Student Profile: Shubh Thakkur
Major: Urban, Regional, & Global Studies (now part of the Social & Environmental Geography Major)
Year: 4th Year
Hometown: Strongsville, OH
Shubh Thakkur is in his final semester at Ohio State in the Spring of 2024, graduating with a dual major in Urbal, Regional, & Global Studies (URG) and Philosophy, Politics, and Economy (PPE). He was drawn to OSU for the diversity of community he found here. “OSU is one of the largest schools in the nation, so everyone has such a unique and distinct lived experience, where people I’ve met come from so many different backgrounds and are diverse in race, sexual orientation, and gender identity,” he said. There was also far more intellectual diversity that wasn’t as evident at other universities he was considering. “It’s been easy for me to bounce between departments, getting exposure to programming classes in Python or a course in globalization and the environment with Prof. Madhumitta Dutta.”
He believes that this interdisciplinary nature of Geography really sets it apart from other options because of how well the department connects insights from so many different fields fluently. “While other schools might focus on giving you either quantitative skills or qualitative knowledge, this department honors the importance of both. I feel like I am competent in both the quantitative data elements, like spatial data management and the more qualitative side of stakeholder interviews and understanding the importance of lived experience. Shubh speaks highly of all the professors he has worked with and learned from. “They are passionate about their work and so happy to share their knowledge. It’s clear that what they’re doing has a very tangible impact on the world. Yet they’re easy-going and approachable, so fun to be around.”
Shubh hopes to go into the transportation planning field, focusing on equity of access to transportation, particularly in marginalized communities. “If you’re able to access better mobility options, that opens up so many economic opportunities and helps people improve their lives in so many ways,” he said. When asked what advice he’d give to future students, he highlighted the fact that it’s ok not to know what the right path is or whether you agree with every idea you’re exposed to. “There are so many things to learn and ideas to engage with, it’s ok to not always feel convinced by every idea. But the department does a great job of exposing you to differing perspectives that you get to develop your own grasp of the issues that are core to you.” He also suggested that it’s important to remember that rest is important. Even though the life of a student can often get busy with many different tasks, he says that taking care of yourself, getting sleep and finding a good balance in student life is invaluable.
If he could go anywhere in the world, he’d love to spend time in East India, in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, spending time hiking in the foothills and visiting tea estates around Darjeeling.
Find out more about the Social and Environmental major or the Philosophy, Politics, an Economy major.
Image caption: Shubh Thakkur at the Wexner Center for the Arts; Images courtesy of Shubh Thakkur