Careers: The third country experience

Most students at SAIS work an internship in the summer between their first and second year of study. Students find internships with the help of theCareer Services and the different academic programs.

In May, we published a post where we asked students about their summer plans. Today, Kathryn Knowles, associate director of the European and Eurasian Studies Program, tell us more about the opportunities available to SAIS students.

Brussels, Bucharest, or Bologna? Madrid, Milan or Moscow? London, Luxembourg, Warsaw or Zagreb? 

Where would you like to spend next summer? These are just a few of the options for summer in internships secured by the SAIS European and Eurasian Studies Program.

The unique SAIS model of providing a trans-Atlantic education means that students have the opportunity to study international relations first from a European perspective in Bologna and then from an American one in Washington D.C. One of the goals of the SAIS European and Eurasian Studies Program in particular is to provide a “third country experience” during the summer between the first and second years of the program, allowing concentrators to experience living and working in their region of study.

SAIS interns at a happy hour in Brussels

This year the program secured 50  internship positions across the region in policy research, public affairs consulting, international business development, financial and macroeconomic analysis, political movements and more. Opportunities are specifically designed for SAIS students and offer a content-rich experience with senior-level mentors.

Applications are open to SAIS MA, MAIA and MIPP candidates of all years and concentrations on all SAIS campuses. Priority is given to first-year students although graduating students interested in working in the region are also considered since summer “exit-internships” are often a way to get a foot on the vieux continent. All recruiting is done through the SAISworks system and employers make the final selections.

Kathryn Knowles

Summer School in Montenegro: an excellent forum to exchange ideas

Marko Grujicic will be studying at SAIS Europe in 2014-15. Earlier this month, he attended a summer program organized by Justin Frosini, professor at SAIS and director of the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD), and his colleagues at the University of Belgrade. Below he tells us about his experience.

The Summer School was the perfect chance for me to gain additional insights into Europe. 

Every year since 2003, the CCSDD and the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Law have collaborated on the “European Union and Legal Reform Summer School” in Igalo, Montenegro. This year, it was held from 13 – 18th July, and hosted 29 fellows from all over Europe.

Marko (third from right in the back row) with the Summer School's organizers and classmates

We dealt with the legal, political and economic issues relating to the EU. More precisely, during lectures and roundtable discussions with professors and fellow participants, we learned more about the consequences of the EU’s enlargement towards the Western Balkans, as well as the experience of different European countries hoping to join the EU.

We observed in detail the current crisis in Ukraine; analyzed potential consequences of the referendum in Scotland; examined the role of constitutional courts in the process of transition towards democracy; looked at the role of the Venice Commission in Tunisia; and discussed the common market under the current economic crisis.

Attending the Summer School helped me look at topics that I will cover in my SAIS studies from a different perspective.

The perfect balance between an academic and social environment made the experience special and distinct from other similar events. We were given the opportunity to visit cultural sites in Montenegro (Podgorica, Tivat, Kotor, Budva), Croatia (Dubrovnik) and Bosnia (Trebinje), while continuing to be intellectually engaged.

Moreover, the fellow participants added to the value of the experience. They were brilliant conversation partners. The diversity of ideas and experiences made the program an excellent forum to exchange thoughts and views.

The icing on the cake was the opportunity we were offered to publish an article covering the topics analyzed during the week.

Marko Grujicic (SAIS EUROPE 2014-15)

Your chance to be in the picture...

...contest.

Our most loyal readers know we like pictures. 

Over the years, we have seen some great shots thanks to the talent and eye for photography of those who participated.

It's now your chance to showcase your talent.

Whether you are an alumnus, an incoming student or a prospective applicant, we would love to receive a picture that makes you proud.

You can send the picture to sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu by Wednesday, July 30.

Feel free to tell us where the picture was taken and why you think it's special.

A committee of staff and faculty members will vote on the best picture.

The winner gets a SAIS Bologna tee shirt and a book by one of our faculty members. 

Amina Abdiuahab

A midsummer's online information session

On Monday, July 14 at 4pm Italian time (1000 EST / 1400 GMT) we will hold an online information session.

We will hold one session per month until the deadline for applications on Januray 7, 2015. Click here to view the summer calendar.

These sessions are great ways to learn more about SAIS and SAIS Europe.

We use an online platform that allows participants to ask questions through the chat function or by speaking.

If you’d like to participate, please write to sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu and we will send you the details to connect.

The sessions usually last 45 minutes. To connect, you will need a computer and an internet connection.

Amina Abdiuahab

The MIPP program at SAIS: A chance to gain a better understanding

The Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) is one of the four master's programs offered at SAIS.

Vahid (right) with prof. Ken Keller on graduation day

Vahid Jahangiri has been the deputy director of a non-governmental organization for several years. He also worked at UNHCR managing programs for refugees, displaced persons and street children in Afghanistan; and at the United Nations World Food Program as an Energy Consultant where he provided policy recommendations for projects in Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya.

Last May he completed the MIPP program at SAIS Europe.

The program is designed for mid-career professionals with at least seven years of relevant work experience and it is offered both at SAIS Europe and at SAIS DC.

The wide range of courses SAIS offers, allows MIPP students to customize the program around their interests and career goals.

Traditionally, MIPP students in Bologna form a small, but very tight-knit group within the class. They are intrinsic members of the community because they bring their experiences and perspectives to the classroom.

Vahid came to SAIS with a wealth of work experience and a successful career under way. We asked him a couple of questions on his overall exeperience.

Q: Why did you decide to go back to school?
Jahangiri: I needed to take a step back from my work and gain a better understanding of the academic and the intellectual frameworks. SAIS offers a flexible program, has high caliber professors as well as a strong network.

Q: How was your experience as an MIPP student in Bologna?
Jahangiri: Having lived and studied in the U.S., the location in Bologna was a plus for me. It was a great experience to meet so many people from across the globe who shared their life stories, experiences, and aspirations. I learned a lot and was also in a position to contribute to younger students who were super smart and wanted to a make a change in the world.

Q: Would you recommend it to others? If so, why?
Jahangiri: Yes. All of the above.

Amina Abdiuahab

It's time to sit back, relax and...enjoy a quiz

Bologna is home to the oldest operating university in the world, the University of Bologna.

Since 1088, students have been an integral part of this beautiful medieval city. It is no surprise that in 1955 C. Grove Haines, founder of the SAIS Bologna Center, thought it would be an ideal place to start the first U.S. graduate program in International Relations in Europe.

The view from San Luca, the church on top of the hill in the picture below, is perhaps one of the most special in town. You can reach San Luca by walking under over 600 porticoes. Here is the quiz:

What  is the name of the medieval gate where the porticoes to reach San Luca start from?

Picture by Elizabeth Mondl (BC11/DC12)

The first person to answer correctly wins a SAIS Bologna tee shirt. To answer, you can comment on this post or write to sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu

Amina Abdiuahab

Academics: SAIS Europe's new catalog

Hot off the press is SAIS Europe's new academic catalog.

SAIS Europe catalog 2014-15

The 45-page booklet is designed to please incoming and prospective students' thirst for information about SAIS Europe.

It includes details on courses, concentrations, student services, student life and leadership opportunities.

Interested in our dual degrees? Go to page 20 to find out the wealth of dual and cooperative degree options we offer at SAIS Europe, including a new agreement with Leiden University.

Fancy learning more about our resident and adjunct faculty? Their profiles are available in the Curriculum section.

Curious about where SAIS Europe's students interned in the summer between their first and second year? Read page 14 to see some selected examples.

Wondering what SAIS Europe's roots are? The first pages will tell you a bit about our history.

If you wish to learn more about Admissions procedures, you'll find a whole section, which includes deadlines for applications and general guidelines.

For detailed information on procedures we recommend you continue reading this blog and contact us at sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu

Amina Abdiuahab