Home>Meet our new students: Elizabeth Fernandes
10.11.2025
Meet our new students: Elizabeth Fernandes

Could you describe your academic and professional background?
I am currently pursuing a Dual Degree in Public Policy and Administration at Sciences Po and the London School of Economics (LSE). Before this, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, in 2024, where I first learned to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Inspired to keep moving forward, I was led to New York City, where I worked with UN Women at their Headquarters as a Policy, Procedure, and Guidance Intern.
In this role, I contributed to the development and review of policies and procedures, giving me my first real insight into the mechanics of international organisations. This experience was truly a defining moment for me, shaping both my professional aspirations and my decision to pursue further studies in public policy, eventually bringing me to Sciences Po.
What motivated you to choose the Paris campus and the School of Public Affairs in general, and then your specific policy stream in particular?
While my commitment to working in the public sector never faltered, during my internship at UN Women, I saw myself in a space where ideas and actions turn into impact, at the intersection of policy and programs. Sciences Po’s School of Public Affairs stood out precisely because it offers that rare blend of academic rigor and professional practice. Within it, the Politics and Public Policy stream struck me as the most comprehensive way to gain a real-world understanding of policies, to understand how they are influenced and formulated, designed, and finally evaluated. Choosing the Paris campus felt right, it being in such a dynamic global city, alongside the School of Public Affairs’ role in the Global Public Policy Network (GPPN), further reaffirmed my choice, offering access to shared expertise and perspectives within arm’s reach.
What are your first impressions of the campus, the School of Public Affairs, and your initial courses?
Arriving on campus felt like stepping into an entirely new world. What has struck me most is the warmth and accessibility of the professors, as I have never once hesitated to reach out for guidance. For me, the coursework strikes quite a balance, as sometimes I can draw directly from my professional experiences, and other times I am challenged to rethink assumptions and dig deeper into theory. It is demanding, but in the most rewarding way, and every lecture and seminar feels like another step toward becoming a better pratictioner.
What are your expectations at the start of this new academic year on this campus?
I expect a whirlwind, and that expectation has certainly held true! Student life here is incredibly active, and the intellectual and academic opportunities are remarkable. Attending a seminar by Joseph Stiglitz, for example, was both surreal and deeply inspiring. There is always a conference, seminar, or meetup to join, and when there isn’t, we take the lead in organizing them ourselves.
What do you see as your next steps or challenges?
Looking ahead, my greatest challenge, or rather ambition, is to transform this knowledge and experience into practice, to bring about real transformative impact. I see my dual degree with Sciences Po and the LSE as a launchpad to navigate the complexity of global governance while staying rooted in the passion that brought me here. To channel these ideas and energies into tangible results, I know the road ahead will be challenging, but that’s exactly what excites me, and I am truly looking forward to seeing what this experience has in store.
Information Sessions: Masters

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