Patricia Molinos Ruperez on AUP's Personal Touch

Patricia Molinos Ruperez, pursuing the MA in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution and Civil Society Development, reflects on how the mentorship of her professors and her exposure to both French and international organizations is the perfect way to start building a future in the field.

PATRICIA-MOLINOS-RUPEREZ

What made you choose AUP?

I choose AUP because of the two-year international affairs program. Beyond covering a wide range of issues that are central to international relations, the degree also offered me the exceptional opportunity of adding the University of Paris I-Sorbonne to my resume. At the end of this bilingual program, I will graduate with an AUP degree and a certificate from the Sorbonne, and will have gained added insight from experiencing the French and the American educational systems simultaneously.  

What do you think makes AUP unique?

The quality of the University is reflected in the personalized attention, support and assistance offered to students, which is especially key for those of us whose families are not in Paris. The wide range of professional networking opportunities that result from AUP’s diverse community also adds to this feeling of quality. My courses are enriching and imbue students with crucial knowledge on a variety of issues, including human rights law, gender issues, international security, peace and stability, civil society development and the philosophical foundations of global relations.

Do you have a particular academic highlight?

Among my favorite classes was the École de Guerre practicum, a war simulation where AUP students play the role of the humanitarians. Besides being ideal for us to get familiar with humanitarian intervention in conflict-affected settings, this exercise also gave me the opportunity to work closely with officials from the French military, as well as ambassadors, diplomats and students from other institutions, namely Sciences Po. 

MA in International Affairs

École de Guerre Practicum

Sustainable Development Practicum

Graduate Study Trips

I love the style and dynamics of the classes, based on student participation and continual interection, with the teacher as a moderator. 

– Patricia Molinos Ruperez

Did you attend any study trips?

One of my strongest AUP memories is the Sustainable Development Practicum in Auroville, India. Through interning at different local NGOs, my classmates and I had the opportunity to work closely with the community and acquire expertise in our individual fields of interest, which included LGBTQ rights, children’s rights, and women’s empowerment. This practicum was the best initiative I can think of for raising awareness on the harmful impacts that climate change, extreme poverty, inequality and discriminatory social norms have around the world.  

What is the in-class experience like?

I love the style and dynamics of the classes, based on student participation and continuous interaction, with the teacher as a moderator. This makes our classrooms the perfect environment for exchanging ideas and learning more about students’ diverse backgrounds. I particularly enjoyed the process of conducting presentations – from preparing a topic and getting feedback from the professor to presenting in class, being challenged and creating debate. 

How have you found AUP’s faculty members?

The professors have been a key part of my AUP experience, due to their professional and human qualities. Professor Susan Perry stood out not only for the passion she puts into teaching and the quality of her lectures, but also for the guidance and support she has offered throughout my AUP journey. I really appreciated her willingness to help with both academics and personal issues, especially in the transitional period from studying to working. She has played a key role in getting me closer to my career and life goals. 

And where will those goals lead you?

AUP played a key role in getting me an internship with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) during my last semester at AUP, which eventually turned into a job offer. It was the perfect way to start building a successful career in the field of development, gender equality and policy making, and it would have been very difficult to accomplish without help from AUP's Center for Academic, Career and Experiential Advising.