When Andrea Fromm started thinking about the year-long study abroad requirement of her European Studies course in Germany, her professor recommended the University of Otago. She took his advice, moved to the other side of the world and one year soon turned into many!
After completing Otago's Master of International Studies, Andrea then completed a PhD, and went on to work for Statistics NZ in their labour market team. She had an amazing time at Otago and would recommend it to anyone. “It is a very modern university with great facilities, awesome professors and a fantastic student culture in a stunning location.”
While she had always been fascinated with politics as the most crucial engine of change, the Politics staff at Otago were a particular highlight of her studies. “I very much enjoyed the classes and teaching staff,” she says. “My professors were so generous with their time, from detailed discussions with postgrads to leading tutorials full of inquisitive younger students just starting out in politics.”
Andrea recently returned to Europe to take up a role with the EU agency Eurofound (the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions). The role involves carrying out research and analysis to inform EU policies, and she engages with stakeholders such as the European Commission and the EU social partner such as trade unions and employer organisations.
Oddly enough, a detour to the other side of the world proved to be the perfect stepping stone between her home in rural Germany and working for an EU agency.