Alumni dreams #283

Celine chose International Studies at a moment when she was still unsure which academic direction she wanted to take. Nearing the end of secondary school, she felt that she did not yet want to tie herself down to one specific sector or discipline. After hearing about BA IS through a student connected to her mother’s international school network, the programme immediately clicked. Its interdisciplinary nature, together with the opportunity to learn about different regions alongside people from those cultures, made it feel like the ideal place to explore her interests while continuing to grow.

Her personal interest in culture and languages also played an important role. As someone with both Spanish and Dutch nationality, Celine was drawn to the combination of area studies and language learning. She chose Latin America because she felt it was an area that had barely been discussed during her time in the Dutch secondary school system, despite being closely connected to her Hispanic background. Portuguese had also been a language she had wanted to learn for a long time. Together with the fact that her mother had also studied at Leiden, BAIS simply felt like the right place at the right time.

For her bachelor’s thesis, Celine focused on the use of AI-generated images in the 2023 presidential election campaigns in Argentina, and how this affected democratic integrity. She analysed Argentina’s policies on AI and found that there were little to no regulations concerning its ethical use in political communication. Through a survey, she explored whether audiences could distinguish between AI-generated and human-made images, as well as how they felt about AI in elections. Her findings suggested that AI images in online political rhetoric can contribute to persuasion when their use is not disclosed, as viewers may be influenced by fabricated content without realizing it.

During her time at BA IS, Celine spent half a year on exchange at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona. This became an eye-opening experience, teaching her how differently knowledge and learning can be approached in different academic environments. With chalkboards, no-device policies, and a more traditional classroom setting, the exchange pushed her to fully immerse herself in the Spanish language without relying on external aids. It was both challenging and rewarding, and gave her a deeper appreciation for learning in a new cultural and academic context.

Another important experience was the research project she completed for the Ministry of Justice and Security during Practising International Studies. Together with thirteen peers, Celine co-wrote a paper with policy recommendations on how to make the online sphere safer for Dutch minors. She also helped guide the project as co-leader and administrator. Presenting their final work at the Ministry’s headquarters in The Hague, in front of staff members, was a memorable achievement.

One of the most valuable skills Celine took away from BAIS was the ability to quickly absorb and apply information from different fields. After graduating in 2025, she immediately continued with a Master’s in Political Science in The Hague, specializing in International Organization. Her enjoyment of International Relations during BA IS encouraged her to stay within the same broad field, while shifting her focus more toward the politics behind these relations. Alongside her studies, she is working on gaining more practical experience by applying for vacancies and traineeships at NGOs and international organizations.

To current and prospective BA IS students, Celine’s advice is to stay open-minded when learning about different disciplines and topics, even when they do not initially seem like an obvious fit. Any new direction can become an opportunity for growth, and may unexpectedly reveal a passion that helps shape your path.

We are cheering you on as you continue this journey, Celine!