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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