Internship in South Africa: Awe and inspiration in the "Rainbow Nation"

It's summer in the Northern Hemisphere and most people are thinking about their holidays. This is not the case for SAIS students who spend their summer working internships around the world.

As we mentioned in previous posts, these internships are a great way for students to learn more about their future careers.

In the last posts, students working internships in Brazil and Peru wrote about their experiences and here is a video of last year's students talking about their summer internship plans.

Today, Chris Jackson, a current student in the MA program focusing on Energy, Resources and Environment, tells us about his experience in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Like half of the students who graduate from SAIS each year, Chris spent his first year at SAIS Europe in Bologna and is going to Washington, DC for his second year.

Cape Town is perhaps the most awe inspiring place one can imagine.

Firstly it is a visual paradise and a feast for the senses. Whether its climbing the world famous table mountain, sipping Merlot in Constantia's vineyards, seeing Zebra, Ostriches, Baboons and Springbok on the side of the road to work or the fantastic food, the place never ceases to awe and inspire.

Writing on the sand in Cape Town

Cities, like all communities, are defined by their people as much as their place and South Africa is no exception. Nelson Mandela once said that South Africa is the "Rainbow Nation", reflecting people from all over the world. His words were not merely hyperbole. The country is a veritable smorgasbord of nationalities, ethnicity, ages and faiths.

This summer I have been working for Clifftop Colony Capital Partners, a South African Corporate Finance firm, which specializes in securing financing for African start-ups, entrepreneurs and African tech funds.

My role involved evaluating business plans and proposals for new prospective clients; constructing corporate marketing material to promote clients to international investors; researching African and global tech industry trends; building profiles on the requirements, preferences and financing available from international investors; and lastly, corporate due diligence on Clifftop’s current and potential clients.

Africa is considered to be the home of the world’s most frontier equity and debt investments and Clifftop position themselves as a bridge between international investors in the US, UK and Europe, and entrepreneurs across the African continent, by offering experience with local challenges and an extensive network of strategic relationships to both parties.

Stunning views

During my time here I had the pleasure of listening to Moeletsi Mbeki, Chairman of the South African Institute of International Affairs and leading economist, who spoke eloquently on South Africa's challenges and I have had the pleasure of meeting over a dozen small businesses, who have helped me understand the opportunities of the South African economy.

South Africa is the finance capital of Africa. It is a bridge to the West, through London, a bridge to the East, through Malaysia and India, and a central force in driving innovation throughout Africa. For anyone trying to understand how business on the African continent works, the importance of good governance on economic growth and poverty alleviation or even for those who simply have a hunger to see untouched beauty in the world, it is hard to beat South Africa.

Chris Jackson
SAIS Europe 2016

Summer Internship in Peru: Putting my newly acquired economics skills to the test

The majority of students at SAIS work an internship in the summer between their first and second year of study. The internships are an opportunity for students to gain more insight into the careers they'd like to pursue after SAIS. 

The locations of the internships are as diverse as the student body at SAIS Europe, where students come from several dozen countries and represent all continents.

In the last post, students working in Brazil talked about their experiences. This week, Michelle Mora, a student in the MA program focusing on Latin America, tells us about her professional, cultural and personal experience in Lima, Peru.

Pisco sours, fresh ceviche, dune buggying and --the most exciting of all-- international trade in action. That about sums up my summer, although it’s winter here, in Peru.

I'm originally from Illinois and before starting my master's degree at SAIS Europe, I worked in international recruiting in Miami for four years.  After an incredibly challenging, rewarding, and fun year in Bologna, I again hopped continents and quickly settled into Lima, Peru, where I have been working at the U.S. Commercial Service for the past two months.

Michelle (right) with two fellow SAIS classmates in Lima, Peru

The Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Agency tasked with promoting U.S. exports internationally.

My days have been filled with matchmaking meetings between Peruvian and U.S. companies looking to do business; preparing for trade shows; and attending cross-agency meetings with Economic and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Officers at the Embassy.

I have enjoyed putting my newly acquired economics skills to the test by researching and drafting market reports on “SMART city” initiatives, education, healthcare, and intellectual property protections in Peru, among other topics. I had the opportunity to attend a few Embassy events including the Peruvian-American bi-national party; the Ambassador’s Fourth of July party --in which Peruvian President-elect Pablo Pedro Kuczynski  stopped by for a surprise speech; and, arguably my favorite, a USDA “Burgers and Beer” event promoting U.S. beef and craft beer exports to Peru.

Outside of work, I have been enjoying living with two other fellow SAIS Latin American Studies students who are also working in Lima. We have been adventuring and tasting our way around this beautiful country. Consistently rated as one of the top culinary destinations in the world, Peru has some of the freshest, most complex and diverse plates I have ever seen. Every trip to the supermarket includes trying a new fruit or vegetable.  Just considering potatoes, Peru has more than 3,800 varieties!

In Huacachina

On the weekends we have visited the sea lions and penguins at Las Islas Ballestas (coined “the poor man’s Galapagos”), screamed our heads off on a dune buggy ride in the coastal desert town of Huacachina, and watched the condors soar over Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest canyons.

With only one month to go before heading to Washington, DC for my final year, I look forward to continued challenges at work, a trip to the Amazon, Machu Picchu trekking, visiting Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and maybe a few more pisco sours.


Michelle Mora 
SAIS Europe 2016

Postcards from Brazil

With the Olympics just a few weeks away in Brazil, our SAIS students wanted to share their experiences of studying the Portuguese language at SAIS Europe, in addition to their reflections of living and working in Brazil during their summer internships. Below are their postcards to us. Enjoy the read. 

Some questions and answers

We're getting ready to welcome the students who will be part of the Class of 2017.

We've been receiving a lot of questions from incoming students -- quite rightly since coming to Bologna involves a great deal of preparation. 

Below, we've grouped some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have more questions, or you wish to get more details on any of topics below, you can reach us via email at sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu.

ACADEMICS

Q: I have been given access to the online pre-calculus tutorial, am I required to take the course and the quiz?

A: As you know, our curriculum has a strong quantitative focus and we want to make sure you arrive with the adequate quantitative skills that will allow you to tackle the coursework. This is why we give you access to the pre-calculus tutorial and we ask you to take a quiz at the end.

Although it is not a requirement that will impact your admission, you are asked to follow the tutorial

and to take the quiz at the end. This will help us understand whether we need to help you get up to speed with your math skills.

If you've not received access to the online tutorial, be sure to get in touch with us.

Q: I have a strong quantitative background, do I need to take the pre-calculus tutorial and test?

A: If you have a strong math background, you can probably get through pre-calculus quickly. Once you have taken the quiz, we strongly recommend that you dedicate your time to the calculus review and quiz.

Q: How do I qualify to take the waiver exams in economics?

A: The purpose of the waiver exams is to allow those who have already taken the required economics courses to take more advanced courses while at SAIS.

To qualify for the waiver, you must have completed a course equivalent to the SAIS economics course and received a grade equivalent to a B- or higher. Look at this page for information on the economics waiver exams.

Q: I would like to pursue a different concentration than the one I indicated in my application. Can I change concentration?

A: Yes, you will be able to change concentration once you arrive in Bologna. The only concentration you will not be able to change to is International Development (IDEV), which is the only concentration with capped enrollment.

Those interested in switching to Strategic Studies will have to make a formal request. Information will be available at the Registrar's Office.

Q: I would like to pursue a different course in pre-term than the one I selected. Can I change?

A: Those coming for pre-term can take courses in intermediate microeconomics, intensive and survival Italian, or intensive English.

If you've been required to take intensive English you will not be able to change your registration. 

If you signed for the other courses and you've changed your mind, you should contact the Registrar's Office at sais.eu.registrar@jhu.edu before the deadline for registration on June 30.

VISA & HEALTH INSURANCE

Q: I've not booked my visa appointment yet. Will I be able to obtain my visa in time for classes?

A: You should book your appointment as soon as possible. It's difficult to predict how long it might take the Embassy to process your visa. Some take a few days, others can take weeks. You'll do yourself a favor by booking an appointment as soon as possible. 

If you're planning on coming for pre-term or if you are a student in the Master of Arts in Global Risk (MAGR) program, you should book an appointment immediately to make sure you can be on a plane before August 18, when pre-term classes and classes for MAGR students in the begin.

Q: I've been asked to provide proof of health insurance. What can I do?

A: In the visa letters, we clearly state that all students are automatically signed up for a health insurance plan. However, some Embassies might require additional information. If you're in this situation, please get in touch with us.

Q: I have an EU passport, do I need health insurance in Italy?

A: If you are a European Union citizen you should apply for a European health card. Such card, will give you the same access to healthcare as Italians.

Generally, only residents of an EU country are able to apply for a European Health card. If you don't qualify for a European Health card, you will be enrolled in the plan provided by SAIS, unless you have adequate coverage already.

Amina Abdiuahab

Thoughts on Food and Food for Thought

The academic year in Bologna has come to an end.  As many students head off to summer internships around the world, Lauren Purnell, a student in the Master of Arts program pursuing the International Development concentration, shares her experiences of a recent study trip to Rome with Professor Jacqueline Mazza. Below are her reflections.

Rome acts as a hub for U.N. organizations, focusing on the food security and agriculture sectors.

The headquarters of the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are all located in Rome. 

I and 22 of my classmates had the opportunity to visit all three organizations this past May during a two-day study trip with Professor Jacqueline Mazza who teaches a course on Market Policies in Developing Countries: Rethinking Approaches in a Global Age.

As part of this unique experience, we received lectures on a wide range of topics related to food security and labor. On the first day at the WFP, for example, we heard from experts on emergency operations and capacity development. Following these presentations, we visited the IFAD to learn more about rural employment challenges, remittances, and investment.

On the second day of the study trip, we observed a presentation by Prof. Mazza to FAO on her book “Labor Intermediation Services in Developing Economies, Adapting Employment Services in a Global Age.”  This lecture was followed by a technical lecture on the effect of conditional cash transfers on labor markets and a talk on trade and employment.

The two day study trip proved quite a valuable and enriching experience.

The educational value received from this trip was undeniable. We had the rare opportunity to ask questions directly to experts and have in-depth discussions. 

Staff members at all three organizations were happy to engage us on these topics and were very enthusiastic to find so many young scholars interested in these fields. The learning experience of the trip not only benefited us but also staff members at these organizations, opening dialogues and exchanges that will continue on.

Lauren Purnell 
(SAIS Europe 2016)

Study Trip to India: An extremely rewarding experience

Students at SAIS learn inside and outside the classroom. Today, Farima Alidadi, a current student in the Latin America Studies Program (LASP) at SAIS Europe, tells us how she and a group of SAIS students spent the one-week break in January 2016 after the end of the first semester exams. 

The trip brought together students in the LASP program across the Bologna and Washington campuses. 

During the break earlier this year, the SAIS Latin American Studies Program (LASP) sponsored a one-week study trip to India with the aim of examining Latin American relations within a global framework. 

In the past, LASP students had participated in study trips to countries such as China, Brazil, and Costa Rica. This year, it was the first time the Program traveled to the South Asian country.

I saw the trip as an invaluable opportunity to strengthen my knowledge of the region having worked in Colombia on a Fulbright grant. At SAIS, I am focusing on international development and social inclusion in Latin America, areas of great importance for India as well.

I learned about the trip when Anne McKenzie, Senior Academic Coordinator for the LASP program, came to SAIS Europe. I was very excited about applying for this study trip --for which there were ten spots available-- and I am grateful to have been selected to participate. To prepare, we met as a group throughout the fall semester to strengthen our knowledge of India in terms of politics, economics, and development through research presentations.

Before I knew it, the fall semester was over and I was boarding a plane to New Delhi.

Farima (first from right) and her classmates with Dean Vali Nasr (center)

Lead by Francisco E. González, LASP Senior Associate Professor at SAIS, we explored the growing economic, diplomatic, and political links between India and Latin American countries, within the context of energy supply challenges, food security issues, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

We met with Indian, Latin American, and American businesses, diplomats, scholars, and journalists based in New Delhi and Mumbai, which allowed us to assess the opportunities and challenges ahead for a South-South relationship that holds great trade, economic, political, and cultural potential. The organizations we met with included the Mexican Embassy, UNDP, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Aditya Birla Group, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

These meetings were extremely valuable as we learned of the various areas of opportunity for Indo-Latin American relations, including energy, mining, information technology, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and education. Each meeting gave us a different perspective on these relations, but they all emphasized the importance of stronger ties between Latin American countries and India.

When we were in New Delhi, we attended a reception with Dean Vali Nasr where we met SAIS alumni and prospective students. The event was hosted by a SAIS Europe and LASP alumnus.

"The trip to India was a great experience,” said Martina Improta, a second year student who spent her first year in Bologna. “[It] deepened my knowledge of this emerging global player and enhanced my understanding of the strategies it uses to penetrate new markets and to increase its leverage in world politics.”

At the UNDP

Ending my first semester at SAIS with this trip was extremely rewarding. The trip not only allowed me to gain great insight into the political, economic, and cultural complexities that tie Latin American countries to India, but it also reinforced my passion for the region and illuminated how the various regions I am connected to are related. I have always been passionate about Latin America, but because of my Iranian American background, it was important for me to study the region within a global context.

When I was in India, the implications of the lifting of Iran sanctions and the effects of India’s investment in Latin American energy sources and other geopolitical dynamics came up many times during our meetings.

Gaining the field experience in India through interactions with Latin Americans, Americans, and Indians all interested in Indo-Latin American relations gave me an interesting perspective on this issue that I would not have been able to gain through just the classroom itself.

The trip has given me a new outlook when approaching Latin America and I cannot wait to apply it to future classes and experiences in the region.

Farima Alidadi
SAIS Europe 2016

Open Houses and Information Sessions: Let us help you make a decision

Earlier this month, applicants to SAIS learned the outcome of their applications. 

Each year, the Admissions Committee is faced with the difficult task of selecting the next class. The quality of applications this year was very high and this made the work of the Committee arduous.

We want to thank all our applicants. For those who did not make it, we want to reiterate that this is by no means a reflection of your potential. If you would like feedback, we would encourage you to get in touch with us after May 2. You can reach us at sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu 

Congratulations to those who received admission. This is a great achievement and we look forward to welcoming you to SAIS Europe for the 2016-17 academic year.

Now you have an offer in hand, what's next?

We want to draw your attention to a few events that will help you learn more about SAIS and SAIS Europe.

Choosing graduate school is an important decision: we're here to help you make the best decision.

For this purpose, we would like to invite you to attend one or more events.

SAIS in Bologna and SAIS in DC will host Open House events. These will be perfect opportunities to meet students, faculty and staff and to learn about academic and student life.

The Open House in Washington, DC, will be on April 6, 2016. If you would like to attend, please register here. If you're in the DC area, or you can easily travel to DC, we would strongly encourage you to attend. The event is geared towards students admitted at both the DC and the Bologna campuses.

Following the Open House, students admitted to SAIS Europe are invited to a Cocktail Reception with SAIS Europe Alumni on April 7. If you want to attend this event, please register here.

The Open House at SAIS Europe in Bologna, will be on April 11. Click here to register. Some current students have offered to host visitors from out of town. If you would like to be hosted by a current student, be sure to indicate it in the registration form.

We understand that many of our admitted students will not be able to make it to the events listed above. However, we want to ensure that they receive as much information as possible before the deadlines for enrollments.

On March 25 at 3:30 PM Italian time, we will hold an online information session for students admitted to SAIS Europe. Click on this page for the log-in details. On the same page, you will find the date and time of the other information session.

We also stand ready to answer your questions via email as well as over the phone or via Skype. Our email is sais.eu.admissions@jhu.edu; our telephone number is +39 051 29 17 811; and our Skype handle is jhubc.admissions


We hope to engage with you at one or more of the above events and we hope to welcome you to Bologna in the summer.

Daniela Coleman