Meet Francisco: WTI Alumni Stories

Q: The world changed for our generation in 2020 with the onset of COVID. Did that change your view on law?

A: Yes. I was in financial law, so it's very different from what you get here in education. I was very motivated to learn more about international economic law as a whole because of the economic and political devleopments we saw in relation to COVID. The world has fundamentally changed.

Q: What made the World Trade Institute the program for you?

A: This is actually a perfect program, because although you can find programs on international economic law in North America and Europe, this one was the only one that stood out as interdisciplinary and not just law. That was very appealing to me, I thought to myself “This program is the whole package.”

I was interested in the coursework, not only law, but also economics and political science. I saw the chance to get a 360-degree view of the whole system.

Q: How was your experience at WTI?

A: It was unique. This was a tight knit group, and the institute is just dedicated to these two programs. There’s in-house staff that's always there for you to ask questions. Plus there is very the tiny things, right? You can be here at any time to study. We get lockers, we have a desk – you really feel like you belong to this place – that you’re at home. I honestly think that’s amazing. It’s a feeling that I don't think exists anywhere else in any other program like this.

Q: The MILE coursework compresses a two-year program into a single year. That’s a lot of studying – would you say you have an appetite for knowledge?

A: I've always enjoyed studying! And in 2020, I found myself literally reading books on politics theory – so I do have a very strong academic interest. But at this stage in my life, I thought it would be best to combine that natural interest in a way that would advance my education – and therefore my career.

At this point in my life, I have eight years of experience. I was motivated to get my master’s because I wanted to refresh my outlook on my career choices and potential path. I feel like I’ve fulfilled my goal there.

Q: How did you find the job market after your studies?

A: I found it receptive. It’s important to stay resilient because it does take work. I took that as a great sign, and it’s important to understand that as students, you have to make the most out of all the resources you have available. If your goal is getting a job, then make sure you network. WTI offers a lot of guidance and advice on career options. Take advantage of this help!

Q: Did you find the coursework to be interesting?

A: MILE gives us a general framework of knowledge upon which you can build into the future. We have to cover so many topics in such a short amount of time: you are always entertained! There's never a dull moment. There’s always something to read, something to learn more about. The coursework is structured in a way where you have a solid foundation to read more into the topic if you’re interested in any particular subject. Also, WTI has their own library, and you can find an incredible amount of information there.

Q: Do you have a favorite course from all the courses you took?

A: My favorite course at WTI was definitely political economy. This course is taught by Prof. Manfred Elsig – and it combines economics, politics and a bit of law. It kicks off with a deep dive into political theory, and then he delves into detail about the nitty gritty of trade and political science. It got my attention, I learned so much and I’m very personally interested in this topic after the course.