Brussels Staff Profiles

Lara Abdelsamad completed an MA in International Conflict Analysis at the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies in 2010.  She now works as Grants Coordinator at the Norwegian Refugee Council in Beirut where she acquires and manages donor grants for UNHCR coordinated programmes supporting refugees of the conflict in Syria.

Below she speaks about the school and how it has helped her secure the position that she currently holds.

“Pursuing my MA in International Conflict Analysis at BSIS was a stepping stone to a solid professional career. I currently occupy the position of works as Grants Coordinator at the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Beirut office having previously been Operations Manager at Pursue ltd., a European consultancy,  managing projects on capacity building and development of Palestinians in the camps of Lebanon.”

“My message to anyone looking to pursue post graduate studies in the field of international conflict or political sciences more broadly would be to seriously consider BSIS; not only do its academic programs speak for themselves, but students enjoy services in employment and placement facilitation, housing and networking while enjoying a vibrant and dynamic social life among a pool of students from all over the world. Brussels is also an excellent place to attend weekly seminars and conferences at the EU and other international organisations which BSIS also helps arrange.”

“The reasons I chose BSIS were further reaffirmed throughout my experience pursuing my Master’s degree. BSIS brought together a quality education program and cosmopolitan experience at the heart of Europe. The students and professors are closely knit, and access to information and advisory sessions is facilitated. BSIS helped me secure my current post, not only were my courses very relevant and current in their content, but the experience helped me reshape the way I think and work. Across the board, the modules I chose have contributed to my professional course, however, the conflict programme (International Conflict and Security) specifically has enabled me to participate in producing a training module in Conflict Sensitivity that my team delivers to local NGO’s and civil society in areas vulnerable to or currently suffering from conflict be it in Yemen, Lebanon or Palestinian camps.”

“During my year at BSIS I travelled through Europe, made wonderful friendships and got to know and love Brussels as a city and the graduation ceremony at the Canterbury cathedral in the UK was an extraordinary event. I take pride in having had the opportunity to study at the University of Kent and would highly recommend BSIS to anyone considering studies in this field.”

Lanni Lantto completed an LLM in International Law with International Relations in 2006 with a focus on women and peacekeeping.  On her return to the United States she interned at a couple of women’s rights NGOs and taught at universities in New York.  She is now an Eco Fashion Designer & Consultant.

 What do you think were the key attributes of BSIS when you were here?

I chose to attend BSIS to get a more international perspective on issues that I cared about.  Coming from the USA in the mid-2000s, I was frustrated with American politics.  Studying in Brussels with students from all over the world helped me go from anger to clarity.  My area was International Law and studying United Nations treaties gave me a better understanding of world politics in general.  I liked that I was given the freedom to write my thesis on a subject I was passionate about regarding women and peace.  I did go on to present my research at 2 international conferences which led me to meet some great people.

Do you think that your studies at BSIS helped you secure your current post?

After graduating, my degree (and my pro-active knock-on-doors attitude) helped me gain internships at a couple women’s rights NGOs in Washington, DC.  Having a master degree also gave me the credentials I needed to teach at university.  I’m not certain it has helped in my current role as an Eco-Fashion Designer but I surely do like shocking people with my academic background!

Would you recommend BSIS to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

My most valuable experience at BSIS was the people that I met from all over the world.  I still keep in contact with many of them and we are in the process of planning a reunion.  In one year at BSIS, I met the most diverse and wonderful friends who have welcomed me into their homes from Portugal to London.  We’ve gone site-seeing in their home towns and they have come to visit my family, and we know that that door will always be open.  My friends in the US always ask me how or why I am travelling oversees so much, and it is honestly, because of the people I met while at BSIS.

After graduating as an economist from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Salvador worked in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mexico before moving to the private sector to become the Head of International Negotiations in the National Association of Importers and Exporters of Mexico.

After completing with his MA in International Development (Economics), focusing upon Public-Private Partnerships for Private Sector Development, he secured a position with the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office as Economic Development Manager based in Mexico City.

He recalls his time at BSIS with great fondness and is certain that the experience and quality of the programme helped him achieve his professional goals.

‘I think one of the key attributes of BSIS is its fabulous location for networking and the world of possibilities around Brussels, the school is very well connected and provides access to many think-tanks and institutions that complement and enhance the scope of just one Masters degree. It turns a theoretical degree into a very practical way of learning’.

‘I strongly recommend BSIS to anyone who thinks about getting trained for a future in international affairs. I know it was like that for me’