Students

The Graduate Institute is a specialised school serving a very diverse community in the heart of International Geneva: nearly 20-25% of people in the Swiss city are connected to an international institution. The Institute’s close ties with the international community are reflected in the five social science disciplines taught here, all imbued with a global perspective. 

Kishen Shastry Kudur Shastry from India, master student (2018-2020), MPhil in Economic Research at the University of Cambridge

Even though I held a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, the Faculty of Economics at the Graduate Institute welcomed me to their programme, which provided me with the perfect setting to transition into academic economics. The programme is a flawless amalgamation of theoretical economics and empirical applications of economic thinking. The core courses involve sound mathematics, while the electives allow you to explore the potency of economic tools in real-world applications.

I truly benefitted from the high teacher-to-student ratio, which allowed me to refine my research with some of the most world-renowned economists. Whilst a student at the Institute, I was deeply influenced by Professor Jean-Louis Arcand and Professor Damien Neven, both of whom are leading economists in the field of microeconomics. I believe that this high-quality training eventually led me to the doctoral program at the University of Cambridge. I intend to continually represent the finest qualities of the Department of Economics at The Graduate Institute, Geneva.

Kishen was awarded the Cambridge Trust, the Cambridge Nehru Bursary and the Jesus College Scholarship to continue for a PhD in Economics at the University of Cambridge, and has been selected as a recipient of the Adam Smith Fellowship at the Mercatus Centre in George Mason University.

Satoshi Araki from Japan, master student (2017-2019), Junior Economist at the OECD

If someone asks me to name the best moment of my life, I shall instantaneously respond "The Master in International Economics (MIS) programme by the Graduate Institute.” However, it was not an easy transition to immerse myself in the MIS programme's renowned rigorous training, until it all turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Whilst some master's programmes do not allow much personal attention and encourage competition rather than cooperation among fellow students, the MIS programme was definitely otherwise: I would have certainly not survived without the faculty who were patient enough to walk me through and without the support of my dear classmates who were more than happy to help one another and gave me ample opportunity for peer learning through their diversity. 

If you already have a career, you must be wondering, “Is it worth giving up my financial stability?” A big yes, in my case. My skills and knowledge gained from policy-relevant teaching at the Institute enabled me to do internships at the Inter-American Development Bank and the OECD. After working for a Japanese aid agency in 2020, where I analysed the macro fundamental conditions of developing countries in the Middle East, I am currently expected to work for the OECD as a Junior Economist to employ impact evaluation methods. I am truly grateful for a wealth of opportunities this programme has opened up to me. 

Reuben Muhindi Wambui from Kenya, Phd Candidate in International Economics (started 2022), Rudi Dornbusch Prize Winner 2020, Africa Regional Coordinator at UNEP FI 

The Master in International Economics program has been a particularly rewarding experience. Firstly, the quality of admittees who would turn out classmates was impressive, allowing me to study alongside highly gifted and conscientious peers. Amidst laborious problem sets, the collective of high intellectual acuity and great class camaraderie made the approach to learning very collaborative and the workload manageable. The class diversity was great – 17 people representing 11 nationalities – and this further refined my cultural dexterity in team set ups. Of fond memories, I really enjoyed the course christened “alumni course” offered as weekly economic policy classes by a pool of Economics department alumni holding senior management positions at organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, OECD, PIIE, and central banks. It was a chance to appreciate firsthand, through the lens of acclaimed economists, how the incessant rigorous nature of the program relates to actual policy making and practice. Policy aside, at the end of a grueling econometrics exam, a class drink up by the lake helped wash out tears away.

David Ryfisch from Germany, master student 2011-2013, Team Lead International Climate Policy at Germanwatch

At IHEID's Centre for International Environmental Studies I laid the foundation for my career in climate change. Besides the rigorous training in environmental economics and policy, my professors further nourished my interest through participation in PhD seminars and through close, regular exchange. Their support allowed me to intern with UN Environment in Geneva, where I gained my first professional experience within the field working on the Green Economy and which subsequently opened the doors to my career.

Till Fust from Switzerland, master student 2018-2020

After my bachelor studies in economics and sustainable development in Bern I was looking for a master’s degree that would offer three things - rigorous analytical training, the possibility to continue an interdisciplinary approach and a new environment where I could grow personally. The Master in International Economics combines the three perfectly.

With a small class size, we are motivated to work as a group on the challenges given by our professors and to struggle and finally succeed together. I personally find the atmosphere of cooperation rather than competition very stimulating. The many interactions with bright, open and diverse minds from all over the world - be it in class or at the after-library-beer, with other economic students or with peers from the interdisciplinary programs - is absolutely inspiring.

At the Graduate Institute I found an academically challenging and personally stimulating new environment in the middle of an international community. Coming here was the ideal choice for me.

Julieta Contreras  from Mexico, master student 2018-2020

I chose the Graduate Institute given that it is an excellent place to connect with international organisations and their work, as well as related institutions in the private sector pursuing and studying similar issues. Since I am interested in the analysis of the latter, I considered the Institute to be the best place to get a sense of them.
Moreover, the Institute’s master’s degree in International Economics is one-of-a-kind. There are three main aspects that make the Master in International Economics unique. First, the Economics Department at the Graduate Institute has excellent professors who are influential academics and pioneers in their fields. Second, this programme has an applied approach: the tools taught in the International Economics programme can be easily transferred to real life cases. These tools are not limited to technical skills, but they also come in the form of examples given by professors. These are very palpable given that they have first-hand experience working in their fields and can give an account on what is usually done and how problems should be approached. And third, there is an environment of collaboration where you can develop skills together with your classmates. There is solidarity and friendship.

Julien Christen from Switzerland, master student 2017-2019

As a Geneva-born undergrad with a degree in International Relations and a major in Economics, the Graduate Institute appeared to me as the best-suited institution, not only in Switzerland but also internationally, to pursue a career orientated towards seeking solutions to tackle international issues. I chose the Master in International Economics for two main reasons: the challenging and rigorous training offered to students by some of the greatest professors in their respective fields of research, and the multicultural environment and the small size of the Department, which facilitates communication both between fellow students and between students and professors.
The element that I value most about this programme is the policy-relevant training that bridges theory with real-world problems. This is done mostly by solving applied exercises brought on by professors’ experiences. In the context of an exchange programme, I had the chance to compare my training with that of other students in a larger department in one of the leading universities in the world. This experience highlighted the quality of teaching offered by the Institute’s faculty as well as the benefits of interacting directly with the professors.  
In addition, one of the key strengths of the Institute’s Economics Department consists in the broad range of research conducted both by students and professors. This fact proved to be beneficial to me, as I have now been able to narrow down my research interest. Furthermore, the combination of bright and highly motivated students with a stimulating and productive work environment creates an exciting intellectual atmosphere. It allowed me to develop a rigorous sense of analysis.