Laura Sophie Wiegele - EUROSUD Career Development Fund

EUROSUD students may apply for funding for activities linked to the programme and/or their related career development that reflect the ethos and learning objectives of the degree programme. Below, we hear from Laura, one of our Research Track students, on how she was able to conduct field research in Italy for her Master’s thesis. 


Thanks to financial support from the EUROSUD Study and Career Development Fund, I conducted field research in Italy for my Master’s thesis. As a student of the research track, I am currently in the process of writing my dissertation in the fourth and last semester of the EUROSUD program. My topic is how the Italian North-South divide and the stereotypes associated with it affect the lives of students.

Since I studied Italian as a subject in school, this issue drew my attention from a young age. Thus, in my undergraduate thesis, I already decided to write about this divide and its representation in Italian cinema. While writing the thesis, I realized a literature gap regarding stereotypes and how they affect young individuals. Thus, I decided for my master’s dissertation to bridge this gap by conducting fieldwork. For this, I spent two weeks at an Italian university both in the north in Padova near Venice and in the south in Catania in Sicily.

As a research method, I conducted individual interviews and focus group discussions with students from different faculties on-site. I recruited participants by approaching students directly at various faculties and by presenting my project in lectures. I am very pleased with how it went, as I found significantly more participants than I had set as a goal and the results are very interesting. Overall, it was an intensive time in which I learned a lot, both about the North-South divide and about conducting field research. This experience broadened my horizons, deepened my understanding of different cultures, and enriched my personal and professional development. Therefore, I can only recommend to everyone to leave their comfort zone and take the opportunity to do field research during the Master’s thesis.

I am very grateful that the students gave me their time as well as their trust and shared their thoughts with me. In addition, a special thanks go to the Departments of Political Science of both Universities of Padova and Catania for their support in the research by connecting me with students and providing me with rooms. Above all, I am beyond thankful to the Career Development Fund for giving me this opportunity! Now it’s time to analyze the results and write that thesis!

By Laura Sophie Wiegele


Julen Studies French with help of Career Development Fund

One of the most exciting aspects of being a student of an Erasmus mundus programme like EUROSUD, it is the opportunity to spend two years with students from many different countries and cultural backgrounds. This multicultural environment provides EUROSUD cohorts to develop very important working skills in areas like teamwork. The international features of this master motivated me to improve my French skills. That is why I signed up for a B2 course of this language. Now, thanks to the funds provided by the Career Development Fund, I am willing to apply for the DELF B2 exam, in order to improve my linguistic competencies.
EUROSUD is a master where I believe the knowledge of languages is extremely important. Students from EUROSUD have a background in political sciences, international relations and political economy have a very complete international training. Thus, thanks to this master, we will be able to obtain jobs in many international companies or organisations. Therefore, languages are a really remarkable tool to develop the skills we are achieving while studying this master.
Now, part of our cohort are currently studying in Athens, in the National and Kapodistrian University. We are learning about Yugoslavia, its dissolution, and all the ethnic conflicts as a result of it. After years of war and tensions, diplomacy had to prevail in order to put an end to these terrible events that happen in the 90s. Thus, in order to participate in international events and summits whose objective is the settlement of disputes, the knowledge of languages is a significant value. French is one of the most important languages worldwide, so being fluent in it could be very useful in international conferences. As, knowing this South European language enables me to approach more confidently to people from other nationalities and interact with them in their native language. This may allow me to develop closer ties with them rather than limiting myself to one language, like English.
In conclusion, EUROSUD is a master where intercultural communication is learnt very deeply, due to the enriching international atmosphere you are in while studying the master. The opportunity to live and study in three different countries is something I had never thought about. But, thanks to EUROSUD, this is possible. Therefore, I certainly believe that studying French will help me a lot to develop a good future career.

By Julen Ortiz Villar


Amanda Gussão's Internship - EUROSUD Professional Track in Spain

Amanda Delgado GussãoHello! (:

My name is Amanda and I’m from Brazil. I’m a student of the 21-23 EUROSUD Cohort, with a background in International Relations and Public Relations. As I’m on the professional track, my second semester was in Madrid, my third semester in Aix-en-Provence, and now I’m back in Madrid (by choice) for my traineeship in the Representation of the European Commission in Spain.

I applied for this internship because I wanted to experience working in an European Institution such as the European Commission. Also, my specific position combines both of my previous fields of study, communication and IR, in addition to south European politics.

Finally, I wanted to come back to Madrid (for the third time), because it is a city I see myself living in. I like the people here, I like the weather, I like how safe it is, as well as the professional opportunities I could find here. I am very happy with where EUROSUD is taking me!

 

Amanda Delgado Gussão


EUROSUD PROGRAMME Semester 2 - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)

EUROSUD is an unique opportunity to engage in the multi-disciplinary study of the South European region with partners in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and the United Kingdom over two years and gain a jointly awarded Master degree!

The fisrt semester is based in Glasgow. The second semester is based in Athens or in Madrid. In Athens, you can live in the historical capital of Europe, also known as the birthplace of democracy, arts, science and philosophy of western civilisation. EUROSUD students have the Mediterranean climate, the greek culture, living history in this open air museum!

At the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), EUROSUD students have 5 options of course and they can choose 3.

Click here if you want to know more about it!

Interested? Applications to join this EUROSUD cohort are now open - apply here today!

 


EUROSUD PROGRAMME Semester 2 - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

EUROSUD is an unique opportunity to engage in the multi-disciplinary study of the South European region with partners in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and the United Kingdom over two years and gain a jointly awarded Master degree!

The fisrt semester is based in Glasgow. The second semester is based in Athens or in Madrid. In Madrid, you can live at the capital and most populous city of Spain.

At the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), EUROSUD students have 9 options of courses and they can choose 5, but Research Seminar is compulsory for all! Among the options, they have 2 courses offered in Spanish!

Click here if you want to know more about it!

Interested? Applications to join this EUROSUD cohort are now open - apply here today!

 


Felix, 2nd Year Research Track Student, learns Greek at NKUA thanks to the EUROSUD Career Development Fund

EUROSUD students may apply for funding for activities linked to the programme and/or their related career development that reflect the ethos and learning objectives of the degree programme. Below, we hear from Felix, one of our second year Research Track students, on how he was able to enrol on a four-month Greek class at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athen’s Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre, thanks to the fund. 


With support from the EUROSUD Career Development Fund, I have enrolled in a four month Greek class at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens’s Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre. The centre is located at the NKUA’s main campus in Zografou which I had not visited before and which, with its big faculty buildings, parks, and canteens, provides me with another experience of Greek university life.

As for the course, I find that the B1-level class I am taking connects nicely to my previous knowledge of the language and will hopefully improve my level to conversational which has always been a lifelong goal of mine. Also, speaking Greek fluently at least at some very basic level could greatly expand my professional opportunities to work as a journalist reporting on and from Greece.

I feel privileged to be given this chance in the second and final semester at NKUA, as the evening language classes also provide a welcome change from working on the Master’s dissertation.


Anne, EUROSUD Research Track Student learns Italian in Copenhagen thanks to Career Development Fund

EUROSUD students may apply for funding for activities linked to the programme and/or their related career development that reflect the ethos and learning objectives of the degree programme. Below, we hear from Anne, one of our Research Track students on how she was able to continue learning Italian in Copenhagen thanks to the fund. 


Thanks to financial support from the EUROSUD Studies and Career Development Fund, I am able to attend a B2 Italian language course at Studieskolen in Copenhagen. I started learning Italian during my third semester at Aix-Marseille Université, and I am thankful for the chance to continue studying the language this semester as well.

As a student of the research track, I am currently writing my dissertation during the fourth and final semester of the EUROSUD program. Improving my language skills will hopefully prove to be an asset when I soon finish the master program and begin my job search. My hope is to continue working as a journalist but with a specialization on South European issues.

As I have already worked on my language abilities in Spanish and French, both before and during the master’s program, I think Italian could be a good addition to these skills. The language school is known for its good reputation, engaged students and native speaking teachers, so I am already happy about attending the course. I am therefore very grateful to the EUROSUD Career Development Fund for making this a possibility!


EUROSUD students go to Lisbon - 3rd Winter School 2023

This year the EUROSUD Winter School happened in Lisbon from February 27th until March 1st.

EUROSUD is taught over 2 years, starting at the University of Glasgow, where all students can meet and study there for one semester, followed by Athens or Madrid in semester 2. In the final year students can choose among Marseille, Madrid, Athens and Rome.

This is a great opportunity to develop soft skills and learn about different cultures. On the other hand, many say that the biggest challenge for EUROSUD students is being separated from their friends on the journey after Glasgow.

The Winter School is an opportunity for everyone to meet again, catching up about where they are doing their internship or what they are researching for their thesis.

Click here to check our instagram video!

Do you also want to make friends from all over the world living in 3 different countries? Applications to join this EUROSUD cohort are now open - apply here today!

 


EUROSUD PROGRAMME Semester 1 - University of Glasgow

EUROSUD is an unique opportunity to engage in the multi-disciplinary study of the South European region with partners in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and the United Kingdom over two years and gain a jointly awarded Master degree!

The fisrt semester is based in Glasgow. Many people believe that Harry Potter was filmed at the University of Glasgow! Even though this is not true, students can still feel like they are studying in Hogwarts, with the  Gothic-revival style building with its spires at the main building.

The first semester is when all students meet, before they follow their journey in the two next mobility partners.

At the University of Glasgow, EUROSUD students have 3 mandatory courses. Click here to see our instagram post about it and here to read more about each course!

 

Interested? Applications to join this EUROSUD cohort are now open - apply here today!

 


International Women's Day - Inspiring Alumni From Each Of Our Partner Universities

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8 every year.

There is much to celebrate about women’s achievements, and yet there is still more we can all do, women and allies alike, to #EmbraceEquity and ensure that we build a world for those that come after us that is evermore diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

We’ve compiled a list of successful women in various fields who’ve graduated from each of our partner universities below.

Marion Gilchrist, University of Glasgow

Marion Gilchrist was the first woman to graduate from the University of Glasgow in 1894, and the first woman in Scotland to graduate with a medical degree, despite medicine being considered an ‘unfeminine’ subject at the time. She worked as a GP in Glasgow, specialising in eye diseases, and was also an early motoring enthusiast, having a garage on Ashton Lane. She was also a leading figure in the UK suffragette movement, but change took time: it would be 34 years after Marion graduate that women were finally granted full voting rights.

You can read more about her and other inspiring women who graduated from the University of Glasgow here

Dolores Delgado García, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 

Dolores Delgado García is a Spanish prosecutor who served as Attorney General of Spain from 2020 to 2022. Previously, she served as Minister of Justice and First Notary of the Kingdom from 2018 to 2020, in the first Pedro Sánchez administration. She joined the Public Prosecution Service in 1989, being assigned to the High Court of Justice of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. In 1993 she was promoted to prosecutor at the Audiencia Nacional, where she stands out for being responsible for important cases against drug trafficking and terrorism. She has also worked at the International Criminal Court.

Graça Machel, Universidade de Lisboa

An alumna of the University of Lisbon, Dame Graça Machel is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. Machel is an international advocate for women’s and children’s rights, including on ending child marriage, and was made an honorary British Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for her humanitarian work. She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries, South Africa and Mozambique, being the widow of former President of Mozambique, Samora Machel, and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Alongside Mandela and Desmond Tutu, she convened The Elders, a group working on various humanitarian subjects. 

Elisabetta Belloni, LUISS Guido Carli

Elisabetta Belloni is an Italian diplomat and civil servant, and has served as Director of the Department of Information for Security since 2021. . She has held positions in Italian embassies offices in Vienna and Bratislava, as well as in the Directorates General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2001 she was appointed Head of the Office for Central and Eastern European Countries, and from 2004 to 2008, directed the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anna Vissi, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Anna Vissi is a Greek Cypriot singer, songwriter, actress, television presenter, radio personality, and businesswoman. She studied music and performed locally before moving to the professional scene in Athens in 1973, signing a record deal, releasing singles, and collaborating with other artists whilst still studying at NKUA. She has performed in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, representing Greece in 1980 and 2006, and Cyprus in 1982.

Ariane Labed, Aix-Marseille Université

Ariane Labed is a Greek-French actress and film director. She is known for her feature film debut in Attenberg, for which she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, and for appearing in Helen Edmundson’s film Mary Magdalene in 2018. Labed studied theatre at Aix-Marseille University.