Archive for April 2011

Coming Soon – Summer Photo Series

SIPA students come from all over the world and have done all sorts of interesting things.  Many capture their adventures with cameras and each summer the Admissions Blog becomes a virtual art gallery.

This entry just serves as an encouragement to think about photos you have that you would like to post this summer.  It is a great way to share something about yourself with the rest of the incoming class.

Below are a few of the photos from last year long with the comments that those submitting the photos added.  In May I will send out an official invitation providing instructions to new students on how to submit photos for posting.

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Lhasa, Tibet.  Kids breakdancing in the street. At one point while I was watching these kids break it down two older Tibetan women came by twirling their prayer wheels. They stopped and stared in bewilderment at these representatives of the next, younger generation. A clear sign of an odd cultural gap forming in this traditional land.

kids break dancing in lhasa

Wau Region of Southern Sudan. Children in Southern Sudan finally get a chance to return to normalcy albeit in very basic conditions. The school ground used to be a Church where children now gather under trees to learn. Resources are scarce and teachers lack the requisite training to assimilate newly enrolled repatriated children from neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. It does not deter teachers and children from coming to school everyday with chairs and blackboards in 50 degrees heat – a truly inspiring sight!

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Palestinian refugee camp – Sabra and Shatila in West Beirut. This child was one of the tens of thousands of refugees displaced from the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp near Tripoli by a conflict between the Lebanese Internal Security Forces and the Fatah al-Islam militant group. His face was painted as a show of support for “Palestinian solidarity”.

shatila

Ghana. I was working as a photographer and correspondent in Accra at the time. My colleagues and I spent a relaxing day on the beach one day and I saw those two local boys playing football, they were truly enjoying it.

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This was taken in the early evening at the famous Angkor Wat. I love that you can spot a briefcase in one of the Monks hands.

Cambodia_Monks at Work

Namibia – Dune Cartwheel: I try to get someone to take a photo of me cartwheeling everywhere I travel, and this is one of my all time favorites – in the magnificent dunes in western Namibia.

dune cartwheel

Microfinance Working Group 9th Annual Career Conference

By Deepika Sharma and Beatriz Guillen

On April 1st I attended the 9th Annual Career Conference organized by the SIPA Microfinance Working Group. As you might know, microfinance has been in the news a lot recently- for both good and bad reasons. There have been questions raised on the efficacy and sustainability of microfinance especially due to recent events in South Asia. These issues, as well as career opportunities in the field, were discussed in the Microfinance conference, that was held at the Office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP, a 38th floor with spectacular views of the city.

This year’s Panel was comprised of the following people:

  • Olympia de Castro, IFC Advisory Services – Access To Finance, International FinanceCorporation
  • Erica Dorn, Partnerships and Volunteer Program Manager, ACCION International
  • Molly McGrath, Vice President of Development, Grameen America
  • Shamsudeen Mustafa, Program Director, SeedCo Financial Services and Co-President, Microfinance Club of New York
  • Carolina Murphy, Founder and Managing Partner of MicroEmpowering.org
  • Ben Shell, Senior Associate, New Product Development, Women’s World Banking
  • Adriana Valenzuela, Associate, Capital Markets Group, Grameen Foundation

The 1.5 hour long panel and Q&A session was followed by reception and networking between the audience and the panelists while they enjoyed wine and hors d’oeuvres. Unlike the last few years, the audience this year not only comprised of SIPA students but also students from Columbia College, NYU-Wagner and NYU-Stern as well as alumni and industry professionals. The speakers from the different organizations were extremely helpful and receptive to the students and greatly appreciated the event for facilitating their recruitment processes.

Career Networking is an important part and parcel at SIPA. There are numerous events that facilitate and encourage students to connect with alumni and professionals. In the words of one of the panelists: “staying connected with professionals in the field and building your network is not just important for the next internship or job search but is a lifelong source for advancing your career or just meeting more interesting people”. In fact, the Microfinance Working Group organizes the Annual Spring Career Conference at a prime location downtown because of continued relations Tony Gooch, the Co-founder of the MFWG.

MIA and MPA Concentration Choice

One of the questions that has been popping up in our email in box from MIA and MPA admitted applicants has to do with the choice of concentration at SIPA.  You can think of your concentration as your major field of study.  Many applicants are worried that they must stick with the concentration selected when the admission application was filled out.  This is not the case.  As a reminder, our six concentrations are:

  • Economic and Political Development
  • Energy and the Environment
  • Human Rights
  • International Finance and Economic Policy
  • International Security Policy
  • Urban and Social Policy

We do look for focus in an admission application and the concentration choice often will influence how a file is read.  For example, if someone selects International Finance and Economic Policy on the admission application we do look for evidence of some pretty serious quantitative study and/or work experience due to the fact that this concentration is quantitatively heavy.

However, we also realize that when admitted applicants enroll and speak with faculty, take some classes, interact with second year students, and attend events, one’s career or academic focus might shift and we want to be flexible and allow students to choose the pathway that is best for their professional goals.  Often this insight only comes after actually enrolling and spending time at SIPA.

Thus it is perfectly acceptable to change your concentration when you register for classes in the fall.  There is no formal process, you simply must choose a concentration when you register.  There is also no firm time line to finalize your choice, however the longer you wait, the more precarious completing the requirements becomes.

The counseling students receive will thus encourage you to be firm with your concentration choice sometime during your first year, and the sooner the better so that you may shape your class schedule and internships.  All of our program requirements must be completed in four semesters and deciding early will help alleviate pressure over time by narrowing your class choices.

So there is no need to worry about sticking to the concentration selected on the admission application.  During Orienation in August new students will have the opportunity to hear faculty speak about the different options and the concentration choice will be made when you register.  If you need to change again when you register for the second semester you may, but again the more focused and certain you are, the more you will be able to gain from the program.

Some Tips for International Students

Erisha Suwal will be graduating from SIPA soon and she composed this entry to provide insight to international applicants and students.  On a side note, culture shock is not limited to international students, even for someone that grew up in the United States moving to NYC can be a shock.  Do not worry though, as the famous quote goes, “This is New York, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”

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SIPA is a very international school, academically and in terms of its student body. About 60% of the students in the MPA and about 40% of students in the MIA program come from outside of the US. Being an international student is exciting. Living in a new country, in one of the biggest cities in the world can be quite an adventure. As an international student about to complete my SIPA education, I want to share a few experiences and give a few tips, especially to those international students who will be leaving home for the first time.

Applying to SIPA

For those reading this blog that will apply in the future, language can be a major hurdle for non-native English speakers. If you did not complete your undergraduate in an English-medium institution, you have to take TOEFL or IELTS. If you have ample time before the test, read anything you can find in English. Watch as many English movies as possible to improve your listening skills. Then you have the GREs. The verbal for non-native English speakers is usually challenging. So work extra hard.

On the other hand, your mother tongue or national language can also exempt you from taking language classes. All students enrolled in the MIA program must be fluent in a second language in addition to English.  The language requirement also applies to MPA students concentrating in Economic and Political Development. However, you can get language exemption by proving proficiency either by taking a test offered at SIPA or elsewhere. In my case, I am a native Nepali speaker and I had taken a language exemption test during my undergraduate studies at Wellesley College.

I had my dean from Wellesley write to the deans at SIPA and was exempted. Not having to take a second language frees up a lot of time to take other classes. At the same time, it could be fun and beneficial to take a second language, especially languages needed for UN and World Bank jobs.

Once Accepted

If you need to take a loan, you need to apply to a private lender, usually CitiBank or Sallie Mae. Loans from private lenders have higher interest rates and they require an American co-signer to act as a guarantor. Finding a co-signer maybe difficult for many international students. Even if you do have an American co-signer, whether or not the loan will be approved is up to the lender. Dealing with these issues from outside of the US can cause much anxiety. Make sure you go through the information provided by the private lenders thoroughly to understand the system. Read the fine prints. Talk to anybody you know who has gone through this before.

Another option to secure financial support, at least partially, is to explore other funding sources such as your undergraduate institution, foundations, and fellowships.  You never know when an opportunity will appear. I contacted undergraduate alums to find out if the organizations they work for such as the Ford Foundation or even Pepsi Co. would fund students pursuing a master’s degree. Funds from outside are competitive to receive, but it is worth exploring all options.

On a side note: having been in the US for almost eight years now, I have learned that it is always important to ask unequivocally for something if you need it; without being an annoyance of course. Sometimes, international students come from cultures where asking directly for something is considered rude, selfish, inconsiderate or against the cultural norm. However, unless you ask, no one knows your needs. The worst that can happen is that you will get no for an answer. 

Visa

After you have your finances taken care of, its time to get a visa. The visa process varies depending on your country of origin. It is smooth for some and rocky for others. Give yourself ample time.  If you encounter any problems, reach out to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). They are very helpful with the immigration process and have tips on how to prepare for the visa interview as well. For those applying for visa for the first time, remember that how you finance your education and whether or not you plan to come back to the country in the future matters to embassy staff.

For those traveling for the first time, keep in mind that the US immigration laws have changed since 9/11. Do not be surprised at random checks and it can be a lengthy process.

Experience at SIPA and New York

Culture shock is inevitable for first timers. I remember my first days in the US. People spoke English too fast and with an accent I wasn’t familiar with. Public display of affection was acceptable. Dance floors were a whole different world. I constantly converted dollars to Nepali rupees. Early experiences in New York can be even more intense with its fast-paced life, crowded subways, and people dressed up in crazy attire.

I asked a few other international friends to share their experiences. A friend from Japan said, “I did not have culture shock since the way of modern life does not change regardless of where we are…oh, the staffs in restaurants are friendlier than in Japan and attendants in supermarkets are much more impolite.”

Another friend from China mentioned that it took her time to adjust to the social scene in New York. She said that she was not used to the idea of going to bars to drink a lot.   A few other friends mentioned that coming a few days prior to orientation is good idea. It gives time to explore the city on your own and to get used to the place before your schedule fills up with orientation events and then classes. Coming earlier is also a good way to make some friends before classes start. After the first two months or so, you will adapt to the place and its pace.

Some international students have mentioned that they continue to struggle with English, and at times it can get frustrating not to be able to express yourself.  However, they say that perseverance is the key.

SIPA has numerous events throughout the years to help students socialize and have a good time. There are also many student organizations based on regions, cultures and interest. ISSO also organizes many events for international students. For those who only have their passports as the official identification card, get a New York state ID or maybe even a driver’s license. If you are going to bars or buying alcohol, it is easier and less risky to have an ID than carry your passport around.

Other Tips

If you need to find an on-campus job, reach out to people. Check libraries and IT centers for vacancies. Email professors you find interesting not just in SIPA but in the whole University, and ask them if they need a research assistant. I found a research assistant position in my first semester by emailing a professor. Advertise to teach your national language or any other skills you might have. Some students babysit to make some cash.

Be prepared for cold weather. This winter New York had 20 inches of snow!

Finding an apartment in New York can be stressful, but there are ways to get cheaper housing besides campus housing. The loan serves as an income guarantee. Check out http://newyork.craigslist.org/ but be careful of scams.

Explore not just New York, but most of the US, if you have the chance.

Advising

The following post was composed by Brittney Bailey.

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For those of you that have been admitted to SIPA, congrats! I know that many of you are in the midst of weighing the many pros and cons of each program to which you’ve applied.  So I wanted to address one of the more common questions we get in Admissions from admitted students just to help some of you manage expectations and to get a better understanding of the SIPA experience.  Incoming students always ask- what type of advising do students receive at SIPA?  How much guidance is provided from faculty and staff?

First, I will say that no matter which way you cut it, I think that a masters program requires much more personal planning and less faculty assistance than an undergraduate degree.  Nevertheless, in terms of advising, I do think that the SIPA program calls for very independent students.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that SIPA tends to attract older students, who have presumably honed their skills to use resources, extract guidance and may be a lot clearer when communicating what they want out of the program.  Or maybe it’s because of a general culture of independence within Columbia University.  The school is large and located in the most metropolitan, “rough and tough”, city in the US.           NYC demands a lot from its inhabitants and it makes sense that this same expectation would permeate the walls of this university.  Whatever the reason, here are a few pointers that might be helpful when trying to maneuver through the advising process at SIPA:

Do Your Research

Although this seems like an obvious pointer, it’s definitely worth noting.  Personal planning is the key to making sure that you can extract specific guidance from the resources around you, especially from the Deans who also serve as advisors.  Most Deans are in charge of various administrative and operational duties around the school so they have limited time to devote specifically to advising.  If you’ve done your own personal planning and can come to them with direct questions, it usually results in a much more fruitful advising session. For instance, this might seem a little extreme, but when I walked into my first meeting with a simple excel  listing classes I wanted to take and what requirements they would fulfill,  my advisor was ecstatic.  He then walked me through the list, told me who I could speak with to clarify certain requirements, and it helped us build a solid rapport for future sessions.

Befriend the Deans and Support Staff

Again, speaking from personal experience, I’ve found that being close to SIPA administration not only helps with advising, but guidance overall. From facilities up to the deans, many of my questions on how to maneuver through the Columbia bureaucracy have been answered by someone who was not necessarily an advisor.  Also, checking in regularly with the administration, even when it’s just to report concerns in a class, progress on a job search or something completely external from typical advising, really helps.

Sit Down with Professors

Although professors are not formally advisors, they are experts in their field that can guide you on what type of coursework would align with your planned career track. Also, I’ve found that when I have professor support for a class that doesn’t necessarily fall within the core requirements, it’s much easier to get SIPA advisors to find ways to apply the course to my degree program.

Use Your Biggest Resource- 2nd Years

Lastly, the biggest resource you can use in selecting courses and maneuvering through the day-to-day at SIPA are 2nd year students.  2nd years can tell you everything- which classes are the most practical or theoretical, which professors are great, which books to actually purchase, who to contact for summer internships and how to make the most use of the few elective courses you have.  I know that this seems intuitive…but it’s probably one of the most under-utilized resources at the school.

Much like the “real world,” advising and building relationships with faculty at SIPA are really what you make of it.

"The most global public policy school, where an international community of students and faculty address world challenges."

—Merit E. Janow, Dean, SIPA, Professor of Practice, International and Economic Law and International Affairs

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