Emilia Roig

MPP Class of 2010

If you were asked to highlight one thing that you learnt during your time at the Hertie School what would it be and why?

To put it simply, the school taught me to consider issues from multiple angles and perspectives, and to think “dynamically”. Its international and multi-level approach helped me develop strong analytical skills for the political, economic, and legal aspects relevant to the different spheres of politics and society. Not only have I built a solid understanding of public policy concepts, but I gained insights into the challenges of management positions – which I was able to apply at the end of my professional year.

Did you complete a Professional Year? How did this experience enhance your studies and/or prepare you for your career path?

I completed a professional year with the GTZ (now GIZ) project for the promotion of women’s rights in Cambodia. This experience allowed me to approach the courses of the second year under a new light: I could take practical and contextual challenges into account and adapt my thinking accordingly. My career path was greatly enhanced by this experience, as I was given the opportunity to replace the project manager for three months, and later get employed by a major human rights organization upon my return to Berlin.

How did you benefit, during and after your studies, from the international character and approach of the Hertie School?

We cannot afford to approach issues pertaining to public policy in a national or regional way any longer. I not only benefited from the international approach of the Hertie School reflected in the curriculum, but most importantly through the international body of students. Being able to discuss issues with various perspectives and points of view was what I found highly appealing in the school.