Studying a PhD has opened many doors for me already and I’m not even halfway through it as of yet. I’ve attended the political studies association conference, visited several historical archives and am completing an SGSSS internship this summer.

One of the unique strengths of this programme was the opportunity to learn directly from experienced diplomats and practitioners. I had the privilege of engaging with Ambassador Leigh Turner, who offered insights into the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine war. I also interacted with German Consul Christiane Hullmann, who explained Germany’s approach to soft power

It gave me contacts in the industry and a great reading list. And it showed me there were different ways of reaching my goals. By the end of my studies I was much more disciplined, and I was hungry to be employed, which helped in getting into newsrooms – and staying there.