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News
Bard and CEU to Offer New Joint International Relations MA Program Track
Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program Announces New Alumni/ae Advisory Board
Bard College Announces the Appointment of Tania El Khoury and Ziad Abu-Rish to Lead New M.A. Program in Human Rights and the Arts
The MAGS Monthly
Check back regularly for monthly updates about student life at MAGS, from current students!
April 2025
by Yuliia Balan
"Spring is in full swing, and so is our journey through the MAGS program! Last month we dove into some key academic components of the program, sharing insights on internships and capstone projects from our wonderful students. This time, we’re talking about something just as important - professional opportunities and networking stories... !"
April 2025
"Spring is in full swing, and so is our journey through the MAGS program! Last month we dove into some key academic components of the program, sharing insights on internships and capstone projects from our wonderful students. This time, we’re talking about something just as important - professional opportunities and networking stories. Let’s be honest: career success isn’t just about what you know, but who you know. From casual coffee chats to LinkedIn responses, our students are mastering the art of networking and they’re ready to share their experiences!
Fiona discovered several networking opportunities through her internship at the Institute for Economics and Peace. With a UN pass, she has attended multiple events, including the Commission on the Status of Women, where she met experts from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Save the Children. Fiona highlighted how small encounters, such as grabbing coffee with professionals, can lead to valuable insights into careers in international development. “Networking is about persistence - some people will be receptive, others won’t, but putting yourself out there is key, ” - Fiona said.
Jules took a different approach and focused on Belgian diplomatic and professional circles. He attended an event at the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN, where he met diplomats and ambassadors while learning about global climate change initiatives. His involvement with the Belgian Chamber of Commerce and events at Flanders House further connected him with diplomacy, academia, and business. His advice for future students? “New York is about knowing the right people. Be proactive and leverage your nation’s networks - they’ll often be the most welcoming and open to connecting you with others,” - Jules recommended.
Yuliia has followed an advocacy path, participating in the sixth Ukraine Action Summit in Washington, DC, which brought together 600 constituents from 50 states to secure bipartisan support in Congress for Ukraine. Her involvement in diplomacy also extended to the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, where she interns and engages with officials working on security, peace and conflict resolution. She encourages students to use platforms like LinkedIn and attend university-hosted events at Bard, Columbia, NYU, and more to discover relevant opportunities. “Never hesitate to reach out to people - whether it’s an ambassador or a student with shared interests. You never know where a connection might lead,” - Yuliia highlighted. Want to level up your networking game? Here’s what our students recommend. First, hunt for events, reach out to professionals, and show up - you never know who you’ll meet. Second, your internship is more than just working experience - it’s a backstage pass to industry opportunities. Third, follow up, engage on LinkedIn, and stay in touch with your connections after your MAGS experience.
We know networking can be overwhelming, but as Fiona, Jules, and Yuliia have shown, it’s full of rewarding moments and unexpected opportunities. Whether interested in diplomacy, research, or business, the MAGS program provides a launching pad for meaningful professional connections. So go on - get out there and make it happen!"
- Yuliia Balan, April 2025
March 2025
by Yuliia Balan
“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...”
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
February 2025
by Yuliia Balan
"Hello from the Spring 2025 cohort of the MA in Global Studies Program at Bard College! It’s been a whirlwind of a month as we have swapped the comfort of our old routines for the chaos (and charm) of New York City. The program, renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to addressing global issues, kicked off with an exciting orientation week designed to help us prepare for the academic and professional semester ahead. Buckle up for some highlights - it’s been a ride!..."
February 2025
Hello from the Spring 2025 cohort of the MA in Global Studies Program at Bard College! It’s been a whirlwind of a month as we have swapped the comfort of our old routines for the chaos (and charm) of New York City. The program, renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to addressing global issues, kicked off with an exciting orientation week designed to help us prepare for the academic and professional semester ahead. Buckle up for some highlights - it’s been a ride!
First, we arrived from every corner of the globe - Ukraine, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Canada, and others - bringing diverse experiences and perspectives. Arriving in NYC felt like stepping into a movie - from figuring out which subway train doesn’t end up in the Bronx (oops) to discovering local gems like coffee shops, bookstores, and cultural spots. A few of us might already have our favorite bagel spots and pizza slices (and yes, we’ll defend them aggressively!).
Orientation was held at Bard’s Williamsburg space, where we reside, and the BGIA Manhattan office, where we have our classes, providing a comprehensive introduction to the program’s academic structure, faculty and resources. Workshops on academic integrity, professional communication, and empathetic listening offered us a glimpse of the program’s practical and social focus. Guest speakers, including alumni working in international organizations, as part of the “BardWorks 2025” program, shared their insights and career trajectories, setting an inspiring tone for the semester. One highlight? A group tour to the Metropolitan Museum of Art! If you’ve never channeled your inner Blair Waldorf while sitting on the MET steps with your friends, we highly recommend it. Bonus: the perfect group selfie spot to live your Upper East Side dream! XOXO.
Classes officially started at the end of January, with us diving into big topics such as international governance, diplomacy, and global challenges. Renowned faculty encouraged fruitful discussions, drawing on current global events to connect theory with practice. We already started thinking about our capstone projects, and honestly, the ideas look brilliant! We have also started our internships in global affairs, a key component of the MAGS program. We have secured the positions from the UN missions and international NGOs to research institutions and policy think tanks. That means a lot of early mornings, a lot of trying to look professional while running for the train, and definitely a lot of “Can you take a pic of me?” moments. But we’re here for it! These internships offer invaluable hands-on experience, allowing us to apply the academic knowledge to real-world issues.
Thankfully, our cohort is a mix of brilliant and genuinely funny people. Whether grabbing food after class, venting about subway delays, or laughing about how much reading students didn’t finish, we have already built a tight-knit community. As we continue settling in, the focus remains developing the skills and knowledge needed to address today’s most pressing global challenges. Stay tuned for the next month’s update as we dive deeper into the program’s academic projects and professional achievements.
Welcome to NYC, Bard MAGS Spring 2025 cohort - here’s to a transformative journey ahead!