I was born and raised in Germany, where I pursued my undergraduate studies in Communication and Cultural Management. I spent some time studying and interning abroad in Australia, Mexico and Spain and have a background in journalism. Before starting the MPA, I worked for a small social enterprise in Berlin. betterplace.org is a non-profit IT start-up where I was involved in online fundraising for charities and corporate services for corporate giving and CSR. During this time, two focus themes evolved that contributed to my decision to pursue an MPA: firstly, innovative business models that link social impact with financial sustainability, and secondly, the rise of digital media and its potential for public welfare.
The IPA and LSE are fantastic places to find likeminded, but diverse people who share your interests, and both offer opportunities for all kinds of exciting projects outside of the classroom. Throughout my first year, I was involved in the Social Entrepreneurship student society and entered a social business competition with a team of fellow students. In my eyes, the MPA programme is less of a specialised training programme and more of a platform, equipping you with necessary tools and facilitating the exchange between people and ideas. I appreciate the IPA's effort to bridge theory and practice by hosting events with speakers from LSE and as well as the world of policy making. It is this ecosystem that incorporates the value of the MPA for me, rather than the curriculum alone.