By Qianrong Ding After a month of distance learning in this new semester, people seem to have been used to the particular circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic– and they may start enjoying the benefits it brings. But problems are not solved yet. With so much uncertainty, international students - a significant component of the SAIS... Continue Reading →
The Briefing: Dr. Lance L.P. Gore on China’s governance model
Dr. Lance L.P. Gore presents at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center Photo credits: John Urban By Nova Fritz NANJING, China — Last week at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, Dr. Lance L.P. Gore presented research findings from his recent article, “China’s Governance Model: Legitimacy, Accountability, and Meritocracy,” in which he compares the Chinese government’s model to Western ideals of... Continue Reading →
The Past Shapes the Future: The German Constitution at 70
Germany is celebrating three important events this year: The 100th anniversary of the Weimar Constitution, 70th anniversary of its Basic Law and 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. To commemorate these occasions, the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD) in Bologna and The SAIS Observer are partnering for a series... Continue Reading →
SGA Election Transparency: An Unfortunate Example of Poor Leadership
By: ROSS MEDICO Bologna: The Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President was elected without a single vote. The SGA Vice President was elected without meeting the election’s basic requirements. The SGA Vice President was elected with zero student input from any of SAIS’s three campuses. That is not an election; that is a backroom deal.... Continue Reading →
HNC Winter Break
Over the winter break, students from SAIS Nanjing documented their experiences
Smash for Coffee
By: KHUN NYAN MIN HTET Nanjing – “You know hips don’t lie!” exclaimed Christian Flores, a second-year MAIS student. He wasn’t referring to Shakira’s famous song “Hips Don’t Lie,” but Princess Peach’s ability to knock her opponents off the stage using her hips in Super Smash Brothers. A group of Super Smash Brothers enthusiasts came together... Continue Reading →
The Contrarian’s Guide to Valentine’s Day in Bologna
By: JOSH BRICKMAN Bologna: Valentine’s Day is here! If you’re like me, you either forgot what day it was or you’re using it as an excuse to go out to the bar. But for a lucky few, they actually have to worry about where to take their special someone to properly appease their inner Cupid.... Continue Reading →
Dating at SAIS Bologna
By: JOSH BRICKMAN Bologna: Coming to Bologna offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it also has some unique challenges. Unlike at a large university in the U.S., English is a rarely spoken language in Bologna. Despite all the emphasis on assimilation, an overwhelming number of SAISers do not have a basic comprehension of Italian (myself included).... Continue Reading →
Investing in the Future: U.S. National Infrastructure Bank
By: JONIEL CHA Washington: How to respond to the threat of failing infrastructure in the United States? Have no fear, dear Americans, for President Donald J. Trump is here, and he has a plan to “Make America Great Again.” In his State of the Union address to Congress on January 30, 2018, Trump reiterated his... Continue Reading →
HNC Intramural Basketball Scouting Report
By: ELI TIRK and KHUN NYAN MIN HTET NANJING - Nanjing University’s Gulou Campus Basketball Tournament is about to begin as the Hopkins-Nanjing Center’s basketball team gears up for the coming fall season games. Here is a look at the HNC squad this season. It’s hard to tell this dynamic duo apart on the court... Continue Reading →