Alumni interview

Thiago Souza da Costa

Full Name: Thiago Souza da Costa

Nationality: Brazilian

Country of Work: Brazil

Institution: British Consulate General Rio de Janeiro

Position: Consultant at the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)

Course: International Futures 2013

 

Can you tell us a bit about your career path and your motivation to follow this profession?

Taking decisions in life is a hard task for everyone, mainly when you are young and your mind is full of possibilities and doubts. At that time, I already knew that I wanted something different for my life. After reading about many careers and courses, I found myself searching for information about international relations. How do different cultures interact among themselves? How is the international system organised? How can I contribute to improve the world? Then, I decided that IR would be the suitable field of study and the path to take to reach my objectives.

During university, I started my career at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) where I had the chance of meeting interesting and knowledgeable people and learnt a lot during my daily journey. Subsequent to my four years at the University, I was blessed with the opportunity to take part in the Managing Global Governance (MGG)programmein Germany,and consequently, tospend sometime in the amazing city of Berlin with the International Futures programmeat the Foreign Office.

Tell us about a pleasant work memory you have. 

One pleasant work memory – and I can also say “unique” in my life – was my time at theOrganisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, during the practical phase foreseen in the MGG programme. At the OECD, I joined the Global Relations Secretariat (GRS) team at the General Secretariat, providing support to the Latin America and Brazil desk. During this period, I could really see how an international organisation is structured and how it works. Such diversity of nationalities, backgrounds and mindsets are key characteristics which led the organisation to reach such concrete results. Beyond my expectations, I was also able to learn more about my own region from documents, meetings and research projects carried out by the organisation and colleagues there.

How do you think our alumni network could serve your purposes better?

The alumni network is important not just to keep people in touch after studying together, but to keep them sharing experiences and ideas as the learning process never ends. For me, the alumni help me to recycle my ideas, to find new opportunities for the future and to put my knowledge at the disposal of others.

 

Die Interviews geben die Meinung der interviewten Alumni wieder und nicht die der Internationalen Diplomatenausbildung/des Auswärtigen Amts. Das Auswärtige Amt und die Inetrnationale Diplomatenausbildung sind nicht verantwortlich für den Inhalt der Interviews.