Through the student lens

Madihah Karim
MSc Theory and History of International Relations (2020/21)

Why did you choose LSE?
I did my undergraduate degree at the University of London and my modules were designed by the LSE so I was familiar with the structure of courses and assessment systems. Naturally, it made sense to me to look into the institution for higher education. When I was applying for my master’s, I also noticed it was the only high-ranking university that offered a degree situated in two departments i.e. the department of International Relations and the department of International History which was an exciting prospect as it meant I would have more choice when it came to course selection and an opportunity for the degree to be tailored to my own specific research interests.

What did you do before you started your master’s? 
I worked as an undergraduate tutor at my alma mater for a year and then went on to do a traineeship at the EU for 9 months where I learnt a lot about refugee and migration policy. I also did voluntary work with Extinction Rebellion UK, including climate activism and briefly interned at an NGO in Lahore called the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan, which is affiliated with the Harvard-Kennedy School.

What can you say about your academic growth at LSE?
Well, I’ve definitely been challenged more than I expected. From an intellectual standpoint, I jumped into a history degree with no prior experience in the subject, so I’ve been able to develop new academic skills such as identifying historiographical patterns in articles and incorporating historiography into my essays. Additionally, I think the discussion-based seminars have really helped shape my research interests in the sense that I can now see myself as being able to identify and appreciate specific aspects of the scholarship and situate my own views within the work of others, so I find there is now a more mature approach to my analysis of academic texts.

What’s it like living in London? Where’s your favourite place to eat/visit?
I’m in London right now, and I’m pretty sure I’m not being biased when I say living here is a dream. Of course, the pandemic has made exploring difficult but there is still so much to do, even if it’s just walking around at night especially during the holiday season when everything seems so magical and festive. I have way too many favourite places to list but currently I love walking to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s not far from campus and is so pretty at night – the courtyard is perfect to unwind and relax in. I tend to stop at Covent Garden on my way to grab something to eat; there are some cosy cafes tucked away that are always fun to find, Nutshell being a new favourite discovery. I also really like going to Portobello Market and browsing through the vintage shops – you never know what goodies you’ll find especially on a student budget!

Do you have any advice for future LSE master’s students?
Don’t be intimidated by the reading lists! They can seem long and dreadful but if you genuinely enjoy the course, it isn’t as scary as it seems, especially if you make a conscious effort to stay on top of it. Also, be sure to talk to your professors if you are struggling. One thing I love about LSE is how accessible and willing to help the faculty is, especially your academic advisor who will always talk you through your concerns. Lastly, reach out to your class fellows and make friends because you’ll need a support system to unwind with when the workload seems too heavy and you need a bit of fun!

January 2021

Nicole Walker (UK)
MSc Theory and History of International Relations (2020/21)

Why did you choose LSE?
I did history for my undergrad but ended up studying a lot of British history. I decided that for my master’s I wanted to study international history to move away from the British history focus. I also wanted to branch out from history a little and study some international relations. LSE is renowned in both fields so I applied and luckily got in.

What did you do before you started your master’s?
I graduated with my BA in 2018. I did a history degree but decided that I wanted to go into commercial law. I completed the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) in 2019 then did a three month legal internship in New York towards the end of the same year. When I got back to the UK I did some paralegalling until the pandemic hit, followed by a vacation scheme in the summer just before starting my master’s.

What’s your favourite course(s)?
I’m enjoying all of my modules but my favourite is ‘European Empires During the Second World War’ (HY471). It offers a global perspective on the Second World War, different to the Eurocentric perspective typically taught at school. We’re also able to discuss some really interesting sources, particularly primary sources, which facilitate engaging discussions. I have learnt things I never would have otherwise been aware of.

Do you have any advice for future LSE master’s students?
Make the most of the resources available to you. For instance, LSE LIFE runs some useful workshops on reading and writing essays which are great for a refresher if there’s a gap between your undergraduate and master’s degrees.

If you’ve had some time out of academia in between your undergrad and master’s, how have you found the jump back into studies?
Getting back into academia was definitely a learning curve; I had forgotten how time consuming reading was! After a few weeks I was back into it, though. Despite that, I’m enjoying the academic side more than my undergrad. I think it’s largely because I’m doing a master’s because I want to do it, rather than because I have to do it. Because of that I am doing modules and readings that I am genuinely interested in. I have also been able to employ what I was doing well by the end of my degree, like writing critically, analysing sources and knowing how to navigate a heavy reading list so I am more time efficient than I was during my undergrad.

January 2021

Yashasvi Murali
MSc Theory and History of International Relations (2014/15)

As a commerce graduate eager to expand my knowledge and explore the arts and sciences, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to do my masters in Theory and History of International Relations at the Department of History at LSE.  Unsure of what to expect from my first time visiting London, I soon found myself at home  - in one of the most beautiful cities and studying with some of the brightest and most passionate young people from around the world at LSE.

My courses on colonialism and globalisation in the modern world, secret intelligence in the twentieth century and colonial rule in Africa opened up my curious mind to new, challenging and fascinating concepts and ways of thinking, critiquing and writing. I was captivated by writings on the practice of female genital mutilation in the African continent, within a few months of exploring some of the finest readings as part of my course. I was eager to explore its encounters with colonialism and cross-cutting themes of rights, religion, multi-culturalism and representation in media, and I immersed myself in it as part of my dissertation.

In the process of working on my dissertation, I knew I wanted to work in the social impact space and contribute to developmental efforts, with a focus on women and girls. This brought me back home to India, where I did an internship with UNHCR as part of their refugee programme in New Delhi and worked with leading international organisations on reproductive health and gender over the following three years.

My professors at LSE and my dissertation supervisor, in particular, played an indispensable role in shaping my outlook towards research and my postgraduate experience helped me meaningfully contribute to my work in the social impact space. Today, as I consider a doctorate in this field, I find myself wanting to go back to LSE and relive my experience.  LSE was integral to my personal journey of finding my passion in the development sector, of honing my skills of research and writing and most importantly, of staying curious and eager to learn and grow.

December 2019