#  Graduate Profile: Samirah Jaigirdar, MTS ‘24  

 





May 07, 2024

 

 

     ![Headshot of Samirah Jaigirdar](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hds2/files/samirahjaigirdar-900x600.jpg.jpg?itok=BVQJvmAe) 

Samirah Jaigirdar. Photo courtesy of Samirah Jaigirdar

 



 

## How I've Changed 

The growth I’ve experienced at HDS, both personal and academic, has been beyond anything I expected. A key takeaway for me is the importance of embracing curiosity without reservation. I'm continually inspired by the innovative work of my peers, motivating me to explore new frontiers in academia.

## Memorable Moment 

One memorable event from the fall of 2022 was the Halloween Dance, where students and faculty, including the Dean of HDS, spontaneously participated in a line dance.

## Favorite Class or Professor 

This is a tough question. It would be a tie between Dr. Teren Sevea's "What is Lived Islam?" and Dr. Swayam Bagaria's "Interreligious Dynamics of South Asia." While both classes are tangentially related to my research interests, they were both instrumental in pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me think critically about my own work and the methods I hope to use.

## Message of Thanks 

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the best mom and friends a budding academic could ask for! Thank you for diligently proofreading my papers, encouraging me to pursue my research, and reminding me that there is always joy in life (I just have to remember to look). Secondly, I am immensely thankful for the faculty and mentors who I have been lucky enough to learn from at HDS: Teren Sevea, Jocelyne Cesari, Swayam Bagaria, Hussein Rashid, Diana Eck, and Ellie Pierce. Lastly, a huge shout-out to the HDS Admissions team - Odeviz Soto, Margaret Okada-Scheck, John Rzasa, Alessandra Luedeking, and Victoria Quint - for making Harvard feel like home.

## What I Hope to Be Remembered By 

People usually know me as the girl who studies religion and violent extremism, but I also hope people remember me for my jokes, kindness, and soft spots for Lamont's basement and iHop's French toast.

## Future Plans 

I will be starting my PhD in International Relations at Georgetown University this fall! I hope to continue researching religion, counterterrorism, and political violence in South Asia.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Student Activities and Interviews ](/discover-stories-about/student-activities-and-interviews)
- [ Commencement ](/topic-tags/commencement)
- [ Commencement 2024 ](/topic-tags/commencement-2024)