Airam Magpantay
A postgraduate degree allows Airam to challenge herself further and expand her knowledge to a much deeper level, and it paves the way for her goal of working in foreign policy.
“Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I wanted to challenge myself further and expand my knowledge to a much deeper level, particularly regarding New Zealand’s relationships with other countries and the theoretical ideas that underpin them.
“I knew that the academic staff at the University of Auckland were highly knowledgeable in their specialised areas, and they were open to helping their students where needed. I was confident that I would be in good hands if I chose to continue and do postgraduate study here.
“One thing I love about studying Politics and International Relations is that it helps me make sense of everything happening in the world. With constant new developments on the global stage, it gives me better insight into the ongoing tensions and conflicts and explains why things are the way they are, making it all a little less scary.
"The students I study alongside bring a diverse range of perspectives on politics and global issues.
Classes would not be as engaging if everyone shared the same opinions. This has really helped with the way that I understand the different theories and concepts as I get to hear so many different ideas and opinions.
“After studying abroad in South Korea—a country where universities have a very strong sense of community—during the final semester of my undergraduate studies, I regretted not taking full advantage of the social opportunities at Auckland and building a sense of community with other students.
“As such, during my Honours year, I have never been more involved within the University community, nor have I ever been so present on campus. And I have been loving every moment of it.
“One major difference I found with postgraduate study is that it is much more self-directed than undergraduate study. This was a shock to me during the first couple of weeks and was a significant struggle as I tried to adjust to seminar-style lectures, where student-led discussions were preferred over traditional lectures with students simply listening.
“I realised this the hard way, but I was able to address my bad habits and become a better learner. I believe this will greatly benefit me as I later step out into the professional world.
“While postgraduate study can sound scary, I really do recommend it, especially for students that want to expand their knowledge and deepen their understanding in an area they are passionate about.
“I would love to work in foreign policy and working in a role that involves interacting with people from other countries while advancing New Zealand's interests on the international stage.”
Airam received the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia in 2022.