanding how and why people make the decisions they do has made me a better analyst, a more empathetic communicator, and a sharper problem solver. It changed how I see everything.

Career goals

After college I hope to work at the intersection of technology, strategy, and business impact. I am passionate about helping organizations use data and AI to make better decisions and operate more efficiently. My dream is to start my career in a role where I can work directly with clients to solve complex problems, whether that is in consulting, business analytics, program management, or AI transformation. Long term I want to be someone who uses their platform to open doors for other first generation students who are still figuring out their path the way I once was.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Honestly my ideal free night is getting food with friends somewhere in West Philly, trying a new restaurant we have never been to, and just talking for hours. No agenda, no plans, just good food and good people. Sometimes we end up walking around campus at night which has its own magic. Those are the nights I remember most at Penn.

High school or secondary school

Franklin Learning Center

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is the Biopond. It is tucked away and most people walk right past it without knowing it is there. That is part of what makes it special to me. Whenever I need a moment to think, decompress, or just breathe between classes and commitments, that is where I go. There is something peaceful about being surrounded by nature in the middle of such a busy campus. It reminds me to slow down and appreciate where I am. For a first generation student who worked hard to get here, that reminder means everything.