Success Stories - BA (Hons) International Relations

Former UN Worker Graduates in Lincoln

A retired policeman who has worked for the United Nations in Kosovo and East Timor has put his experience of working abroad to good use by studying for a degree in International Relations.

David Pape, 54 from Nettleham, is graduating from the University of Lincoln on Wednesday 13th September at 7.30pm with upper second class honours.

David worked as an officer with the Lincolnshire Police Force during which time he went on UN missions to Bosnia and East Timor to help enlist and train democratic police forces.

After spending 30 years in the force David retired on his 49th birthday. He then went to work for the Foreign Office in Kosovo during which time he decided to enrol at the university.

According to David he was inspired by his son who also studied International Relations: “Our eldest son studied International Relations at Staffordshire University which sounded very interesting. I read a really good review of the course at Lincoln University which planted the seed in my mind.

“I have three children aged 30, 26 and 18 and I realised at the time there would be a three year gap between our children going to university so I decided I would fill it.

“Going back to university was very challenging as I had to get used to using my brain again. I’m more practical than academic and hadn’t written an essay for so many years.

“The highlight of the course was a trip to Strasbourg and Brussels in February during which we went to the European Court of Human Rights. Having taught elements of human rights whilst in the police force it was interesting to actually see it in action. I enjoyed the course so much I’m now going onto do a Masters in European Law.”

Graduate Gets Dream Job

A student from the University of Lincoln has landed herself an International Relations graduate’s dream job.

Isabel Poli (23) has gained a one-year contract with the UK’s East Midlands European Office in Brussels, after being encouraged to apply for the position by university lecturer Claire Randerson.

Isabel was assisted in gaining the position by the university’s careers advisor, as well as with a letter of recommendation from one of her lecturers.

”It was my ambition to come and work in Brussels and I was not expecting to get here so early after the end of my studies,” she said.

“I write policy updates, summaries and reports, provide administrative support to the office, and with time I will have the possibility to get increasingly involved in European policy development.”

Isabel is also very grateful for the knowledge she learnt whilst studying, and is putting her degree to good use. “EU policies are always evolving”, she said, “which makes this position a continuous learning process. What I have learned in the European units is definitely coming handy and has given me a solid platform to build upon.

“If it would be possible I would like to stay here, either in this office or in another EU organisation, doing policy work.

“I am thinking about becoming a policy advisor, but only time will tell as I am still in the beginning of my placement and still have a lot to learn.”.

Spending the Summer in Cyprus - But Not on Holiday

Instead of sunbathing on the beach, Andrew Faulkner will be working hard at the British Consulate based in Nicosia. Andrew (21), who is originally from South Africa, was selected from 670 other applicants for one of five placements which allow students to shadow various posts within British Consulates around the world.

The position was secured via the Overseas Undergraduate Attachment Scheme (OUAS) which provides undergraduates in their penultimate year, who seriously consider a career in the Diplomatic Service, the opportunity to work in the British Mission overseas. "I will be spending July and August in Nicosia gaining an insight into consul operations," said Andrew. "I am very fortunate to have been given this opportunity - I'm looking forward to it but it will be hard work." Fluency in five languages, including Zulu and Arabic, and time spent living in the Middle East have helped Andrew to gain his placement which will hopefully lead to permanent employment with the Foreign Office in London. "The Foreign Office in London already have my name on their list but it is a case of waiting to be selected for a permanent position," he said. Andrew has already gained experience working as a commercial assistant with the Foreign Office and BP in Doha, Qatar, which gave him a general overview of the commercial and operational aspects of the petrochemical industry.