Jean Monnet Studentship and Scholarship Winners

2017-18 CEFEUS Jean Monnet Studentship and Scholarship Winners Announced.

As part of the Jean Monnet Chair at Canterbury Christ Church University and the establishment of the Centre for European Studies (CEFEUS), two scholarships and a studentship award have been set up. These three awards strengthen the graduate provision of CEFEUS’ threefold mandate of teaching, training and outreach. The scholarships which fall under the teaching umbrella are awarded annually on a competitive basis to two individuals who meet the necessary criteria and are designed to half the tuition costs of the fulltime MSc in European Politics, a new masters pathway launched in 2016 with the support of European funding.

2017/2018 WINNERS

Noora Virtanen

CEFEUS Studentship Holder, 2017-18

As a recent graduate of BSc in International Relations with American Studies with A Year in North America, I was honoured to be offered the Jean Monnet Studentship while continuing my studies here at CCCU. Currently, I’m doing a MSc in European Politics with Diplomacy Specialism. The studentship is designed so that the student has the chance to assist the Centre for European Studies (CEFEUS) in its administration and projects. It allows me to continue building up the skills I gained from my internship with the Centre this summer. The studentship will continue to develop not only my academic skills but also skills that are crucial when pursuing graduate jobs in the future. For example, writing formal invitations and taking meeting minutes is something one can only really learn through practice.

Conveniently, this year will be very busy for CEFEUS. In addition to writing at least two more ‘Making a Success of Brexit: Kent & Medway’ – reports, the Centre has launched a ‘Spinelli Season’ that includes various different types of activities, such as a radio show, town hall events and EU Olympiad. As a part of the studentship, I will work as a Rapporteur for the CEFEUS Health and Social Care Sub-Group that aims at producing a report by early 2018 on how the sector is affected by Brexit in Kent & Medway. In addition to this, I will support the Centre in its other projects and administrative tasks.

The studentship will also benefit my studies. Brexit ties in very well with the subject of my Masters and for example, the module ‘Critical Issues in Politics and International Relations’, led by Dr Keil, has committed to having four sessions looking at Brexit. The studentship will give me another, very local, perspective to this which is likely to be beneficial in seminar discussions and help me stay up to date with national politics and the Brexit process. Furthermore, the module ‘European Power and Strategy’, led by Professor Hadfield, will balance this influx of information nicely by providing in depth information on EU strategic culture. The ability to apply what we learn in class to something as topical as Brexit is truly fascinating. I am very much looking forward to another exciting year with CEFEUS and I hope to see many of you joining us for our events and tuning in for our radio show on CSR.

Noora Virtanen's Blogs

Tea Jakopec

CEFEUS Scholarship Holder, 2017-18

I am Tea Jakopec, a student from Zagreb, the capital city of a beautiful country, Croatia. I am 21 years old and recently graduated with a bachelor degree in Sociology from the Catholic University of Croatia. In September 2017, I moved to Canterbury. Currently, I am studying European Politics with Specialism in Diplomacy at Canterbury Christ University. This term I am studying Research Methods1: Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches which aims to provide an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research design. Furthermore, I am studying Critical Issues in Politics and International Relations: Shifting Perspectives which introduces students with different theoretical and methodological frameworks by using contemporary political issues. And last, but not least, I am studying European Power and Strategy. This module examines the foundational aspects of European strategic culture in terms of its historical development, conceptual schools of thought, empirical impact on decision-making modes, and case study examples highlighting the implementation of key EU outputs.

I chose to write an appraisal on the current role of the European Union globally in which I point out several areas of forming the European Union as a global actor. Starting with history, forming of the Union, and initial objective of the Community, gradually moving toward the current situation. I discussed potentials and flaws of the European Union actions on a supranational level. I pointed out that the EU is ahead of the intersection, or it will move towards gradual disintegration or it will grow into a global force. Considering first aims of the Community and integration of those aims in current actions of the Union, I concluded that the EU is not only a good example of a global actor, it is also a starting point of global connection. If anything is important on a high level, as a global one, it is peace, security, human rights and environment. All categories mentioned earlier are extremely important to the European Union and progress in these areas could lead to progress in other areas as well. As a global actor, one should be able to unite different people from different countries on several grounds, and it is known that the European Union unites in diversity. The European Union has fewest flaws, but it does not exclude the Union’s ability to progress and improve, moreover, the European Union has become a tremendous political and economic force whose greatest strength is the attractive pull which exerts on its neighbours.

With writing my dissertation, graduating, applying to a University in a foreign country, moving away from my family and friends, it was challenging a couple of months for me. Every (international) student felt at least one stressful situation like I did. The first couple of weeks I reassessed my decision, I was not sure if I am up to a challenge of studying abroad. Everyone at CCCU made my process of adjustment to a new environment easier, and I can’t thank them enough. I was having a rough day when Professor Amelia Hadfield announced that I got the Jean Monnet scholarship. It may sound like a cliché, but it meant the world to me. As a student, finance is something you worry about every day, and scholarship helped me to focus more on studying, less about worrying. Furthermore, it showed me that if you try and have a will to study, research and learn new things, somebody will recognize and appreciate it. The Jean Monnet scholarship gave me the motivation to try even harder, but it also encouraged me. Now, I am sure that I am up to the challenge. I feel more confident in my writing skills and myself in general. There are no words to express how grateful I am on the Jean Monnet scholarship.

Tea Jakopec's Blogs

Current Role of the European Union as a Global Actor

2016/2017 WINNERS

The two recipients of this first-class opportunity are Lucia Bačová and Eva Laposova. The other award, the CEFEUS Studentship, was awarded to Ryan Barnett, a graduate at Canterbury ChristChurch who is currently studying MSc International Relations with Security Studies. The Studentship differs from the scholarships in that it is a paid role in which the graduate student assists with the administrative running of CEFEUS, under the supervision of CEFEUS Director Dr Hadfield.

Here is what Ryan had to say on receiving his studentship; what it means to him, what he will be doing and most importantly why he chose to apply for it:

“I first heard about the CEFEUS studentship when I applied to do an MSc at Canterbury ChristChurch. Being an undergraduate here for 3 years I got to know the Politics department and really appreciate the amount of work everyone within the department puts into the university. When I learned that there was a chance to work in the department under the supervision of Dr Hadfield I wanted to snap it up as quickly as possible. There are many opportunities that the studentship brings: the ability to work with esteemed academics in a field of major interest replete with constantly shifting views, as well as working on key Brexit-related reports and analysis that are among the first of their kind in the country. The financial aid allows me to focus on my studies without fear of debit, or financial instability. I’ve been given a workload that I am comfortable with, from researching the effects of Brexit on local government to blog posts like this one. There is constant support, both scholastic and practical from my colleagues and CEFEUS staff in any form I want or need it, something that I believe is both undervalued and indeed missed in most institutions.”

Eva gave us a few words on what the scholarship means to her, how it will aid her and what she plans on using the MSc for in the future:

“I would like to thank CCCU for the generous CEFESUS scholarship I have been recently granted. Postgraduate study together with international experience will undoubtedly attract potential future employers very much. However, studying a master in the UK is for me a pretty significant financial commitment in comparison to the Netherlands where I did my bachelor in European Studies. Therefore, by awarding me, CCCU has lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus on studying and my future career path.”

Likewise, Lucia gave us some of her thoughts on the scholarship:

“I would like to express my gratefulness and gladness for the financial support through the CEFEUS scholarships for the academic year 2016-17, together with my pleasure at the chance to participate in a European Politics graduate study program. It is because of this generous grant that I can focus more on my studies and gain the most from this unique opportunity. I would also like to thank all staff members of the department who are greatly hospitable and supportive, as well as our Director Dr. Amelia Hadfield for her willingness and commitment, thank you again for all that you are doing.“

The studentships and scholarships provided from CEFEUS allow these students and possibly students of the future a bright, promising path to wherever they choose to go.

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