ELA Alumna of the Month – March 2025
Meet Julia Qiu from Sweden, our newest ELA Alumna of the Month!
A master’s student in economics, Julia is a prominent youth leader in Sweden driven by her passion for research and policy.
Read about how her experience at the 2023 Summer School in Valencia inspired her to dream bigger:
Which aspects of the European Leadership Academy made your time with us such a life-changing experience for you?
The amazing community of inspiring women! Sharing ideas, supporting each other, and growing together was empowering. Being surrounded by ambitious women gave me the confidence to take bolder steps. I also valued the focus on self-leadership—those lessons still stick with me today.
How did the ELA programme you attended impact your personal growth? What’s a moment or sentence that you will never forget?
One night, we had a yoga session by the beach. Afterward, we wanted to feel the water, and then, spontaneously, we just started running towards it. I remember feeling fully present and free then —like nothing else mattered except being there, together. I left with a new perspective on what really matters.
Did the programme influence your plans? Did it bring you closer to your goals and/or help you take a different path?
Definitely! It deepened my interest in policy work, which I now see as part of my future. It also pushed me to work at a broader level—I applied for a board position at the National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations, where I now work on youth engagement.
What steps have you taken in your life and career since completing the programme?
Since ELA, I started my MSc in Economics, became president of the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists, and joined the board of the National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations. I’m also spending a semester in Beijing and earned a leadership diploma from the Swedish King!
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What have you achieved in the past few years that you are you most proud of?
Attending the Nobel Prize Ceremony! Being in the same room as some of the most brilliant minds in science, literature, and peace was surreal. It made me reflect on how impactful ideas can be and how much one person’s work can shape the world.
Knowing what you know now – what would you wish to have done differently?
Taken more risks! I used to overthink things, but I’ve realised that the best opportunities come when you just go for it. If I could go back, I’d remind myself to embrace uncertainty, take the leap, and trust that I’ll figure things out along the way.
How did the programme shape your view of society and the changes that digital technology can bring?
It made me think more about how technology isn’t just about innovation—it’s about people. It’s crucial to integrate digital advancements in a way that benefits society as a whole and doesn’t leave anyone behind.
What is your vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future and how do you aim to contribute to it?
A world where opportunities aren’t dependent on background. Big challenges like sustainability and inclusion need global solutions. I want to contribute through research, economics, and policy—working across borders to help shape better policies and systems.
What advice would you give the many women out there wishing to make a difference?
Don’t second-guess yourself. We often hold ourselves back for no real reason. Also, getting involved in civil society has been a great way for me to make an impact and meet like-minded people—I’d definitely recommend it.
Lastly, please share the name of one song / book / movie that inspires you. The ELA community is always eager to broaden the sources of imagination and creativity!
Lately, I’ve been rewatching The Lord of the Rings. I really like the theme that small acts of kindness shape the world—it’s a great reminder that even the little things we do can have a big impact.
