This is Suvi, a former MPCT-student writing from the Embassy of Finland in China. Some of you might remember me sitting upstairs at my office (yes, Peace Centre’s system is so great that it takes very good care of us “third year students”) working with my thesis. Well, after finally handing in the thesis, I have been lucky enough to continue pursuing my areas of interests as I got accepted to do an half a year internship in the Embassy of Finland here in Beijing.

Interning at the Embassy has enabled me to put my academic knowledge into a practical context. Indeed, it has been motivating to acknowledge that despite of the fact that I cannot quite recall the exam books by heart, I have not spend the hours dedicated for studying for nothing. Without doubt I would say that it is rather analytical tools and a certain mindset than any single piece of information that I have gained from the studies. In other words, peace studies have given me the competence to both conceptualize and analytically relate to things at hand. Actually more than this, the studies have given me a fantastic group of friends with whom I can share the ups and downs of living and working abroad.

Due to my sensible superiors who take into account my areas of interest and trust me with demanding tasks, I have been able to fully immerse myself with the Embassy work. For example, I have been writing memos on what is happening in China’s domestic and international affairs. Recently I was part of a team that set a high-level meeting between Finnish and Chinese officials. I am also very much looking forward to participating in the arrangements of a cultural event, Nordic Documentary Film Festival, this month – not least after being a member of jury for the Norwegian Peace Film Award. All in all, the internship aligns with my personal and professional interests making it both a relevant and rewarding learning opportunity in terms of my personal and professional development.