Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to the Geneva Graduate Institute. What are you studying at the Institute?
I am Eliza, and I am from Kerala, a southern state in India – a land where politics is passion and the evening tea is a debate-starter. After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from the Delhi University, I explored the realms of public policy, working in collaboration with the government and marginalised communities for bridging the gap between policies and lived realities.
While researching such systemic gaps, I realised that it is important to decode the architecture of the systems. Upon learning that such systems are affected by local, international and historical factors, I pursued a Master’s Degree that exposes me to the nuances of political systems. At the Geneva Graduate Institute, I am a second-year master’s student of International Relations & Political Science (IRPS), where I study to decode the architecture of socio-political systems of a world that is shaped by power and memory.
What has your experience been like as a student in Geneva so far, and how have you connected to the student community?
My experience in Geneva has been a lesson of contrasts. The city’s calm, serene atmosphere is juxtaposed with leaders of states negotiating through the world’s storms on the very same streets. I quickly realised that similar contrasts exist within the Institute’s diverse student community. Through my work with the Welfare Committee, late night conversations at Grand Morillon, and engaging in events held by initiatives, I integrated myself to this mosaic of a community where belonging is built, piece by piece, with intention.
What do you hope to achieve as GISA President?
As GISA President, I am committed to building a connected and supportive environment for students as they integrate themselves into this diverse mosaic. While several parts of the world are increasingly becoming hostile towards individuals of various identities, I am working to ensure that the university experience at the Geneva Graduate Institute remains welcoming and inclusive for all. By building bridges between the student community and the Institute’s administration, I intend to translate student needs into actionable steps, and strengthen transparency and accountability within GISA.
What impact would you like to see GISA have in the 2026-2027 academic year?
As we stand on the eve of the Institute’s centenary, I would like GISA to amplify student voices, and support them in creating tangible impact within Geneva and outside. By improving its transparency and accountability frameworks, I want the Board to proactively reach out to all students, incorporate their demands and learn from their criticisms. By working through the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and collaboration, I hope that GISA 2026-27, to the best of its ability, partners with all relevant stakeholders and implements measures to tackle the challenges we inherited and strengthen spaces for students to be seen and supported.
What would you say to newly arriving students at the Institute?
To the newly arriving students, I say this: come with openness, kindness, and the willingness to transform. Your time in Geneva will allow you to engage with individuals that share similar and diverse stories of identities and injustices. Building community and staying involved will enable you to express and experience everyday solidarities within the Institute and your host city. As you make your way here, remember that GISA is an anchor and amplifier of the student community, so please reach out to us! We are committed to supporting you, connecting you, and advocating for you. As elected representatives, GISA Board Members are fighting to ensure that student voices influence all decisions that concern the most important stakeholders of this Institute: you.