Jennifer Ukachukwu Amarachi

Tell us a bit about yourself, and your background
Hi my name is Jennifer and I am studying MSc global governance and Ethics and completed my undergrad in Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick. I like to call myself a multi-passionate, as I am someone who has a lot of interests, a lot of hobbies and likes to find ways to integrate them all. 

Why did you apply to Political Science Department, UCL?
I applied to the political science department for numerous reasons ranging from expertise to personal development. There were two main reasons as to why I applied the first being bigger exposure to the political community at UCL and externally. I saw that the department had a lot of events panel talks workshops surrounding various political domains and by people that are renowned in their field and that the seminar tutors and lecturers themselves were actively participating in politics and that really fueled my desire to apply. Secondly, I applied because I wanted to go somewhere that I felt would test me academically and push me to developed myself not just in my academics but in my career in personal branding and so forth.

What do you like best about your course so far?
I like how different the modules are in terms of learning methods and assessments. I've had modules where our seminars are in-person negotiations from the minute you walk in to seminars that are more laid back sit-down discussions. I have had assignments that are journal entries to more rigorous coding papers. It's has allowed me to stretch myself and engage in politics in a way that I don't really get the opportunity to. Especially with the practical hands on work I've been able to develop a lot of skills that I would not have had the opportunity to outside of the university for example political negotiations on topics such as nuclear proliferation and weapons disarmament.

What is the rest of your cohort like?
 I really like how calm and relaxed my cohort is. We are a small group but things have been so calm and easy going and I'm really appreciative of that. We help each other where we can and share events with each other. I think that's a great and I thank God this is the case.

What is the teaching and learning like?
I want to point out the passion the seminar tutors and lecturers have for the subjects they are teaching. It really shows through in their communication of their subject and how in the way they want to help you. As it is a masters degree, teaching and learning is quite rigorous, but the demands are placed on us because they are aware that we can achieve them and that is quite motivating.

What are your career aspirations and how do you envisage the programme helping with these?
I want to go down the political advisory/consultancy route particularly in areas of security, peace and mediation. I do you have work experience in these areas but I see this course giving me a deeper understanding of the interlinks those political domains globally and enabling me to look at global issues in a more critical problem solving way. A lot of global issues we are facing are interlinked with each other and you have to have a good knowledge of the global complexities of the challenges we are facing and how to address them in order to produce policies that are effective, forward-looking and address the root causes of a lot of these complex issues. As I said previously this course is helping me develop essential practical skills I would need for that role, it has helped me develop my develop my networking, negotiation, policy writing and research skills a lot in the time that I have been here and that has been evident in the work that I've been able to produce in programs outside of university.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London
This is hard because I don't go out often but when I do I love going to galleries and museums, book clubs, and poetry events. 

Who inspires you and why?
My biggest inspirations are Jesus and my family. Understanding Gods character and applying it to how I am meant to live a life of integrity and humility has really helped me progress and do well in life. It has taught me a lot about how to navigate certain situations and to not depend on my own physical strength and knowledge [especially now in university] but to depend on God. My family is also an inspiration because of that drive the commitment to doing well and then joy and humor in light of tense situations has helped me develop as a person especially in areas of perseverance and making sure that the work I am doing is positively affecting those around me and it's not done flippantly.

If you could implement one for policy in the world today, what would it be?
There are many to choose from, but I think in light of the rapid development of AI and technology I would implement a policy that focuses on the protection and governance of new cyber technologies that are vulnerable to becoming weaponiesd and used in conflicts.  The policy would address the need for ethical oversight of the developing technology, accountability mechanisms for those who use it and more. This is something I am interested in learning more about!