Madison Marks, 2013 Boren Scholar in Jordan
Fresh off a one-year stint in Jordan on a prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship, Madison Marks doesn’t slow down. With a keen interest in international refugee studies, Madison has pursued every opportunity to advance her Arabic language skills, gain international field experience and prepare a solid resume, with her eye on becoming a future graduate student at Oxford University.
The Boren Awards for International Study, are highly competitive fellowships for study abroad. Funded by the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards provide undergraduate and graduate fellowships of $20-$30K to fund opportunities to study the language and culture of countries normally underrepresented in U.S. study abroad programs. Applicants must convince the selection committee how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security. In my previous post “How to Win a Boren Fellowship”, I discuss the importance of crafting a compelling application. Madison provides her insider tips on crafting a national security-related project proposal in the context of economic sustainability. She also talks frankly about her experience applying for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford.
1. What inspired you to apply for the Boren Scholarship and what was your experience like?
I enrolled in Arabic at FSU, but there were few opportunities to practice the language outside of the classroom; therefore, I sought opportunities to gain an extended immersion experience abroad.
The Boren Scholarship is a National Security Education Program-funded grant that enables students to pursue immersion experiences with languages that are pertinent to U.S. national security interests, broadly defined. Undergraduate Boren Scholars can receive up to $20,000 for study abroad. Boren tends to select students who choose to spend 6-12 months in one country as opposed to one semester. The application process involves writing two essays. One of these essays describes how the language and country chosen is pertinent to the applicant’s goals and U.S. national security interests; the other is a more general overview of the preferred study abroad program.
Developing my proposal for the Boren scholarship was actually quite challenging because I was interested in studying Sudanese Arabic. Both Sudan and South Sudan are on the U.S. State Department Travel Warning list, therefore I had to be creative with my application. My interest in Sudan developed during my first two years at FSU where I wrote several term papers and did a Directed Individual Study related to the causes and consequences of displacement in the Nuba Mountains area of Sudan. Through my research, I learned that the largest Sudanese diaspora community is in Cairo. As a result, I crafted my Boren application in such a way that I emphasized the importance of studying in Cairo so that I could also interact with Sudanese refugees to learn the dialect. I emphasized the importance of having U.S. experts in Sudan in the future, as well as my desire to contribute towards security in the Sudan via economic sustainability projects, especially related to education.
During the period between submitting my application in January 2011 and receiving the Boren Scholarship in May 2011, Egypt experienced a lot of economic and political transitions following the fall of Mubarak. My study abroad program was canceled for the fall, so I switched to Jordan. I had won a grant from my university to study Arabic in Jordan the summer, so I was simply extending my stay from three months to a full year.
I studied Arabic intensively at Qasid Institute, progressing through level 6 of Modern Standard Arabic. I did not go with an organized study abroad group, so I did much of my planning for extracurricular activities, language partners, and travel by myself or with my group of friends. I volunteered with refugee aid and civil society organizations in order to learn more about different NGOs, and taught conversational English. All of these extracurricular activities and language partners enabled me to hone my Arabic conversational skills and gave me insight into my academic and professional interests. Working with and befriending refugees from across the Middle East and North Africa sparked an interest in pursuing further education in Refugee and Forced Migration studies.
Upon returning to the U.S. in summer 2012, I worked with refugees in Nashville, Tennessee in order to learn about the U.S. resettlement process and the challenges that refugees face in adjusting to American culture and systems. My experience in Nashville and the Middle East motivated me to apply for the Rhodes scholarship in order to obtain an MPhil in International Development. Oxford has the world’s leading Refugee Studies Centre, and I wanted to concentrate my master’s thesis on issues concerning forced migration. Because I had already applied for the Boren scholarship, I was prepared for the hard work that the Rhodes application would require. Drafting a personal statement was difficult (and took between 10 and 12 different drafts!) yet rewarding because I was finally able to put my story down on paper in a concise way and better articulate my personal and professional goals. Being selected as a finalist for the Rhodes in fall 2012 was an honor. It challenged me to learn how to articulate my goals in an interview setting and not just on paper. I have grown much as a result of these fellowships and would not have been able to have the opportunities I did without the funding abilities like Boren. The most rewarding part is the personal growth you gain from the application process, whether or not you are selected as a fellow or not.
2. What do you think made your application stand out?
My application to the Boren was unique because of my interest in national security-related issues in the Sudan. The country that was most closely related to Sudan in language and culture was Egypt; therefore, I drafted my application emphasizing the importance of studying in Cairo in order for me to enhance my Arabic skills and understanding of Sudanese culture and dynamics. As mentioned before, the largest number of Sudanese refugees are in Cairo. In addition to my Arabic studies, I planned to volunteer with NGOs that would enable me to use my Arabic skills while learning about the challenges that Sudanese refugees faced in Cairo. Ultimately, I believe my application stood out because it was atypical in the way that I defined the importance of national security in a country like Sudan that is often overlooked in discussions on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While I ended up studying in Jordan, I pursued my interests in education and social development through volunteerism there, and I visited Cairo on my route home.
I started drafting my essays two to three months before the application deadline in order to give myself time to work through several revisions. Giving myself plenty of time on the application helped me to dwell on areas in which I needed to improve, and what was not necessary to get my point across. If I could give advice to other applicants for the Boren Scholarship, it would be the following:
- Talk to your university fellowships advisor and your major professors early. The application deadline on your campus might be a few weeks before the national deadline. Beginning in October and November gives you plenty of time to do research on your proposed study abroad programs.
- Notify those who will be writing your letters of recommendation well in advance.
- Contact your proposed study abroad programs in advance in order to get the name of the admissions coordinator. If you are having trouble finding a study abroad program, see where other Boren scholars have studied in the past. The Boren website has a list of sites where you might be able to find a list of websites internationally.
- Staying with a host family or in a dorm will provide you unique insight into the culture, and will help you grow your language skills.
- While writing your essays, be sure to answer the prompt questions directly: (1) why the language you seek to study is important to national security; (2) the importance of the country you are studying in; (3) how you came to be interested in this language/country/topic and how you plan to use your acquired skills following the Boren scholarship; (4) where you plan to fulfill your year of service; and (5) how the study abroad programs of your choice will enable you to reach your goals.
- Do your research to create a realist budget. For instance, taxis in Jordan were $4.00 per day. This adds up over a year!
- Keep a timeline of the deadlines for the study abroad programs you have chosen. You will be notified in May whether or not you received the Boren, but you should have applied to the study abroad programs by this time…. Especially if you are starting in summer!
- Reach out to other Boren alumni for any questions. If you are selected as a Boren Scholar, you will have access to a Facebook group for Boren scholars. I utilized this in order to find a roommate in Jordan who is now one of my dearest friends!
3. How has the Boren Scholarship influenced your professional interests and career path?
The Boren Scholarship allowed me to gain advanced proficiency in Arabic, a skill that is fundamental for work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Living in Jordan for a year also enabled me to explore my interests in refugee assistance and civil society development by volunteering with international and local organizations. Additionally, I was introduced to a network of Boren scholars and other international students and professionals who share an interest in the Middle East.
Overall, my academic and work experiences and the relationships built throughout my time on the Boren Scholarship has encouraged me to pursue a career whereby I can work towards education and social development in the MENA region. The definition of national security includes economic sustainability. I hope to use my language skills in a position with the State Department where I can work towards development policies and strategies related to refugees and asylum seekers in the Middle East and North Africa
I will be working in Washington D.C. this summer as an intern with World Justice Project. I will be working with research, communications, and data collection related to the annual release of the Rule of Law Index. After this summer, I plan to stay in D.C. or move to the Middle East in order to gain experience in the field of international education and social development. My goal is to attend graduate school in the near future for an M.A. in International Development with a focus in Economics. I still hope to attend Oxford in order to interact with the world’s leading professionals in the field of Refugee and Forced Migration studies.
Madison Marks is from Jacksonville, Florida and is a recent graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle East Studies. Madison is currently based in Washington D.C. where she is a Rule of Law Index intern with World Justice Project. Her areas of interest include international education and social development and forced migration issues with a focus in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Stephanie Kozofsky, 2011-13 Jeannette K. Watson Fellow
I recently met Stephanie Kozofsky, a Pace University student studying in Manhattan, who is participating in a unique, competitive summer fellowship program called the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship provides internships, mentoring, and enriched educational opportunities to promising New York City undergraduates with the goal of increasing their life choices and developing their capacity to make a difference in their own and others’ lives. Each year 15 students are chosen for the fellowship and provided a variety of paid 10-week internships in the nonprofit, government and private sectors for three consecutive summers. Fellows also convene regularly with their peers to discuss their internship experiences and talk about important issues with distinguished New Yorkers. Excited to learn more, we asked Stephanie about her fellowship experience thus far.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship and what did you do during the course of the fellowship?
I was inspired to apply for the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship because of the amazing opportunities it offered. I loved the idea of three summers of meaningful internships. The fact that the third summer was going to be in an international setting was the icing on the cake!
I never realized how much I would gain from the fellowship. During the course of the fellowship so far, I have had two amazing internships. Fellows spend the first summer in a nonprofit institution. My internship was at the New York Historical Society in the Education Department. I had the opportunity to co-facilitate the high school internship program, which was a huge learning process for me. Fellows typically spend the second summer at a governmental or private sector entity. I was employed by Hughes Hubbard & Reed law firm, working with their pro bono Criminal Trial Program. While interning there, I helped prepare litigation members for court appearances. I also did legal research and gathered information for new cases on the rise. This summer will be my third and final summer with the fellowship. I will be interning in Berlin, Germany at the International Summer University of Freie Universität Berlin.
2. What are the biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship?
The biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship are hard to explain because there are so many! The main advantage is the supplemental program to the internship program. Throughout the summer, fellows participate in weekly speaker seminars to hear stories and advice from industry professionals. There are also weekly cultural events, to help the fellows bond with one another and learn more about the five boroughs that make up New York City.
3. What tips would you give other applying and interviewing for the fellowship?
For those applying to and interviewing for the fellowship, I would say be yourself! Each year, the Watson committee looks for a diverse group of innovative thinkers to make up the fellowship class. They are always looking for people who can think on their feet, have goals and dreams, and are passionate about social change.
Also the Watson committee believes that people should go outside their “comfort zone” and have the courage to put themselves in situations where they may be uncomfortable, in order to grow. Don’t let this topic intimidate you. Demonstrate your perseverance and willing to participate in such activities by describing a situation where your values were challenged or when you were in a situation that you had never experienced before. The application process itself is a new and challenging situation, so I would certainly encourage you to apply!
Stephanie Kozofsky is a senior at Pace University studying English Literature and Criminal Justice. She is originally from Hampton Bays, New York. She is actively involved in her school’s Student Government and she works as a Resident Advisor. She also teaches action civics two mornings a week through Generation Citizen. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and seeking out New York’s hidden gems. She is currently in her final year of the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Hillary Evans, 2011-12 Fulbright Scholar in Tajikistan
We recently met Hillary Evans at our first Esteemed Fellows Dinner in San Francisco. When you first meet Hillary, she seems like your typical recent graduate. But when you ask her how she came to her new position at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies, you learn that while she was student, she lived and studied in some of the most far-fetched corners of the globe, including Russia, China and most recently, Tajikistan. During her senior year at Syracuse University, Hillary applied for a Fulbright Research Scholarship to study drug trafficking along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. We asked Hillary to tell us more about her fascinating Fulbright experience.
1. What inspired you to apply for a Fulbright in Tajikistan?
I’m extremely passionate about international education and public diplomacy efforts of engagement. What inspired me initially to apply for a Fulbright scholarship to Tajikistan was my itching travel bug (turns out, that never leaves some people!). I narrowed down a couple of languages that I wanted to learn and geographical regions I was most interested in, and was left with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran. Since there are no fellowships for American students that I was qualified for in Iran and Afghanistan, the decision was made for me. As a student of International Affairs focused on CIS countries, I was able to prepare a solid research proposal on current, relevant issues.
Tajikistan shares a long, mountainous, sparsely-regulated border with opium-rich Afghanistan. Estimates of Tajikistan’s economic dependence upon profits from the trafficking of opium via the Northern Route ranges from 30-50% of their GDP, making this an incredibly relevant national security issue for the United States. So, given Tajikistan’s geopolitical importance, it seemed only natural to write a grant proposal on “The Economics and Politics of the Opium Trade from Afghanistan.”
Once I found out I was granted the research scholarship for 2011-12, I started networking like crazy in Washington, DC and set myself up with a nice arrangement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a supporting institution. In exchange for social media/marketing/and press relations training and assistance at their office, they gave me access to their broad network of contacts in the field and included me on several UN border missions.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
Hillary Evans with Tajikistan Ambassador Abjujabbor Shirinov (credit: Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences)
While I have yet to formally publish anything on my findings, I anonymously contributed to several articles written by journalists passing through demonstrating my ultimate conclusion: without the profits of the drug trade, Tajikistan would be a failed state, which is not in anyone’s interest. Questions that I am currently exploring and working to articulate diplomatically are: Why then spend so much money and resources on counter narcotics enforcement?; How are the counter narcotics training and US-funded programs affecting Tajikistan?; and What would be left, if all of the opium fields were eradicated in Afghanistan?
Had I taken credit for my contributions, it would have jeopardized my connections and positions. A friend of mine was a journalist who experienced the unfortunate wrath of the Tajik government, and was forced to pay some hefty bribes to leave the country for fear of being arrested. Naturally, I was cautious.
I’m now back in the U.S. and working as a contract manager for a U.S. State Department-funded distance education enhancement program in Pakistan. Our goal is to give them the pedagogical resources to expand their operations and outreach and make them more capable of providing affordable or free education. One of the ways we are doing this is by building a partnership between San Jose State University and Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad. Eventually, I hope to join the Foreign Service someday as a Cultural Affairs Officer, or Public Diplomacy Officer.
3. What advice would you give others applying for a Fulbright?
A Fulbright application differs greatly from country to country, and when selecting your destination and research topic, you should be aware of what the particular selected country/region has a demand for. You can do this by researching the US Embassy funded programs and by keeping yourself abreast of current international issues. This is not to say that if you choose something that does not fall under the “necessary” category, you will not be picked. Just keep in mind that the Public Affairs section of the US Embassy does the final selection.
When planning for a supporting host institution, or “affiliation,” make sure you’ve reached out to several people within that institution that are willing to support you. In order to secure mine, I drew up an informal “memorandum of understanding” and wrote where I could volunteer and help out in their organization in exchange for office space, contacts, resources, etc. People are usually open to free labor! If you need assistance on selecting one, the US Embassy Public Affairs office staff are generally willing to help, or I would be more than happy to be someone to bounce ideas off of – especially in CIS countries!
Another piece of advice that may go without saying for most people would be to show up to your interviews knowing more about your research topic than your panel (or at least appearing to with confidence). They don’t want to fund someone that they think might get there and just be wandering and lost the whole time. Show focus, determination, and passion for your topic. Indicate clear goals and timelines. You will not necessarily have to stick with it, everyone knows when you get in country things tend to shift. This is where many of my fellow Syracuse applicants did not pass. They wrote amazing grant proposals, but had no clear plans of how to deliver and conduct their research.
Lastly, know the language of the country you are applying to. This will make your application more competitive and your life a whole lot easier.
Hillary Evans earned her B.A. in International Relations, with a concentration in Europe and Eurasian countries, from the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In her fall semester of 2009, she was accepted into the Library of Congress’ Open World Leadership Program, a prestigious international security studies work/study program in Washington, DC, where she interned at a public diplomacy organization specializing in Eurasia. Hillary is now the Contract Manager for the Pakistan Distance Education Enhancement Program at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies of the San Jose State University Research Foundation in California. She speaks fluent Russian, moderate Mandarin Chinese, and some Tajik/Farsi.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Dean Fealk, 2011 Marshall Memorial Fellow
When I first met Dean Fealk, a Partner at DLA Piper, one of the largest business law firms in the world, I could tell he loves traveling and doing work that has a positive social impact. Early in his career, after completing a Master’s at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Dean taught and studied on a Fulbright to the Republic of Korea where he was the first American to clerk at the Constitutional Court of Korea. In 2011, the same year Dean was named one of “40 Under 40” by The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and one of the twenty leading lawyers in California under the age of 40 by the Daily Journal, he was also chosen for The German Marshall Fund’s (GMF) Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF). The fellowship provides emerging leaders from the United States and Europe the opportunity to explore each other’s politics, business, innovation, and culture through an experiential learning program. American and European Fellows each visit five cities during a 24-day itinerary of meetings. Since his MMF experience, he was named a US-Spain Council Young Leader and joined a delegation of 10 young American leaders who traveled to Europe to promote the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Spain. Excited to learn more about the Marshall Memorial Fellowship, I sat down with Dean to ask him about his fellowship experience and tips for the application process.
1. What is unique about the Marshall Memorial Fellowship experience?
The MMF gives emerging leaders from the private sector, government, NGOs and academia the opportunity to travel Europe, meet with thought leaders across the continent and explore issues of importance to the transatlantic relationship. It is a unique chance to step away from the daily routine for a month, self-reflect and open yourself to new ideas and viewpoints. The experience is not intended to be a one-way channel for information but rather an authentic and dynamic exchange of perspectives. Fellows act as private diplomats, representing the US and their home states as they make their way across the great cities of Europe.
Perhaps the most meaningful products of the MMF are the close friendships forged as fellows make their pilgrimage across Europe, through the Baltics, through ancient and contemporary history, often in a bleary-eyed sleep-deprived state. The schedules are jam-packed with official meetings, events and programming so there is literally no “down time.” The trial-by-fire is a shared experience not soon forgotten. And on an ongoing basis once the fellowship is over, the GMF works to preserve the trans-Atlantic relationships through its lifelong learning and extensive alumni network.
2. What do you think made your nomination and application stand out?
I think in my case I was able to demonstrate a proven track-record working to strengthen and support think tanks and non-profit organizations. Civic engagement is valuable to the GMF, which looks for fellows who will continue to work towards its mission and help strengthen the organization and MMF after the fellowship has ended. Generally, the GMF also looks for candidates who have excelled not only in their chosen professional fields but who also are civic minded and thoughtful about the issues of the day.
In addition to the nomination and written application there is a fairly rigorous panel interview where candidates are posed questions on a variety of subjects ranging from geo-politics to economics and the arts. You don’t need to be an expert on any of these topics, but it helps if you are relaxed, thoughtful and can let your values and passions come through.
Being passionate and knowledgeable about your home city are also competitive advantages. American fellows are asked to host incoming European fellows that tour the US on an annual basis, so it makes an impression in the interview if a candidate is actively engaged in the social fabric of his or her community.
3. What tips would you give others applying to the Marshall Memorial Fellowship?
Freshly reflect on where you are in your career, the path you have taken and where you see yourself in five or ten years. Also consider your personal leadership narrative. It might sound cliché to think about a short “elevator pitch,” but the exercise really forces you to take an objective look at your skill-set, experiences and ambitions so that you can articulate them in an organized and compelling fashion. That said, just be yourself! The GMF looks for leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds that are representative of society. Be your authentic self and just tell your story. And when you make the trip, go with an open heart and mind. You almost certainly will not return the same person.
Dean Fealk heads the Global Equity practice at DLA Piper, advising leading multinational companies on a wide range of legal and strategic issues related to doing business overseas. He is also a Truman National Security Fellow and general counsel to the Halifax International Security Forum. Dean is a graduate of the 2009-10 class of Leadership San Francisco and the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. Dean earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Scott Burns, 2007-2008 Alfa Fellow
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Burns, a successful finance professional turned startup entrepreneur, and former Alfa Fellow. Scott took his first steps toward his Alfa Fellowship immersion when he joined the US Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. There he managed a local NGO and taught economics at a regional university. Afterwards, he assumed leadership roles in organizations providing infrastructure and financial advisory services in emerging markets. Scott is grateful for the opportunities the Alfa Fellowship offered him.
The Alfa Fellowship Program facilitates work placements for accomplished young professionals from the U.S. and Britain in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy and related areas. As part of his fellowship Scott arranged a role with Alfa Capital Partners (ACP), a Russian private equity and real estate investment advisory firm. As an investment manager in Moscow, Scott deployed commitments from a $160 million private equity fund and contributed on the boards of several Eastern European logistics providers. More recently he built an emerging markets-focused business line within a major European energy consulting firm (part of the $2bn revenue DNV group).
We asked Scott more about his path to the Alfa Fellowship and how that experience shaped his career.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Alfa Fellowship?
Before applying, I had spent some time in the Former Soviet Union and was fascinated by the region. While in graduate school, a friend shared an Alfa Fellowship Program (AFP) description with me during a phone conversation. I was struck by the way the program aligned with my professional interests. I hoped to build my understanding of Russia and Russian language, while learning more, in particular, about local infrastructure finance. The AFP offered an ideal platform for exploring these themes and directly experiencing Russian life, society, and commerce.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
Scott at Tsoi Wall in Moscow
On being selected for the program, I was able to find professional placement in an investment advisory group, AlfaCapital Partners (ACP), managing a fund focused on transport infrastructure in Eastern Europe. I enjoyed my experience there. After the program, I stayed on full-time with ACP for several years. The entire period had a significant impact on my professional development. Through my work, I gained valuable perspective on building and managing companies, transaction structuring and investment analysis. The experience was particularly unique for the immersion it offered in emerging market commercial environments, through which I gained a much clearer understanding of their associated risks and opportunities.
3. What advice would you give to others applying to the Alfa Fellowship?
Prospective fellows should focus on understanding exactly what they would like to get out of the program. The AFP does a great job of facilitating learning opportunities, but participants need to be diligent about taking advantage of these opportunities. If you don’t have a clear idea of the specific field you’d like to explore within the Russian context or lack strong reasons for your specific interests, you may not get the most out of participation.
Also, when exploring potential professional interests prior to application, I would suggest that a prospective fellow try to speak to current or former fellows with similar work experience. They may be able to offer a lot of insight not available through general background research. Their guidance may help the applicant make a better choice regarding the professional fields he/she chooses to explore.
Scott is now based in California, launching a company that uses technology to make sophisticated money management tools accessible for mainstream America. He is a CFA charterholder with a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Whitman College, and a master’s degree in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Scott currently serves as Vice President of the Alfa Fellowship Alumni Program.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Malaika Neri, 2010 ThinkSwiss Research Scholar
Malaika Neri has a knack for finding interesting opportunities to study and work abroad on independent projects. Between her sophomore and junior year at New York University’s (NYU) Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she studied Economics and International Development, Malaika was one of 19 people chosen for the Swiss government’s ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship. She spent the summer of 2010 at the Université de Neuchâtel in Switzerland where she researched and published an academic paper on the Swiss response to the 2008 financial crisis. She subsequently completed a year’s coursework for a Master’s in Public Administration at NYU’s Wagner School and was one of ten students selected for the inaugural class of the NYU Gallatin Fellowship in Global Human Rights. The fellowship provided her a $5,000 grant to spend the summer working for OTIV Alaotra Mangoro, a microfinance organization in Madagascar, and enabled her to study how microfinance can be used to fulfill social and economic rights. Now based in Quito, Ecuador as an international development consultant, Malaika connected with us to tell us more about that first, inspirational research trip to Switzerland.
1. What inspired you to apply for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship?
I had wanted to study abroad, like many of my friends in college were doing, but wasn’t interested in simply “studying abroad” for the sake of it; neither did I want to go abroad and volunteer, when I could do that in my own community. So I searched online for opportunities to be abroad, doing something academic, such as research. That’s when I found the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, which was open to any major, and offered the chance to do research at a Swiss university or research institute. It was perfect!
2. What do you think made your application stand out?
One of the primary selection criteria for the scholarship is serving as a student ambassador of a U.S. university in Switzerland. In my application, I wrote about moving to the United States from India with my family, and although my accent and body language often continue to mark me as a foreigner in the U.S., I realized that there was no point in rejecting the opportunity to learn more about what a new culture has to offer. I’m fairly certain that this anecdote swayed the acceptance committee in my favor. I was also very specific in my reasons for choosing the Institute for Economic Research (Irene) at the Economics Department of the Université de Neuchâtel as my host institution, and for selecting a school in the francophone part of the country.
3. What did you accomplish during the fellowship and how has the experience influenced your career goals?
Malaika in Switzerland
Through the three month fellowship, I was able to research and write an in-depth report on the Swiss government’s reaction to the 2008 financial crisis. Being in Switzerland helped enormously; because the government is so extraordinarily responsive, I was able to pick up the phone and call the Ministry of Finance, and they helped me find all the information I needed. It was an amazing experience. When I came back to the U.S., I found an academic journal that was willing to publish my report, and a few months later, saw it in print!
Conducting research in Switzerland was an extremely formative experience in my decision to pursue a PhD., and to continue the study of political economy. Being part of an academic community, not simply as a student but as a colleague, offered the opportunity to be among brilliant minds who were also supportive peers and inspired me to be a part of that world. All in all, I’m very, very grateful to have had the experience.
The next deadline for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship is April 30, 2013. Apply now.
Malaika Neri graduated in 2012 with a BA in Development Economics and International Development at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Malaika was a writer for the book “Telecentre Women Digital Literacy Campaign: Empowerment Through Technology, a global initiative of Telecentre.org Foundation and the International Telecommunications Union of the United Nations. She has also developed social impact strategy analysis for a variety of non-profits, philanthropies, and corporate clients. She was a semi-finalist in the 2012 NYU Entrepreneurship Challenge and accepted into NYU Reynold’s Changemaker Challenge, part of the Catherine B. Reynolds program in Social Entrepreneurship.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
In follow-up to my article on How To Fully Fund Your PhD, we began a series on fully funded PhD programs in various disciplines. There are several competitive, external fellowships that fund doctoral study, but if funding is a concern, it is a better strategy to apply to PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a doctoral program indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
To view over 400 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre- and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowships database.
Below is a list of universities that offer full funding to all of the admitted students to their PhD programs in international relations, international affairs and international development:
American University, School of International Service, PhD in International Relations (Washington, DC): All those admitted to the SIS PhD program as full-time students and who maintain good progress toward completing the degree are granted a Dean’s Fellowship in each of the first four years of study, unless a student opts to waive financial aid.
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, PhD in Sustainable Development (New York, NY): Full-tuition fellowships with stipends are available for all admitted students who are not already sponsored by their governments, employers, or a foundation. The fellowships are open to all admitted students regardless of citizenship.
Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, PhD in Public Affairs (Princeton, NJ): The doctoral program offers full merit-based funding to cover the cost of each student’s tuition and living expenses for four years. In return, each Ph.D. student is expected to work as a teaching assistant following completion of the general examinations for one semester or the equivalent of a “three-hour” teaching assignment. Ph.D. students also receive a 12-month stipend for research and living expenses, and are eligible to apply for other competitive graduate fellowships awarded by the Graduate School.
Stanford University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Stanford, CA): The department offers a standard package, consisting of a stipend and the payment of tuition and fees, to most incoming students. Both domestic and international students are eligible for this standard package. Although the Department cannot formally guarantee support beyond the first year, it expects to continue to provide an additional four years of support to students making satisfactory academic progress. This assistance normally covers the full cost of tuition and an additional amount for living expenses during the academic year. The latter amount is usually in the form of a stipend, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship.
University of California Berkeley, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (Berkeley, CA): The Political Science department supports its graduate students through a combination of department fellowships, university multiyear fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. Most incoming students are awarded five years of funding support consisting of fees and non-resident tuition, and student health insurance. All funding packages are contingent on meeting minimum academic and residency requirements throughout the tenure of support. United States citizens and Permanent Residents are required to achieve California residency by the end of their first year in California to receive continued fee support.
University of Chicago, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Chicago, IL): As a general principle, we provide extensive funding for all students who matriculate in our doctoral programs. Applicants to our doctoral programs are considered for all fellowship resources at the University of Chicago for which they are eligible. We offer Divisional fellowships at two levels. Both levels provide support for up to five years, are contingent on good progress, and are renewed annually.
University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Denver, CO): The Josef Korbel School provides a three year full tuition waiver and living stipend for most applicants accepted to the doctoral program. In addition, doctoral candidates can take advantage of opportunities to serve as research assistants at the Josef Korbel School.
University of Guelph, PhD in International Development Studies (Guelph, Ontario, Canada): PhD students who are accepted at the University of Guelph are guaranteed a minimum stipend of $17,500 per year over three years of full-time study. However, most departments participating in the collaborative program set a higher minimum standard.
University of Ottawa, School of International Development and Global Studies, PhD in International Development (Ottawa, Canada): The Faculty of Social Sciences has a minimum funding policy that guarantees funding of at least $19,000 for each of the four years of doctoral study to all new doctoral students meeting the requirements described below. A fifth year of funding is available under certain conditions.
University of Washington, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Seattle, WA): The Jackson School aims to provide competitive financial packages for all admitted doctoral candidates. Determinations about financial awards are made at the time of admission and during the course of a student’s time at JSIS. Funding guarantees for consecutive years is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. All accepted doctoral candidates are automatically considered for fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
Yale University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (New Haven, CT): All admitted Ph.D. students receive five full years of funding, including tuition, health insurance, and a generous stipend.
Do you know of other PhD programs in International Relations and International Development that offer full funding to their doctoral students? We are happy to update this list, so please contact us or leave a comment below.
Also sign up to check our fellowships database to learn about other opportunities to fund graduate and doctoral study.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Meghan Leinbach, 2011 Fellow of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)
Through word of mouth, Meghan Leinbach discovered an extraordinary way to study and work abroad the year after her graduation from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2011, Meghan was a part of cohort of 75 Americans and 75 Germans who participated the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress, that annually provides young professionals the opportunity to spend one year in each others’ countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program. Cultural Vistas, a non-profit organization headquartered in New York, has administered CBYX for Young Professionals for over 29 years, together with its German partner organization, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Agency for International Cooperation). The fellowship program is broken into three phases. American fellows spend the first eight weeks studying German at the Carl Duisberg Centrum (CDC) language school in one of three locations: Cologne, Radolfzell, or Saarbrücken. Following completion of the language school phase, participants relocate to their permanent placement in Germany. During the following “study phase”, most fellows study at a German university to gain an understanding of the higher education system with regard to their career field, and they also seek out volunteer work. During the final “internship phase”, fellows apply to and secure an internship position in their locality. The fellowship includes round-trip airfare, tuition, housing and a monthly stipend. Intrigued by this incredible opportunity, we asked Meghan about her experience in CBYX.
1. What inspired you to apply for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)?
Keeping my German heritage alive is what motivates me to continue studying German culture and language. I knew I would always regret it if I did not become fluent in German, so while attending the University of Pittsburgh I majored in German and History of Art & Architecture. During my final year at Pitt, I was looking for an opportunity to continue to improve my German, as well as my professional aspirations. My landlord Peter was an alumnus of the CBYX program and he knew I was a German major, so he recommended I apply for the 2011-2012 year. After researching CBYX for myself, I found the program to be very appealing because it encouraged applicants from all education backgrounds and professional fields to participate. The format of the program was also a huge draw for me: it includes two months of intensive language classes followed by four months of study at a German university and a five month internship. The structure allowed for so much interaction with the German language, I knew I would be confident in speaking German after a year. I also knew I wanted to go to Germany, experience the German culture and gain more professional experience, so I took Peter’s advice and applied.
2. Where did you intern and how did you find your internship?
The CBYX program placed me in Berlin, where I lived with a German family for a few months. My career objective was to work for a cultural institution or museum and to share my passion for art, language and history with others, so the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation) was the largest and best place to do this. After applying for an internship online to the SPK, my host mother helped me by writing to a contact she had there, who then recommended me for a position in the Publications and Merchandising department of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (National Museums of Berlin).
The Publications and Merchandising department was a small team of people who coordinated the author contracts and the distribution of the exhibition catalogues and museum merchandise. As an intern, I helped by preparing contracts, planning, coordinating, copy-editing and producing posters, postcards and other merchandise. I also acted as liaison and translator for international communication. While I enjoyed working with my colleagues and working for such an esteemed cultural institution, I found that perhaps an office environment is not the right place for me and that I might be better suited for a more hands-on job. I am so grateful for the experience I had at my internship, because without it, I might not have learned this about myself.
3. What tips would you give others applying to the CBYX fellowship?
Even though the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program accepts applicants from every vocation, there does exist a common thread in those who are accepted: career goals and a genuine interest in Germany. Emphasize your passion for both and your application will stand out. I would also tell applicants to show flexibility, since the program will place you anywhere in Germany.
Born and raised in the heart of Amish country, Meghan Leinbach lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she is currently saving up for her many ambitions. A 2011 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Meghan holds a B.A. in German and History of Art & Architecture. As fervent lover of the humanities, she enjoys watercolor painting and hopes to work with and inspire youth in the future.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
The 2012-13 Greenling Fellows. From Left to Right: Adrian Sanchez (Creating Healthy Communities Fellow), Jose Sanchez (Strengthening Our Democracy Fellow), Noemi Gallardo (Legal Fellow),Tierra Moore (Executive Special Projects Fellow) and Danielle Beavers (Economic Equity Fellow)
Danielle Beavers, a 2012 graduate of Stanford University, earned a position as the Economic Equity Fellow at the Berkeley-based Greenlining Institute. Greenlining is a multi-ethnic advocacy, research, leadership development, and public policy organization that aims to empower communities of color. Greenlining offers yearlong fellowships to college graduates in the areas of Economic Equity, Special Projects, Strengthening Our Democracy, Building Healthy Communities, and Law. Fellows are assigned to specific program areas and develop expertise under the mentorship of a program director. As today’s guest writer, Danielle describes why she pursued a Greenlining Fellowship and her experience in Greenlining’s exemplary leadership training program.
By Danielle Beavers
Precisely two years ago, I was on a plane going home during Winter Break of my junior year of college and I was agonizing about what I would do after graduation. I was an Ethnic Studies major with a passion for racial justice and an interest in policy, so pursuing a Masters in Public Policy seemed like a natural next step. When I returned for the remainder of my junior year, I began taking quantitative classes and attending networking events in the policy community. It was clear that policy was a powerful tool to enact systemic change, but I often found myself in spaces where people did not understand my ideals and the workplaces did not reflect and value the diversity I craved. I decided to hold off pursuing graduate school until I could find folks like myself in the policy world. I also knew I wanted to be at an organization where I would be trusted with meaningful work and not be confined to the copying room. By a series of coincidences and (I like to believe) fate, I ended up having both of those needs, and others fulfilled through the Economic Equity Fellowship at The Greenlining Institute.
What it’s Like in the Deep End
While Greenlining offers a variety of fellowships in most of their issue areas, they all essentially serve the same purpose – to prepare the next generation of leaders to advocate for communities of color. To do so, the Greenlining work model is to throw their fellows into “the deep end” with a great deal of responsibility and independence on their projects. This practice is backed by the philosophy that high professional expectations push fellows to meet and exceed their potential and to develop subject-matter expertise. Even though I began my fellowship with only three economics classes under my belt, I was assigned to head up a project with federal regulators on the Dodd-Frank Act. I will admit that sometimes I do feel a little overwhelmed, but with the support of my team at Greenlining, I can see how my work will positively change how regulators and bankers treat people of color on a national level. Due to the training and support I have received, I can say all of this confidently just a few months into my fellowship.
In addition to the responsibility I am given, Greenlining distinguishes itself by the amount of exposure it gives fellows to decision makers in the private and public sector. The day after the election, the Economic Equity team and coalition members held meetings with top leaders at each of the financial regulatory agencies in Washington, DC. Our concerns and research were presented to esteemed people like Chairman Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve System and Director Richard Cordray of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We spoke to them about our concerns on the lack of outreach on the Independent Foreclosure Review process for home mortgages and the progress of their Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion. All of this is made possible by Greenlining’s long history and advocacy work with stakeholders. I know my impact is made possible because I am able to stand on the shoulders of champions that came before me at Greenlining.
Applying to the Fellowship
The Greenlining Institute is located in Berkeley, California and has proven to be a great location for policy advocacy. The West Coast, and in particular the San Francisco Bay Area, has a progressive culture and so many change makers are within reach. It is typical for me to meet bank executives and coalition members in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco a few times a month. Depending on the project, Fellows also travel within the state or throughout the country to meet with policy makers and other stakeholders. So far, I have traveled to Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Washington, DC. In January I will go to New York City to meet with some of the foundations that support our work.
The application process is competitive, but is a very straightforward process. It consists of a two-page personal statement, two recommendation letters, and a series of Skype interviews. The fellowship lasts for one year and typically begins at the very end of August. Fellows are paid a salary and are expected to work 37.5 hours a week. They also receive dental and medical insurance. The next application deadline for the Greenlining Fellowships is January, 25, 2013.
Moving Forward
The nature of my work at Greenlining introduced me to like-minded people and organizations that I would have never met otherwise. My fellowship is not only teaching me the “language” of policy, but also how important it is to be able to communicate to folks and organizations coming from all walks of life. I am a big believer that engaging with multiple stakeholders in a collaborative fashion will lead to faster and sustainable change. In regards to my future career, Greenlining alumni have helped me identify graduate programs that better fit my interests. Greenlining has shown me that I’m happiest working on economic development policy focused on communities. If I had never spoken to seasoned professionals, I would have never heard of the degrees in Urban Planning that best incorporates and teaches about these principles. I plan to apply to graduate school next December, and am currently in the process of researching jobs that could better inform me of urban planning career paths.
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