2024 grad will have close-up view of Germany’s transition to new government

Piper Bailey | January 6, 2025

With Germany’s government in the midst of one of the most turbulent chapters in its modern history, one of the Humanities Division’s newest alumni will have a front-row seat as a new government is formed. 

Elsa Coony, who majored in German and global studies and received her bachelor’s degree in June 2024, was one of about 120 students from around the world to be selected for this year’s International Parliamentary Scholarship. The program pairs recent college graduates with members of the German Bundestag for five-month internships.  

Coony was scheduled to begin working in Germany’s parliament in March, but program officials pushed the start date back by a month — by which time a new permanent government could be in place. For now, the nation is being led by a caretaker government in the wake of a December no-confidence vote in Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

“It’s going to be very exciting working in the parliament right after the upcoming elections, because there will be new parliament members and parties trying to build coalitions,” Coony said. “It’s very possible that those of us in the program will be working for people who are new to the Bundestag, just like us.

“Although the future of the program as well as the German political landscape is uncertain, this will be a particularly fascinating and dynamic time to be working close to the center of the government.”

Apart from the opportunity to witness history in the making, Coony said she is especially excited that the program offers the chance to engage with young scholars from 50 other countries. The Washington, D.C. native grew up with English as her first language, but she spoke German with family members and has spent time with extended family in Germany. 

Now, with an eye on a career in international development, she said she is looking forward to speaking the language in a professional setting with her new peers.

“Being able to work with people from different cultural backgrounds who speak a language that I’m comfortable with but is not my native language — those collaborations and cross-cultural communication skills are really valuable to someone trying to work in international development,” Coony said. “Experiencing that part of my identity in a more immersive manner and on a professional level can help my career goals. It’s really exciting for me.”

The scholarship gives participants opportunities to draft speeches, articles and correspondence for Bundestag members, attend committee and parliamentary group meetings and visit members’ constituents, and to take classes at three universities in Berlin. 

Coony said she felt prepared to apply for the program thanks in part to her time in a UCLA European seminar taught by Professor David Kim. The class introduced Coony to the European political and social landscape, which gave her a confidence boost when she was filling out application materials — knowing she could articulate her interest in Germany’s government and her understanding of the nation’s influence on the global political landscape. 

Kim, who has taught at UCLA since 2014, said Coony is his first student to be admitted to the prestigious program. 

“A double major in European languages and transcultural studies and global studies, Elsa had completed an ideal combination of studies to benefit immensely from this distinguished program and to give back along the way,” Kim said. “She is motivated, inquisitive and thoughtful, and given her background, potential, and desire I thought that she would be a wonderful applicant. I am immensely happy for her and the scholarship program.” 

As a UCLA undergraduate, Coony worked at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., as a researcher and translator. She also helped organize and moderate a series of panel discussions at the Wende museum in Culver City, which exhibits art and artifacts from the Cold War era. 

But prior to taking Kim’s class, Coony said, she wasn’t sure what her post-graduation plans would be. Learning about ancient German philosophers and their influence on Germany’s education system, and about modern-day German politics inspired her to consider opportunities like the one at the Bundestag. 

Living on her own in Berlin and immersing herself in the German government will take Coony outside of her comfort zone, but she expects the entire experience will be invaluable preparation for her future career. 

“Even though I’m familiar with the language and I’ve been to Germany before, it is still a new environment,” she said. “I hope the program gives me an opportunity to grow as a leader who can navigate complex situations with confidence and integrity.”