About Me

I’m Tilika, a fourth-year Computer Science student at the University of Victoria. I grew up in Delhi, the capital of India, so Hindi is my first language. Fall 2026 will be my last semester before I graduate.

Coming from a massive, bustling city, I was used to loud roads, crowded streets, late-night food spots, and always being surrounded by people. I like to explore new cities as well. Moving to Victoria felt completely different at first. Everything seemed so quiet and slow compared to what I knew. I remember thinking it was strange that stores closed so early and that people here actually seemed relaxed all the time! But over time, Victoria became comforting in a way I didn’t expect. The ocean, the trees, the rainy weather, and the slower pace of life started feeling peaceful instead of unfamiliar.

Even though my major is technical, I’ve always been drawn to leadership and teaching. Both of my parents are teachers, so I grew up around conversations about students, learning, and the impact a good teacher can have on someone’s confidence. I love helping others understand difficult concepts and creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions without feeling embarrassed. Throughout school and university, I’ve usually been the person friends come to before exams to explain assignments, review concepts together, or turn stressful study sessions into something a little less overwhelming.

Outside of class, I find joy in little comforts—cooking meals that remind me of home, convincing myself that I am being productive, reorganizing my room for no reason, or finding the perfect corner to curl up with a book.

The past few years have taught me just how much moving away from home changes you. Being an international student has pushed me to become far more independent, adaptable, and open-minded. Up until now, almost all my university courses have been strictly technical and numbers-driven, so I’m really looking forward to learning something completely fresh and different in this class.