Open Day: Gaining Insight into SAIS Bologna

On a warm morning in late 2011 a conversation between two aspiring master's students began like this:

"So Cormac, why are you here in Italy at the SAIS Open Day? Is it because Bologna is a really beautiful city? Is it because the kind folks at SAIS will find you somewhere to stay while you are here? Is it because you get a free lunch and prosecco with the students and staff at the end of the day?"

"All of that and more." 

A year later, Cormac Sullivan (BC13/DC14) reflects on his decision to attend Open Day at SAIS Bologna. This year Open Day will be on Friday, December 7. If you're interested in attending, drop an email to admissions@jhubc.it.

Coming to the SAIS Bologna Open Day is a great opportunity that I would recommend to anyone considering applying.

Quite simply what have you got to lose?

• If you decide that the course is not for you, then you've had a weekend away in an immensely beautiful city and will have had a great time hanging out with fun young people who have similar interests.
• If you decide that the combination of a year in Bologna and a year in DC is just too good to turn down -- and how could you not -- then you will have the added bonus of a ton of useful information about how the course operates and how to go about applying.
• Throw in the ease of getting here on a budget airline and you’re left with no excuse not to come.

The course at SAIS is unique in several ways: It is taught across multiple locations, it has a strong focus on economics, the Bologna Center is relatively compact and the courses are structured around regional and thematic concentrations.

Most of these details are available on the web, but to appreciate what it all actually means in reality, what it looks like when you put it all together, there is no better way than coming here and actually talking to students, professors and staff. You will also have a far greater insight into the often confusing worlds of financial aid and the admissions process.

This is a truly unique institution and coming to the Open Day will leave you with a clear impression of whether it is right for you.

So the day itself is useful. But is it fun? I can only speak for myself, but I had a great time largely because everyone was so accommodating. I was put up in a great apartment by two of last year’s Bologna students who were happy to tell me about their experience at SAIS over a (delicious) pizza and some wine. The day of the program itself was a whirlwind tour of the grounds followed by opportunities to meet with everyone from the head librarian to professors and language instructors to the director of the center. We had the chance to sit in on some classes.

When the formal program was over, we headed down to Giulio's Bar where my fellow hopefuls and I tried to absorb a wealth of information provided to us over drinks with the current students.

To sum up, there just aren't very many good reasons to miss Open Day. It is a chance to think and learn about a life-changing master's program combined with a stay in the culinary capital of Italy.

So why wait? Get yourself to an airline price comparison website and get over here!

Good luck to you all,
Cormac

Meeting our faculty: Prof. Vakil

Sanam Vakil received both her master's and Ph.D from SAIS DC. She is now teaching at SAIS Bologna. She knows both campuses inside and out.

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Your degrees?
B.A., Political Science and History, Barnard College
M.A., International Economics and Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins SAIS
Ph.D, International Relations and Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Where have you taught?
SAIS DC as an assistant professor 2004-2006 and SAIS Bologna as an adjunct since 2008

What course are you teaching?
This semester I'm teaching "Twin Pillars of the Gulf: Iran, Saudi Arabia and their Gulf Neighbors". Next semester I'll be teaching "Political Leadership in the Middle East".

Anything special about SAIS Bologna?
I studied at SAIS DC and was always sorry to have missed the Bologna experience. The combination of the intimate environment and the dynamic students and faculty make it an experience not to be missed.

Links to recent publications?
http://www.opendemocracy.net/sanam-vakil/iran-women-in-frame

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Politics-Islamic-Republic-Iran/dp/1441197346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347279613&sr=8-1&keywords=Sanam+Vakil

Your favorite book?
Too many out there!

Hobby?
Reading, cooking, tennis, skiing, photography and painting

What is in a name? SAIS Bologna's diversity

We asked a random selection of this year's students to introduce themselves in their native languages.

For a taste of SAIS Bologna's diversity, have a look at this video:

If you are reading this via email, to see the video click here.

Nelson Graves

How to get to know us better

This post is for those who want to learn more about SAIS Bologna.

Many prospective students have been in touch with us via email, telephone and Skype and have attended our online information sessions this summer.

Over the next few months we will be holding more sessions, in person and online, to make sure as many candidates as possible have their questions answered.

We would encourage any prospective applicant to attend any one of these events.

Below is the schedule for this fall. We may add events along the way, so keep an eye on this journal for updates.

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS
October 24 at 1200 Italy time (1000 GMT)
November 28 at 1700 Italy time (1600 GMT)
December 19 at 1200 Italy time (1100 GMT)

APSIA FAIRS
London, November 10 from 1300-to-1500
St. Gallen, November 12 from 1800-to-2000
Budapest, November 14 from 1800-to-2000
Paris, November 15 from 1800-to-2000

OPEN DAY
December 7 - we will open our doors to all prospective applicants. A schedule will be available soon. Please mark the date on your calendars. It is a great way to get to know SAIS Bologna, it's student, faculty and staff members.

In addition to these events, we will be travelling to some European universities.

University of Leiden, The Netherlands 
October 29 - time TBC

University of Gothenburg, Sweden 
October 31 - time TBC

University of Uppsala, Sweden
November 1 at 1915 local time

Sciences-Po Lille, France
November 9 - time TBC

If you're unable to attend the events listed here, feel free to get in touch with us. We have an open-door policy. If you happen to be in Bologna, feel free to stop by. If you let us know a bit in advance, we will do our best to tailor your visit around your needs.


Amina Abdiuahab

Meeting our faculty: Prof. Alvisi

Matteo Alvisi, who teaches economics at SAIS Bologna, is the latest professor to be profiled in this Journal.

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Your degrees?
Laurea (MA), Economics, University of Bologna
M.Phil, Economics, UCLA
Ph.D, Economics, Bocconi University, Milan
Ph.D, Economics, UCLA

Where have you taught?
University of California, Los Angeles; Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna; University of Bologna

What course are you teaching?
Microeconomics

Anything special about SAIS Bologna?
I am sure  other professors have already indicated what is special about studying at SAIS. I will  focus on  two reasons why teaching at SAIS is a unique experience. First, students are really eager to discover new perspectives when interpreting political and economic events; they infect me with their enthusiam. Second, their very diverse backgrounds, both educational and cultural, inspire us to teach using  a multidisciplinary approach and provide a continuous source of new information on how the world turns.

Anything special about Bologna?
Bologna is the home of one of the oldest universities in the world and even nowadays, despite its medieval look, it is one of the liveliest, more liberal and culturally more exciting cities in Italy. With lots of bonuses: it is relatively small so that everything can be reached simply walking under its “portici” (so blessed during rainy days), it is not as touristy as Rome, Florence or Venice -- so more genuinely Italian -- and finally, well, yes, the incredibly tasty food.

Your favorite book?
Just one? Let me cite at least two titles, one European and one American:  “Auto-da-Fé”, by Elias Canetti and “Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace. 

Hobby?
Sports, art movies, indie music

A quote?
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine

What are SAIS Bologna students proud of?

Like last year, we asked this year's students to cast their humility aside and tell us what they are most proud of. Here is what they told us.

I was the voice of James Bond, M, a corrupt South American dictator, a Bond girl, several CIA agents and all of the extras for several showings of "Quantum of Solace" in Moscow.

I speak six languages; another one is a work in progress: I am proud that this way I can communicate with my family all over the world, especially with my grandparents.

I have had poetry published in 3 languages.

(The poet, when asked to share some verse, offered this haiku:

silly editors,
why publish my poetry
in three languages?)

Last year, I helped develop the curriculum to launch a Student Budget Consultation in Ontario. This was an online platform that allowed high school students from across the province to learn about and provide direct input into the budgeting process.

I testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission -- created by Congress to monitor and investigate the United States' bilateral trade and economic relations with China -- on a report I wrote while working for a public policy think tank.

Singlehandedly prepared a Thanksgiving meal for eight, overnight.

My fiancee (who joined me in moving to Bologna) and I completed the NYC Triathlon before packing up for SAIS BC.

Tough question, but I'll go with winning gold at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

I am mentoring a Nepali boy named Sering Sherpa, the first in his village to pursue a college education. Sering and his family, who herd yaks, were living deep in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas in a one-room dirt house. First I provided funds for the family to rebuild their aging hut and be more physically secure in their son's absence. Then some friends and I arranged for Sering to relocate to Kathmandu and enroll in college, where he is studying environmental science. Sering was my sherpa on a difficult 90-mile trek in Nepal. Now I am his as he climbs from a subsistence livelihood into the modern world.

I am happy with who I am.

Together with German and Romanian delegates, I participated in a 5-day workshop in Germany, funded by the EU Commission, to train Ireland, Hungary, Italy and Croatia on how to lobby ministries to set up a "Youth Delegates to the UN Program" in their countries.

At age 23, I co-authored an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about a Nigerian sovereign wealth fund. Not a single edit was made to the original text. I'm told that the chances of a WSJ op-ed author being a woman are only one in five.

Shortly before the passing of my friend Joseph in 2009, we thumbed through National Geographic and read a piece about Angkor Wat. We shared a passion for the temples and a respect for the kindness and generosity of the Khmer people. In December 2011 I volunteered with an NGO in Cambodia and had the privilege to visit the well that had been built in Joseph's memory with funds donated by Joseph's sister and which serves the people of Pursat. Cambodia is a detoxification for the soul, and I thank Joseph from the bottom of my heart for inspiring me to take that journey.

I am most proud of having assembled and coached a basketball team of former street children in Mexico City.

I'm proud that I had the courage to go to Brasil right before my graduation, against the advice of my parents and career planners. I found happiness and professional ambition there. The best moment was when I was accepted to SAIS, my Dad said I had made the right choice after all.

I negotiated and operationalized a management agreement worth $2.4 million annually to bring all student life buildings and services under the control of the student union at my undergraduate institution.

I successfully trained and completed a "Tough Mudder" with a team of close female friends. I completed a nine-mile course with almost 30 obstacles, including running through fire, swimming through a tank of ice water and getting electrocuted. If you can believe it, it was a lot of fun and I would do it again.


I climbed Bolivia's Huayna Potosí (6,088 meters) in a snow storm. This was probably the physically most exhausting thing I have done in my life.

My first publication (co-authored with another SAIS alum) was widely read by relevant officials and was cited in several publications of think tanks including the SIPRI yearbook and Chatham House; IAI and FRIDE papers, and books.

Nelson Graves

SAIS Bologna students know how to have fun

SAIS Bologna students study hard. They also know how to have fun.

The Bologna Center Class of 2011 only recently graduated from SAIS. But as you'll see from this video, they are already around the world -- and having fun.

If you are reading this via email, you can see the video here.

Nelson Graves