What inspired you to study the Masters in Diplomacy and International Security?
Towards the end of my Undergraduate degree I became interested in how states interact and the power dynamic between different governments, particularly during the Cold War, so this course seemed like the perfect opportunity to engage in these topics more closely.
What do you enjoy most about your course?
The range of modules to choose from were so interesting I found it difficult to narrow down my choices. I chose mainly history based modules and the content was very engaging and exciting, so I looked forward to exploring new topics each week and delving into the research for the assignments. The subject matter covered many important historical events and time periods that still have relevance to what is happening in the world today, so the learning experience felt meaningful and important.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills have you developed whilst studying the course?
The course pushed me out of my comfort zone as several of my assignments involved presenting a topic of my choice to the class. I found this to be a valuable experience as it increased my confidence in speaking in front of people and being accountable for my work and research. These are essential skills that I am going to take with me into my future employment.
What do you think of the support available?
Support was provided throughout the entirety of the course by all of the teaching staff which definitely alleviated a lot of worry whilst studying remotely. Staff were always on hand to listen to concerns and to facilitate regular catch-ups over Zoom, which helped create a really supportive environment. The standard of teaching was great as classes were always extremely well organised and packed with interesting ways to interact as a class over Zoom.
What advice would you give to a prospective student coming to study your course?
If this course seems remotely aligned with your current interests, I would argue that the learning content will exceed your expectations. The subject matter is very interesting, but also broad and interdisciplinary. This makes the options for research and study feel limitless, which is an exciting prospect.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
My time at Strathclyde refined my research and writing skills which has put me in good stead since starting my new job. I was very quickly asked to collate and analyse resources that would support the case for making business improvements. I now regularly use these transferable skills in my role within a local authority, through research and project planning.
I developed enormous confidence with the help of the teaching staff at Strathclyde. The nurturing and supportive environment really helped my personal development.
