As I begin my last semester at Harvard, I’ve been reflecting on my academic and social experiences over the past 3.5 years. 

My time here has been transformative, shaped by my work as a Computer Science and Sociology concentrator with a secondary in Government. The diversity of courses I’ve taken and the incredible opportunities I've had have all contributed to my personal and intellectual growth.

One class that stands out among the many is Sociol 1186: Refugees in Global Perspective, taught by Professor Danilo Mandic. This course explored the complex and urgent issue of forced migration, focusing on the challenges faced by refugees across the globe. We examined the factors that lead to displacement, the experiences of refugees, and the varying responses from governments and humanitarian organizations. Our study spanned regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, offering a truly global perspective.

The unit that had the most profound impact on me centered around the role of women in refugee camps. We delved into the vulnerabilities women face in these settings and the obstacles that NGOs face when attempting to provide aid. We also critically discussed the alarming normalization of sexual violence in refugee camps, a reality that many women endure. These discussions challenged me to think about the specific plight of women in conflict zones and deepened my understanding of global refugee crises.

One of the most significant takeaways from the course was how it made me reflect on the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. This reflection became the focus of my final paper for the class. Professor Mandic’s approach to teaching — which emphasized open dialogue, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to engaging students' ideas — made the class incredibly impactful. His ability to foster thought-provoking conversations challenged us to think critically about the complexities of refugee issues and the broader implications of forced migration.

I am grateful for the influence this course has had on my academic journey. Professor Mandic’s guidance has been invaluable, not just for this course but also in supporting my thesis work. In fact, I was so inspired by his teaching that I asked him to be my thesis advisor.

This semester, I am also taking Sociol 1023: Political Sociology, another course of Professor Mandic's that focuses on the relationship between power, authority, and societal structures. The course covers foundational concepts of political sociology, exploring how power manifests in various contexts—ranging from family dynamics and social movements to global economic processes. We examine how class, race, and gender intersect with power relations and analyze the creation and functioning of the nation-state, capitalism, democracy, and globalized processes. It’s been an intellectually stimulating experience, encouraging me to think critically about the political structures that shape our world today.

Thank you, Professor Mandic, for shaping one of the most memorable and impactful academic experiences of my time at Harvard. Your support, both in and outside the classroom, has played a key role in my growth as a student and as a person.