What has been particularly useful at ISS is the ability to analyze issues from multiple perspectives in a multifaceted manner.
Karin Hanada
ISS alumna, Japan
Studying politics and governance at ISS
For Karin Hanada, the path to international diplomacy did not begin in government. It began in Japan’s private sector, a fast-moving world of telecommunications and global business.
Before enrolling at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Karin worked at an IT company in Japan as a project manager responsible for mobile base station projects. Her role required coordinating complex operations and supporting overseas business activities. She also contributed to a collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), helping African students studying in Japan gain internship opportunities and better understand working within Japanese companies.
Through these experiences, Karin began noticing something that would ultimately reshape her career ambitions.
‘The private sector often focuses heavily on profit-seeking,’ she explains. ‘Important social, political and environmental dimensions can easily be overlooked.’
That realization sparked a deeper interest in the systems shaping development outcomes around the world. Karin decided to pursue a Masters in Development Studies, specializing in governance and development policy at ISS.
About the Politics & Governance suggested pathway
In the renewed Masters in Development Studies Programme, students can choose from a wide range of electives to shape their academic journey. To illustrate the possibilities, we have outlined several suggested pathways. The Politics & Governance pathway combines electives in Policy Analysis, Design and Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Contemporary Capitalism, Governance and the Politics of Global Order.
Studying governance in a global classroom
What attracted Karin most to ISS was the opportunity to study governance within a truly international environment. Students from across the world bring diverse perspectives on development challenges, creating a dynamic space for debate and learning.
‘ISS offered an interdisciplinary curriculum and a multicultural community,’ Karin says. ‘Discussing governance and development issues with classmates and professors from different backgrounds allowed me to see problems from perspectives I had never considered before.’
At ISS, Karin developed both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into governance challenges. Courses drew from multiple disciplines – including political science, economics and sociology – helping students understand how policies interact with social and economic realities.
Fieldwork also played a crucial role in shaping her learning. As part of her research, Karin conducted fieldwork in Uganda, where she engaged directly with local communities.
‘These firsthand encounters deepened my understanding of both national and community level challenges,’ she explains. ‘They complemented what we learned in the classroom and reinforced the importance of listening to diverse perspectives when addressing real-world issues.’
Applying governance insights in diplomacy
After graduating from ISS, Karin joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working in the Africa section. Today, she serves as a strategic planner responsible for supporting Japan’s diplomatic engagement across the continent.
Her work involves coordinating bilateral relationships between Japan and African countries. This includes gathering and analysing information, communicating with Japanese embassies across Africa and liaising with African embassies in Japan. She also monitors development cooperation initiatives and broader geopolitical developments affecting international partnerships.
In many ways, the governance concepts Karin studied during her Master's programme are central to her daily work.
‘International development challenges are rarely caused by a single factor,’ she says. ‘They require analysing complex structures, understanding social and economic contexts, and recognizing the roles of different stakeholders.’
Diplomatic work often involves balancing competing priorities between governments, institutions and communities. Karin believes her time at ISS helped prepare her for these realities.
Through classroom debates and case studies, students regularly examined policy dilemmas where political, economic and social interests intersect. ‘These discussions helped me develop flexible thinking and communication skills,’ Karin explains. ‘They taught me how to listen carefully to different viewpoints while working toward practical solutions.’
Why ISS stands out for governance studies
According to Karin, one of ISS’s greatest strengths is its ability to bridge theory and practice. Students gain a strong academic foundation while also engaging with real-world development issues through research, fieldwork and collaborations with international organizations and NGOs.
Equally important is the institute’s global community.
‘Learning alongside students and faculty from many different countries expands your perspective and builds international networks,’ she says.
And the location itself plays a role. Situated in The Hague, a city known as the international city of peace and justice, ISS is surrounded by international courts, NGOs and global institutions, creating opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom.
Advice for future students
Looking back on her journey, Karin encourages prospective students interested in public-sector governance to embrace the diversity of experiences ISS offers.
‘At ISS, you will encounter ideas, knowledge and worldviews you may never have imagined before,' she says. ‘Through discussions with classmates and professors from around the world, you will challenge your own assumptions and discover new ways of thinking.’
For Karin, those experiences did more than broaden her perspective. They helped prepare her for a career addressing complex global challenges through diplomacy and international cooperation.
Discover our renewed MA in Development Studies programme
The MA in Development Studies (MADS) is a one-year programme that will give you critical perspectives on contemporary issues in global development. You’ll dive into key themes such as social justice, just transitions, conflict and peace, governance, public policy, environment and sustainability, gender, and human rights, developing the tools to understand and influence change.