Mustafa Mayar

How would you describe, in a nutshell, the experience of studying at BCB?
It was an intellectually intense but human experience. You’re constantly pushed to think critically, write clearly, and engage across cultures. Each class felt like a dialogue, rather than a lecture.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you:
Professor Berit Ebert’s class on Europe and its Institutions stood out for how it connected theory to reality. It helped me see how European integration actually works beyond textbooks. Traveling as a cohort to Luxembourg and Brussels to visit EU institutions made the experience even more memorable and gave real context to what we studied in class.

Where are you now and what are you doing? 
I’m currently in New York City, studying in Bard College's Master of Arts in Global Studies program. My work now focuses on national security, disinformation, and international affairs, building on the training I received at BCB.

How has BCB influenced the path you've taken since completing the program? 
BCB pushed me toward a path where I move comfortably between research, policy, and practice. The liberal arts structure meant writing a lot, reading far outside my comfort zone, and constantly linking economics, politics, and history instead of treating them as separate boxes. It also trained me to test my assumptions from several angles at once, in seminar discussions and in research. That habit still shapes how I frame questions, choose projects, and position myself in work that connects detailed analysis with real-world decisions.

Any advice you would give to students considering BCB? 
I’d tell prospective students to make use of BCB’s small seminar setting. Talk to professors, go to office hours, and treat essays as ongoing practice rather than one-off assignments. Take at least one class completely outside your comfort zone, and make Berlin part of your education through events, talks, and museum visits.