Alumni dreams #233

Looking for a bachelor that would allow students to explore their interests, Malene enrolled in the BA IS after starting a previous bachelor that didn’t suit her. She had already lived in China for two years, and she wanted to learn more about Chinese politics and society. As such, she became specialized in East Asia. 

During her time at the bachelor, Malene was part of the Radi8Radio, which is the BASIS podcast, and made an episode on “Information Overload and Perpetual Presence” with two other students. Malene and her fellow students were feeling exhausted from constantly consuming the news, and receiving an overload of group messages and daily e-mails. She really enjoyed making the episode, and is happy that it received good feedback. 

After the bachelor, she enrolled in a Master in Journalism, Media and Globalisation. This is an Erasmus Mundus Master, and so she completed her first study year in Aarhus, Denmark, and has now started her second year in Prague, Czechia. Last summer, she worked as a foreign news journalist in a media company in Bergen (Norway). After her studies, she will return to Norway to start her job as a journalist in the national broadcaster (NRK).

Her thesis on Chinese media, her minor in Media, Culture and Society and her participation in the Radi8Radio all contributed to Malene’s desire to pursue further studies and a career in journalism after International Studies. Becoming a journalist also seemed like the perfect way to combine all the skills she built up over the course of the bachelor. 

We applaud the pursuit of jour passions Malene, and hope to see more of you, maybe even through the news! 

Alumni dreams #238

Sarah was drawn to International Studies due to its diverse student population and the opportunity to learn a language. Her thesis was focused on the suicide epidemic in South Korea, and explored the nature and causes behind suicides in the famous K-Pop industry. 

During her studies, Sarah discovered that she had a deep interest in psychology, which was something that she had not even considered before starting International Studies. After taking courses in Cross-Cultural psychology, she now wishes to pursue a Masters in the field of Psychology. 

After graduating, Sarah spent some time working in hospitality while waiting for the new post-pandemic environment to normalize. After that, she travelled to Vietnam to discover a new country and meet the locals and countless other international travelers. 

Currently, she is situated in Verona, Italy, where she has started a new job as an English teacher. Sarah believes her openness and her ability to communicate cross-culturally is what led her to where she is today. She is looking forward to immersing herself into the Italian culture as much as she can, which in her memory is very similar to what she did when she was studying the BA in the Hague. She hopes to start an MA in Psychology in a few years, hopefully in the Netherlands. 

We wish you the best time in Italy, and hope to maybe someday welcoming you back to the Hague, Sarah!

Alumni dreams #239

Studying the East Asia region and learning Mandarin has certainly helped Roberta to become exposed to a non-Eurocentric perspective, which in her eyes really enhanced her skills in critical thinking. She graduated from the bachelor with a thesis on China’s evolving stance on global climate efforts, particularly since the Paris agreement. 

After graduating, Roberta moved to Paris to start her Master in International Governance and Diplomacy at Sciences Po. She is specializing in environmental sustainability, which means that she is taking various courses on international climate governance. Last September (2023) she started an internship at an organization working on sustainable development in the Euro-Mediterranean area. Roberta is very excited to finally put what she has learned into practice, and have the ability to make a real, concrete impact. 

She envisions her future career path being focused on the environmental cause, as this is something that she is really passionate about. This passion is what gives her the motivation to continue to work hard to improve her skills and knowledge. 

We love your commitment to making a change Roberta, keep up the great work!
 

Alumni dreams #256

Maxime Guinchard’s journey to BA International Studies was fueled by his deep-rooted interest in international affairs, world history, and languages. Initially studying business, he realized that his true passion lay in global studies, making BA IS the perfect fit. His choice to specialize in East Asia stemmed from his prior experience studying Mandarin in Hangzhou, China, as well as his keen interest in the region’s business and geopolitical landscape.

Maxime’s thesis, An Exploratory Study into China’s Outer Space Dream: Satellite Base Expansion, Permanent Presence, and Resource Extraction, delved into China’s ambitions in outer space and how they align with the country’s broader national strategy, known as the China Dream. His research examined China’s growing satellite infrastructure, efforts to establish a long-term human presence in space, and plans for space resource extraction. By analyzing these developments, he shed light on China’s vision of becoming a dominant space power. Beyond academics, Maxime took full advantage of the flexibility and broad scope of BA IS by completing three internships during his studies. These experiences were instrumental in shaping his career path, allowing him to apply the interdisciplinary skills he gained in BA IS to real-world settings.

Among the key skills he developed, Maxime highlights the ability to synthesize complex topics, articulate ideas clearly through strong argumentation, and balance both generalist and specialist knowledge. These skills have proven invaluable in his current role as a Trade & Investment Representative for British Columbia, where he helps companies from the province export to Europe and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from the region.

After graduating, Maxime pursued a Master’s in International Affairs at Florida State University. His career path naturally followed his internship experiences in trade, investment, and economic diplomacy. Though he initially had no specific connection to British Columbia, his curiosity and adaptability enabled him to immerse himself in the province’s economic landscape, making his current role both rewarding and impactful. In order to work for the company he works for now, Trade & Invest BC, Maxime created his own company The International Trade and Investment Agency. He is busy expanding his company and encourages interested BA IS students to have a look at their website, as they sometimes offer internships as well. 

To current and prospective BA IS students, Maxime strongly advises gaining practical experience early on—whether through internships, committee work, or part-time jobs. He emphasizes that while higher education provides a strong foundation, differentiating oneself in the job market requires hands-on experience. Even an internship that does not meet expectations can be valuable in clarifying career preferences and guiding future decisions.

Maxime’s journey exemplifies how BA IS equips students with the skills and flexibility to navigate diverse career paths. His commitment to international trade and investment showcases how interdisciplinary knowledge can be applied in impactful ways. Wishing you continued success as you bridge economic opportunities between British Columbia and Europe Maxime!