From Vienna to Oxford: A Valedictorian’s Journey Beyond Borders
July 14, 2025
By Tobias Gerber
When I first walked into the Webster Vienna Private University (WVPU) building, I was full of excitement and eager to dive into International Relations — but I was also nervous about stepping into a new environment.
If someone had told me then that I would one day study abroad at Harvard University, work at the United Nations in New York, graduate as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 at WVPU, and be accepted into a master’s program at the University of Oxford — I wouldn’t have believed it.
My time at Webster Vienna was wonderful. Not only did I meet my best friends there and enjoy a rigorous academic experience in International Relations, I also developed a mindset that dreaming big is always worth it — even if things don’t work out right away.
One of the highlights of my undergraduate years was spending a semester at Harvard University, where I took courses in the Government Department and at the Harvard Kennedy School. It was an incredible and challenging time — but thanks to the preparation I received at Webster Vienna, I was able to thrive, even in doctoral-level courses.
My subsequent internship at the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in New York gave me a firsthand look at the practical side of multilateral diplomacy. Sitting in the Security Council chamber and reporting on global issues was a surreal and deeply fulfilling experience.
After graduating from Webster Vienna, I began my traineeship at the European Parliament in Brussels. Meeting leaders like Ursula von der Leyen, Manfred Weber and many others has been an unforgettable opportunity.
As my traineeship comes to a close, I’m preparing for the next chapter: an MSc at the University of Oxford. I’m incredibly excited, a little nervous and ready to work hard on this new adventure.
Webster Vienna has taken me a long way, and I’m so grateful to everyone in Palais Wenkheim for their support and friendship. Whenever I return to Vienna — my favorite city — I’ll be sure to visit my alma mater.