The DPP Experience

The Master in Public Policy is a unique experience. It brings together a highly diverse and international student body at an American graduate university that’s embedded in the heart of Europe. Watch what our students and faculty have to say about the DPP experience.

After finishing their studies in public policy, our graduates pursue successful careers in the fields of public administration, as policy advisors and experts, or in academia. We are happy about these success stories and would like to share a few examples.

Philipp Thaler, PhD Student 

Combining a set of diverse fields, Philipp Thaler's research on European Union foreign policy has thrived at Central European University. Hear him discuss his research and how CEU's dynamic faculty have contributed to his cutting-edge research.

Originally from Germany, Philipp previously studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) where he earned an MSc in political economy.

Youngmi Kim, Assistant Professor 

'I have taught in different institutions and countries before joining CEU, but DPP is my most favorite environment. It is very interdisciplinary, with faculty coming from fairly different backgrounds, which makes the seminars very lively and interesting to attend. And it is very informal too, which makes it a fun place to work at. What I especially like about the classes is that the heterogeneity of the students' backgrounds makes the discussions a mutually enriching experience where I learn a lot myself. Many of the students' own experiences of moving to a new county at a young age resonate well with me and remind me of when I left Korea to study in Australia many years ago.'

Bilal Aurang Zeb, Pakistan

'Mundus MAPP has played an important role in enhancing my knowledge and skills as well as giving a boost to my career growth. It has indeed been the best educational experience I've ever had!'

Year of graduation: 2009

Current position: Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Juba, Southern Sudan 

Mladen Joksic, Serbia

'When I look back on those days and ask myself whether it was worth it, the answer is, absolutely! There are several things that impressed me about this Department:the Department’s careful balance of theory and practice, the interdisciplinary character of the Department. This diversity of approaches was further strengthened with a diverse student body, which enriched in-class discussions and helped me hear different viewpoints.'

Year of graduarion: 2009

Current position: Writer/Researcher, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, New York City, USA

Watch Mladen talking about his experiences at CEU.

Danny Shapiro, United States of America   

Current position: Presidential Management Fellow and Policy Analyst, USS Department of Energy's Office of Policy and International Affairs

Alin Chindea, Romania

'The three-month internship facilitated by the department gave me the opportunity to experience international public policy at first hand in a leading international organization. And it eventually transformed into a regular job.'

Year of graduation: 2006

Current position: Regional Project Assistant, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission with Regional Functions for Central and South-Eastern Europe, Budapest, Hungary

Watch Alin talking about his experiences at CEU.

Jana Kuzmova, Slovakia

'What I appreciate most are a policy-oriented lecturing style and training of young policy-makers. This is the key difference compared to other universities. As a Head State Advisor I now that appreciate it in real life and in a real working position. The program also offers a wide range of options catering the students' specific interests and talent, which assists them in developing their unique personality instead of pushing them for conformity.'

Year of graduation: 2011

Current position: Head State Advisor, Analytical Centre of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia