Alumni dreams #259

Emeline Rateau’s journey in International Studies was driven by her deep curiosity about the world and a desire to explore global history, culture, economics, and politics. Choosing Latin America as her study region, she was inspired by her prior exposure to Latin American literature and the sociopolitical challenges it depicted. Her goal was to gain fresh perspectives on global affairs by studying a region she had not previously explored.

For her thesis, Emeline focused on Indigenous Peoples and Peacebuilding Processes in Colombia, delving into themes of decolonization, transitional justice, and collective memory. Through her research, she discovered that academia could be both a platform for personal learning and a means of contributing to broader knowledge-sharing.

One of the defining moments of her BA IS experience was her exchange semester in Chile, which she describes as life-changing. Immersing herself in a new culture and studying at a Chilean university allowed her to gain alternative perspectives and engage in meaningful discussions that enriched her understanding of Latin American history and politics.

Reflecting on the skills she gained during BA IS, Emeline emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. Studying in a different country encouraged her to reevaluate the education she received in France and recognize potential biases in historical narratives. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to write essays on a diverse range of topics, which allowed her to explore her interests in depth.

After graduating, Emeline pursued two master’s degrees—one in International Affairs with a focus on the Global South at Sciences Po Bordeaux, and another in International Cooperation at Sciences Po Saint-Germain. She has explored multiple career paths, working at the Embassy of Uruguay in France to gain diplomatic experience, freelancing as a writer for El Café Latino, and currently interning at Hachette Livre, where she manages innovation projects with Spain and Latin America. She continues to navigate her career path, searching for opportunities that align with her passion for fostering stronger relations between Europe and Latin America.

Emeline’s long-term ambition is to contribute to greater collaboration between the two regions, whether in the public or private sector. She believes that Europe has much to learn from Latin America and the Global South in various fields and hopes to play a role in strengthening these exchanges.

For current and prospective BA IS students, Emeline encourages embracing the diversity of the program and using it as an opportunity to explore new topics and perspectives. She advises students to remain open to different fields of study, push their intellectual boundaries, and never stop exploring—values that have defined her own academic and professional journey.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours Emeline, and look forward to seeing how you continue to bridge connections between Latin America and the world!