Shravan Krishnan Sharma ’21

Shravan Krishnan Sharma | Graduating class of 2021 | LinkedIn

 

Why did you choose to study IR at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?

I chose to study IR after taking POLI 260 in my second year. I’d always been interested in international affairs, but it was after taking POLI 260 and talking to some friends who were already in the programme that I realised that it was exactly the kind of multi-disciplinary education I was looking for! I think what I enjoyed most was working with IRSA, and being able to interact with the larger IR community on campus, especially people I didn’t see in my classes!

 

What was one significant learning moment that happened during your degree?

At the risk of sounding cliched, the most significant learning moment during my degree was the pandemic. As uncomfortable and weird as the new way of things was, it very quickly became clear to me that my studies would be incredibly important in helping the world back onto its feet in the post-pandemic era, especially in the face of strained international relations throughout this difficult time.

 

What are you most looking forward to after graduation?

I’m really looking forward to going home to Singapore! Like a lot of international students, I chose to stay back in Canada during the pandemic to avoid the risks of travel, and to facilitate work and school. It’ll be really nice to go back home after nearly a year and a half!

 

A piece of advice for current/incoming IR students?

IR issues are learned not just in the classroom, but also in the real world, through experiences. Go out and get as much experience as possible, be it work, internships, volunteering, or even getting involved with IRSA. The application of the things learned in the classroom is ultimately what rounds out an IR education, so do as much as you can!

 

 

“At the risk of sounding cliched, the most significant learning moment during my degree was the pandemic. As uncomfortable and weird as the new way of things was, it very quickly became clear to me that my studies would be incredibly important in helping the world back onto its feet in the post-pandemic era, especially in the face of strained international relations throughout this difficult time.”