Jakub Haluška

I was born and grew up in Zdice, not far from Beroun, where I also studied. After secondary school studies at the Beroun Business Academy I was accepted to study at the Central European University where I studied philosophy, political science and economics. During my third year I studied at Sciences Po in Paris and also worked as an intern at the European Parliament. I graduated with honours.

Central European University meant much more to me than just an academic education, as it allowed me to pursue many other activities such as an internship at the UN headquarters in Vienna. During the summer holidays I tried to broaden my horizons and pursue activities and projects that I enjoy and that contribute to my personal and professional development. I learned Russian in Kyrgyzstan, attended a summer school at Birkbeck University in London, interned at Erste Bank AG, volunteered with the Council of Europe and attended a conference in Alpbach, Austria twice.

These different experiences have fostered my passion and commitment to dedicate my professional career to the public good, with a particular focus on green transformation and its inclusiveness, especially in relation to people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For this reason, I decided to apply for a two-year, two-subject Master's degree at Columbia University in the USA and Sciences Po in France, focusing on public policy (Columbia) and sustainable energy (Sciences Po). The generous support of the Bakala Foundation will significantly help me fund my two-year studies.