Jakov Sharevski

Looking back, what did you most enjoy about your time at Bard College Berlin/what had the biggest impact on you while studying at Bard College Berlin?
At Bard, you get the means to explore questions that you never knew how to approach, yet are questions that come to mind every day. It's a very liberating environment as it legitimizes and structures a thought process on virtually any topic, from very specialized ones in different fields, to ones that are at the heart of the human experience.

How would you describe, in a nutshell, the experience of studying at BCB?
It's very complicated to put it in a few words but here goes nothing: Liberating and very intellectually stimulating yet at times chaotic and overwhelming in the most positive way possible.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
The European Union course taught by Dr. Beirt Ebert has to be it. In a nutshell it both affirmed my interest in EU affairs and heavily influenced my choice to pursue a Master in European Public Policy and Public Administration, and later a career in the field as well.

How has BCB influenced the path you've taken since completing the program?
The answer is multilayered but two things pop out. First, BCB helped me get a clear idea of the professional direction I want to pursue 'when I grow up'. Second, and maybe more important from this perspective, BCB gave me the tools to have an analytical perspective not only on my studies and work, but also on my life in general. This helps me think about my broader role at the workplace and university but also in my personal life, and I think it's a quality that I will genuinely cherish forever.

Where are you now and what are you doing?
Currently, I live in Brussels and I work as a Policy and Communications Officer at a trade association called eu travel tech. I work mostly with policies in the fields of tech, transport, and tourism.

Any advice you would give to students considering BCB?
You will likely never encounter an academic environment where you can have such close contact with truly amazing professors that have a genuine interest in the subject they teach as well as a dedication to teaching it in an engaging way. If that sounds good, definitely apply. All that said, the choice of courses can be overwhelming but professors will always be open to advising you on that, use that opportunity and make the most out of it. Finally, BCB is a long journey, be gentle to yourself and take one challenge at a time, your mental health is very important!