MLB Graduate Story: Aishe Memetova

What did you do after you graduated from the Bucerius Master of Law and Business Program?

After graduating from the MLB Program I spent 6 months interning for the Department of Trade and Investment at the Canadian Embassy in Berlin. I then went back to my native Ukraine where I joined a consultancy company and worked closely with the public and NGO sector. Working in this sector really appealed to me so I joined the office of the Vice-Speaker of the Ukraine as an advisor. At the same time, I also co-founded an NGO called DEVAM which aims to reach out to the Crimean Tatar youth in Crimea and facilitate communication between them and youth from the non-occupied parts of the Ukraine.
 
How did the MLB program help you in your post graduate positions?

During the program I learned not to be afraid of seemingly complicated tasks. I worked with other students from all over the world with differenct backgrounds and this helped me to realize the importance of considering various perspectives in finding new solutions to business or legal problems.  Coming to the program with a law background, I found the business courses very useful especially the courses in International Trade and Investment which were invaluable in my internship in Berlin.
 
Why did you apply for a Fulbright scholarship?

It became obvious to me that my career track was moving away from legal practice towards NGO and government affairs. Although I had an opportunity to work with exceptionally talented and competent professionals in these fields, I lacked the knowledge and academic background to move further along this path.   I therefore decided to pursue further studies in Public Administration and the Fulbright Program offered a unique opportunity to make this dream possible.
 
Which university are you going to attend and why? What are your research plans and what are your plans for after Fulbright?

I will attend the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington in Seattle. The school offers one of the best Master of Public Administration programs in the US and I am very excited to start my studies there in September. Besides, Seattle reminds me very much of Hamburg which is always in my heart thanks to my experience in the MLB program.

During the next two years I will learn how policies are developed, how their impact is estimated and measured. The Ukraine faces numerous policy issues with no obvious solutions and clashing principles. I want to learn how to deal with them. I also would like to further develop my NGO, DEVAM, and concentrate on the issues of preserving the language and culture of the Crimean Tatars.