On this page, you will find some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that we have gotten over the years. Scroll through to learn more about us.

1. What do we mean by MENASA?

MENASA is an acronym that stands for Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian. We use this acronym to describe the cultural heritage that students may come from.  

Our unit is MENASA Student Resources which is one of the Community Resources and Retention Centers at UC Davis, serving the MENASA student community.

2. What do we mean by SWANA? 

According to the UC Office of the President, SWANA encompasses people from 34 different ethnic identities including Afghan, Algerian, Armenian, Assyrian/Chaldean, Azerbaijani, Bahraini, Berber*, Circassian, Djiboutian, Egyptian, Emirati, Georgian, Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Jordanian, Kurdish, Kuwaiti, Lebanese, Libyan, Mauritanian, Moroccan, Omani, Palestinian, Qatari, Saudi Arabian, Somali, Sudanese, Syrian, Tunisian, Turkish, White/Middle Eastern, White/North African, Yemeni, Other North African, Other Southwest Asian.

3. What do we mean by "South Asian"? 

People that hail from countries in the Southern part of Asia or are from diasporas related to South Asian countries are considered South Asian. These countries include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Fiji, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Assyrian/Chaldean. 

4. Why do we use "Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian" instead of "SWANA"?

To recognize our campus's unique history of coalition building among South Asian and SWANA communities, and the advocacy efforts of the ME/SA Studies Program we use the term MENASA.

5. I don't identify with any of these communities, can I still participate? 

Yes! Our events have an emphasis on these cultural heritages but are inclusive to everyone to attend.