Finding a Voice in International Law: Paulo’s Master’s Journey at the Graduate Institute

Deskripsi

Discover more about our masters programmes: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/master-phd-programmes Paulo, originally from Germany, describes how studying international relations at TU Dresden led him to focus on international law and pursue a two-year master’s at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. He connects his hometown of Hamburg—home to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea—to his growing interest in the field, and explains why Geneva appealed as a place where international law is both studied and shaped near the UN. He highlights the programme's mix of students from law and non-law backgrounds, discussion-based classes that move from legal analysis to broader political and philosophical debates, and a collegial classroom spirit. Paulo shares experiences working with International Law Commission member Mario Oyarzabal, joining the Junior Diplomat initiative, and emphasizes the department’s motto of learning how to think about law and find one’s voice. 00:00 Meet Paulo 00:28 Hamburg and Sea Law 00:48 Why Geneva 01:04 First Days at Institute 01:32 Classroom Mix and Debate 02:35 Geneva Career Opportunities 02:53 Working with UN Experts 03:18 Junior Diplomat Initiative 03:37 Think About the Law 04:14 Life Beyond Studies 04:24 Finding Your Voice