A year on...

A person on facebook recently sent me a message about the LSE IR programme, and my thoughts on it. Here is what I sent back --

Glad to hear you are interested in the LSE! I highly recommend the programme -- but it's really more of an experience. It's a very stimulating place to study, very diverse, and open to new ideas and approaches. I have to say my dissertation turned out completely different from what I had intended to do upon entering the programme. The way you think will change, in a good way, and you'll come out of it knowing so much more.

What the studies are like: Level and difficulty

High level, high expectations, and difficult if you aren't ready to challenge yourself and your preconcieved notions of issues. On technicalities though, the most difficulty I found (as an American) was adjusting to the European essay-system, and knowing how they want essays to be written, ideas to be aruged, formatting, etc. It took a while, but I'm a much better writer for it. Another difficulty is staying focused! There are a lot of distractions in the city - healthy and unhealthy - and because the LSE doesn't "hold your hand" and force you to do things, it really is up to you to stay motivated and on top of your work. The essay and exam questions were very difficult, but more so because they posed them in such a way that they could be answered from a variety of angles, and it was important to have clarity and originality in your arugments. If you can't "think outside the box" or would rather spend more time doing quantitative analysis then this programme isn't for you!

Lectures

Interesting at times, dull at others. It really depends on the class and professor. I had some lectures that I couldn't wait to get to, and others where I thought my eyes would fall out from looking at so many power point slides! At the LSE, you take 3 modules - one lecture and one seminar per module. Attendance at lectures isn't necessary, but at the seminars it is. I can't say I found all my lectures helpful, but they generally got me thinking about the topic, and clued me into key readings. The seminar groups are what make this programme so great. An hour and a half of debate with your fellow students on everying under the IR sun.

Students

Very diverse and intelligent, in their own way, and you have to respect that. I noticed at one point in the programme that out of the 100 or so of us there, everyone had a different background, and different career ambitions. Some are opportunist and just want to network, and will overtly make strategic relationships with you because of who you know and what you've done. You'll also meet some really quality people that you hope are in leadership positions some day. I've made great friends, and learned a lot from almost everyone I've encountered.

Personal Benefit

I know I've grown intellectually, but I have yet to see the professional rewards of my degree. I'm still in job searching, but I'm very close to getting my dream job, and I think going to the LSE has definitely had something to with how far I've got in the process.

Everything else....

At times I felt like I had too little to do, and at others I was overwhelmed with work (essays and presentations, etc). The programme is all about what YOU put into it. There are some people that did everything last minute, didn't come to class, and were happy with just passing. I didn't go into it wanting to be the top of the class. I wanted to do well, but also experience London and the close proximity to the rest of the world. I got involved really involved in a not-for-profit, I got a part-time job on campus, I traveled. I personally felt like I needed to do all those things to enhance my experience here.

You probably won't make close relationships with the Professors - they are usually doing a number of other writing/researching/advisory jobs on the side, but I think the students make up for that.

Some bits and bobs

Yikes, I've been pretty bad about updating the blog.

I have good reason. EXAMS! An awful experience that makes me wonder why anyone would do two masters, or law school. But, I'm finished and I'm now in the process of writing my dissertation. I've got about two paragraphs. 9800 more words to go!

In the past almost three months, a lot has happened. I have a darling boyfriend now. I've been to Scotland and Spain. I've done a lot of fun things around London -- picnics in parks, horse races, the opera. Life has been good.

But also stressful. I'm at the point where I need to be seriously considering my future. I'm in London until December working for the LSE, but I've got the Foreign Service Oral Exam is in October and I'm looking into some other careers. I'm confident I'll find something, but the timing is weird.

I've just moved into a cute little "flat" in South Kensington. I say "flat" because it's really just a room with a kitchen and a bed. But, it's perfect for me.

US for two weeks on Tuesday, can't wait!

They say it's spring

April has arrived and I'm a bit hysterical. I can't believe it's already spring!

This month:

1) Complete a comprehensive dissertation outline, which hopefully won't be too difficult (fingers crossed).

2) Start my job working with the LSE-Peking University Summer Study Program doing marketing and administration.

3) Visit Tatum in Switzerland for a long weekend

4) Being revision period for EXAMS (fml).

I've been going back and forth a lot lately on where I want to be following completion of the program, but with my job I'll be here until fall of this year so I'll probably just stick around until December. We'll see what job prospects I have at that point. I'm getting into existential crisis mode about my future, but still loving life in London!

Rockin the Kasbah

I've just returned from an amazing 10 days backpacking through Morocco. It was one of the most amazing, and humbling, experiences of my life. It was one of those times in my life where I just realized how much I love the world, and how I always want to be in it--whether living abroad or just taking the time to travel to far off places. I'm always so delighted to become acquainted with new people, new food, new cities, new landscapes, new traditions and Morocco was truly new and exciting. I was so lucky on my trip because all my plans went accordingly, and I was able to interact with the most unique group of people. Mustapha and all his youthful silliness, Adil who spoke at great lengths of his admiration for King Mohammed VI and the promise of modernization in his country, Mr. Mohessine with his hillariously perfected Posh English accent and love of antiques, Ottomanturk's entreprenurialship and way with French, Farid and his patience with naive Western tourists, Mohammed the camel man, the precocious little childen, the strong and mysterious Moroccan women, and even the dirty Saharan Berber men.

The sun was so warm, the food so delicious, the tea so sweet, the oranges so fresh, the markets so lively, the history so accessible. I must admit I won't miss being mistaken for a zoo animal, the constant leering and jeering from gross men, the smell of camel and years old sewage, Moroccan "toilets," dependence on bottled water, the saddness of malnutrition and utter poverty, and sudden, arbitrary attacks from senial old Berber women who carry a mean punch (yes, I was punched by a crazy old Moroccan woman for no reason!)

Morocco is a hugely geographically diverse country and I was fortunate enough to have traveled to the Sahara desert, the High Atlas Mountains, and the Atlantic coast--from the South to the North to the West. I lived the life of luxury in centuries-old Riads, drinking tea and coffee on rooftop terraces overlooking ancient medinas. I spent the night in a bedouin Berber tent and woke up to the sunrise in the Sahara, an amazingly beautiful experience. I felt the chill wind of the mountains, and breathed deeply the valleys of indigenous palm trees and wildflowers. I ate fish freshly caught (for a hefty price!) on the oceanfront, and walked through rows upon rows of orange and lemon tress.

Last, but not least, I rode a camel! My pictures are uploaded on facebook if you want to see more!

March

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens

I'm on my way...hopefully

Exciting news!! I took the Foreign Service Exam in February, and not three weeks later I recieved a letter that I passed! On to step 2....pray hard!

February

I find it hard to believe that February is almost over. I have a love-hate relationship with the month. There are years where I appreciate its 28 days, and others where I wish it had 31. March is going to be my busiest month by far -- 3 more essays due, a presentation, and 3-4 page outline of my dissertation, visit from Miranda and Emily, and a 10 day trip to Morocco.

This month I found kind of hilarious. I did two things I should have done in September, but never got around to it. I finally got a UK bank account and joined the gym. The gym has been a lifesaver, as my lecture series are starting to end, I have a lot more time to kill and if I'm not working, I'm probably on the internet. Now, I go workout. I got the UK bank account because Wachovia (stupid, annoying bank) changed their policies, and I had a check in pounds sterling that I needed to deposit.

This past weekend I went to Amsterdam for 3 days with some friends. Great weekend, very relaxing, and always good to be back in the 'dam. I miss that city so much, I'm tempted to look for jobs there when I'm finished with school. I went to my favorite cafe (Bolhoed), rode around the city on a bike, drank lots of really good coffee, ate lots of good chocolate, and did some vintage clothes shopping in Waterlooplein. That's kind of my routine there now. I've always told myself after living there in 2005 that I'd go to Amsterdam once a year, ever year. So far, I've remained committed! :)

I'm ready for spring!