NAHSS: Learning through experience
By Lilly Seijmonsbergen | Delegate NAHSS 2024
Have you ever felt stuck in the library, endlessly learning from textbooks? I know I did. As a political science student, I spent years studying theories about how things should be, but out there was the real-world politics I was learning about. I wanted to learn through experience. NAHSS was the perfect fit, not only being able to experience Asia but also being part of a delegation focused on understanding different perspectives and – most importantly – how to bridge these differences.
Of course, I doubted myself. I wasn’t an honours student, my studies focused on the Middle East, and by then I was already in my fourth year. Why should I be eligible to go to Asia? After many conversations, I chose to go for it and really put in the effort. At the very least, I could learn from the application procedure.
And then came the phone call. Funny, how something like that put me into a whirlwind of events, connections, and opportunities. During the Kick-off, it became clear that our delegation was incredibly diverse, both in academic disciplines and nationalities. All these different perspectives created an environment of constant learning. This continued throughout the program - whether through a consultancy project, Inhouse days, or networking with companies.
Visiting the mangrove forest near Ho Chi Minh City
Of course, there are the occasional photos with the local community
During the programme, I have grown both professionally and personally. I learned a lot about how companies operate, and how different they can be from each other. I remember going to HSBC, a global bank, and Hasbro, a toy manufacturer, on the same day. The difference in work ethic and general vibes could not have been bigger. The best part? Because of the diversity of the group, we all had different preferences for which companies we liked best. I now have a clearer picture of what I want to do in the future—and just as importantly, what I definitely do not want.
I also want to highlight some of the fun moments during our free time. In Hong Kong, a few of us crossed the border into China to visit Shenzhen, the “Silicon Valley of the East.” Another time, some fellow delegates organized a poker night so that we could justify wearing our “business formal” clothes. NAHSS is not just about education, but also a month away trip with new friends, doing fun stuff while exploring the other side of the world.
Looking back, I am confident that NAHSS helped kickstart my career. I am currently interning abroad, and during my interview, they were especially interested in my experience with the programme. The skills I developed at NAHSS are already proving to be invaluable.
My advice? Go for it!
Brainstorm with your peers, turn filming your pitch into a fun afternoon and be creative. If you do not get in, other opportunities will reveal itself (and you’ll already have a killer personal statement saved on your desktop). If you do get in, it will be the experience of a lifetime, opening doors you never knew were even there.
If you have any questions regarding this story or just want to know more and chat, please feel free to reach out through LinkedIn. The NAHSS-adventure is awaiting you.
Cheers, Lilly
Poker night
