1. Why did you choose the IBEI Master’s in International Relations?

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and two years working experience in the private sector before I came to IBEI, I used to be very focused on internal processes within businesses. I chose IBEI’s Master’s in International Relations to get the bigger picture: I wanted to understand more about the political environment and global challenges businesses are facing today.   

2. What is your experience at IBEI? 

At IBEI, I appreciated the freedom to choose the topics I wanted to delve into and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss my ideas with other students and very committed teaching staff with interesting perspectives from all around the world.     

3. Describe your career path since graduating from the IBEI/ What is your professional experience (your current position, your main functions)?

After graduating from IBEI, I started working as a Transactions Manager for KfW, the German development bank, and was responsible for the financial management of development assistance projects financed by Germany in Kenya, Tunisia and Morocco. Earlier this year, I was promoted to Project Manager, so now I am responsible for the entire planning, implementation and monitoring projects financed by Germany within the context of the refugee crisis in Jordan.

4. How did the master programme prepare you for the work you're doing now? 

The Master’s in International Relations definitely prepared me for the political dimension of my work and helped me understand the history and background of the ongoing conflicts in the region I am now working in. 

5. Is this more or less what you pictured yourself doing after the master programme?

It was always important to me to continue working in an international environment after the Master’s program, but I have to admit that I would have never pictured myself in the public sector! 

6. What advice would you give to current students who want to follow this career path? / Some advice to future IBEI students? 

I would encourage anyone to always follow their interests when trying to figure out which career path to go for.

7. What do you miss most about the IBEI? 

Being able to read my literature on the beach!