Koichi Osamura, MA'22

January 22, 2025
Koichi Osamura

Hi, my name is Koichi! I’m from Brazil and graduated from the 1-year MA program in Political Science at CEU in 2022. Today, I’m a PhD student at the University of Vienna, where I also work as a researcher studying coalitions and teach comparative politics.

Before CEU, I earned a BA in International Relations from UniCEUB in Brazil and an MA in Law from Soka University in Japan. After working for six years, I wanted to return to academia. The 1-year MA program at CEU offered the perfect opportunity to refresh my skills and re-enter the world of academic research.

The program’s intensive structure challenged me, but the small, seminar-style classes encouraged engaging discussions with peers and professors. Despite pandemic disruptions that sometimes moved classes online, CEU’s instructors were well-prepared and supportive. I also worked as a department ambassador and recruiter, which deepened my connection to the CEU community.

A highlight of my experience was Professor Mariyana Angelova’s course on statistics. I went from dreading statistics to becoming an enthusiast of quantitative methods and programming—skills that proved pivotal in securing my current PhD position.

CEU not only helped me restart my academic career but also opened doors to new concepts, opportunities, and connections. While there’s always room for improvement, the openness of CEU’s faculty and staff made my time there truly enriching.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/koichiosamura/.

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