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Read More1. Hi Maren, can you tell us what you’ve been up to since graduation?
After graduating from TGS, I started a bachelor’s degree at the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP) in the Netherlands, where I specialized in physics and mathematics. In my free time, I got involved in the climate movement, and together with a few motivated people and some local organizations, we founded a student representation party to advocate for more sustainability within the university. This was definitely an exciting project, and I am very content with some of the changes we implemented as part of the University & Faculty Councils.
In my third year at MSP, I spent a semester studying abroad in South Korea, which was my first time traveling after TGS. It was great to move to a new place and live in a different culture again after a few years without travel. Having graduated from MSP this spring, I just started my Master’s Degree in Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zürich. So far, I very much enjoy this field of study and am very happy with my new life in Switzerland.
2. What has been the most gratifying project you’ve worked on since graduating?
On a personal level, I would say the student representation party I previously mentioned. Everyone in the organization was very motivated, and we were able to inspire a new lecturer position in the field of earth system science. A significant amount of funding to a sustainability committee also came about due to our work, which is now working on implementing many of our ideas. Being part of a student council, in general, was a very insightful experience and allowed me to better understand the university’s logistical and legal processes that go on behind the scenes.
Academically, it was very cool to work on a one-year research project where I investigated the effects of different weather conditions on highway traffic flow and the effectiveness of traffic management systems. Since the German Federal Highway Research Institute commissioned the project, I feel my research will eventually be used in a real-world context.
3. How do you feel your TGS education has benefited you in your science career?
I think two of the most beneficial skills that THINK Global School’s Changemaker Curriculum taught me are self-organization & motivation. These are essential for managing your time as a university student. Since I had already been in charge of my learning at TGS, transitioning to university was much easier for me than for some of my peers with more traditional academic backgrounds.
As for science specifically, I think problem-solving and continuing to try a problem, even if it is hard, was something I had already gotten a glimpse of at TGS. With the projects, you constantly had to try and find new approaches to the question at hand, and this kind of creative thinking and persistence is definitely helpful in the scientific field.
4. Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?
For current students, I would definitely say don’t worry about “missing out” on the knowledge that is taught in more traditional programs or whether you will be prepared for higher education. I can tell you right now that you are. Just make the most of the opportunities at TGS, pursue everything that interests you, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves!