Student Profile: Pratik Parikh ’10

Rising sophomore helps students learn about different cultures by organizing events such as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

In his short time on campus, Pratik Parikh ’10 (Garfield, NJ) has become fast friends with many international students. He marvels at their knowledge of not only their own country but also their deep understanding of global issues.

“When I meet international students, they know so much about the world,” he says.

To enhance his own understanding of his Asian heritage, and that of his fellow students, he helped to organize events on campus to commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in April.

As vice president of the Multicultural Student Union’s (MSU) Asian American Alliance, Parikh led efforts to plan a Cambodian New Year celebration; Dim Sum, a traditional Chinese breakfast/lunch; and a cultural finale, which included performers of Asian and Pacific Island descent.

“I wanted to expand my knowledge about Asian and Pacific customs and inform the Bryant community about these cultures from a personal perspective,” he says. “In today’s increasingly global environment, it is very important to organize multicultural events because people need to be educated on different cultures.”

Parikh, an accounting concentrator and legal studies and psychology double minor, was attracted to Bryant by the chance to get a well-rounded education in business and the liberal arts. He chose accounting after interning for an accountant in high school.

“During my internship, I noticed how stressful and confusing it was for most people to figure out their taxes,” says Parikh. “Wanting to help them is what piqued my interest in the field.”

Pratik Parikh ’10 (Garfield, NJ)

This summer he will have a chance to sharpen some of his skills as a bookkeeper at his father’s franchise of Just-A-Buck dollar store. He also looks forward to working with the Amica Center for Career Education at Bryant to secure an internship in the field.

After graduation, he would like to earn his Certified Public Accountant designation and dreams about starting his own firm one day.

In addition to being involved with the MSU, Parikh is a member of the International Student Organization (ISO) and a Resident Assistant (RA). As an RA, he helps students adjust to college life, and coordinates events, mediates conflicts, and counsels students.

“A major role of an RA is to communicate with residents and inform them about what is going on,” says Parikh.

He cites Bryant’s student-centered atmosphere and the close interaction with faculty as hallmarks of a Bryant education.

“Bryant is a great school for someone who doesn’t want to be just a number,” says Parikh. “The professors make every effort to remember your name. I am able to say ‘hi’ to past professors I have had, and they remember me.”