Where are they now?

Study programme Women, Gender and Development
Year of graduation 2006
Country of origin Bangladesh
Current occupation Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dhaka University
What made your time at ISS special? Studying development with participants from around 80 countries which is unique in the world. I think ISS conducts the biggest global class on development. It takes a rigours approach to courses and research. Also, writing essays for assessment and the applied aspects of the methodology courses were interesting.
What is your best memory of ISS? The study trip to Madrid and Paris is the most memorable. Seeing the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and Guernica by Pablo Picasso was amazing.

I also recall grocery shopping in the open market in the Hague, then walking to the hostel carrying all the stuff in a trolley.

I still laugh at one specific incident that took place. One morning a tall Dutch man knocked my door and shouted, 'Have you seen any cockroaches?' When I opened the door, I was scared first but then he told me he was from pest control. Looking back, it was in fact very funny with his tone and body language.
What does ISS mean to you now? ISS means a lot to me in terms of making friends from many countries. It contributed to the development of my critical thinking. I still have my ISS Readers and I value them very much. Sometimes I go back to them and read them to recall some theories and concepts. I wish I could visit this great place again to reconnected with the great teachers.

Study programme Diploma in Rural Policy and Planning and Women & Development.
Year of graduation 1990 and 1991
Country of origin The Netherlands
Current occupation Retired. Formerly gender and development specialist and NGO consultant. Gender trainer with private company formed with colleagues.
What made your time at ISS special? ISS formed a firm basis for my later career. I also made some lifelong friends.
What is your best memory of ISS? There are too many memories to mention. Above all I remember the cooperation and joint learning across cultures and fields of experience.
What does ISS mean to you now? ISS remains a reference and source of inspiration

Study programme Public Policy and Management
Year of graduation 2006
Country of origin Viet Nam
Current occupation Vice Rector of Vietnam Women’s Academy
What made your time at ISS special? The most special thing about my time at ISS was the chance to engage in a truly diverse and collaborative learning environment. I had the opportunity to work with classmates from various countries, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. The dynamic discussions, group projects, and cultural exchanges not only broadened my academic knowledge but also deepened my understanding of global issues and strengthened my ability to work effectively in an international context.
What is your best memory of ISS? My most memorable moment at ISS was the wonderful time I spent at the university dormitory on Oude Molstraat with my dear Indian sister Neerja Upadhyaya and other amazing friends. Those days were filled with warmth, laughter, and endless conversations. We often shared stories about our countries, our cultures, and our favourite foods, learning so much from each other. We cooked together, exchanged recipes, and introduced each other to new flavours and traditions. I will never forget the kindness and friendship of Neerja, Diah, Pem Deki and Ayanda, who made the dormitory feel like a home away from home. That period of time was truly beautiful, and it remains one of the most cherished memories of my ISS journey.
What does ISS mean to you now? ISS now means much more to me than just an academic institution. It is a place where I grew both professionally and personally, a place that opened my mind to diverse perspectives and global issues. The friendships I built, the cultural exchanges I experienced, and the lessons I learned inside and outside the classroom have left a lasting impact on my life. For me, ISS represents a second home — a community of inspiring people who continue to motivate me to contribute to positive change in my work and my life.

Study programme MA (Development Studies): Human Rights, Development & Social Justice
Year of graduation 2011
Country of origin USA
Current occupation Assistant Professor at Midwestern University, Illinois
What made your time at ISS special? I made a network of friends and peers who became my best study buddies. I enjoyed insightful interactions with the most passionate faculty, including Prof. Jeff Handmaker and Prof. Karin Arts. They shaped my academic worldview about socio-legal issues in both the Global South and North.
What's your most memorable moment at ISS? Professors who influenced my thought process on human rights and social justice. Ever since then, I have become a critical thinker. The International Day at ISS helped me appreciate other students’ cultures and cuisines.
What does ISS mean to you now? A place where competing yet complementary development and human rights theories and approaches are critically assessed for their practical evidence and relevance to development discourse. A leading global graduate school where students’ underlying (often unreal) perspectives about development are challenged. ISS students are inspired to drive innovative approaches and propel practical solutions to modern world development issues.