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Laurent Bachmann | Lienz, Austria
MA Candidate (BC11) | Austrian National Bank Fellowship recipient
For Laurent Bachmann, international politics and development have always been fascinating. Having lived in China since he was seventeen, he gained an alternative view on these topics.
"Partially growing up in East Asia, I had the chance to witness drastic socio-economic changes. This gets you thinking about the roots and causes of development. In particular, living with a Chinese peasant family helped me to trace the impact of globalization on some of the most vulnerable members of Chinese society."
After studies in London at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, in Beijing at Beijing Union University and in Seoul at Seoul National University, Laurent came to SAIS in search of a professional environment that would test his ideas. "I wanted to be in an inspiring environment and I wanted to be challenged," he says. "The rigor and structure offered by the U.S. university system was something I needed in order to push myself." The intimate size of classes and the feedback he received from alumni about the program offered by SAIS were also major draws.
Working for a major think-tank in China last year, Laurent observed how Europeans perceive China and vice versa. "Because the notions of the "East" and "West" have become far too dichotomized, it is time that we find common cultural and historical ground. Much remains to be done since Europeans feel threatened by China's sudden political rise. This, however, does not necessarily have to be the case."
Upon graduation from SAIS, Laurent hopes to dedicate more of his time to the improvement of Sino-European relations by working in the field of international relations and cultural diplomacy. In addition, he hopes to dedicate more time to the East Asian Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, an NGO he co-founded last year.
Degree: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, B.A. (Honours)
Major: Politics and Economics with a specialization in East Asia
Languages: English (fluent), German (mother tongue), Chinese (intermediary), Czech (intermediary), French (intermediary). Russian (beginner)
SAIS area of concentration: Asia Studies and International Relations
Other interests: Snowboarding, athletics and cooking Italian food
By Bianca Silva
M.A. Candidate (BC11)
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