Maya af Geijerstam

The path to EHS, education and professional career

Which program did you study at EHS?

Master’s degree in human rights.

Why did you choose to study at EHS?

I was looking for a university that offered a master’s program in Human Rights in Stockholm. EHS became an obvious choice for me after I read about the structure of the program with its focus on knowledge and skills about how human rights affect areas of law, history, philosophy and social science. It also offered the opportunity to read the internship course after the master’s degree, which I thought would be very rewarding.

What did you find most enjoyable during your studies at EHS?

To get an education from knowledgeable teachers in the subjects I’m passionate about, to get to know new people with the same interests, and to discuss issues with classmates and inspiring teachers in an open and accepting climate!

What did you write your essay about?

I wrote about the right to care for sex offenders. I wanted to both understand and learn more about the rights of victims of sexual crimes, because care for this group is lacking both in Sweden and all over the world.

What have you been working on since graduating from EHS?

In connection with writing my essay, I came into contact with WONSA – World of No Sexual Abuse. WONSA is a non-profit organization that works for a world without sexual abuse through treatment, research and education. After I wrote my essay, I did my internship at WONSA, then I continued working as a volunteer and today I am the general secretary.

What do you find the most enjoyable aspects of your job?

That I get to fight for sex offenders to have their human rights recognised and protected, that every day I develop and learn new things, and that I work with wise, funny and inspiring people.

What are the most important skills will you take with you from your education at EHS?

The knowledge and insights I gained during the period when I wrote my essay, which led me to find an organization where I can continue to develop and work with human rights in practice.

Has your work given you any unexpected experience and/or knowledge?

That there are gentle and effective methods for treating injuries after sexual abuse, which enable healing, equality and hope. What I did not expect was that these methods, which are based on a human rights-based way of working, are still so difficult to spread and make available in Sweden.

Do you have any tips and advice for EHS students who are going into working life?

I think it was incredibly valuable to do an internship, which was an option when I studied the master’s program.