News + Events

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May 2025

Graduation time is here - and so is the final chapter of our unforgettable semester in the MAGS program! Caps are flying, capstone deadlines are behind us, and the NYC spring air feels a little sweeter. This newsletter is all about reflection - on our growth, community, challenges, and unexpected joy. So, before we toss our caps and head off in all directions, let’s hear from a few of our fellow MAGS students about what this incredible semester meant to them.

For Nekruz, the capstone part of the MAGS program was a chance to design an actionable plan for real-world impact: “It's not just research - it’s a precise plan, step by step. His project focused on the economic ties between the USA and Tajikistan, and the NYC semester allowed him to explore diplomacy from the inside out. “The diplomacy class taught me how it works - the strategy behind every move.”

Sara used her internship at the Global Justice Center to dive into feminist legal advocacy. “It allowed me to speak with people across departments, legal, development, operations, and build something meaningful that aligned with their mission.” Her favorite class, “Crisis of Global Order” with Dr. Murray, left a mark: “You could feel your brain hurt from how intense and thought-provoking the conversations were.”

The capstone on US-Myanmar relations felt personal and powerful for another student May: “I’m proud of my work - it could serve as an important piece of documentation for both countries.” At her internship she saw how refugee resettlement organizations navigate difficulty with resilience. “It gave me valuable insight into crisis management and policy impacts on the ground”.

Zin’s takeaway from his MAGS experience? Communication is everything. “I realized that keeping each other informed, especially in tough moments, builds trust and keeps everything moving.” Beyond capstone and internships, the city itself taught us plenty. “Every day in NYC offers new learning opportunities,” said May. “You feel more connected to global conversation - like a change-making individual.”

But what held it all together was the community. “We're a supportive, diverse, and inspiring community where everyone learns from one another and grows together,” Zin said. Nekruz agreed “It’s so interesting to see different perspectives come together in class - it opened my mind.” And as Sara put it: “Whether we’re discussing politics or just sitting in the sun, it’s the friendships that grounded me.”

From all of us behind the MAGS program, thank you for letting us share our stories this semester. We’ve loved spotlighting our internships, research, and personal journey through NYC. And here’s one thing we will always remember as we cross the graduation stage: we’ll always be a part of the MAGS family. 

Congratulations, Class of 2025 - we can’t wait to see where life brings us next!"

With pride and celebration,
Yuliia Balan

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March 2025

“Hello, New Yorkers! We’ve officially made it to the second month of the semester, and we’re mastering the juggle of research, internships, and capstone projects. This edition will highlight the academic side of the MAGS program by providing insights from four of our outstanding students making the most of their program experience.

The capstone project: that glorious blend of passion, perseverance, and sleepless determination. Elena’s research compares how Columbia University in NYC and the Free University of Berlin in Germany responded to pro-Palestinian encampments on their campuses, drawing from her activism. “I wanted to see whether Germany’s crackdown on these protests…is exclusive to Germany or whether this is happening globally,” she explains. Her work sheds light on differences in policing tactics, noting that while administrative consequences in the USA are severe, protest violence in Germany tends to be more intense.

Jules, meanwhile, focuses on European defense, emphasizing how the continent has long relied on the USA for security but is now at a turning point. “Europe has been neglecting its defense since the end of the Cold War,” he argues, adding that Russia's war against Ukraine and shifting US commitments are forcing European leaders to rethink military strategies. His project embraces strategic foresight, envisioning a long-term defense framework that policymakers do not yet have sufficient flexibility to implement. Jules advises everyone to aim high, think outside the box, and embrace ambitious ideas to make a real difference.

Outside the classroom, we also see how theory meets practice firsthand. Jasmine is interning at the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs, where she holds the esteemed title of Programs and Outreach intern. Tasked with everything from background research on speakers to setting up and facilitating events, she gets to help develop programs and resources to encourage the next generation to engage with ethics globally. Beyond developing her program-planning prowess, Jasmine is getting a fresh perspective on ethics in international relations. “It’s made me rethink the role of ethics in decision-making,” she said. As for advice for future interns? “Be open to every opportunity - you never know what might surprise you!”

Meanwhile, Fanni is interning at Commonpoint, an affiliate of HIAS, working on employment support for refugees. The work is rewarding but chaotic - think of last-minute shelter closures, funding cuts, and a legal landscape that changes every minute. “I’ve suddenly gotten way more responsibilities because people also have to deal with their immigration uncertainties on top of their clients,” she explains. Fanni has made employer calls, searched for vocational training programs, and conducted client assessments - all while witnessing firsthand how policy decisions shape real lives. “It’s an invaluable learning experience,” she admits. This internship has solidified her goal of improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s MAGS newsletter! A huge shoutout to Elena, Jules, Jasmine, and Fanni for their outstanding work and dedication and for sharing their stories with us. Next month, we’ll switch gears and dive into professional opportunities and networking stories, spilling tea about how we are building connections and paving our ways forward. Stay tuned!”

—Yuliia Balan, March 2025