First year CASS PhD student, Intifar, thinks that the best way to escape Canberra’s winter chills in July is to go to Europe. This year, to make her travels more productive, she fit in a summer course at the London School of Economics (LSE) in her travel itinerary. Her PhD research uses cross-national surveys to assess whether young people are turning away from democracy in advanced societies. Considering this, Inti decided to take an intensive, methods course on survey design and analysis at the LSE to complement her research work. She said that the quality of education there is “exceptional and commendable” and what she learnt in London “will be of great value throughout her academic career.”

In addition to studying in London, Inti did quite a bit of solo-travelling across Europe while at the LSE. “It is a bloody long way there, and I had to make the most of it,” she said. She shared that Europe is at its best in August with a beautiful weather, and it is almost the most optimal place for a PhD student who wants to “sit outside in the Sun and just write.”

Inti further reflects, “The beauty of academia is that you get countless opportunities to travel across borders to meet people who share similar research interests. LSE was one such opportunity; I was lucky enough to make lifelong connections with outstanding scholars who were visiting London from all over the world. I am very thankful to the ANU School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) for partially sponsoring my time at one of the most reputed schools in the world.  It is indeed amazing that ANU continues to provide students with opportunities to spread out to the world beyond Australia and, in the process, establish and strengthen global ties.”