Prashant Bhardwaj
- A Personal Reflection on Master’s Program Experience at the University of Cincinnati: 2006 vs. 2022
When I reflect on my time at the University of Cincinnati for my master’s program, it feels like a lifetime ago. I enrolled in the program in 2006, and back then, the experience was vastly different from what I’ve witnessed when I returned to teach and interact with students in 2022. Both times were incredibly formative, but the landscape of education and student life has evolved in ways that would have been unimaginable back in 2006.
Technology in the Classroom: A World of Difference
By 2022, campus life had adapted to the digital age in surprising ways. Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are central to the student experience, not just for socializing but for networking and career-building as well. Students are now able to connect with a global community of peers, alumni, and professionals in their fields of interest through platforms like LinkedIn. I witnessed students who had never met in person collaborating on research projects or class assignments via Google Docs, often working with people in different time zones. The social landscape had expanded beyond just physical campus spaces to digital spaces, transforming how students connect, network, and learn from one another.
However, despite the shift to digital connections, there is still an undeniable sense of community on campus. I’ve seen students attending in-person events and creating lasting bonds, but the pandemic showed how adaptable student life could be, shifting almost entirely online without missing a beat.
The Evolution of Curriculum and Learning Approaches
In 2006, my experience as a master’s student at University of Cincinnati was primarily focused on lectures, readings, and exams. The curriculum was rigorous, but the approach to learning was relatively traditional. There were limited opportunities for experiential learning, and most of what we learned was theoretical. Internship programs existed, but they weren’t as ubiquitous or integrated into the academic framework as they are today. We relied heavily on professors for direction, and a lot of our learning took place through textbooks and research papers.
When I returned to University of Cincinnati in 2022 to interact with students, I was struck by the shift toward a more practical, interdisciplinary, and collaborative approach to learning. Today’s students have far more opportunities to engage in real-world projects, internships, and co-op programs, many of which are built into their academic pathways. Students work on projects with external companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, gaining hands-on experience while still in school. The incorporation of these experiences into the curriculum has made education feel much more relevant to the real world, and it’s clear that students are benefiting from this applied learning model.
The Bottom Line: Two Different Worlds, but the Same Spirit
In 2006, my education was shaped by traditional methods, in-person interactions, and a certain rigidity in the learning experience. In 2022, the experience is much more flexible, interconnected, and digitally driven, yet the essence of what makes the University of Cincinnati special remains the same: a place where students are encouraged to push boundaries, build relationships, and thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment.
It’s amazing to see how far the university has come, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in knowing that the next generation of students is experiencing something even more exciting and transformative than I did.
– Prashant Bhardwaj
