Why this programme

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as programme coordinator for the Master in International Public Management and Public Policy (IMP). I run this programme together with a small but very diverse team of colleagues. The programme exists for more than 15 years now, and over the years we have adjusted it to fit with students’ interests and needs. Apparently we did so successfully. Exit surveys and participants in the annual meetings of the IMP Alumni Association consistently tell us that the degree of satisfaction with our programme is very high. We offer an interdisciplinary and multilevel governance perspectives on the world’s most pressing issues. If you like to be challenged, you will not be disappointed!

After my bachelor’s programme in Germany, I wanted to widen my horizon and gain more knowledge in the fields of international relations, public policy and international organisations. Furthermore, I wanted to return to the Netherlands where I had spent a semester as an Erasmus exchange student during my bachelor’s programme. The master’s programme International Public Management and Public Policy (IMP) offered me an interesting and dynamic programme  with a broad international scope and a focus on research. Moreover, the modern and well-equipped study facilities here at Erasmus University Rotterdam have been very useful.

Now that I have followed six months of the master’s programme, I can say that I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience in different fields related to our constantly changing and globalised political environment. I have learned to approach problems in a different way and to change perspectives more often in order to understand our world better. Moreover, our study trip to different international organisations based in Geneva has shown me the importance and far-reaching impact of the system of international organisations that have to cope with global challenges such as climate change or migration.

My choice to go to Rotterdam for a master’s programme has been an easy one. The quality of the master’s programme IMP is evident, partly due to its international focus, its broad career opportunities and an interesting course structure.

After obtaining my bachelor’s degree in International Studies, I took a gap year to explore which master I wanted to pursue. While I interned at a political party, a human rights organization and led the non-profit foundation I co-founded, I realized that having an impact was key for me. Whether that impact would mean at the local, national or supranational level, I was not quite sure of but when I stumbled upon the Master International Public Management and Public Policy (IMP) - I knew this was the right choice for me. 

During the process of creating an NGO, we came across a lot of obstacles that complicated our progression - being policies or our unfamiliarity with how things worked. Having a seat at the table and equipping yourself with the relevant knowledge would have facilitated navigating ourselves more easily.

Since IMP offers you insights into the world of public management and public policy, the opportunities are endless; whether you want to work as a policymaker, a diplomat or at an NGO. IMP’s international scope and its practical dimensions -trips and professional development courses - also really spoke to me.

What about the content? Coming from a humanities background, with a specialisation in the Middle East and North Africa, I was afraid that this master would be very Eurocentric. Though some courses do focus on Europe and its institutions solely, there is a lot of room to explore topics of your own interest with the assignments. 

Overall, IMP is not your typical Public Administration course and the composition of the classes and the courses, challenge you to think outside the box. I also strongly believe that making a difference and translating it into inclusive policies is a way to make change sustainable.