Meet the Graduates 2024: İlayda Habip

Even before I started the Journalism and International Affairs joint programme at Sciences Po, I knew that I wanted to pursue gender studies as my concentration. When I was reading about the classes, I realised that Sciences Po has this amazing certification that is recognised, and I did my planning for my courses and my Grand Oral to be eligible for this award. This recognition was important to me because I want to be a feminist reporter in Paris, following women's stories, and this certification helped me to pursue the career path I want to go.

When I came to Sciences Po for my Erasmus in 2022, I took a course called "Gender and Health" by Marta Domínguez Folgueras. It was a course that made me realise I really wanted to continue taking gender courses at this fine institution!

My best memories at Sciences Po were always with my friends – the eye-opening discussions we would pursue, the projects we would do together. As a Journalism student, while I was doing reporting in the field, covering the French pension reform protests and their impact on women, or my Grand Oral project where I examined French law and its treatment of rape cases, were the times I truly felt I was both understanding a whole new culture and getting to know the feminist movements here.

Choose your courses wisely, and for your papers and presentations, focus on the topics you want to become an expert in, because this is the best time to learn from the best people in their field and form friendships that will last both personally and professionally!

Next, I am beginning my career as a journalist in Paris at France24, where I am currently interning on the show The 51 Percent. The 51 Percent promotes equality and challenges societal gender norms through discussions with guests and field reports, making it the only show of its kind on a global news network. I will start a new position at France24 in August, yet I am committed to continuing to pursue stories that highlight women's issues.