Alumni

In this series, we catch up with some of our past GLOCALs to see how they’re getting on and what they’re up to now. Today, we’re catching up with Thaisa, who graduated in 2023 and is now undertaking a PhD in Political Science and Economic History at Heidelberg University.

Tell us about your area of research and what led you to research that particular area?

Right now, I’m doing a PhD in Political Science and Economic History at Heidelberg University.

In my project I investigate German financial history in the 70s and 80s with the goal of analyzing consolidation policies of the German Ministry of Finance in this period:

• When and why were these policies adopted
• Who was pushing this development?
• Can we trace major debates about it within the ministry?
• Which international developments influenced the discussion?

Heidelberg, Germany

Are there skills/knowledge that you picked up on GLOCAL have you been able to use during your PhD? If so, what were they?

In my current project, I benefit greatly from my two years in GLOCAL. Not only the interdisciplinary viewpoint enables me to combine perspectives from the fields of History, Economics as well as Political Sciences more easily, but also the international alignment of many GLOCAL courses gives me a better understanding of the international interdependencies with regard to my project.

What advice would you have for current GLOCALs looking to take the next step in their career after graduation, perhaps doing a PhD of their own?

Get to know your professors, maybe even look into research assistant positions so you get a feeling for whether a PhD might be something of interest to you. Join the courses that interest you the most and that match your ideas for future research – even though they might be from other departments, as in my case the History department at Uppsala University. But other than that, enjoy GLOCAL as much as you can, build connections with your fellow GLOCALs and enjoy the broad perspective that the program offers you.

What advice would you have for people thinking about applying to GLOCAL? What should they know about the programme?

I can only encourage people to apply for GLOCAL because it opens you so many opportunities. It will offer you a wide variety of courses in the fields of (Economic) History, Political Science and Economics and a way to open your academic horizon and follow your passions. Then there is the opportunity to live in three beautiful cities. This experience – with all the challenges it might include – gives you a unique opportunity for personal growth.

And finally, GLOCAL is a way to meet wonderful and inspiring people and a community in which you can learn from and support each other during but also after the program. These friendships with students from all over the world will greatly enrich your personal as well as academic life. So yes, I can only encourage anybody to join our GLOCAL family!

Can you tell us about some of your favourite GLOCAL memories?

I have many cherished memories of my two years of GLOCAL, among them getting to know all the wonderful GLOCALs themselves during our time in Glasgow during movie nights, little trips and cooking events we organized. Then there were all the traditions we experienced in the stunning student town of Uppsala in Sweden with raft races and fancy dinners.

I remember the summer school in Prague, as well as the intense dissertation phase in Göttingen: the way GLOCALs supported each other, but also celebrated their achievements together, was special. All in all, it is the people and the beautiful memories we made together during moving around Europe that shaped my GLOCAL experience.