Shagun Gupta
PhD Candidate, American University, Washington, DC
Tell us about your background
I'm from Delhi, India. I was living in Delhi before I came to ODID; I was at Hindu College, University of Delhi from where I completed by Bachelor's degree in Political Science.
I valued the warm and welcoming community, where everyone, especially faculty and staff make students feel very comfortable. It was the first time I was studying at a university outside India and the people at ODID made it empowering.
I valued the warm and welcoming community, where everyone, especially faculty and staff make students feel very comfortable. It was the first time I was studying at a university outside India and the people at ODID made it empowering.
Tell us about your career since leaving ODID
Five months after I left ODID I moved to Myanmar to work with the United Nations Office for Project Services. I ended up living and working in Southeast Asia for four years before I stared my PhD in the United States.
Tell us about your current position
I'm a graduate student starting my fifth year in the PhD program at the School of International Service, American University. Currently I am in India for dissertation fieldwork.
Why did you choose ODID and your course?
The MSc GGD was a good balance between theoretical foundations and real-world application. At the time I was interested in a professional career in International Development, so the course was a good fit.
How has your education at Oxford benefitted your career?
Meeting people from all over the world definitely helped prepare me for the outward facing aspects of my job with UNOPS, and of course I think the course itself gave me the academic training to then apply for a PhD few years later.
What did you particularly value about ODID?
The warm and welcoming community, where everyone, especially faculty and staff make students feel very comfortable. It was the first time I was studying at a university outside India and the people at ODID made it empowering.
What other activities were you involved with at Oxford?
I attended events organized by the Oxford Union, and of course the annual balls at different colleges in the summer. The Somerville College Middle Common Room (MCR) was a vibrant space.
What advice would you give to current students?
The classroom is only half the learning that happens at Oxford so definitely find time to step outside and engage with the ODID community. Spend time with MCR colleagues and get involved in activities – this is what makes the experience memorable.