My name is Natalia Beghin and I am a third year undergraduate student studying International Relations and Political Science under the new vertical double degree structure here at the ANU. 

Over the past 18 months I’ve had the opportunity to pursue scholarships at Fudan University in China, Yale University in America, and Manchester University in the UK - overseas I expanded on my academic interests and had my worldview challenged and expanded. In the future I hope to work in the Aid and Development sector, in peace-building, access to medicines, or food security. 

In 2015 I was privileged to be recognised as Highly Commended for my research in both Philosophy and Economics in the International Undergraduate Awards: a prestigious prize that has been dubbed the ‘Junior Nobel’. The awards are the world’s largest recognition programme for undergraduate study - meaning that my submissions put me in the top 10% of over 6000 high achieving international students who applied to be considered for the prize.

In November of this year I was invited to spend 3 days in Dublin Ireland with 99 other top student winners from 40 different countries. Top thinkers as diverse as A. C. Grayling and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell were invited to speak and collaborate with us, and as prizewinners we were given indescribable opportunities for both personal and professional development. The multidisciplinary experience was exciting, and the energy and zeal of all the wonderful students I met inspired me greatly. 

The School of Politics and International Relations generously supported me in my attendance, and I want to extend an enormous thank you for their assistance. I would also like to thank Dr. John Minns and particularly Dr. Kim Huynh for their support and guidance during my time at ANU.