How to learn more about SAIS

Selecting the graduate programs to apply to is not an easy task.

There are lots of programs out there and to make a good selection, one needs to have as much information as possible.

Here's where we step in. Each year, Admission Officers of SAIS travel around the world to meet prospective students and to provide them with as much information as possible about our unique programs.

We know how important graduate school is and we want you to make the best decision.

In coming months, members of the SAIS Europe Admissions team will travel to countries in Europe and the Middle East. What's more, we will hold online information sessions to ensure the many prospective students outside of our geographical reach, receive detailed information and, most importantly, have a chance to ask us any questions.

On this page, you can find a full list of events organized by all the Admissions Offices at SAIS.

Below are some of the events we want to highlight.

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS:

- September 14 at 4:30 PM Italian time (2:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM EST)

- October 19 at 4:00 PM Italian time (2 PM GMT or 10 AM EST)

- November 25 at 4:00 PM Italian time (3 PM GMT or 10 AM EST) 

- December 7 at at 4:00 PM Italian time (3 PM GMT or 10 AM EST)

GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIRS
On September 24, we will attend a fair hosted at the New York University's campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE. For more information on the event and to register, please click here.

What's more, we will attend the APSIA fairs held in Europe. APSIA is the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, which groups the top schools in the field of IR and organizes fairs for prospective students interested in graduate studies. For more information on APSIA, click here.

Berlin: November 8 from 6-8 PM. You can register here.

Paris: November 9 from 6-8 PM. You can register here.

Stockholm: November 10 from 6-8 PM. You can register here.

OPEN DAY AT SAIS EUROPE

Open Day will be on December 5, 2016. 

The event will be in Bologna and we know that many of our applicants live far from our beloved city. However, if you are not too far, consider coming because you will learn a lot more on our campus and programs. There are two budget airlines that fly into Bologna and some current students have offered to host visitors.

A registration form will be available soon.

In addition to the events above, you should know that we stand ready to answer questions over email (sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu); via Skype (jhubc.admissions); and over the telephone +39 051 29 17 811.

Amina Abdiuahab

Summer Internship in Colombia: A rewarding experience in "The city of eternal spring"

Students who will be part of the Class of 2017 have started to arrive in Bologna. Meanwhile, last year's students are completing their summer internships and are preparing to move to Washington, DC, for their second and final year of study before they graduate from SAIS.

In previous posts, students have written about their experiences in Brazil, Peru and South Africa. 

Today, Ileana Valle, a student pursuing the MA program and  focusing on Latin America, tells us about her experience in Medellin, Colombia.

“The city of eternal spring” has been my home for the past three months. 

Since arriving to Medellin, Colombia, I have been impressed and enamored with the hospitality, resilience, food, history, and infrastructure.

My internship began at the end of May with Comfama, a non-for-profit organization based out of Medellin, which provides social protection services to over its 2.5 million beneficiaries through 150 service centers. These services include: entrepreneurial financing, housing, education, health, and recreation.

Comfama, which is financially stable and self-sufficient, began as an initiative between unions and the private sector to improve the lives of the working population and aligns with goal #10 of the Global Goals: to reduce inequality within and among countries.

My experience has been gratifying and this is due to the interaction with my colleagues. The projects, which were planned specifically for me, have allowed me to sharpen key skills, to learn about this unique social enterprise model and to lead and take ownership of the work. This translated into a high level of inclusion and sense of belonging.

Outside of work, my summer has consisted of hikng the Piedra del Peñon—a monolithic formation in the town of  Guatapé; dancing champeta in Cartagena; walking the cobble streets of Sante Fe de Antioquia; and hiking mountains in the nearby town La Estrella, located in the Central Andes. One of the most incredible views of any city.

Medellin is a magical city. Without a doubt, a charming and bustling metropolis with a stable and growing economy and impressive infrastructure. In 2014, Medellin held the 43rd place among urban centers with the highest GDP per capita in the world, according to the Brookings Institute’s Global Metro Monitor. Additionally, the city was also named the most innovative in Latin America-- a recognition given by the Wall Street Journal. This meant that Medellin was up against cities like New York and Tel Aviv--all this with the stunning Aburrá Valley as a backdrop. What's more, the strength of its people and their willingness to move forward and progress, has produced many entrepreneurs, innovators, and just simply, hardworking people.

The people here don’t shy away from strangers, less from foreigners—they’re always willing to help and make new friends. I have met and developed such great friend relationships in a short amount of time.


Ileana Valle
SAIS Europe 2016

Join us for an Online Information Session on August 25

At SAIS Europe we're getting ready to welcome the Class of 2017. 

Next week, the building will be full of students eager to settle into Bologna and to start pre-term classes. It's an exciting time of year for all of us. For us in Admissions it is particularly exciting as we finally get to meet in person the people with whom we've been in touch for so long.

We enjoy interacting with students, but we must fulfill our main duty: to ensure SAIS continues to attract the best candidates. Our eyes now turn to recruitment. 

On August 25 at 3 PM Italian time (1 PM GMT and 9 AM EST), we will hold an online information session. 

The session will last around one hour and it will be an opportunity for us to tell prospective students more about our programs and for prospective students to ask any question.

We know what it takes to choose a graduate program and we want to ensure prospective applicants are as well informed as possible. After a brief presentation of our programs, participants will be able to ask questions through the chat function.

To join the session, you can click on this link. You will need a computer and an internet connection. 

In coming weeks, we will post more information on our online and in-person information sessions during the fall season.

Stay tuned.

Amina Abdiuahab