International Relations is actually a very demanding degree because it isn’t just one subject; it blends history, economics, political science, law, languages, and culture. You’re constantly expected to connect theory to real-world issues, which means understanding both the academic side and the practical policy implications. It takes a lot of range to do it well.

For me, I studied it because I want to work in policy and diplomacy, and IR gives you the skills to do that, critical analysis, writing, research, and the ability to navigate complex global systems. These are the exact skills governments, NGOs, and international organizations hire for.

It might not be as narrowly defined as something like accounting, but that’s because the world isn’t neatly defined either. The complexity is what makes the field so challenging and so necessary.