Michael Ettel Summa Cum Laude in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action

What made a big difference for me was genuine engagement with the course material, especially connecting the material to real-world situations from any prior internship or work experience. For every concept and every reading, I asked myself how it translates to the working reality of practitioners. Where does it show up in practice? Where could it fall short?

Personally, I also felt that preparation was already half the work. A structured, organized approach and good time management go a long way. I saw no shortcut around putting in the hours, but doing so systematically made it manageable for me. What I deeply appreciated was the stimulating exchange with fellow students and the mutual support with readings and assignments.

On the academic and professional level, it is the ability to distill complex, multifaceted geopolitical, legal, and humanitarian challenges into clear and actionable recommendations.

On the human side, were the people. Most professors have spent years in the sector, grappling with the very dilemmas they teach. Engaging them beyond the syllabus and asking about professional anecdotes and the practical challenges they have faced can teach you more about navigating real-life problems than any textbook or journal. 

And then, of course, there are your fellow students. The talent, the drive, the genuine desire to think critically and change the world for the better. Being surrounded by that energy was deeply transformative for me. But what mattered most were the relationships. Meeting people on a human level, caring about the person, and being genuinely interested in the stories behind their moral ambition. This creates a community you will carry with you for the rest of your life. 

Try to immerse yourself in the communities you want to support. Get out of the academic ivory tower and your social bubble and stay connected to real-world problems — also in your hometown or neighborhood. I have realized that it is easy to become detached in an arguably elitist academic environment and sometimes abstract classroom discussions. However, I truly believe that this work only matters if it remains grounded in the realities of the people it intends to serve.

But also: in an economic and academic culture that measures your worth based on professional performance, it is easy to let career ambition consume your identity and self-worth. Comparing yourself to others and perfectionism can be seductive, especially when surrounded by brilliant people, but it can also feel paralyzing. Many times, done might be better than perfect, and there is much more to life than our careers.

Studying at PSIA is an educational privilege reserved for a few. In this field of work, it can become a powerful tool that enables you to dedicate your life to working on social change. Keeping this perspective close helped me to ground myself when stress felt overwhelming and humbled me when good results seemed to come naturally.

I am deeply grateful for all the people I have met and who supported me along the way and especially for all the wonderful friendships that have grown. Ask for help. Offer your support and show up for others. After these two intense years, I am even more convinced that overcoming global injustices will require mutual solidarity and uniting with others behind common goals.