Thoughts on the programme: I chose this course because the Master of Human Rights at this University will further explore my interest in analyzing the social structure and social inequalities. I am eager to broaden my understanding of the theories and practices related to women and child rights, as my ultimate goal is to be a researcher in this field. The Master will allow me to understand cultures and values from all over the world, which will help me analyze a social problem from various perspectives. On the one hand, I want to gain more experience and specialized skills regarding human rights and its connected global coherence and political dynamics. On the other hand, I wish to look at critical voices and discussions about it. The modules and courses from law, politics, and philosophy caught my eye, and it seems to be the perfect combination for me.

My interest in this program is related to my work experience as a social worker. My longstanding interest in Human Rights built within my professional and academic career has had an essential role in my way of behaving and thinking. This Master’s degree program, with its legal, philosophical and political focus combined with my pedagogical perspectives and practical experiences, is a unique chance and essential step for me to become human rights orientated social worker. I am in search of bringing my career to the next level. I hope to build a career with an international organization involved with human rights at its fulcrum and its challenges and unpredictability.

The courses are very well structured and adequately segregated, which allows us to learn about the law, political science, and the philosophy of human rights in a fundamental manner. The professors make learning very attention-grabbing, engaging the students in interactive sessions and lending their ears to the different points of view in the class. The atmosphere of the classes is remarkable, and there is a lot of help and guidance available from the professors and staff. Even during the pandemic, the subjects were taught in the best possible manner with the online set-up. The assignments and readings were well arranged and presented to us in a well-organized way, which equipped us with the commitment to the studies.

Professional background: I have worked in a non-governmental organization, the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy as a professional social worker. IICP is an NGO based in Kolkata, India, focused on bringing about positive changes in the lives of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through a range of policies and service provisions designed to enhance their skills and knowledge and give them opportunities to exercise their constitutional rights and fully participate and contribute to the community and country. I worked in the Social Services Department, where I supported children and adults with disabilities across all services and age groups.

I have also been involved in extracurricular activities and fieldwork that revolved around human rights issues – such as working with the transgender and MSM (men having sex with men) community at an NGO called Lakshya Trust. I have interned as a medical social worker at a government hospital in the obstetrics and gynaecology department. My work spotlighted women’s sexual and reproductive health issues related to multiple human rights, including the right to life, the right to be free from torture, health, privacy, and the prohibition of discrimination. I also completed an internship with Schaeffler India, where I learned about labour laws, factories act, glass ceiling issues, etc. During the second semester of studies at FAU, I have interned with the Nuremberg Human Rights Centre.