View a slideshow with images and quotes from recent Chayes Fellows, who traveled to Colombia, France, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Phillippines, South Africa, and Uganda this past summer.
Tag Archives: Europe
Exchange Student Reunions in Paris and Geneva
A semester at HLS tends to bring people together, as evidenced by the recent reunions of fall 2013 HLS exchange students. In February, Geneva-based students Ursina Menn (University of Geneva) joined Duy-Lam Nguyen (Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies) in visiting Sciences Po students Roxane Best, Florentin Juillet, Babaka Tracy Mputu, and Malik Touanssa in Paris: “It was not only the ideal moment to help all of us to overcome our HLS post-depression, but also to learn more about our friends’ academic curricula and their day-to-day life in Paris. They showed us their home university and told us about their current internships at law firms or courts. It was lovely to be guided through Paris by our friends and to discover many new things (such as delicious food), places, and museums!”
Roxane Best, Ursina Menn, and Lam Nguyen in Paris. Photo courtesy of Ursina Menn.
March brought visits to Geneva by both Roxane and Malik. As Malik’s visit coincided with more temperate weather, Marlena Wisniak, Ursina, and Lam added a hike to the Creux du Van to their Geneva tour.
Hiking the Creux du Van. Photo courtesy of Duy-Lam Nguyen.
And it looks like more reunions are in the works, according to Ursina: “The experience of spending an extraordinary semester at HLS as exchange students, where we always could count on each other for support, is an experience that truly bonded us together. We will hold on carefully to and treasure these new friendships and do our utmost to stay in contact. I’ve heard a trip to Brazil is already being planned! Thank you, HLS!”
Study Abroad in Switzerland: Information Session September 20
Chayes Fellow Sarah Weiner ’15, on working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Kingdom
“My project at work involved updating the EBRD’s assessment of public procurement laws in its countries of operation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The first region-wide assessment was conducted in 2010, and it was interesting to see how an international organization engages in policy dialogues with governments to achieve legal reform. A part of my job involved communicating with government officials to clarify the questions of the assessment and ensure that the Bank’s data is accurate. In just one of my weeks at EBRD, I spoke with people from 20 different countries—a feat I have never come close to accomplishing on a former job!
One of my favorite parts of working at EBRD was being invited to attend various meetings held by the Legal Transition Team and the wider Office of the General Counsel. These meetings provided me with the opportunity to witness interesting debates about EBRD’s internal policies and to see how the Bank deals with the challenges and complexities inherent in operating a multilateral development bank.
Outside of work, I tried to take full advantage of everything London has to offer! I ate delicious food, visited world-class museums, attended great musicals, and took a vacation to Scotland to hike in some its breathtaking scenery. Overall, I had an amazing experience this summer, and I am truly grateful for the support from the Chayes program to make it happen.”
Sarah is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!
Chayes Fellow Lara Berlin, HLS/Fletcher School Concurrent Degree Candidate, on working with Inter Mediate, United Kingdom
“My time in London has been really wonderful. I’m living in King’s Cross with mostly French students (which is a cultural experience I hadn’t anticipated in London!). My internship has been a terrific learning experience. I’ve been working on projects ranging from country specific issues (legal and historical) to more comparative work on peace processes around the world. I’ve gotten to be involved on a number of the different projects that Inter Mediate is working on, so I feel that I’ve gained perspective on many different dimensions of their work. Wonderfully, because it’s a small team, they have been amazingly inclusive of me. I also just got back from IM’s “Away Day,” in which I got to participate in all of the strategic level conversations about the strengths and weaknesses of the organization as it stands, and where it intends to go. To be invited to participate in those senior conversations as an intern speaks to the value the organization places on everyone’s opinion and investment in the mission.
Outside of work, I’ve gotten the chance to explore the city a bit, visit museums and palaces, and learn about some British quirks. I’ve done some hiking on the coast and spent a weekend on the beach in Brighton. I look forward to going to Scotland, too. So, it’s been a rewarding experience outside of work, as well.”
Lara is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!