Archive for Travel – Page 2

Commuting to Columbia University’s campus

We often discuss the wonderful diversity of students at SIPA on this blog. That diversity means students are moving to New York from all over the country and the world so inevitably one of the first questions admitted students have is about where they should live. Read More →

Finding altruism in others in Tanzania

For students in the Master of Public Administration in Development Practice program, things may progress a little differently than for our other MPA and Master of International Affairs students. For example, while MPA and MIA students may elect to spend their summer between their first and second year however they wish, MPA-DP students are required to participate in a three-month summer field placement. And I use the term required loosely, as our students always enjoy their assignments. They work in one of 30 different countries to develop practical work experience in sustainable development practice and to gain first-hand understanding of how education, agriculture, health, nutrition, energy, water and community are interconnected. It’s both a challenging and rewarding experience that’s an essential part of the MPA-DP curriculum.

To see what it’s like for our MPA-DP students, today I’m sharing with you an experience Ana Carolina Diaz, MPA-DP ’16, had this summer while she’s working in Tanzania.

Read More →

Can’t make it to campus, find us on the road

We’re visiting a few places this week so if you can’t make it to Columbia University in Morningside Heights, NYC then find us off campus.

Tonight (Monday, September 15) we’re heading south to midtown east (not that far away but for those who are already working, playing or living in the area, it’s just a faster and easier commute).  We’re participating in an admissions fair with a number of APSIA schools so you can meet a few of us in one evening.  And if international affairs is your kind of thing, you can also participate in a panel discussion with CFR experts discussing the New Middle East.  To register for the event, click here.  There is a small fee to attend the panel discussion but the fair is free (use “APSIA” as the promo code).

This week we’ll also be in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Mexico, and the US capital (Washington, DC).  For a list of where you can find us to learn more about SIPA, visit our website, under “On the Road.”  If you’re in New York and able to visit our lovely campus, come and attend an information session.

 

New Student Photo Series #8

Hawa Ansary is an incoming Master of International Affairs student.  She will be concentrating in International Security Policy and plans to specialize on the Middle East.

Hawa Ansary, born and raised in Afghanistan moved to the United States in 2007 for college.  She has not been able to visit Afghanistan but her passion to give back and stay connected remains.   Hawa is currently working for the Embassy of Afghanistan.  As an Afghan woman who missed 5 years of her education under the rule of Taliban she is dedicated to help educate women not only in Afghanistan but around the globe.  Hawa has been working with the Muslim Women’s Association that promotes and provides access for the many unprivileged Muslim women in the U.S. She is also volunteering for Razia Rays of Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization that built and continues to fund the first school for girls in Ansary’s village, Day Saabz, Afghanistan.

 

Summer 2014:  Hawa Ansary and Former Afghan Ambassador to Bulgaria at a fundraising event showcasing traditional Afghan clothes.

Summer 2014: Hawa Ansary and Former Afghan Ambassador to Bulgaria at a fundraising event showcasing traditional Afghan clothes.

 

 

New Student Photo Series #7

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.

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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..."

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…”

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Sri Lanka : “Stilt fishermen fishing from their poles in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka presented a view worth capturing with my camera this July”

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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

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