"It's difficult to adequately explain how much I enjoyed getting my MSc in Environment and Development (E&D) at LSE. The experience was a 'game-changer'- academically, personally and professionally- and I wish it had never ended. I grew enormously in terms of my analytical skills and specialized knowledge of the field; this was facilitated by close contact with phenomenal professors and peers both inside and outside of E&D, who consistently pushed me to reevaluate my prior understandings of the meaning and purpose of 'environment' and 'development'. Just about every important academic, politician and thinker that passes through London stops by LSE to give a talk. In addition to being a big ego booster, these lectures were a way to connect our theoretical understandings from class with current, practical issues. Although the pace of a one-year degree is strenuous, it forces you to synthesize information and draw connections, which is ultimately rewarding. The independent dissertation option and vast, multidisciplinary list of classes on offer allowed me to tailor the degree to my particular interests.
Apart from the academic element, living in London was fantastic. LSE students tend to both play hard and work hard. I loved cycling to campus and around the city, rocking summer music festivals, playing in the snow, and lounging in London's parks. Although the course is challenging and requires significant time and focus, I still had time to travel to Amsterdam, Berlin and Istanbul, as well as various cities around England. Plus, I built a network of beautiful international friends (and future colleagues!) that will offer places to stay and career opportunities for the rest of my life.
Professionally, there was a huge increase in interesting job possibilities for me after finishing the degree compared to where I was just a year before; both LSE and the E&D program specifically are well-regarded by professional organizations as well as other academic programs. A week after handing in my dissertation I was offered a post with One Acre Fund in Rwanda as the head of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) department. I design research questions and strategies to measure the impact of our agricultural development programs on subsistence farmers. My degree from LSE and the knowledge and confidence I gained over the course of the year were instrumental in securing the position.
I can't recommend the E&D program enough- it was by far one of the most fun and demanding years of my life, and I would do it again a hundred times over. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to email me (jessicaDOTmarterkenyonATgmail.com)."