Academics: Why mathematics?

Erika Meucci is adjunct professor of International Economics at SAIS Europe. During pre-term she is running both the math review course and the microeconomics review sessions. Prof. Meucci, who received her Ph.D from the University of Utah, will be teaching statistics in the fall semester. Below she discusses why mathematics is an important building block for SAIS students, many of whom leverage their mastery of economics to land rewarding jobs. (For a previous post on math and economics, click here.)

Q: Why is mathematics important for SAIS students?

Meucci: Mathematics is the language that economists use to communicate and develop theories from a quantitative point of view. For this reason, it is crucial that SAIS students have a solid foundation in mathematics when they take economics courses. What is more, mathematics helps students sharpen their thinking and make connections between ideas.

Prof. Meucci (L) meeting with a student

Q: How much math are students expected to know before they come to SAIS?

Meucci: To pursue economics at SAIS, students are expected to have a working knowledge of algebra and differential calculus. Multivariable calculus, especially partial differentiation, is also a prerequisite for economics courses.

Q: What kind of math test do incoming students take?

Meucci: The math diagnostic test has questions at pre-calculus/calculus level, such as sketching graphs or taking derivatives of functions. The test checks whether the student has the minimum requirements for our economics courses.

Q: If a student is not particularly strong at math, what kind of support does SAIS provide?

Meucci: SAIS provides math reviews that cover pre-calculus and calculus topics needed in economics courses. I am available during office hours outside of class, and there are TA sessions where students can bring up specific questions they might have.

Q: What would you recommend to a potential applicant who has not taken university-level math?

Meucci: If and applicant has not taken any math course recently, a good idea would be to start reviewing high school-level material. The applicant might also read books covering the math needed in economics courses. Students are encouraged to take courses in algebra and pre-calculus before starting the program.

Q: Can you give an example of how math and economics intersect in a SAIS course?

Meucci: In intermediate microeconomics, math helps solve economic problems. For example, optimization problems, such as the maximization of profits, can be analyzed with calculus.

Photo Gallery: The World through SAIS Europe students' eyes

SAIS students do get around.

Every so often we ask our students to send us photographs of interesting places they've visited. Here is a batch that last year's class submitted. Below you'll see pictures from some members of this year's class. From Iceland to Ethiopia, the Himalayas to the Andes, our students have been there.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
by Alex Augustine

Polignano a Mare, Italy
by Shawn Finlen

Amorgos, Greece
by Camilla Scassellati Sforzolini

Glacier National Park, Montana
by Vanessa Roy

Agra, India
by Urvashi Bundel

Mapleton, Oregon
by Spencer Vuksic

Agios Pavlos, Crete
by Nathanael Shepura

Railay, Thailand
by Nicola Hil

Manarola, Italy
by Mario Vanella

Vatnajokull, Iceland
by Marco Steecker

Drenec, France
by Lisa Schwarz

Mekelle, Ethiopia
by Kia Guarino

Jerusalem
by Julien Panis-Lie

Garhwal Himalayas
by Jag Ningthoujam

Pichincha volcano, Ecuador
by David Ehle

Baima Snow Mountain Range, China
by Benjamin West

Pankam Village, Myanmar
by Bryn Cain

 Singapore
by Adam Shutie

Masai Mara, Kenya
by Anthea Blaikie

Sindh, Pakistan
by Anam Abdulla

Gemiciler Adasi, Turkey
by Benan Berhan

Toronto, Canada
by Morgan Graham

Haxalö, Finland
by Kristo Kental 

Maui, Hawaii
by Kristen Andree

Kaeng Krachan, Thailand
by Alin Horj

Chinatown, San Francisco
by Yuki Motomura

Student Life: Getting the most out of SAIS Europe

Margel Highet is director of Student Affairs at SAIS Europe. She helps make sure the student experience in Bologna is as rewarding as possible. A graduate of SAIS who worked at the DC campus before taking up her role in Bologna just under two years ago, Ms. Highet is well placed to provide guidance and support to students while they study and live here.

With pre-term upon us, SAIS Europe is back in full swing.

Last week we held a question and answer session for the 150 or so students who are in Bologna for pre-term. The questions were a little different this year than last, possibly because students have had access to this Admissions Journal, to former Bologna students through Facebook and to the new Admissions Portal.

There were questions on part-time jobs, auditing courses, career trips, medical care, student clubs, sports, food and travel.

Margel Highet

I am happy to email or skype with any incoming student who is not yet in Bologna and who has any question about classes, housing or just living in Bologna. In the meantime, here are some answers to the questions that have already come up that you, too, may have been wondering about.

Jobs:  There are many jobs within SAIS Europe, from student assistant positions with administrative offices (usually advertised via email) to research assistant positions at the Institute for Policy Research (all will be advertised in mid-September via SAISWorks) and with some of our professors. There are some teaching assistant positions, especially in our economics classes. It can be more difficult to find jobs outside of SAIS, but one can work up to 20 hours a week on a student visa. Those who speak Italian can have an advantage for jobs outside of SAIS, but babysitting and au pair jobs where Italian is not required can be available.

Auditing: Students may audit classes at SAIS at the professor’s discretion and can sign up for audits on the BCWeb (not through ISIS). The general class load per semester is four non-language classes. A student is permitted to take up to six classes, including language and audits. A student may not take more than five non-language classes for credit. Please see the “Red Book” guide for more detailed information.

Career Trips: Career Services runs trips each year to London, Geneva and Brussels. These trips are open to all students, but space is limited. The trips will take place between October and January. Career Services will distribute more detailed information early in the fall semester.

Medical Care: We are very lucky to have an English-speaking doctor in Bologna. Dr. Stephen Williams is the “go-to” first step for just about everything. There are hospitals and emergency rooms around the city. Most medicine that you find in your home country will be available in Italy, although some may be by prescription only and others over the counter. If you know you will need prescription medications, please contact your insurance company to try to bring a supply with you. Or you can email me, and I can ask Dr. Williams to see whether you will be able to get your medications in Italy.

Student Clubs:  Early in the semester, we will have a “club fair” for students to sign up for the clubs they are most interested in.

Sports:  There are many opportunities for exercising in Bologna. There are many gyms (palestre) in the city, and the monthly rate is between 40 and 80 euros -- always ask if there is a student discount. There are also many sports teams that students can join and many good running trails in and around Bologna. For a terrific guide to running in Bologna, including maps of trails, take a look at this post written last year by former SAIS Europe student Tristram Thomas.

Groceries: There are many grocery stores in and around Bologna that sell non-Italian and ethnic foods. Once you arrive in Bologna, we can point you in the right direction.

Traveling: Do students have time? There is no one answer. It depends on the individual student and their workload. In most cases, however, students can find the time to visit some fabulous places in Italy and Europe and should! It is part of the experience of living and learning in Europe and a great way to get different perspectives on the local, regional and global issues facing all of us.

We look forward to having you all with us in the upcoming year. Safe travels to Bologna. We will see you soon.

Margel Highet

Academics: SAIS's partnerships offer winning combinations

SAIS recognizes that it is not the only academic game in town.

Our students have wide-ranging interests and career aspirations. So it's no wonder that SAIS has agreements with a number of leading institutions allowing students to earn two degrees in complementary fields in less time than it would take to pursue the programs separately.

About 10% of SAIS students pursue dual degree programs in business, law, public administration and public health.

SAIS Europe has special dual degree agreements with three European partners:

• University of Bologna
• Diplomatic Academy (Vienna, Austria)
• Sciences Po Lille (France)

Each of the agreements allows a student to spend one year at one of the partner programs and one year at SAIS Europe in Bologna and to earn two degrees.

If a student from one of these partner programs spends their second year of study at SAIS Europe, they write a 20,000-word thesis in the second semester in lieu of two courses. This can be particularly attractive to someone interested in research. These students end up getting a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from SAIS Europe.

For more information on SAIS Europe's dual degree options, see pages 20-22 of our 2013-14 catalog.

SAIS has dual degree agreements with seven other universities that allow students to split their time between Bologna and Washington, DC while at SAIS:

• INSEAD
• Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• Tuck School, Dartmouth College
• Stanford University Law School
• University of Virginia Law School
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University

Dual-degree students typically receive one semester of credit at SAIS in exchange for work done at the partner institution, and vice versa. So dual degree candidates save time -- and therefore money -- compared to what they would spend pursuing the degrees separately.

Students can create ad hoc dual degree agreements with other prominent universities.

Daniel Anderson, a dual degree student who studied at SAIS and Wharton, said he was particularly interested in learning about economic growth and private sector development in emerging markets.

"The SAIS International Development Program is well tailored to this interest, providing an in-depth perspective on how economics and government policy impact private sector growth in developing countries," Anderson said.

For more information on the dual degree options, consult our website.

Nelson Graves

Academics: How the past shapes the present

SAIS is a multifaceted academic experience. Enter Mark Gilbert, professor of history and international studies at SAIS Europe, who makes a most convincing case for the continued relevance of history to policy-makers. This fall semester in Bologna Prof. Gilbert is teaching two courses, "Intellectuals & Politics" and "European Imperialism in the 20th Century". Below Prof. Gilbert, who has published widely, speaks to us about his most recent writing project.

Q: You've been asked to write a book. Could you tell us how this came about and the subject of the book?

Gilbert: The book is a general history called "The World since 1945: An International History". The book is contracted to Bloomsbury, a major trade publisher (and publisher of the Harry Potter books). The first edition of the book, published by Arnold, was written by the British historian P.M.H. Bell, who was my Ph.D examiner more years ago than I like to remember. Philip asked me if I'd write the last part of the book dealing with themes and events since the end of the Cold War. He is the author of the "Origins of the Second World War in Europe", an academic bestseller, and it is an honor to work with him.

Prof. Mark Gilbert

Q: You've written several books before. How will this challenge be different?

Gilbert: I'm hoping it'll be easier! I've only got about a quarter of the book of the book to write, and it will be more of a textbook than any I've written. It will mean a lot of reading and thinking about material that is new to me, but that is a challenge and a pleasurable one.

Q: What is the target audience for the book?

Gilbert: Undergraduate students of international relations and contemporary history.

Q: Have you decided on the book’s main themes yet? Do you have an organizational structure in mind?

Gilbert: The book covers the principal developments in international affairs since 1945, and the first two parts, until the end of the Cold War, are organized both chronologically and geographically. The last part, since 1992, which I'm writing, will discuss, among other things, the ending of the U.S. "unipolar moment," the rise of China to superpower status, turbulence in the Middle East and the problems of the European Union. But I shall also be writing about major issues that have become prominent since the end of the Cold War -- global poverty, terrorism, international efforts to curb global warning, the ethics of military intervention and so on. The material is pretty predictable. The challenge will be to master so many different topics and to give them serious coverage in restricted space.

Q: Where will you do most of the research? What materials will be most valuable?

Gilbert: Our amazing library and even more amazing librarians. This book is a survey, so I don't need to use archives. I shall hire a research assistant to work with me on the project. i hope someone from the class of 2014 will be interested.

Q: You have a family and teaching responsibilities. How will you manage to find time to write this book?

Gilbert: It is part of the job to juggle all these things. I've worked hard on my teaching since I arrived in Bologna. I hope I find time for my family. I try to work consistently on my research and publication, without ever letting it take over my life. If one works on a book for two days a week, forty-eight weeks a year, you make progress. The important thing is to find 15-20 hours a week for reading and writing. I'm just finishing a book called "Cold War Europe: the Politics of a Contested Continent", which is a companion volume to my 2012 history of European integration. I have written it by doing a little bit, whether reading or writing, every week for two years. I think it has come out ok. We'll see what the publisher (Rowman & Littlefield) and its readers think. What I haven't been able to find time for is archive-based articles. I have two good ideas upon which I have done preliminary research, but such work requires you practically to live in an archive for a couple of weeks or more and it is not easy to find the time.

Despite the above, I'm primarily a teacher. My last two books have both emerged from courses I taught as SAIS or elsewhere. In the future, I hope to produce books influenced by my "Intellectuals and Politics" course and my course on European Imperialism.

Q: Will your teaching this year help you make progress on the book?

Gilbert: Not really -- but I'm hoping that it will help me as background for an article I've been wanting to write for a while now on global trends. I think  historians don't write enough on current affairs, which, after all, is history in the making. I'm a historian, but my first degree was in Politics and I've always been more interested in showing how the past shapes the present, rather than analyzing the intricate details of past diplomatic events just for the sake of it. The courses I teach at SAIS reflect this bias of mine.

Student Life: First Impressions

It's hot in Bologna and most bolognesi residents are out of town. Many SAIS students have arrived ahead of pre-term. Classes have not started, but students have been meeting each other, settling in and making the most of their time before they hit the books. Below we ask some students to share their first impressions with us.


                                               

If you're reading this post on email, click here to watch the video.

Amina Abdiuahab

Quiz: How times have changed

Veteran followers of this blog will remember when we used to hold regular quizzes and offered prizes to wide-eyed winners.

Looking for a clue?

Remember these? Who is the patron saint at the end of the world's longest arcade? The name of that fountain? Why roses in the mail boxes?

Before the days of online search engines, it was easy to think up stumpers. Now try to ask a question that can't be answered with a few taps on a keyboard.

Here's one that's not so easy. The first person to guess correctly will win a SAIS Bologna -- yes, Bologna -- tee shirt. (Sorry, no SAIS Europe shirts in stock.)

What was the matriculation fee at the SAIS Bologna Center in 1955-56, its first year of operations?

You can send in your answer via the comment section below or with an email to admissions@jhubc.it.

Nelson Graves

Student life: Porticoes, patios and a collection of keys

SAIS Europe students live in apartments spread out around Bologna. Many take advantage of our consultant, Salvatore, who has placed generations of SAIS students in flats around the medieval city. Last year we published a post with a video of an apartment hunt. This year, MA candidate Samuel Verkhovsky writes about how he found his flat and offers a tip for anyone joining Salvatore on one of his whirlwind tours.

I joined Salvatore and seven other students on the first housing tour of the year.

The impressive collection

We signed up on a piece of paper posted on the front door of the second-floor housing office. Then we watched Salvatore carefully select keys from his impressive collection. He took about 30 sets of keys and put them on a large ring, and we loaded up into his van.

I strongly advise taking a pen and paper and taking notes of what you see along the way. Salvatore showed us almost 30 different places, all within the old city walls, with entrances under porticoes and old-style glass elevators that fit five people very snugly. We climbed lots of stairs.

We saw 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-, 4-, 5- and even a 6-bedroom apartment. The more bedrooms, the more bathrooms per apartment. There were apartments with some stunning views of the city, with patios and verandas. There were apartments with very unique internal features, very homey, cool apartments with a great feel. Most of the apartments we saw came equipped with all the furnishings one would need in an apartment. I can’t speak for all the units, but mine came with appliances, dishes, utensils, towels and sheets. It also seems that the apartments come with their own clothes washing machine; I’m not sure about the drier though.

Salvatore leads students on the apartment hunt.

When looking at apartments, it is advisable that you write down memorable details about each place beyond simply the room/bathroom configuration and price. I say this because you will see so many places and you will like several, and you will be asking yourself and others on your tour, “Which apartment had the cool couch? Was that three-bedroom the one with the spiral staircase? What did the desks look like in the apartment on via Santo Stefano?”  When you see places you like, make note of the kitchen, the windows and the desk space, and ask yourself: "Are the rooms lit well enough by natural light?"

"Which apartment had the cool couch?"

Half way into our tour, Salvatore bought us all bottles of water, which was very nice. After the tour, we consulted our notes and exchanged comments about which places we liked. We returned to Salvatore’s office, and he called us each one by one, in the order of our names on the signup sheet, and asked us what we wanted.

The jackpot

Salvatore has flats for everyone, and apartment hunters can rest assured they will be set up properly.

Happy apartment hunting!

Samuel Verkhovsky (BC14)

Academics: Theoretical insight, practical tools

How many courses do students take at SAIS Europe? How many economics courses? Are there electives?

Today we offer chapter and verse on the academic prerequisites.

Buckle up: The requirements are complicated, as you would expect from a multidisciplinary program that prepares its graduates for leadership posts in a range of professions around the world.

Here is our guide, a seven-page document spelling out the requirements for the four main degrees pursued at SAIS Europe. Those degrees are the:

• Master of Arts in International Relations (MA)
• Master of International Public Policy (MIPP)
• Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA)
• SAIS Bologna Diploma

Before diving into the nitty gritty of the program requirements, consider their overarching objective: to provide the theoretical insight and practical tools required for a successful career in today's global environment.

"SAIS produces innovative thinkers and problem-solvers, equipped to deal with global challenges in any context around the world." -- the SAIS website.

That is a tall order and explains the mix of challenges that SAIS students face.

Most SAIS students pursue the MA; its requirements are spelled out on pages 1-4 of the summary document.

All MA candidates must fulfill the requirements for:

• International Economics
• a second concentration, either in Global Themes (International Relations or International Development) or a Region of the World
• a foreign language

In addition, MA candidates must pass examinations in at least two of four core subjects; those pursuing the European and Eurasian Studies concentration must pass three comprehensive exams instead of the core exams.

We get more questions on International Economics than just about anything else. All MA candidates must meet the requirements for:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• International Trade Theory
• International Monetary Theory

Note that micro and macro are at the intermediate level; all SAIS students have to have passed university-level introduction to micro and introduction to macro before starting their course work. Some do so during the summer before coming to SAIS by taking our online Principles of Economics course.

In addition, all MA candidates must complete a quantitative reasoning course. They can choose from among:

• Statistical Methods for Business & Economics
• Econometrics
• Applied Econometrics
• Macro Econometrics
• Risk Analysis and Modeling

SAIS teaches a total of 17 languages. All MA candidates must pass the proficiency examination in one of those languages, and of course it must not be the candidate's native language.

For more information on the language requirements, click here.

Questions on the requirements for the other degrees? Please consult the master document and get back to us if you have any questions.

We would not expect prospective candidates, most of whom are only starting to get their applications in order, to commit the SAIS program requirements to memory. But familiarity with them can help strengthen an application by deepening a candidate's understanding of the SAIS academic experience.

Nelson Graves

Thinking of applying to SAIS? Here are your next steps

To help prospective applicants plan, we offer a checklist of steps to take plus links to past posts.

If you are thinking of applying to SAIS Europe (formerly SAIS Bologna), now is a great time to get your thoughts and plans in order.

1. Standardized tests

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you will have to submit the results of one of three competency tests: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency Exam.

Here is a document spelling out our English-language requirements. If you are going to sign up for one of the competency exams, it's a good idea to leave yourself enough time to take the test a second time in case you are not satisfied with your score on the first exam.

If you have taken one of those three tests since January 7, 2012 (two years before the deadline for applications), those results can be submitted as part of your application.

All U.S. citizens are required to submit the results of either the GRE or the GMAT; non-U.S. citizens who are open to starting their SAIS studies in either DC or Bologna must also take one of those tests. Non-U.S. citizens wishing to start in Bologna are not required to take either the GRE or the GMAT, but we strongly recommend that these candidates do so. (For more detail, read this post.)

As with the English competency tests, if you are taking the GRE or GMAT, it is best to leave enough time to take one or the other a second time in case you are not satisfied with your first set of scores.

For more on the GRE and GMAT, click here.

2. CV

This is a basic building block of an application. There is no minimum or maximum length; the crucial thing is to keep it very tight and to make sure it is an accurate reflection of your studies, work and experiences. It's important to get the CV right as you will want to share it with the authors of your letters of reference.

Here is a past post on CVs.

3. Statement of Purpose

The statement is your chance to tell us why SAIS would be the best next step for you, how it fits in with your career aspirations and what you would bring to SAIS that is unique and valuable.

It takes time for your thoughts to come together before you start writing your statement, so be patient. Be sure that your statement is not a generic text saying you want to go to graduate school; it should capture what attracts you specifically to SAIS. Try to make your statement engaging and original but of course not frivolous; remember, Admissions Committee members read hundreds of statements.

You may want to share your statement with your referees as it will help them tailor their letters.

For more on the statement of purpose, click here.

4. Letters of reference

We require two letters of reference. Some candidates ask two professors to support them; those with more work experience might ask one professor and one work supervisor. The crucial thing is that the person should be able to write with authority about you and also consider why SAIS would suit you. That means you may have to spend time explaining your situation to the referees. Give yourself time.

Referees can be notoriously bad with meeting the deadline for their letters. Be prepared to lean gently on them. Also, we require referees to send us their letters directly; they can upload them to your online application or send a hard copy on official letterhead to the SAIS DC Admissions Office.

For more on the letters of reference, click here.

5. Transcripts

We will need an official version of your undergraduate transcript. Your university's registrar should send your most recent transcript directly to our SAIS DC Admissions Office, where it will be loaded into your online dossier.

Some universities use a third-party service to distribute transcripts.

6. Analytical essay

This is a chance to show that you can write with authority on a topic of current interest. No original research is required, and we are not looking for footnotes or a bibliography. Also, we do not want a copy of your 20,000-word undergraduate thesis; the essay should be no more than 600 words.

For more on the analytical essay, click here.

7. Stay in touch

The more you know about SAIS, the better your application. We will be holding a series of online information sessions in coming months. We welcome visitors to SAIS Europe and can arrange an ad hoc program for those who do come. More formally, we'll be opening our doors to prospective applicants during a one-day Open Day in the beginning of December.

Contact Amina or me if you have any questions.

Finally, keep reading this Journal!

Nelson Graves

SAIS collaboration with U.S. magazine provides global platform for student writing

SAIS students have a prominent new outlet for their writing and reporting -- "The Atlantic" magazine.

This summer the venerable U.S. publication has been running a series of articles from SAIS students on its digital platform, part of a partnership between the graduate program and "The Atlantic".

The students have contributed to the magazine's online "Global" and "China" channels.

Jared Metzker, who attended SAIS Europe this past academic year and will be studying at SAIS DC starting in the fall, tackles U.S.-EU trade negotiations with a story below an eye-catching headline, "Why Kansan Parsnips Might Soon Be Coming to Dutch Supermarkets".

Was Julia Gillard the victim of sexist politics when she was recently ousted by a fellow Labour Party leader as Australia's prime minster? That's the question Taylor Washburn addresses in his piece, "Is Sexism the Reason Julia Gillard Was Unseated?"

Finally, Josiah Tsui looks at a film on intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that was pulled together on short notice in Hong Kong, where Snowden sought refuge shortly before divulging details of secret U.S. surveillance programs.

Like Metzker, Tsui  attended SAIS Europe this past academic year and will be finishing his SAIS master's degree in DC next spring. He entered SAIS after three years as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins, which means he will have earned both a BA and an MA in 5 years -- making him in SAIS jargon a "BA/MA".

SAIS students have many outlets on campus for their writing talents. The SAIS Observer is a monthly publication featuring pieces by students on all three SAIS campuses -- Bologna, DC and Nanjing.

At SAIS Europe, the Bologna Center Journal of International Affairs is the student revue that is published each spring.

Nelson Graves

Online information sessions: here's our calendar

We at SAIS Europe Admissions will be holding online information sessions every month for the rest of the year to provide information on our master's degrees and application procedures, and also to answer any questions prospective candidates might have.

These sessions are interactive, and participants can ask questions either through the audio or by using the chat function.

It is a good way to hear what other prospective candidates are thinking -- and to meet people who might be your future classmates.

Usually a current student or recent alumnus participates in the sessions, providing worthwhile perspective.

We like to focus on a particular aspect of the application during each information session. We record the online sessions so prospective candidates can listen/watch them after they are over.

Here is the schedule:

- August 28 at 4 pm Central European Time time (1400 GMT) - general introduction
- September 26 at 10 am CET (0800 GMT) - standardized tests
- October 23 at 4 pm CET (1400 GMT) - statement of purpose
- November 26 at 10 am CET (0900 GMT) - letters of recommendation
- December 12 at 4 pm CET (1500 GMT) - analytical essay

If you are interested in participating in any of the sessions, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it and we will send you instructions on how to connect.

In addition to these online sessions, Amina and I will be traveling to parts of Europe this fall to meet prospective applicants. We will post a list later. Every year at the beginning of December we hold an Open Day at SAIS Europe that allows prospective applicants to learn more about us. We will be announcing the date of Open Day soon.

Finally, Amina and I are happy to answer questions over the phone, via Skype or email, or in person.

Nelson Graves