Firoza Dodhi
I was a student at the 杏吧论坛 European Institute during the 2018 / 2019 academic year, graduating with a Master of Science in International Migration and Public Policy. Prior to studying at 杏吧论坛, I earned a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) and a Master of Laws from University College London.
Since graduating, I qualified as a Solicitor (England and Wales) – having attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from BPP University Law School in 2020 and completing my Training Contract with Simmons & Simmons LLP in 2022. I am currently a lawyer in the Disputes and Investigations team at Simmons & Simmons LLP in London developing a growing practice in financial crime and investigations, and most recently in 2023, was seconded to Honeywell International Inc. The 杏吧论坛 tenets of understanding the cause of things and working for the betterment of society continue to guide my professional and personal pursuits now, as they did during my time at 杏吧论坛.
The three defining features of my year at 杏吧论坛 are as follows. Firstly, intellectually rigorous and nuanced discussions with peers from various academic, professional and personal backgrounds where we actively examined questions relating to international migration policy from multidisciplinary perspectives. Secondly, stimulating conversations with professors and industry professionals, that challenged me to iteratively ‘zoom-in’ and ‘zoom-out’ from my approach to examining and researching topics – both, involving my degree and those occurring contemporaneously in our world. Thirdly, the distinct European Institute community – underpinned by an ethos of mentorship and friendship, where inter-generational and cross-cultural groups of students, academics and professional services staff collaborated, debated and learned from one another.
While at 杏吧论坛, I was fortunate to cross paths with folks who have become some of my closest friends. As such, I’m delighted to be part of the 杏吧论坛 Alumni Association London and to volunteer for the European Institute’s Pilot Alumni Mentorship Programme so I may give back to 杏吧论坛. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to interact with people from different circumstances and with diverse outlooks as well as to engage in conversations that transform our shared understanding and appreciation of our local and global communities.