Learn more about why students have chosen the Bush School of Government & Public Service as Eddys Gonzalez, class of 2023 Master of International Affairs candidate on the International Development & Economic Policy track, discusses his time at the Bush School.
Introduce yourself.
My name is Eddys Gonzalez. I’m a first year in the Master of International Affairs. I’m concentrating in International Development and Economic Policy. Before coming to the Bush School, I used to work in the private sector; I was working in a financial institution. I also have experience in international organizations. I think something that was really special and that influenced me a lot to make the decision to come to the Bush School was my volunteer work that I did during college.
Why did you choose the Bush School?
Working in the private sector, sometimes you may think that it is kind of difficult to transition your career in the for-profit sector to the nonprofit sector, and I think the Bush School is the perfect platform for professional skills and abilities that you can use for a better purpose. I think that’s why I chose the Bush School. For prospective students I would say, keep doing what you’re doing. Maybe you have some projects right now that you think may help in the future in your career, and I think you should keep doing that. Keep committed and stay focused.
What did you appreciate most about your first semester?
As an international student, I would say that we have two challenges. The rigorosity of the academic curriculum here at the Bush School but also coming to a country where you haven’t been before or, just coming and living in the United States is another challenge. So, for me, something that I really appreciate through my first semester is the support that I got from all my professors. I think the class size here at the Bush School is perfect for you to follow up certain things that you didn’t understand so you can go to office hours and I think that’s really helpful.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
For next semester, I’m excited about some of my classes. I’m taking classes related to Women and Development, and I think that’s really an important topic for all the regions in the world. I think women play an important role in the economy. I’m also taking classes in data analysis, which I think are really important for a career in international development. So, I’m pretty excited about that.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself applying to the Bush School?
The advice that I would have for a younger version of myself would be, keep practicing your French. I think, at those projects that we sometimes have are really important, and languages are really important in a school where you get to learn about diplomacy, politics, or international development.
