Tilmann Kulke (EUI Ph.D. 2016)
Assistant Professor in Islamic History and Global History, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ilia State University, Georgia
I would like to start with the friends I met at the EUI. This circle of friends became an indispensable gift for me. I have never worked so intensively with so many enthusiastic people from different countries and cultures over such a long period of time. Without the EUI, I would never have met these colleagues and friends and for this I am infinitely grateful. Also, my awareness as a European/Global citizen really awakened during my time at the EUI. Before I went to the EUI, I never thought it possible to work outside of Germany. The new environment has raised me to a new level.
The academic support and training at the EUI is undoubtedly excellent and the numerous courses and lectures are unique. During the semester, I had at least one additional interesting event in my calendar every week as I was particularly interested in the SPS events. That meant that I was constantly challenged academically at the highest level. In addition to this, there is the language centre, the career seminars, writing courses, etc. Also as the parents of two children, we felt constantly supported and understood and my partner and I will never forget that.
Thanks to my time at the EUI I made a big leap, both personally and professionally. There would have been no comparison had I stayed at home, which surely would have been the simpler solution. I have developed professionally at all levels, leaving the EUI with greater self-confidence and more trust in my academic skills. That I have so quickly received a position as an assistant professor, I owe, without a doubt, to my degree and the experience gained at the EUI. That all said, I am very much indebted to my alma mater and I am looking forward to remaining in close contact with her as an active alumni in the future.