SAIS Profiles – The SAIS Observer

Student Profile: Fitz Fitzpatrick

Published on April 27, 2017 in SAIS Profiles/Student Life by The SAIS Observer Staff

By GARRETT SWEITZER To the casual observer, Fitz Fitzpatrick may seem to be an overly diligent student who spends an inordinate amount of time in the library. In fact, he jokes that in some regards he is more familiar with the student computer room at SAIS Europe than with the city of Bologna. Upon closer look, however, one comes to understand a man who has devoted much of his life to the service of his country. At an early age, Colonel Fitzpatrick became interested in a career in the armed forces. In his words, Fitz saw a career in the military as the opportunity to do a “white collar job in the woods”. Drawing inspiration from his father, who served in Germany during the early Cold War, and from an uncle who had a thirty year career in infantry, Fitzpatrick studied History at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore with an ROTC…

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Alumni Continue Giving Back to the HNC by Transitioning to Staff

Published on March 29, 2017March 29, 2017 in Faculty/Experts/SAIS Life/SAIS Matters/SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

by: Caroline Yarber NANJING–The Hopkins-Nanjing Center provides a unique opportunity for SAIS students. Not only do students receive an immersive perspective on US-China relations, but also become a part of a tight-knit community of likeminded people. A significant portion of the current staff are former students of the Center who wish to remain a lasting part of this community. We spoke with two young alumni of the Center to find out why they chose to start their careers at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and what they have learned about the Center from the staff perspective. Niu Xiaohu (left) and Lauren Syzmanski (right). Source: author Lauren Szymanski and Niu Xiaohu both joined the HNC staff in 2012. Based in DC, Szymanski is the Deputy Director for the HNC Washington Office. She graduated from the HNC Certificate program in 2012 and joined the admissions side of the Center two weeks after graduation as…

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Student Spotlight: Jamil Wyne on Bringing the Net Impact Network to SAIS Europe

Published on December 20, 2016December 18, 2016 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

By UTPALA MENON With a Fulbright scholarship and multiple policy research initiatives in the MENA region, Jamil Wyne already has some impressive experience under his belt. Now a first-year IDEV student in the SAIS-INSEAD dual degree program, he is spending his time in Bologna expanding his social enterprise experience. Along with a team five others, Wyne has recently acquired a Net Impact membership for SAIS Europe, the first of its kind in Italy. The SAIS Observer sat down with Wyne to discuss his past experiences, how they tie into Net Impact and finally his plans for the network in the future. The SAIS Observer: Tell us more about working on social enterprise issues. . Photo courtesy of Sharad Sharma Jamil Wyne: All the work that I’ve done since I graduated in 2008 is focused on economic and social development. The majority of that looks at the way private enterprises,…

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Student Spotlight: Jason Spizer, Documentary Photographer

Published on May 3, 2016May 3, 2016 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

BY KADY HAMMER Sitting down with a professional photojournalist was intimidating for an amateur journalist like myself, especially when that professional happened to be someone whose work I greatly admire. I found Jason Spizer in the right corner of the Mizushi Ristorante & Bar leaning back in his chair with two cups of tea waiting for us. As I sat down, he glanced toward the ceiling before reaching for another cup of red tea. After taking a sip, he rested his hands on the table, turned toward me, and patiently waited for me to begin the interview. Spizer, 27, is a tall, auburn-haired guy from New Orleans. Former stock trader-turned-documentary photographer and student living in Italy, Spizer is unequivocally one of the most interesting people I have had the good fortune of meeting. He has traveled extensively working as a freelance photojournalist and has worked on diverse projects focusing on…

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An Interview with the MA SGA Representatives

Published on October 20, 2015October 22, 2015 in SAIS Life/SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

A discussion with new 1st year MA SGA representatives, Hengrui Liu and Nathasha Soon: Could you tell me a little bit about your background prior to coming to SAIS and what you plan to study here? Hengrui: I come from Chengdu, China, but got my BA from Brandeis University. During my time at Brandeis, I served as a research assistant to a Chinese history professor. I later returned to China where I interned with the US-China Business Council in Beijing and analyzed government policies related to US companies operating in China. I study ERE here at SAIS. Nathasha: I’m from Seattle, WA, and attended the University of Washington where I majored in Economics and Psychology. After graduating in 2013, I worked for a year in consumer banking, and then decided to apply to graduate school. I also used this time to travel to Southeast Asia, where much of my family…

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What Did You Do This Summer?

Published on October 6, 2015October 22, 2015 in SAIS Profiles/Student Life by The SAIS Observer Staff

We asked a couple of our classmates what they did this summer to see where everyone is coming from and where they hope to go during their time at SAIS: Shereen Shafi: This summer I studied Urdu for two months in Lucknow, India through the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program funded by the U.S. Department of State. In addition to exploring the city of Lucknow and seeing the Taj Mahal and other historic sites on a CLS-organized trip to Agra, my friends and I were able to spend weekends in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Dehradun while traveling independently. Most importantly, thanks to our excellent classroom instruction and the benefits of an Urdu/Hindi-immersive environment, my Urdu speaking abilities and vocabulary expanded significantly; upon returning, I passed my proficiency exam at SAIS. I would highly recommend the CLS program to any SAIS student studying a foreign language. Yael Mizrahi: Yael spent 6…

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In Conversation with Prof. Webb

Published on December 3, 2013 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

Emily Walz
Assistant Editor at SAIS Nanjing

During his last year in high school, Professor Adam K. Webb got a Chinese textbook and began teaching himself.

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SAIS Europe Professor Profile: William Belding

Published on October 14, 2013October 18, 2013 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

Professor Belding teaches a course on weak and failed states at SAIS Europe. (Rachel Finan)

HYELADZIRRA BANU
Assistant Editor at SAIS Europe

Each year, SAIS Europe draws on experts from all over the world who bring a wide range of personal and professional experiences to bear on academics in Bologna.

This year Professor William Belding, on loan for a semester from the School of International Service at American University, is one of them.

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SAIS DC Student Profile: Shahed Ghoreishi

Published on October 14, 2013October 14, 2013 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

SELIM KORU
Associate Editor at SAIS Washington

It is difficult to find an average profile among SAIS students. Our classmates come from a variety of backgrounds, spanning across a variety of nationalities, religions, academic fields and interests.That diversity makes it hard to find a representative profile of the student body. That was not lost on Shahed Ghoreishi, a first year in Middle East Studies in DC.

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SAIS Alum to Read Autobiography at Local Czech Café

Published on October 7, 2013October 7, 2013 in SAIS Profiles by The SAIS Observer Staff

The SAIS Observer Staff

SAIS students will be afforded a treat this coming Sunday when Eric Steiner, SAIS Europe ’95, SAIS DC ’96, will read from his self-published autobiography, On Moon Square, at Bistro Bohem in the Shaw neighborhood.

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