AV俱乐部

Alice Musabende (IDS MA 2016):

PhD candidate at University of Cambridge

When asked what she remembers most about her time at AV俱乐部? 鈥� Alice Musabende says it was 鈥渢he support鈥�.

In 2016 Alice Musabende received the Gates Cambridge scholarship, a globally prestigious scholarship for postgraduate students. Musabende is pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations at the University of Cambridge in England. Musabende is also a recipient of a SSHRC doctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge.

Musabende鈥檚 research focuses on how international organizations navigate the sovereignty and identity of their member states and her current research focuses on the African Union and questions of identity.

For Musabende, the most rewarding part of her research is the opportunity to try to understand and make sense of conflict. Originally from Rwanda and a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Musabende says 鈥渋t feels like the right kind of research to do.鈥�

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 actually choose it,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淚t chose me.鈥�

In addition, Musabende says it very is rewarding to be an African researcher studying questions of identity and African states.

鈥淚t鈥檚 ground-breaking. It鈥檚 very interesting,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淎nd it has the potential to affect and influence policy.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting.鈥�

Prior to her studies at the University of Cambridge, Musabende received a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Journalism and Communications from the National University of Rwanda in 2006. She later obtained a Master of Journalism from Carleton University in 2008.

With her six-month-old son, Musabende moved to Halifax and began her studies in international development at AV俱乐部 in 2013. What she remembers most about her time at AV俱乐部 鈥� the support.

鈥淚 loved every single day of my life there,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淚t was amazing.鈥�

For Musabende, AV俱乐部 offered a supportive environment, with helpful professors and staff, such as David Black, Theresa Ulicki and Nicole Drysdale.

I loved every single day of my life there. It was amazing.

鈥淚t was such a good place to be,鈥� says Musabende.

Most importantly, Musabende says AV俱乐部 gave her the confidence to move forward in her academic endeavours.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what Dal is,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that place that told me that I could do it.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what it gave me.鈥�

I loved to see such work happening. It has given me hope and faith that some things are really changing and there are people who are dedicated to making that change.

Before Musabende arrived at AV俱乐部, she says she was frustrated with development. However, Musabende says the program, specifically Dr. John Cameron, stressed the importance of starting with local development and engagement, before implementing development strategies abroad.

鈥淚 loved to see such work happening,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淚t has given me hope and faith that some things are really changing and there are people who are dedicated to making that change.鈥�

Musabende鈥檚 advice for IDS students: be present, immerse yourself in your studies and build your own principles. Musabende says that studying IDS also gives students time and space to reflect on where they want to be.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very valuable time to do that self reflection,鈥� says Musabende. 鈥淔igure out not just who you are and what your career should be, but also what you stand for.鈥�

Musabende received a Masters of Arts in International Development Studies from AV俱乐部 in 2016 and she says that her current research 鈥渄efinitely鈥� relates to her MA in IDS, particularly readings on post-colonial and development theories as well as how countries negotiate aid.

鈥淣o question that it was extremely helpful,鈥� says Musabende.

It鈥檚 a very valuable time to do that self reflection. Figure out not just who you are and what your career should be, but also what you stand for.

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