Your World Just Got Bigger: Building Belonging at Purdue Through KOVA
When Hassan Berbich arrived at Purdue University from Rabat, Morocco, he had never visited the United States before. He landed on campus at 11 p.m. with three suitcases, visa complications, and what he describes as “broken English.” He missed his first day of classes while navigating move-in logistics and adjusting to an entirely new culture on his own. What stood out most during those overwhelming first hours, however, was not the difficulty he encountered but the kindness he received from a stranger who insisted on helping him carry his luggage, get checked in, and settle into his room. Three years later, Hassan ran into that same student at the gym, a full-circle moment that reinforced what Purdue had come to mean to him: openness, generosity, and belonging.
Now a junior, majoring in Industrial Engineering, Hassan has always known he wanted to build something of his own. He chose his major for its versatility and systems-level perspective on how businesses operate, but he did not initially know about the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. After discovering the program through social media and founding Purdue Venture Consulting with fellow students to create space for aspiring entrepreneurs, he enrolled in ENTR 20000 taught by Jorge Romero-Day. Through mentorship, one-on-one conversations, and exposure to founders who had once doubted themselves, Hassan began refining an idea he had been considering for years. The experience, he says, gave him both practical knowledge and the confidence to take action.
That idea became KOVA, a campus-based carpooling app designed specifically for Purdue students. KOVA was co-founded by Hassan alongside Ghali Berbich, a master’s student in computer science at ETH Zurich; Mehdi El Mansar, a junior studying aerospace engineering at Purdue; and Victoria Mesropyan, a sophomore in industrial engineering at Purdue. As an international student without a car, Hassan often had to decline opportunities such as NBA games, concerts, campus visits, and even flights home because transportation was too expensive or unavailable. Loneliness has become a public health epidemic in the United States, with 79% of Gen Z reporting that they feel lonely, representing more than 54 million young people. This is unfolding in an era where doomscrolling is increasingly replacing meaningful, real-life connections.
KOVA allows students with empty seats to post offers for rides, and others can purchase these rides directly through the app. Verified Purdue credentials, profiles, ratings, reviews, trip tracking, and safety features help build trust within the community. Drivers set prices based on gas and distance, keeping rides affordable while helping them offset travel costs. More than just a transportation solution, KOVA is designed to foster connections through interest-based communities that allow students to travel with others who share similar passions. Hassan and his team aim to address this broader societal challenge, using ridesharing as a mechanism to foster genuine human interaction and connection.
For Hassan, the mission goes beyond logistics. His goal is to help students say yes to experiences they might otherwise miss and to create the same sense of belonging that shaped his own journey. Through the Certificate program, he met mentors and guest speakers who modeled resilience, generosity, and the courage to start before feeling fully ready. His advice to fellow students reflects that lesson: you do not have to be extraordinary to build something meaningful –start small, focus on your strengths, and take the first step. From arriving alone with three suitcases to launching a startup centered on community, Hassan’s story is a testament to what can happen when opportunity meets initiative and when students choose to build something bigger that helps others.
Join a growing community of 700+—discover KOVA and download today.
