Prospects Postgrad UK 2007/2008 - (Page 18) 18 ADVICE AND INFORMATION www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK A TALE OF TWO STUDENTS INSTITUTE OF COMMONWEALTH STUDIES A RIGHT TO STUDY My family left Ethiopia for the United States to escape suffering from the devastating effects of civil war and extreme poverty. I was determined to go back one day and contribute to making a difference in my country and I felt I could do that by studying human rights. After my first degree, I worked for a few years, firstly as a Risk Management Analyst for a corporate law firm in New York City and then for an NGO and a development consultancy in Ethiopia. But I always wanted to go back to do a postgraduate degree. Selamawit Paulos is studying an MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London. visit the various international organisations based there was also a definite plus. PRACTICAL AND ENJOYABLE The overall set up of the course offered at the institution is well balanced and encompasses everything from the practicalities of writing a funding proposal to writing a legal brief for an international court. This course is teaching me a wide range of skills, such as using international conventions and international law to advocate for human rights; I have been able to participate in mock THE POSTGRAD ROUTE trials representing all sides of a case. The After working in Ethiopia for three years I course has taught me about the historical and decided that I would need a postgraduate current aspects of human rights and equipped qualification in order to progress in my career. me with the skills necessary to work in the I wanted to live in Ethiopia once I’d completed field, raise funds, and write legal documents. my course, so three years at law school in These skills will in turn enable me to gain America didn’t seem practical. It was more employment with organisations working in a rational for me to do a Masters degree, as it human rights capacity, renowned as being one would be more relevant and cost effective. of the most competitive sectors, and it will also I found study in the UK appealing mainly enable me to initiate my own involvement in because courses can be completed in one year, the development of Ethiopia, whether through as opposed to two or three in the US. In government or non-governmental institutions addition, I found more courses in the UK that and using a holistic and rights based approach. fitted my interest. Someone I worked with on A typical day on the course involves waking a project in Ethiopia recommended this up around 7am, having breakfast at home, particular course and institution to me, as she catching the train and then tube to university felt it would provide me with all the skills I around 9.30am. I then attend a lecture from wanted in a shorter space of time. 10.30am to 12 noon before grabbing some Another reason I chose this course was lunch with my classmates. because its students are encouraged to intern at In the afternoon I attend a seminar which is an international human rights organisation in an extension of the lecture for an hour. I will London while attending the course. The course then go to the library and prepare readings for also has a practical module which prepares its the following week’s lectures. After that I students for employment after graduation. The would usually attend a talk, panel discussion or fact that there was a field trip to Geneva to watch a film at venues such as the Frontline Club, within the Institute, or nearby university colleges, such as LSE. After that a group of us who attended the event would usually go on to a pub before heading home! TIME OUT In my spare time I make the most of what London has to offer me. I attend talks and seminars and go to see films, museum exhibitions, and different events around London. The course is really intense, so most of the time I am reading or working on essays. Studying and living in London is a privilege, as there is always so much going on. It is also diverse and there is a large international community, especially in the university setting. It is enriching to be around students who come from such diverse backgrounds. One of the major downsides of London is that it is so expensive but it is possible to find free events with some effort! The first couple of months were challenging. London is big and it takes time to get used to the culture, how things work and the public transportation system. It is also difficult to meet people unless you have flat mates, so it can be a little lonely in the beginning. But once I made some friends from the course, it became much easier. Centre for International Human Rights Institute of Commonwealth Studies University of London 28 Russell Square London WC1B 5DS www.commonwealth.sas.ac.uk +44 (0)20 7862 8844 ics@sas.ac.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK http://www.commonwealth.sas.ac.uk
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