South Asia Studies
1. Where did you grow up and tell us a bit about your home town?
I grew up in Philadelphia in an immigrant family. From an early age, I was interested in other languages and cultures. As a child, I travelled to Europe, and then while in high school I participated in a student exchange program and travelled to Japan. During the summer of 2010, I was looking for opportunities for the summer and was lucky enough to apply for and be accepted into the South Asia Center’s STARTALK program. This was a really great and well-funded program, which initially sparked my interest in India. It exposed me to he politics, language and the culture of India, Pakistan and the region.
2. What spurred you to major/minor in South Asia?
When I first embarked on my undergraduate studies here at Penn, I had no idea about the subject that I would later choose to major in – though I knew that it would be something broadly connected to international relations. In my freshman year, I took a couple of classes in the South Asian Studies Department, and then a Hindi language class. Following this, I spent the summer in India participating in an intensive Hindi language program, which was based in Rajasthan.
One of the appealing features of the program is that many of my course units can be counted towards my major. In addition, the department is very nice—it’s small and personal and offers great funding opportunities to travel abroad and pursue learning opportunities.
3. What are your two favorite things about the South Asia Studies Major?
One of the best things about the department is that it classes are small and personal –which is conducive to classroom discussions and learning. It is also interdisciplinary – so while I am focused on economics and politics, I am also able to take an Art History class through SAST. I’m currently taking a C.U. in India class, and will be travelling to India over the winter break for the in-country part of the program.
4. What do you think that your next steps will be?
My plans are to develop a career in a field that combines South Asia studies with international relations. My BA thesis is likely to be on India-US relations, or India and its foreign relations with neighboring countries. I’m also open to pursuing a Masters Degree.