Alumni Spotlight - Juliette Praz

Juliette Praz - Class of 2010

We are delighted to feature Juliette, who was a student at Haut-Lac for 9 years and left with excellent IBDP grades (42/45).

After graduating from Haut-Lac, Juliette went on to earn a double degree in English Law and French Law from the universities of King’s College London and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonnes, where she received First-Class Honours.

She continued her academic journey in Geneva at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), where she completed a Master’s degree in International Law with a strong focus on international human rights and humanitarian law (IHL).

Alongside her studies, Juliette undertook part-time internships with non-governmental organizations, gaining first-hand experience of the humanitarian sector and confirming her desire to pursue a career in it. 

Following the completion of her Masters, Juliette began her professional journey as a legal adviser specialized in IHL.

She undertook internships with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, before returning to the FDFA as a Legal Officer.

Seeking to deepen her understanding of the challenges related to humanitarian access and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, Juliette headed to the field where she served as an ICRC delegate in Ethiopia and the Central African Republic. Since 2024, she is back at the FDFA as a Programme Officer in Humanitarian Diplomacy, supporting Switzerland‘s efforts to promote principled humanitarian action.

Juliette encourages students aspiring to a career in the humanitarian domain to learn as many languages as possible - including German for those interested in working with the Swiss foreign affairs - and to develop practical skills early through volunteer work.

She highlights that her bilingual education at Haut-Lac, combined with the CAS component of the IB Diploma Programme, provided a strong foundation for her professional journey. While the humanitarian sector is a competitive field, Juliette firmly believes that if you are passionate about helping the most vulnerable and ready to seize opportunities as they arise, it is possible to build a rewarding career.

She is happy to exchange on her experience and answer any questions, so do not hesitate to reach out to her on LinkedIn!

Haut-Lac Alumni Magazine