source: New Yorker May 2, 2010
Archive for Columbia University – Page 21
Life at SIPA is more than just a rigorous and exciting curriculum. The SIPA community is greatly enriched by the numerous student organizations on campus. We thought it would be useful to spotlight some of these organizations to give you a more holistic view of the SIPA experience.
The UN Studies Program Working Group (UNSWG) is a student organization that works in close relation with the UN Studies Program at SIPA. It aims to connect students and the entire SIPA community to the United Nations, to its issues and agenda, and to the UN System as a whole. UNSWG members are dedicated to the UN’s main goals, including principles of worldwide cooperation for peace and prosperity.
◦The UNSWG serves as a platform for delivery and exchange of knowledge, ideas, thoughts and reflection, debates and discussion on issues related to the United Nations and the UN system.
◦The UNSWG works to foster a close relation between SIPA and the UN: to prepare conferences, seminars, discussion panels and groups; invite speakers and prepare presentations; organize student debates around relevant and current issues related to the UN.
◦The UNSWG aims to maximize opportunities for SIPA students to be involved with the UN and the greater UN family through meetings with officials; visits to the UN Secretariat and UN agency headquarters; inviting speakers to SIPA; organizing internships, career panels, and support for individual initiatives related to the UN.
Within the first month of the semester, the UNSWG has coordinated the following events:
- “How to get a job at the UN” panel with a representative from the UN’s Human Resources department
- UN Studies Retreat, “70 Years Later: The United Nations at a Crossroad in a Changing World”, which featured speakers from the UN Secretary-General, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Peace Institute, the UN Secretary-General in Africa, and the United Nations Foundation
- Participation in an upcoming talk given by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on challenges for the UN in the 21st Century
Check out the UNSWG’s blog for a list of past events and its general page for more information.
It is highly recommended to visit the programs that you’re interested in applying to. When I was applying, I took two weeks off of work and visited eight MPA programs. While I researched these programs, I instinctively ranked them in my mind from the one that I wanted to attend the most to the least. Surprisingly, after visiting the programs, my ranking of programs changed drastically! Programs on the top of my list were crossed off entirely, while schools I were on the fence, jumped up high on the list. Factors for the rearrangement of my list include; approachability of professors, friendliness of students, sitting in on classes, as well as the ambiance of the city where the school was located.
In regards to SIPA, it was the one school that did not shift position. It was on the top of my list and remained there after my visit. The professors took the time out of their schedules to meet with me, the students took me out for some drinks at the end of the day and offered me candid answers to my questions, the classes were extremely stimulating, and New York City is amazing!
That being said, visit SIPA! See if it is a good fit, as well as NYC. While here explore the City. It can be quite daunting if you don’t know where to start. One of my passions before coming to SIPA was splurging on food. My desire for quality food has not diminished, although my wallet has since I am now a full time student. So, I have created a list of AMAZING restaurants to try when you’re here, while on a graduate student budget. This is clutch. These restaurants are scattered throughout Manhattan which will allow you to explore your new home if you decide to enroll. Good luck on your application and bon appetit!
Classes have begun and we already have a set of events planned at SIPA next week. You can find a full list of events on our website. But here’s a short list of what you could find yourself doing next week:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2014
The Being Young Forum: From Silicon Valley to Zhongguancun: Who Will Be More Innovative, Young People in the U.S. or China? Dean Merit E. Janow of the School of International and Public Affairs and President Debora Spar of Barnard College invite you to participate in a special televised discussion on campus.
Architecture and Diplomacy: Transatlantic Approaches: The presentations and panels of professionals in architecture, history, and government explore the “architecture of diplomacy” across the Atlantic. A reception and an exhibition of Columbia architecture students’ works will follow the event.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
Origins of Environmental Law Lecture Series: The Structure and Role of Congress in Environmental Policy
This lecture by Leon G. Billings and Thomas C. Jorling will provide a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence environmental policy and the political climate, such as the structure and personalities of the members and staff of the Senate subcommittee, and the role of lobbyists, administration staff, and the media. It will look specifically at how the media portrayed major environmental legislation and how commentary from figures such as Rachael Carson and Barry Commoner may have influenced Congress in the 1960s and 1970s.
The New Brazil: Achievements and Challenges: A talk about Brazil’s need for more savings and investment, better education, and a reduction in the “Brazil cost” of doing business. This talk is part of the course Political, Social, and Economic Development of Brazil (Instructor Sidney Nakahodo).
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
Perspectives on Public Integrity: Ben Olken Maximizing Illicit Profits: Understanding How Corrupt Officials Choose How Much to Charge for Bribes: Professor Benjamin Olken of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Jameel Poverty Action Lab will discuss the quantitative methods employed by leading economists to tackle corruption worldwide.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
ISIS in Iraq, Syria, and the U.S.: Saltzman Institute members and frequent media contributors Austin Long and Stuart Gottlieb will discuss the growing regional and global threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
A Talk by Ambassador Ian Kelly: A talk by Ambassador Ian Kelly about his experiences dealing with Russia during his foreign service career; he’ll also discuss opportunities at the State Department.
Also Like Life: The Films of Hou Hsiao-hsien: A discussion about the work of Taiwan’s celebrated filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien in conjunction with the Museum of the Moving Image’s retrospective “Also Like Life: The Films of Hou Hsiao-hsien.”
We’re only a few days from Orientation. Students are stopping by the office to “introduce” themselves. And even though this new class is just starting, we feel like they’ve been around for a while. We’ve gotten to know them during the admissions process so it’s very exciting to finally see all of them in person.
As we count down to Orientation, we’ll post the rest of the photo contributions from our new students so you may share their adventures before arriving at SIPA.
Our next submission comes from Bartosz Garbaczewski who will be pursuing his Master of International Affairs, concentrating in Energy and Environment and specializing in Advanced Economic and Policy Analysis.
***
This coming September I will officially join the family of Columbia University | SIPA – a family of incredibly diverse backgrounds and experiences! I look forward to meeting you all, and sharing personal interests and passions, as well as professional experiences in and beyond classrooms.
As we all arrive in NYC and arrange for housing for the upcoming academic year, here are some facts about myself, which I would like to share. I am originally from Poland where I spent the first twenty years of my life. Since the last nine years I studied, worked and lived in six countries around the globe including Germany, England, China, Canada, the Netherlands, and Qatar. My professional experience is in the energy industry, where I have spent four years working across downstream and upstream businesses in one of the world’s largest oil majors.
As a keen traveler, I am sharing three photographs, which I took in Qatar, Thailand and most recently in Sri Lanka.
Cheers, Bartosz
Qatar : “Stopping for a picture with camels in Al-Shahaniya in Qatar in March – a place where every visitor should stop to catch a camel race during the season…”
Sri Lanka : “Stilt fishermen fishing from their poles in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka presented a view worth capturing with my camera this July”
Thailand : “While visiting Thailand in May I visited Damnoen Floating Market – one of the most famous Thailand’s floating markets.”
"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
