From Computer Science to Creative Storytelling: A Laney Graduate’s Journey Across Disciplines

By Jazmyn Burton

When it came time to choose a graduate program,  Rayvant Sahni wasn’t sure where to begin. After weeks of indecision, it was Emory’s community spirit and intangible sense of opportunity that tipped the scales. 

"There was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words at the time—but one that told me I’d be challenged here, and that I’d grow from it," Sahni recalls. 

Now, as a graduate of the Computer Science master’s program at Laney Graduate School, that instinct has proven true in every way. Arriving as an international student with no local connections, Sahni found a deeply supportive community. 

“The friendships I’ve built, the faculty who believed in me, and the classmates who trusted me with leadership roles—they all helped shape my experience.” 

A standout moment came when he served as a program ambassador, welcoming the incoming cohort.  

“It was surreal,” Sahni said, reflecting on how much had changed in just a year. “I went from being the new student with questions to the one offering advice. It reminded me just how far I’d come.” 

Sahni’s academic journey coincided with a global explosion of AI and Large Language Models, giving him a front-row seat to one of the most exciting shifts in tech. But, Sahni’s  interests stretch beyond code. A longtime lover of film, music, and performance, he is now exploring the intersection of tech and the arts—imagining new possibilities for creative expression powered by AI. 

That spirit of innovation also defined his thesis work in the CARE Lab, where he developed a WhatsApp-based chatbot to help rural educators in India communicate classroom updates and feedback. “With limited access to digital infrastructure, these teachers needed something simple yet effective. This tool is already making a difference, and others are continuing to build on it.” 

For future students, his advice is refreshingly straightforward: “Take breaks. Make time for joy. Even small moments outside of academics can carry you through.” 

As for what carried them? “The energy of Emory itself—the people, the vibe, the creative spark that lives in every corner of campus. That’s what made this place feel like home.”