Determined to make a difference

Most twenty-somethings head to London and Paris to play tourist and have nothing but fun but Evangelia Wichmann is anything but typical.

Her forays to Paris and London have been to knuckle down and study, with her two year commitment to earning a double masters well underway.

“The program started in September 2023 in Paris, where I studied a Master of International Development, and I moved to London in October 2024 to start the MSc in International Political Economy – the dual program allows me to achieve two master degrees within two rather than three years,” Evangelia said, on a whirlwind visit home before returning to resume her intense studies in Londa.

“In Paris, I completed two semesters of courses focused mainly on international development, learning from professionals from organisations like the World Bank and the UN, and was selected to do an internship-like subject with the OECD, alongside French law classes at Sciences Po,” she said.

“This was an enlightening experience that allowed me to see and experience international organisations firsthand, including visiting their headquarters in Paris where all international OECD meetings take place.”

Of course there is a dissertation to complete and after working through her coursework in London, with a focus on international economics, that deadline looms in August this year.

“I am investigating the role of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative on aid delivery as well as diplomatic relations within the Pacific,” Evangelia said.

Taking her education offshore was always on the cards and the support from Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to the tune of almost $45,000 certainly helped her cause as she looks to set up a career in policy development and diplomatic relations.

“Many of the institutions that influence trade, diplomatic relations, and policy making—like the OECD, the EU Commission, the UN, and NATO—are located in these cities so being here has put me right in the midst of global events and decision making,” Evangelia said.

“Studying international relations/politics is a geographically grounded topic, and professors and events shape how one learns and understands issues.

“By studying in Paris and London, I moved beyond the Australia/Oceanic bubble of international relations and entered a much more Eurocentric community. This shift has helped me learn new perspectives and confront pressing issues like the different climate-induced threats faced by regions like Africa (drought) versus the Pacific (rising sea levels and submergence).

“Additionally, the diverse political backgrounds and cultural dialogues at these universities have been formative in shaping my understanding of how different cultures approach problem-solving.

“The world is not homogenous, and there isn’t just one way of addressing problems. Engaging with classmates from all over the world has been fascinating and formative, as we learn how different cultures approach, prioritise, and sometimes overcome global challenges like corruption, elections, climate change, migration, US-China relations, women’s inequality, and the ongoing marginalisation of minority groups.

“These discussions have taught me so much about problem-solving and thinking outside my Western norms to come up with new and diverse solutions. While my universities are still very Western-centric, learning how to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds has been invaluable. It has helped me form bonds with people and places I had not previously connected with.”

Before heading to Europe to advance her career, Evangelia completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, doing a double major in International Relations/Politics and French Studies, along with a diploma of languages in Chinese Studies.

“I naively thought Chinese would be easy to learn since I had already learned several languages – German, English, Italian, and French – but I was greatly shocked by how challenging it was,” she said.

“I fast-tracked the degree to finish in three years rather than the usual four years, completing extra courses over the summer and winter breaks, which was not much of a hassle due to the COVID lockdowns. By the end of my degree, however, my Mandarin skills were not at the level I had hoped, so I decided to move to Taiwan.”

That was where Evangelina undertook a three-month intensive Mandarin course that ran for three hours daily, while supplementing her income as a substitute English teacher.

During her three years in Melbourne, she also enjoyed life at Queen’s College, a residential college that she called home for the tenure of her degree.

“It was at college that I developed my passion for feminism and migration studies,” Evangelia said. “I had some of the most profound and challenging debates and conversations with friends, which helped shape my ideas. This experience was vital, especially during COVID when so many missed out on similar experiences. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Residential college was also where Evangelia continued to develop her leadership skills and her passion for community and causes.

“In my first year, I organised an online fundraiser for Canteen (https://www.canteen.org.au/), shaving my hair for donation to sustainable salons and raised over $5000 to support children/teenagers struggling with cancer,” she said. “This was a meaningful experience, and I was able to share it with all the donors through a video filmed at college.”

She had leadership opportunities during her time at Queen’s highlighted by being elected president in her final year.

“This role was incredibly formative, as I chaired a team of nine other elected leaders,” Evangelia said. “Together, we helped reinvent the college experience in a post-COVID world, establishing new traditions and reviving old ones. This was a challenge, but skills like open communication, acknowledging mistakes, and leading both up and down were invaluable.

“I cherished every moment and know that this experience has shaped who I am today. Organising events like Women’s Day in collaboration with Future Women and programs with The Australia Institute of Sexology were empowering experiences.”

The juggling required for Evangelia to get trough those three years with her university studies, college roles and two internships taught her a valuable life lesson.

“It taught me the importance of being kind to myself and recognising that it’s okay not to sign up for everything. Balance is key.”

The now-potential diplomat, did not always harbour dreams of international politics and economics – basically acting’s loss is international relations’ gain.

“To be honest, being an actress was my dream job from the age of five when I first stepped on stage and told my mum, I love it when the lights come on’,” Evangelia said. “Dancing at Envy Dance, acting at Ovation, and learning instruments at school were some of my favourite hobbies.

“I spent a gap year as an au pair in Paris, during which I auditioned for an acting school in Berlin. I made it to the final round, but due to a delayed train in Paris, I missed my bus by a minute. I would describe this as a sliding door moment.

“Though I somehow managed to get to the audition, I arrived 20 minutes late. For German punctuality standards, this was a sign of disinterest, and after my feedback, which focused solely on my tardiness rather than my audition, I knew I had no chance.”

That saw Evangelia returning to Australia and making a career pivot, dipping her toe in international relations and never looking back.

“I realised that I had found a topic I could spend my whole life learning about, and that excitement has kept me hooked ever since,” she said. “Economics became of interest to me through a political economy subject in my second year. I realised that the intersection of economy and political agendas was inseparable, and the two influenced each other so greatly that I needed to understand them both. I didn’t initially plan on doing a master’s in it, but by the end of my bachelor’s, I felt it was the best way to fill the knowledge gap.

“Fortunately, my degree is one of the broadest I could find. The idea of committing to one job for my whole life scares me, as I find so many things fascinating, and I have a hunger to learn that I fear might decrease the more specialised one becomes. Most of all, I want to create positive impact.”

As she works her way through her masters studies, she already has an eye on where she wants all this study and preparation to take her.

“My ultimate goal is to influence policy for the most vulnerable people in the world, particularly those displaced due to climate change, gender-based violence, and economic instability,” Evangelia said. “Specifically, I hope to focus on the intersection of climate and migration policy, examining how remittances can help the most vulnerable, particularly women and children who face mobility restrictions. This work will help create tangible solutions for migrants and vulnerable populations by incorporating both gender and environmental considerations into policy decisions.

“In an ideal world, I would work for the World Bank, or in a diplomatic role as an ambassador in a region like the Pacific, which faces significant challenges from climate-induced displacement. I believe that balancing economics, climate change, gender, and migration in future development will be crucial. That is my passion.”

And it also dovetails nicely with her community-mindedness, which has been instilled in her from a young age.

“Growing up, my parents instilled in me the value of giving back and understanding the importance of supporting others, as well as, the community and Tenison Woods College,” Evangelia said. “From a young age, I was involved in various charitable activities, whether through local organisations here in Mount Gambier, or by supporting causes close to my heart, such as gender equality and refugee rights.

“School captaincy was such an invaluable experience which helped me see the value in community and what can happen when everyone comes together for a great cause. I believe community engagement is a powerful way to create social impact, and these experiences have taught me the importance of collaboration, empathy, and using one’s skills to support others.

I see community involvement also as essential because it broadens one’s perspective and helps ground theoretical knowledge in real-world issues. By understanding the struggles and resilience of others, we can build more inclusive policies and solutions that are not just based on academic research but are also rooted in lived experiences.”

She also had her eyes opened through her work with Safe Water for Every Child Myanmar, working and living with a displaced Karen community, many of whom had fled the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

“This experience was life-changing and solidified my passion for migration rights and sustainable, inclusive international development,” she said. “This experience reinforced that development projects take time and must be community-led to be sustainable.

“These experiences have shaped my understanding of birthright, the privileges tied to a passport, and the power of government in determining people’s futures. More importantly, they have deepened my belief that success is not just about personal achievement but about contributing to the collective well-being of others.”

Evangelia is continuing her work with that Karen community through the setting up of a first aid hub and if you would like to contribute you can head to this link: https://sharinghope.org.au/tmk-health-hub/