Daryush Mehta, Zoroastrian Chaplain at Harvard

TL;DR

Daria Smitha, the Zoroastrian representative at MIT and Harvard, discusses her role in supporting Zoroastrian students and promoting interfaith dialogue.

Transcript

hi my name is Daria Smitha I am the Zoroastrian representative to the chaplains board at MIT and Harvard here and a little bit about myself I am a research scientist I have a background in electrical engineering and I've specialized in biomedical engineering and especially in a clinical area I work with patients and we do research in investigating ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎓 Daria Smitha's role as Zoroastrian representative involves both spiritual guidance and practical support for students.
• 👾 Zoroastrian students come from various countries, and Smitha helps them adapt to the vibrant and fast-paced environment of MIT and Harvard.
• 👪 The Zoroastrian community in the Boston area is vibrant, with multiple families coming together from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
• 🧑‍🎓 Smitha's role includes organizing events, panel discussions, and service projects to educate students about Zoroastrianism and foster community engagement.
• 🤪 Interfaith dialogue and learning are crucial aspects of Smitha's work, going beyond the Zoroastrian faith to promote understanding and connection between different religions.
• 👪 Smitha receives emails from families abroad, seeking her assistance in ensuring their children have a smooth transition to MIT or Harvard.
• 🧑‍🎓 Smitha's goal is not only to support Zoroastrian students but also to create a forum for dialogue and interfaith engagement within the larger community.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Daria Smitha's background and specialization?

Daria Smitha has a background in electrical engineering and specializes in biomedical engineering, specifically in researching speech and voice disorders in a clinical setting.

Q: How does Smitha support Zoroastrian students coming from other countries?

Smitha's primary role is to make students comfortable in the dynamic and fast-paced setting of MIT and Harvard. She helps them find housing, connect with other students, and introduces them to nearby families to establish a sense of community.

Q: What kind of events does Smitha organize for Zoroastrian students?

Smitha organizes panel discussions with leaders and scholars in the Zoroastrian faith to provide educational opportunities. Additionally, she arranges service projects for students, such as farming, to foster a deeper connection to their faith.

Q: How does Smitha assist families abroad whose children are coming to MIT or Harvard?

Smitha receives emails from families seeking assistance for their children coming to MIT or Harvard. She helps them find housing and provides support to make them feel comfortable and connected to the Zoroastrian community.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Daria Smitha is a research scientist and the Zoroastrian representative to the chaplains board at MIT and Harvard.

• She works with patients, researching disorders related to speech and voice in a clinical setting.

• Smitha's role as a chaplain involves supporting Zoroastrian students, facilitating community connections, and promoting interfaith engagement.