The GSP 2023 cohort has successfully navigated their first semester in Berlin, Germany, and are now packing their bags for Argentina and South Africa for the upcoming second GSP semester.
Hailing from diverse corners of the world such as Denver and Kansas City in the USA, Konni and Seoni in India, London, UK, Bucharest, Romania, Berlin and Munich in Germany, Bogotá, Colombia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and many more, this diverse group brings together an array of nationalities. Their educational backgrounds are equally varied, including Cultural Anthropology, Psychology, English Language and Literature, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, Communication Sciences, Educational Science, and more.
Four modules have been tackled during their Berlin semester, equipping them with the knowledge and skills for the challenges and opportunities of the next semester. Following the basic principles of research, they know there’s no perfect start. Instead, they are stepping into the hermeneutical circle to develop their research.
Before leaving Berlin, each student presents their research ideas. This year, we saw a wealth of interesting subjects: from compassion-centred alternative methods for environmental justice & conservation, to critical engagement with sustainable development, to an exploration of protest culture in the context of emotional attachment and collective action. We heard about migration and social stratification within Western Europe, the inequality of women in China, and a global hegemonic apparatus. Students presented research on the diasporic nature of graffiti as an international literary form, the relationship between criminalization & colonialism, and so much more.
As they move onto the next phase of their studies, we eagerly anticipate how GSPians will further develop these research ideas. We extend our best wishes for a successful and inspiring second semester in Argentina and South Africa. We are excited to see the evolution of our students’ research and the contributions they will make in their respective fields.