Raghav Dembla is an upcoming global scholar whose academic journey has taken him from India to New York, from there to Shanghai and now to Berlin. In this blog post, he shares his thoughts on studying at NYU Berlin, reflecting on the city’s culture, his role as a Global Equity Fellow, and his future plans.
By Raghav Dembla*
I always thought of Berlin as a liberal-leaning center for both academics and culture and I wanted to explore that while also seeking out opportunities for myself to continue my studies in my post-graduate degree here. Additionally, I was inspired by the courses at NYU Berlin that centered on the German intellectual tradition. Having studied in Asia and America, I thought Berlin with its centrepoint in both Europe and European polity would give me a greater understanding of the continent.
There are many diverse groups of people here and you can find your community
My experiences in the city have been both exhilarating and challenging. It’s a bit bittersweet as parts of Berlin are very exciting, and there are a lot of museums and parks. There is always a lot going on for whatever you are interested in. I like the history of the city and how it still persists through the memories of people and how relevant it is still, especially the East-West divide and the effect of the Stasi. I also liked the protest culture and how politically active the city is and its implication on public governance. Sometimes the Berlin lifestyle can get a bit too much but there are so many diverse groups of people here that you can find your community. Another thing, the weather can be a bit depressing at times, and people are more distant than what you might experience in the US.
NYU Berlin is a close-knit community with strong connections between faculty and students
NYU Berlin fosters a close-knit environment with strong faculty and administrative connections. This intimacy has its advantages, though student life may feel less extensive compared to larger campuses. Similar to NYU Shanghai, class sizes are smaller, allowing for more individualized attention. Integrating coursework with the city itself is a unique aspect of the Berlin program. The enriching curriculum and ease of travel within Europe, allowing exploration of neighboring countries and contemporary issues firsthand, are definite highlights.
Promoting diversity, equity, belonging, inclusion, and accessibility
As a Global Equity Fellow, my role centered on promoting diversity, equity, belonging, inclusion, and accessibility (IDBEA) within the NYU Berlin community. This involved organizing events, facilitating dialogues, and advocating for a more inclusive environment, and – should these occur – addressing issues such as racism or discrimination. Additionally, I’m currently engaged in research related to these areas.
I am from a very small town in India. My first flight ever was to come to NY and study at NYU. I remember looking at the skyline and thinking how tall the buildings were. I think I have come a long way from there. My home campus is Shanghai, and this is the 4th NYU site I am studying at, and I have embraced the culture and history of every place I have lived in these last 2.5 years. I am currently studying political economy, but my future plan is to become a lawyer. I am also very interested in politics and am always updated with political developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
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*Raghav Dembla is currently studying political economy at NYU Shanghai. He is in Berlin for the Spring 2024 semester.