Bhagya Wickramawardhana

I couldn’t believe an entire year had passed. Taking part in a Master’s program like SDAC is unlike any other studying experience I have had. Upon entering the FAU  to read for a Master’s degree in Standards of decision-making across cultures, I was told to unlearn decades of learning. It was both a daunting and rewarding task. It was in that emptiness that I could understand and unpack the meaning within texts and narratives. The learning that took place at SDAC was different from what I had accustomed myself to – I felt like my voice mattered and had its own value; even at times, I didn’t have the words to say things quite right. This is what made SDAC so special for me. My friends and I were all learning from each other. During the past year, I have been enthralled with the complexity of anthropology and cross-cultural studies when intersected with social constructs such as class, race, gender, and religion. As such, my academic interests revolve around anthropology, which I hope to explore further during the course of my graduate study at SDAC. Networking opportunities, skill development seminars and getting to know the experts in our field across the globe through guest lecture series have also been great experiences.

I think the diverse nature of our cohort and the other cohorts at SDAC lends itself to the vibrant social scene. Besides, it not only brought me closer to the German culture and lifestyle but also many different cultures.

There are so many people that have made my SDAC experience remarkable. From my professors to the student support staff and friends I now cherish deeply, I am not exaggerating when I say that SDAC began to feel like home.