Sophie Koessler
About Sophie
Hi, I'm Sophie! I'm twenty-two years old and half Polish, half Austrian. I'm currently in my second year of the IRIO bachelor's programme. In addition to my studies, I really enjoy spending my free time outside (whenever the Dutch weather allows it) playing tennis or going for runs with my housemates.
Why International Relations and International Organization?
I chose the IRIO programme because it is so broad and interdisciplinary. What I particularly like about this programme is that it covers various subjects such as history, law, politics, and economics. This variety makes the programme very diverse and provides you with a solid foundation in International Relations. In addition, my international background has always made me interested in foreign languages and other cultures. After attending one of the online information sessions on IRIO, I was convinced that I had finally found the right studies for myself after some time of figuring out what and where I wanted to study.
Why Groningen?
Right after graduating from high school, I decided to stay in my hometown and began studying Austrian law. Two years had passed, and I began to wonder if this was the right path for me. Since I had always hoped to work abroad one day, I decided at that time to take a few courses in international law at my university. In these international courses, I met many Erasmus students, including some who were studying at the RUG. They all seemed so happy with their studies in Groningen, so I decided to check out the RUG’s website and all the different degree programmes it offers. I was finally ready to face the fact that I needed to try something new and different, so I decided to drop out of law school in Austria and take the risk of moving abroad to the Netherlands and starting over from scratch here. I followed my gut, and I don't regret a single minute of having taken this new path.
Future
As far as my professional future is concerned, I’m keeping all my options open, but I can definitely see myself working in diplomacy one day. I’m very excited about the idea of working in an international environment where I get to interact with people from all over the world. I’d like a career that allows me to travel a lot and get to know new cultures and places.
Golden tip
My advice to you: don't be afraid to make big decisions, listen to your gut, and remember that you can be successful in anything, especially when you do something that brings you joy!