Alumni dreams #259

Emeline Rateau’s journey in International Studies was driven by her deep curiosity about the world and a desire to explore global history, culture, economics, and politics. Choosing Latin America as her study region, she was inspired by her prior exposure to Latin American literature and the sociopolitical challenges it depicted. Her goal was to gain fresh perspectives on global affairs by studying a region she had not previously explored.

For her thesis, Emeline focused on Indigenous Peoples and Peacebuilding Processes in Colombia, delving into themes of decolonization, transitional justice, and collective memory. Through her research, she discovered that academia could be both a platform for personal learning and a means of contributing to broader knowledge-sharing.

One of the defining moments of her BA IS experience was her exchange semester in Chile, which she describes as life-changing. Immersing herself in a new culture and studying at a Chilean university allowed her to gain alternative perspectives and engage in meaningful discussions that enriched her understanding of Latin American history and politics.

Reflecting on the skills she gained during BA IS, Emeline emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. Studying in a different country encouraged her to reevaluate the education she received in France and recognize potential biases in historical narratives. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to write essays on a diverse range of topics, which allowed her to explore her interests in depth.

After graduating, Emeline pursued two master’s degrees—one in International Affairs with a focus on the Global South at Sciences Po Bordeaux, and another in International Cooperation at Sciences Po Saint-Germain. She has explored multiple career paths, working at the Embassy of Uruguay in France to gain diplomatic experience, freelancing as a writer for El Café Latino, and currently interning at Hachette Livre, where she manages innovation projects with Spain and Latin America. She continues to navigate her career path, searching for opportunities that align with her passion for fostering stronger relations between Europe and Latin America.

Emeline’s long-term ambition is to contribute to greater collaboration between the two regions, whether in the public or private sector. She believes that Europe has much to learn from Latin America and the Global South in various fields and hopes to play a role in strengthening these exchanges.

For current and prospective BA IS students, Emeline encourages embracing the diversity of the program and using it as an opportunity to explore new topics and perspectives. She advises students to remain open to different fields of study, push their intellectual boundaries, and never stop exploring—values that have defined her own academic and professional journey.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours Emeline, and look forward to seeing how you continue to bridge connections between Latin America and the world!

Alumni dreams #267

Fracia Baeke chose this academic path because it offered her the opportunity to go beyond a traditional political science degree. She appreciated the program's multidisciplinary approach, which allowed her to understand the world more holistically, with a focus on Latin America.

Fracia was drawn to the BA IS program because it provided the chance to study not only the region’s politics and economics but also its history and people. Additionally, she valued the opportunity to learn one, or even two, languages, which played a significant role in her academic and professional development.

For her thesis, Fracia explored the topic of criminal governance in Mexico. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, she examined the dynamics of criminal organizations and their sources of power and influence. Her research delved into the historical context of criminal governance, as well as the political, economic, and social factors that continue to shape the region's security landscape.

During her time at BA IS, Fracia achieved several personal milestones. She joined the honors college, completed two research internships, and contributed to the BA IS community through her involvement in the SSEA committee and as a member of the Advisory Board (AdBo) of BASIS. Her academic journey was further enriched by an exchange program at ITESO in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she also honed her Spanish language skills. Fracia's ability to work in Spanish-speaking environments became a significant asset, especially as she supported research in Spanish.

Among the most valuable skills Fracia gained from her studies were language proficiency, the ability to think multidisciplinarily, and the capacity to manage multiple writing and group projects. She also benefited from being part of an international community of students and professors from around the world, an experience that broadened her global perspective.

After graduating from BA IS, Fracia completed a summer internship with InSightCrime, an organization focused on organized crime and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. She then pursued a Master's degree in International Politics at KU Leuven in Belgium.

As of February 2025, Fracia is spending a month at the Mexican Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as the Mexican Representation to the EU in Brussels. This experience is leading into a Bluebook traineeship at the European Commission, starting in March 2025.

Looking ahead, Fracia plans to continue working in an international context, particularly in areas related to Latin America. She aims to contribute to meaningful solutions by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.

Fracia encourages current and prospective BA IS students to make the most of their university years by exploring their interests and passions. She suggests that engaging with the culture of the region they specialize in—through hobbies like films, books, and music—can create a deeper connection and open new career opportunities. In her words, "There’s something for everyone, and you never know what you’ll stumble on as you progress with the BA!"

We cannot agree more Fracia, and we look forward to see where you will go next!