Letter for Isaline Van Sinay

Search and Screen Committee

Department of Politics and International Studies

University of Cambridge

The Old Schools, Trinity Ln

Cambridge CB2 1TN

United Kingdom

Dear Members of the Search Committee,

I am pleased to endorse Isaline Van Sinay as an intellectually curious candidate for the "MPhil in
Politics and International Studies" program at the University of Cambridge. Having served as her
postgraduate professor and later also her internship supervisor, I can attest that Isaline stands among
the top tier of my students and interns, and it is with great confidence that I recommend her to you.

My initial encounter with Isaline occurred during her exchange semester at the University of Fribourg,
Switzerland, I had the privilege of instructing Isaline in the course "International Negotiations -
Success Stories from an Intercultural Background." I witnessed Isaline's remarkable enthusiasm for
diplomacy and international relations throughout this academic period. Moreover, she demonstrated a
keen insight into the ramifications of significant global political shifts on corporate decision-making. I
wholeheartedly believe that Isaline's passionate and insightful nature makes her an excellent fit for
your esteemed program.

In my class, students were required to present a topic we covered in that day's lecture on a weekly
basis. I assigned a time constraint of 15 to 30 minutes for preparation, depending on the complexity of
the topic. Initially, Isaline did not stand out; she appeared visibly shy and uncomfortable when
presenting before the class with the limited preparation time. However, as the weeks progressed and I
provided constructive feedback, a remarkable transformation occurred. Isaline gained confidence,
gradually shedding her initial reservations. She not only overcame her shyness but also embraced the
challenge of responding to the probing questions I posed during her presentations.

For the examination, I assigned Isaline the task of gathering data on the C-level executives in the
largest US companies and analysing their international experience. She not only produced a well-
structured and academically commendable essay but also delivered an outstanding presentation of her
findings. Although her initial presentation skills were unremarkable, her final presentation not only
met but surpassed all of my expectations. Isaline's presentation showcased a remarkable
transformation—her findings were presented with creativity, infused with appropriate humour,
accompanied by confident gestures, and demonstrated a depth of research that surpassed the initial
requirements. In summary, Isaline's growth as a student throughout my time as a professor was
unparalleled, making her the most improved student I had the pleasure of teaching.

After reviewing Isaline's transcripts, I hold a strong conviction that she is among the top-performing
students. Furthermore, my experience suggests that she possesses the potential to achieve even greater
heights. She exhibits a remarkable ability to adapt quickly and truly assimilate feedback. The prospect
of her studying at the University of Cambridge is exciting, and one can only imagine the extraordinary
accomplishments she could achieve. Overlooking her as a student would undoubtedly be a significant
loss on your part.

Following our academic collaboration, I recommended Isaline for an internship at my company,

Prior to this internship, Isaline didn't have proficiency in German. Most of her classes in Fribourg
were conducted in English or French. However, upon her arrival in Passau, she had diligently taken
several courses to ensure her ability to fully engage in meetings and presentations conducted entirely
in German. Her commitment to this endeavour is truly commendable. Reflecting on her proficiency in
English, I must highlight that she adeptly delivered presentations on even the most complex subjects
with technical jargon and her writing style is exceptionally enjoyable to read.

Throughout her 6-week internship within the Department of Digitalisation & Operations at ICUnet,
Isaline undertook the responsibility of preparing the sales material and devising the expansion strategy
for WFAAssistant. This digital tool was specifically crafted to tackle the compliance hurdles
associated with remote work. She effectively coordinated a workshop aimed at training the sales team
and garnered significant positive feedback for her teaching methodology. The Department of
Digitalisation & Operations often faces challenges communicating the technical aspects of their
product to the Sales Department, responsible for its sale. Isaline excelled in seamlessly bridging this
gap between these two departments, drawing on her technical expertise as an engineer and her
marketing knowledge as an economist.

Noteworthy is Isaline's proactive approach to tasks. Despite not being directly assigned to identify
target clients for our newest digital tool, WFAAssistant, she took the initiative to tackle this challenge.
Isaline meticulously retrieved all clients from SAP, categorised them by sector, and conducted
research to determine which sectors were more inclined towards software-based solutions to remote
work challenges. Her efforts not only showcased her initiative but also underscored her ability to
contribute meaningfully beyond assigned responsibilities. Furthermore, her supervisor commended her
autonomous decision-making and adeptness in independently organising her work.

I'd love to highlight Isaline's remarkable teamwork skills. During a lunch break where our
international colleagues often share their culture through food, an Indian coworker offered to prepare
curry. Isaline eagerly volunteered to assist in preparing the meal and even took care of the cleanup
afterward. Additionally, she added a touch of her own culture by sharing traditional Belgian biscuits
for dessert. Her willingness to actively participate and contribute makes her an invaluable asset on
various fronts.

While I typically refrain from composing recommendation letters, my response to Isaline's request was
immediate and affirmative. Upon her contact, we promptly arranged a meeting to delve into the
necessary details. It came as no surprise that Isaline had meticulously prepared a comprehensive
presentation, elucidating the purpose of the letter and outlining her career aspirations.

I consistently find Isaline to be exceedingly well-prepared for meetings, displaying a commendable

In conclusion, based on my extensive experience with Isaline, I am confident in her ability to thrive in
your program and contribute meaningfully to the academic community. I wholeheartedly recommend
her for admission to the "MPhil in Politics and International Studies" program at the University of
Cambridge.

Sincerely,

Dr. Fritz Audebert

Visiting Professor at the University of Fribourg & CEO of ICUnet

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