Alumni dreams #240

A deep-seated interest in global dynamics and international relations is what led Irene to apply for Internationa Studies. She ended up graduating with a thesis on Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen’s Civil War in the post-9/11 policy landscape. 

During her bachelor, Irene was part of the Honours College. She followed the Tackling Global Challenges track, where she had LUC classes such as French and Psychology of Stress and Health. The most important part of her bachelor was the many friends and connections she made during her time at the BA. 

After finishing her bachelor, she started a MA in Global Security. She has one year left before she completes this master. Concurrently, she is immersed in an enriching internship at the European Space Agency (ESA) in Paris, specializing in strategy, partnership, policy analysis, and civil society. After graduating, she hopes to start working for the government or an intelligence agency that deals with counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and defense policy formulation. Besides her studies, Irene has also made it a point to stick with learning more Arabic, as she has fallen in love with the language over the years of learning it. In the autumn of 2023 she has even spent some time living in Rabat and attended a centre of Arabic classes there. 

One thing she wants to tell current and prospective students in International Studies is to enjoy and grasp every moment of the bachelor, as the years fly by and you can never get them back. Seize all opportunities you can get, and try to engage with as many people as you can, to really get as diverse a study experience as possible. 

We certainly agree with you Irene, and wish you the best of luck in completing your studies!

Alumni dreams #248

Olivier Grauss pursued his studies with a keen interest in global affairs, international relations, and the Middle East. His fascination with the region began after a visit to an Arab country, where he was captivated by Arabic script and political dynamics. BAIS provided the ideal opportunity to combine his interests in politics and Middle Eastern Studies.

His thesis, “Remarkable, although not surprising: The predictive nature of the UAE-Israel normalization treaty” (2021), analyzed how media narratives credited the Trump administration for the agreement. Olivier contextualized this by illustrating how past U.S. administrations laid the groundwork for the treaty, making it a broader diplomatic achievement.

During his studies, Olivier contributed significantly by organizing and sharing digital archives, aiding both himself and his peers. Years later, he was pleased to learn that his materials were still being used, reflecting his impact on the BAIS academic community.

Among the most valuable skills he gained from BAIS was essay writing, which taught him how to structure arguments effectively. The program's emphasis on academic writing quickly transformed his skills. Additionally, specialized courses in Middle Eastern politics, culture, economics, and Arabic equipped him with in-depth regional expertise.

After graduating in January 2022, Olivier took half a gap year, during which he worked at vaccination centers for GGD Rotterdam Rijnmond, occasionally using his Arabic skills to assist refugees. He also spent eight weeks in Egypt enhancing his Arabic proficiency, making up for a canceled study placement due to COVID-19. In September, at the start of the new academic year, Olivier pursued a MA in International Relations at the University of Groningen.

Recognizing the need for quantitative skills in his career, Olivier later completed a pre-master and began an MSc in Population Studies at the University of Groningen. His goal is to work at the intersection of international relations and data analysis.

For current and prospective BAIS students, Olivier advises considering the program’s broad scope. While it offers flexibility, students should use their third-year free space to specialize in a subject of interest or prepare for a master’s program. He reassures students that their academic paths remain adaptable, with various opportunities to refine their focus and skills.