For many students, finding community at the University of Kansas starts by saying yes to something new. For Eva Koshiya, that moment came through KU Jeeva, the university’s Bollywood Fusion Dance Team.

Home at KU can mean something different to every student. Sometimes it’s a place, like a certain floor of a dorm or a favorite spot on campus. Sometimes it’s people, like roommates, teammates, classmates or friends who show up when it matters. 

For class of 2028 Honors Finance and Marketing student Eva Koshiya, home became a feeling she found through involvement and community. Living on campus and joining organizations played a key role in helping her feel connected early on, especially through KU Jeeva, the university’s Bollywood Fusion Dance Team. 

Eva shared the details of her journey toward finding her community and how she’s grown along the way. 

Finding your home on campus

The first step for many KU students is campus housing, and Eva’s experience was no different. “Living on campus allowed me to make an instant connection with those around me. Since we lived on the same floor as other students who were all going through similar things it was very easy to make a connection and just click instantly.”

That sense of home, first built through shared space, eventually grew through shared interests and involvement. When Eva thinks back to her first semester at KU, she’s grateful for the array of opportunities she found, as well as memories of an immediately welcoming environment. 

“Fall is beautiful on campus,” she shared. “The weather is amazing and there are so many little events going on to make everything more exciting and festive.”

Living on campus also makes it easier to stay engaged. Eva notes that the accessibility of campus housing allowed her to focus more on her classes, activities and friendships rather than logistics.

“Living on campus freshman year made my KU experience better because I got to meet some amazing people and I had some great important learning moments about life in general,” she said.

Giving yourself time to adjust

The transition to college is both exciting and overwhelming. New classes, new routines, and a new environment can take time to adjust to.

Eva encourages new students to give themselves time. “It is ok to be stressed out and not find your people right away,” she shared. “College is a big change and takes time to get adjusted, so just take things one day at a time and go with the flow.”

That advice is especially relevant at KU, where students can choose from hundreds of registered student organizations spanning academics, culture, service, leadership and recreation. With so many options, finding the right fit is often about exploration rather than immediate certainty.

KU Jeeva: Finding belonging through involvement

For Eva, it was the joy of something she loved that truly transformed KU from a place she lived into a community that felt like home. “I joined the KU Bollywood dance team and that really helped me find a space where I felt like I belonged.”

Through shared practices, performances and time spent together, Jeeva became a constant for Eva during her first year at KU.

KU Jeeva is a student-led Bollywood Fusion Dance Team that blends multiple dance styles, including Bollywood, Bhangra, hip hop, classical and contemporary influences. The team focuses on performance, creativity and community, bringing students together through shared passion for dance and culture.

Joining Jeeva was about more than learning choreography. Dance was about connection: “Participating in dance helped me meet some of my closest friends.”

The team practices together throughout the academic year and performs at campus and community events, giving members opportunities to build friendships while representing KU through performance and competitions.

Eva also found community through other involvement, including business school organizations and CIMBA Study Abroad, but Jeeva stood out as a place where she felt truly at home. “The activity that has made KU feel like home for me is KU Jeeva,” Eva said.

Stepping outside your comfort zone

Finding growth and connection on campus isn’t always easy for students in a new environment. Staying open-minded and seeking out new opportunities can help create those friendships and sense of belonging. 

“Joining clubs and organizations has made me much more open to trying new things at KU. It teaches me to step out of my comfort zone and just get involved." That growth did not come instantly. It came from showing up, practicing and committing to something unfamiliar. “I learned that it takes me a while to get adjusted to new settings and people, but if I make the push to do it, it is so insightful and helpful in the long run,” she shared.

For many students, organizations like Jeeva provide both structure and support, helping large campuses feel smaller and more personal. Through Jeeva, Eva found a deeper connection to KU as a whole: “I feel like I am able to represent my college on a different level than just being a student there.”

That sense of pride is echoed across all types of campus involvement. Each year, student organizations help bring KU to life through performances, events, and shared traditions, creating opportunities for students to connect beyond the classroom.

Advice for future Jayhawks

For students considering KU and wondering how to get involved, Eva has advice to help you find your own home on campus. 

“I suggest looking into your interests and then looking for clubs and organizations within those interests. KU has so much to offer and you will definitely find your place if you take the time to explore.”

For Eva, joining KU Jeeva was that first step. Through dance, she found confidence, friendships and a community that turned KU into home. Her experience shows future Jayhawks that sometimes, finding your home on campus starts with finding your rhythm.