Governance of Migration and Diversity - Public Administration

Throughout this one-year programme, my ability to work under pressure was really honed. Over the course of the year, I had the chance to draft a policy brief, a position paper, a legal essay, and multiple group papers. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme gives one the possibility to be taught in thought-provoking classes like the legal perspectives of migration and diversity, which solidified my legal knowledge on myriad migration and diversity-related issues. 

A class on media and its effects on the portrayal of migration fortified my desire to work in a field where I can help defy stereotypes and showcase the multifaceted and enriching nature of migration. Moreover, my creativity was greatly stimulated in a group project where we utilised our shared experiences of migration. This collaboration blossomed into a startling examination of Rotterdam’s rich migration history. 

Lastly, the people from all different backgrounds, who have become good friends, and the community we created within the master was the most enjoyable aspect of this programme. After completing my studies, I aim to contribute to decision-making on diversity and migration-related issues, ideally through roles in international organisations or think tanks. This programme has honed my skills and deepened my passion for making a meaningful impact in this field.

After obtaining my bachelor degree in Political Science from the Cairo University, I have spent five years working in several development organisations in Egypt with a specific focus on human rights issues. I developed a specific interest for migration and therefore I chose the GMD programme. The GMD programme was particularly interesting for me as it is an intersectional programme. Studying at several institutions helped me to understand migration from multiple perspectives.

The Public Administration track was also valuable to me as it opened my eyes on how policies are designed, and on the various perspectives of policy making which was very new to me. Interesting as well was connecting policies and theories to reality and practice. I was particularly amazed by the discussions in the classes; especially since my fellow students have diverse backgrounds, which definitely enriched the discussions.

Generally, studying in the Netherlands was a great decisions, as it is a very open, and diverse country with high level of freedom. Rotterdam - where I'm currently living- in particular is a super diverse city which allowed me to be exposed to various experiences and cultures which have widened my perspective on the world tremendously.

I believe the GMD programme is very suitable for fresh grads who would like to have a career in the migration field. It is also interesting for professionals since it is relatively short programme, but at the same time very intense and enriching one. I am planning to go back to Egypt after I have finished my studies to find a job in the field of migration. Preferably in protection policies, in order to transfer my knowledge and help improve the situation of migrants and refugees in my home country. 

Interested in this Master of Science? Learn more about our Governance of Migration and Diversity programme.   

I have always been very interested in migration patterns, as they are full of stories of courage, hardship, opportunities, and bonds. Due to the complexity of the topic, I wanted to embark myself in an educational journey that would broaden my understanding by exposing me to diverse viewpoints and perspectives on migration. This led me to the master program Governance of Migration and Diversity. Motivated by my aspiration to make a positive difference in supporting migrants, I decided to follow the track of Public Administration with the intention of one day contributing to effective migration management. However, one of the remarkable aspects of this master program is that regardless of the specialization you decide to follow, the students take part in courses of the fields of the other specializations. This allowed me to explore the topic of migration from many different angles, for instance by exploring migratory movements through a historical lens, examining diverse integration approaches from a sociological standpoint, and analyzing asylum systems through a legal framework. In addition, the program provided us with practical experiences beyond theoretical learning, including site visits and research projects, enabling us to gain real-life knowledge. I think this is something that makes this program special, that it enables students to recognize and appreciate the complexity and uniqueness present in every migration story.

After completing my bachelor degree in Political Science from York University in Toronto, I was ready for a new challenge and decided to move abroad. This coincided with the influx of arrivals of asylum seekers in Europe in 2015/2016 and prompted me to gain a keen interest in migration. Eventually, this interest led me to the position of Migration Programme Assistant at the Canadian Embassy in Berlin where I learned a lot about the particular migration landscapes of Germany and Canada. However, I still wanted to gain a better understanding of what influences migration flows and how governments respond to migration and diversity.

This impulse, together with my fascination for multilingual diversity and multiculturalism based on my experience being raised as a francophone Canadian in an anglophone community, the Master programme Governance of Migration and Diversity seemed to be a perfect fit!

When friends and family ask me about my year, I always tell them I am super busy but I am really enjoying it. The GMD master programme is demanding but I continue to be very motivated. I have enjoyed learning from all of our engaging professors and gaining a deeper theoretical and multifaceted understanding of the issues within the field. Everyone is very passionate about migration and diversity, which creates a great dynamic in the classroom.

In the future I would like to play a role in developing critical policies and delivering excellent programmes which will generate a positive impact. I would suggest this programme to any motivated student with a passion for learning in an international context and a strong desire to affect change in the field of migration. I am sure they would find it as rewarding as I do!