Anamika Suresh
India

"I am always looking to broaden my views to approach challenges from a multidisciplinary and holistic perspective. I work with vulnerable communities and wanted to learn about urban city planning. This course has given me a greater understanding about the complexities of the urban challenges."

Anamika Suresh is a social development professional and educator from India. She participated in the online course Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges.

What was your motivation for enrolling in this course/program?
As a social development professional and an educator, I am always looking to broaden my perspective and view to approach challenges from a multidisciplinary and holistic perspective. I wanted to learn about urban city planning since it has been on my mind for a long time as I work with vulnerable communities. This was an opportunity to learn and gain new perspectives – and challenge myself.

How did/will this course impact your career or life?
This course has given me a greater understanding about the complexities of the urban challenges and broadened my perspective about people, their stories and life. It’s not really black or white. It has also helped me look at building sustainable communities from a different lens. Apart from gaining technical knowledge, I think I have also grown as a person as it has given me lots to reflect about.

How was your experience of learning online?
It was an interesting course, which was also fun because of relevant and interesting case studies and assignments. I am always a little skeptical about online learning as it limits peer learning and exchange of information and ideas. However, the way the course was designed made it easy to learn from others and get their insights.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of taking a similar course?
You should definitely go for it! Even if it does not directly relate to your line of work, it is very relevant and opens up the mind to a lot of new perspectives and ideas which are the need of the hour.