Shaping a future in diplomacy

While listening to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discuss the significance of AI in US-China strategic competition, I reflected on how this discussion closely connected to what I have been studying at Flinders.

As a student of the Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science, I have gained a particular interest in how governments and societies across the world respond to the emergence of new challenges and opportunities, and how they act towards these increasingly complex international environments.

The Jeff Bleich Centre Distinguished Lecture gave me an opportunity to hear these topics discussed not only from a typical academic perspective, but by people with direct experience in the matters from government, international affairs and business.

Having the opportunity to hear directly from Kevin Rudd, one of Australia’s most notable former policymakers, about issues that are likely to shape Australia’s future, has provided a valuable opportunity to connect the in-classroom learning of university with the realities of both policymaking and international affairs.

Opportunities that bring learning to life

I feel that this event was a reflection of what I have enjoyed the most about studying at Flinders - having opportunities to connect the things I have learnt with the events, people, and institutions that are shaping the world.

Throughout my degree, I have been able to pursue these connections in numerous significant ways. Being elected as the undergraduate student member on the Flinders University Council has not only provided me with the privilege of representing a student view to university governance matters, but also with firsthand experience of how a large institution operates and makes decisions in response to the challenges it faces.

The other major opportunity that stands out to me in my time at Flinders is my upcoming participation in the 2027 Washington Internship Program, which will allow me to take my studies into an international professional environment. Together, these experiences, bolstered with the effective simulation-based learning provided by my classes, have guided my understanding of how the ideas I encounter throughout my degree can translate into practical real-world settings.

Following a lifelong interest in global politics

The quality of such opportunities is ultimately why I chose to study my degree at Flinders. I still remember the day in high school where I had first learnt about the Washington Internship Program delivered through the Jeff Bleich Centre, and made my mind up that exact day that I wanted to study my passion of international relations and politics here at Flinders.

However, my interest in international affairs began well before I had the desire to study it at university. From a young age, I was obsessed with learning countries and the differences between them. I enjoyed memorising their flags, borders, shapes, cities, and becoming familiar with as many of their first-level administrative subdivisions that I could remember.

This interest in geography was gradually developed into a broader fascination with foreign affairs and relationships between nations. As I learnt more about how states interact with one another, this naturally developed into an intense interest in politics holistically.

Studying the Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science has therefore felt like the natural progression of my interests that had developed over the years. The degree has allowed me to explore the subjects that had first sparked my passion and curiosity, while also allowing the development of a much deeper understanding of the forces that shape politics and international affairs that will assist me in my aspiration of a career in diplomacy.

Inspired to make an impact

This field of study excites me due to the changing nature of international environments, as new history is written every day. The prospect of engaging professionally in the processes of addressing the challenges and opportunities that arise from these changing environments genuinely motivate my career interests.

The Jeff Bleich Centre Distinguished Lecture provided a clear example of this aspect, with the advent of AI into competitive international environments. What I found interesting and relevant was the discussion highlighting that a development in one area of society can have large consequences across many aspects of international relations.

This lecture made clear that AI development is not just a technological issue, but also has large implications for aspects of diplomacy, national security, economic competition, and importantly Australia’s relationships with the major powers, and our position in the international system.

Seeing these issues discussed in person has only reinforced my aspiration to pursue a career in diplomacy, where I hope to contribute to the navigation of Australia in the increasingly complex international environment.