The Anthropology program at the University of Illinois at Chicago will not only provide me with the skills I need to conduct meaningful research and further my academic interests, but it will prepare me also to be able to make contributions to the field of anthropology. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to interact with Dr. Gayatri Reddy and take her lectures, as I had read many of her works during my undergraduate career and found them stimulating and aligned with my research interests. His advanced knowledge of South Asia and marginalized communities in South Asia will not only allow me to advance my academic interests but also grow as a