Being clear on what I wanted out of my master’s made all the difference. I focused on courses that I found genuinely interesting, which kept me motivated even when the workload piled up. A bit of German organisational skill didn’t hurt either — staying on top of deadlines made space to actually enjoy the work.

Definitely the people — but also the practical side of the programme. Debating with classmates and hearing from speakers from so many different backgrounds constantly pushed me to question my own assumptions, stay open to new perspectives, and find common ground. On the practical side, getting to work on a strategic foresight project for the EU Commission, taking part in simulations, and attending conferences gave me a glimpse of how these issues play out in real policy settings — and reminded me why I’m so passionate about them.

Follow what really interests you, not just what you think will look good later. The programme is intense, so being genuinely curious and not losing sight of why you wanted to study this in the first place makes a big difference. Be willing to rethink your views and make the most of the incredible people around you. And finally: don’t forget to actually enjoy Paris while you’re here :)