Humans of UCSF: Ava Arshadi

“36 years ago, my family escaped Iran in the midst of a revolution that increasingly deprived followers of their religion, the Baha’i Faith, their basic human rights. In hopes of providing their children with the freedom to education, my parents moved to America. Since a young age, the importance of education and the appreciation for access to it has constantly been on my mind. My love and interest in dentistry eventually led me to UCSF. This school has not only instilled in me a strong foundation to become the best dentist that I can be, but it has also allowed me to meet people from various cultures, religious backgrounds, and races. As a result, I have become a more aware, understanding, and compassionate citizen of the world. The diversity of the students here is what unifies us as a whole, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of it!”

Ava Arshadi

UCSF School of Dentistry

First Year Student