International Affairs – Elliott School Graduate Student Services

Spotlight on: Dmitriy Synkov

GradAdvisorJanuary 28, 2016Leave a comment

Synkov Photo 3 Dmitriy Synkov is a first-year graduate student pursuing an MA in International Affairs with concentrations in international security and economics. Currently, Dmitriy works as an intern at International Business Initiatives (IBI), an economic development consulting firm in Ballston, VA. Prior to IBI, Dmitriy interned at Pact, a capacity development NGO, where he served as the program management point-of-contact for global projects in the East & West Africa portfolio. He’s also worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Paul D. Williams, Associate Director of the Security Policy Studies M.A. Program at the Elliott School.

Dmitriy is interested in political risk analysis in emerging markets and early warning systems for conflict prevention. Before starting graduate school, Dmitriy worked at the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) as an editorial assistant for Building Peace Forum, a semi-annual journal on current trends in conflict analysis and resolution. Over two publication seasons, Dmitriy supported author selection efforts for the magazine, oversaw the execution of a multi-platform social media strategy, and assisted in the placement of magazine authors into various external media outlets. Dmitriy holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and has also studied at York University in Toronto, ON.

November Spotlight on: Yang Zhao

GradAdvisorNovember 4, 2015Leave a comment

photo-YANG ZHAO Yang is a first-year student in the M.A. European and Eurasian Studies program. Her focus is Russia and Central Asian countries.

Yang will be interning at the World Bank’s Enabling the Business of Agriculture (EBA) project for Spring 2016. Yang will be responsible for developing and maintaining effective links with external partners from Russian-speaking countries, collecting data from specialists through questionnaires, and researching laws and regulations with primary data sources and publicly available information.Yang is passionate about applying research to better understand development issues and promote international cooperation in solving complex problems, such as ending poverty and rural development.

Prior to grad school, Yang worked as the executive assistant to Consul General of Kazakhstan in Shanghai from 2012 to 2014 and in the telecommunication industry in Moscow, Russia from 2010 to 2012. Yang graduated from Shanghai International Studies University in 2010 with bachelor’s degree in Russian and Russian literature. She also studied as an exchange student at Belgorod National Research University in Russia from 2008 to 2009.

Prepare for Registration

GradAdvisorOctober 19, 2015Leave a comment

Spring 2016 registration opens for all degree-seeking graduate students on November 9. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare for registration:

Check your student account in GWeb for holds.
- If you have holds your screen will look like the image below. Each hold should have the contact information for the office that placed it. The advising office can only remove advising holds. If you have holds, resolve them by contacting the office that placed them well in advance of registration opening.

GWeb Hold Screenshot

Review your program's curriculum, your plan of study and the schedule of classes (which will be posted here, when available) to come up with a few schedule options. Tip: In addition to the course number and section, note the CRN for each course, which can be used to register.

Refresh yourself on the University's schedule adjustment policies to avoid tuition penalties.

If you recently submitted a plan of study, it is currently being reviewed by your advisor. Plans submitted prior to October 15 will be returned before Registration opens.

If you have questions, please contact your academic advisor.

October Spotlight on: Mathilde Sunden-Cullberg

GradAdvisorOctober 9, 2015Leave a comment

MSC Mathilde is an international student at the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she is studying for her Masters in Security Policy Studies. She specialises in Transnational Security and Conflict Resolution, and is hoping to build a career bridging the gap between Private Security Contractors and nonviolent conflict operations.

Mathilde has a nuanced background, prior to grad school she worked at Morgan Stanley, the IFC and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York. She completed her undergraduate degree at the UK’s University of Bath in 2013 with a BSc in Politics and International Relations.

Beyond her career, she is passionate about her work with the Mentor Foundation, the leading international NGO that works to prevent drug abuse amongst children and youths. She believes the path to secure society starts with empowering young people from all backgrounds.

Mathilde moved to D.C. from Stockholm in August and is loving this vibrant and motivating city. She is making the most of her time at GWU, and is working to combine her graduate studies with political internships in the near future.

New Graduate Students: Welcome to the Elliott School!

GradAdvisorAugust 28, 2015Leave a comment

Today is New Graduate Student Orientation for incoming Elliott School Graduate Students! At check-in, you'll receive a folder with your agenda for the day and other helpful materials to get you started. All materials and presentations are also available electronically on GW First Class, which you can access through Blackboard.

If you have questions throughout the day, look for the Graduate Student Orientation Leaders wearing orange Elliott School t-shirts.

Don't forget to share your photos throughout the day using #19thandE! One photo will be selected to be featured in the September issue of the e-newsletter and the student who posted the featured photo will win an Elliott School giveaway!

FINAL Orientation Agenda-Fall 2015 Regional-Global Comm-ITIP

FINAL Orientation Agenda-Fall 2015 MAIA-IDS-SPS

Summer Spotlight on: Roman Torres 1

GradAdvisorJuly 7, 20151 Comment

Roman Torres is a first year student in the International Affairs program. His focus while at the Elliott School is international economics and data analysis, so Roman wanted a summer internship that would give him some practical experience working with data and economic issues in the real world. He found a perfect match with Planet Indonesia; a newly formed NGO based in the Indonesian part of West Borneo.

Planet Indonesia’s main goal is to help poor communities (especially those in areas with sensitive ecosystems) engage in productive economic activities that preserve natural habitats and cultural traditions. They do this by facilitating the creation of small joint-business groups in which people work together to develop skills, produce valuable goods, and successfully bring it to the market. Additionally, Planet Indonesia helps communities organize communal banks that are funded from the business groups’ sales, making credit accessible to populations outside the scope of mainstream financial institutions.

Planet Indonesia has asked Roman to assist in capacity training for the Indonesian staff. Particularly in areas like long-term strategies, monitoring and evaluation of programs, project management, and data analysis. Roman has held several workshops, introducing concepts and tools to help the

The small island village of Pulau Limbun (there are less than 100 households), where Roman is working on projects with Planet Indonesia.

Indonesian staff think about the organization’s mission, ways they can achieve their goals, how to measure their progress, identifying good indicators, generating and tracking data, and effective ways to communicate this information to donors and potential donors.

Roman plans to enter the field of international consultancy after graduation. His time with Planet Indonesia is giving him valuable experience working with a client from a completely different cultural background and with a different language, as well as to learning how to be effective while managing clients’ expectations. Roman hopes that the skills he nurtured during his internship at Planet Indonesia will make him a more competitive candidate in the job market later on.

He will also really miss Indonesian food! You can reach Roman with questions or comments at romantorres@gwu.edu

New Students: Meet the Fall 2015 Elliott School Orientation Leaders! 1

GradAdvisorMay 25, 20151 Comment

If you're a new graduate student joining the Elliott School this fall take a moment to get to know the Fall 2015 Elliott School Orientation Leaders. These current graduate students have been selected as ambassadors to their programs and will be present at Graduate Student Orientation to welcome you to the Elliott School.

Sheila Dollard is a second year master’s student in the Global Communication program at GW, concentrating in International Economics. A DMV native, she completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Spanish at the University of Maryland. Sheila has worked for the Department of State since 2011. She enjoys exploring the city, connecting with friends, and volunteering in her free time.

Nora Hassan is a student in the International Development Studies program. She currently works as a Fellow in the Office of Graduate Enrollment. Nora's academic interests are in WASH, the environment, and climate change. When she's not studying or working, she enjoys spending time outside- hiking, kayaking, at the beach, etc! She also loves being crafty in her free time. Nora welcomes all new students to the Elliott School and GW!

Michael Nair is a current graduate student in the M.A. Security Policy Studies program specializing in Transnational Security Issues and Non-State Actors. Before graduate school Michael was a congressional relations intern at the German Marshall Fund and an analyst intern at GardaWorld. He received his Bachelors in International Affairs from the Elliott School with a concentration in Conflict & Security. During his undergraduate studies, David was on the varsity squash team for three years and interned on the Hill for Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and loves to travel, try new foods, play/watch soccer and is an avid snowboarder.

DavidOkun_photo David Okun is a rising second year in the M.A. Latin American and Hemispheric Studies program and a Brazil Initiative Fellow, with specializations in Security and Economic Development. He serves as an associate editor on the GWU International Affairs Review and is active in the DC performing arts community. While at the Elliott School, he has interned at a democracy & human rights non-profit, the Organization of American States, and is currently at the State Department transitioning into a Pathways position. David is excited to welcome the Class of 2017 to Foggy Bottom!

Jan Schwarzenberg is a second-year Security Policy Studies student, focusing on Emerging Transnational Threats. Jan is currently a senior federal officer with the DoD. Combining his military and civilian government careers, Jan is working primarily in special operations, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. He has lived, studied and worked in numerous countries.

Yuxuan Shen is a rising second year student in the M.A. International Trade and Investment Policy program with a concentration in

international business. She graduated from the Elliott School in 2013 with a B.A. in International Affairs. Currently, as a GWU Presidential Administrative Fellow, Yuxuan works in the GW Finance Division.

Lindsey Spanner is a student in the M.A. Global Communication focusing on International Development. Her main areas of interest are education, women's and gender issues, and humanitarian settings, specifically how communication can be used as a solution to problems in these areas. She currently tutors international students as part of the Elliott School's International Dialogue Program, and has interned at the American Red Cross, Institute of International Education, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. She came to GWU directly after graduating from Ohio University in May 2014.

Alexa Stroh is pursuing a M.A. International Affairs with concentrations in U.S. foreign policy and global gender policy. She is from Arizona and received her bachelor's degree in international affairs from Northern Arizona University. She has studied abroad in Denmark, Egypt, Spain, and at sea. In addition, she interned in the consular section at U.S. Embassy Reykjavik in Iceland.

Lebanon Picture

Anne Wagner is a student in the M.A. International Affairs program with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. Anne's research interest is the Middle East, and she is currently on an Elliott Exchange with the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, where she is taking classes on Social Inequality, Middle East Studies, and Arabic language. Currently, Anne is working with a small NGO in Lebanon dealing with educational inequity, and last semester she interned on the Hill with her Congressman. Anne feels both opportunities have been incredibly valuable experiences. Feel free to reach out to Anne anytime or say hello when you get to DC in the Fall--she's happy to help!

DD Wu is a student in the M.A. Asian Studies program at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Her research interests center around East Asian topics. She worked as an editor in an influential market-oriented daily newspaper in China before she came to the United States to pursue her master degree.

Orientation Leaders not featured above include:

Meghan Gable, M.A. International Development Studies

Timothy Jensen, M.A. Middle East Studies

Maya Sharma, M.A. International Science and Technology Policy

Lev Vladimirsky, M.A. European and Eurasian Studies

FAQ of the week: What are the ECON Review Courses?

GradAdvisorMay 4, 2015Leave a comment

The most commonly asked question among incoming students this week was regarding preparing for economics coursework and/or meeting the micro- and macrcoeconomics admissions requirement. Here is one available option to review economics prior to your first semester:

The Institute for International Economic Policy will offer two separate sets of economics review sessions immediately prior to the fall semester, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.

Introductory economics sessions (one in Microeconomics and one in Macroeconomics) will provide a review for students who have only taken one or two previous economics courses. The introductory sessions are particularly appropriate for those students preparing to take ECON 6250 (Survey of Development Economics) and ECON 6280 (Survey of International Economics). If you can only attend one, micro is more helpful for ECON 6250.Intermediate economics sessions (one in Microeconomics and one in Macroeconomics) will provide a review for students who have a more extensive economics background. The intermediate sessions are more helpful for students planning to take ECON 6283 (International Trade Theory and Policy) and ECON 6284 (International Macroeconomics Theory and Policy). Also note, Micro sessions are a better preparation for ECON 6283 and the Macro sessions are better for ECON 6284.Students will not receive graduate credit for these sessions.

Students who are required to complete an introductory OR intermediate Micro and Macroeconomics requirement may do so by passing a proficiency exam, offered on the afternoon of September 12th.

(Note: The Security Policy Studies program's economics requirement cannot be fulfilled by taking the summer review sessions and passing the proficiency exam).

Review Session Dates:

August 17-22, 24-27, 29 (a total of 11 sessions of review)

Proficiency exams will be offered on Saturday, September 12.

For more information, visit the Institute for International Economic Policy (IIEP) website.

Assistance Submitting Your Thesis for Publication

GradAdvisorApril 17, 2015Leave a comment

Students in need of assistance with submitting their completed thesis can now schedule appointments through the Gelman Library Research Calendar.

Appointments will be available through May 14. Here is how to schedule an appointment:

1. From the Library Home Page (http://library.gwu.edu), click on the Ask Us button in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

2. Under By Appointment, click on Research Calendar in the first paragraph. Students will need to register to use this scheduling tool and log in when they want to schedule an appointment.

3. Staff members are listed alphabetically by first name.

4. Students may schedule appointments in 1/2 hours blocks and may be conducted over the phone or in-person. If more time is needed, students may schedule an appointment for a longer period of time.

Spotlight on: Doug Strub

GradAdvisorJanuary 27, 2015Leave a comment

Strub.Zhujiajiao — Doug in the small Chinese water town of Zhujiajiao, which is located on the outskirts of Shanghai

Doug Strub is a second year M.A. candidate in the International Affairs program at the The George Washington University, where he is focusing his studies on East Asia and U.S.-China relations. He recently returned from spending seven months in China, during which he participated in an intensive language program during the summer and spent the fall semester at Fudan University in Shanghai studying the politics and economy of China. During his time in Shanghai he also worked at the China Economic Review as both an editorial intern and as a contributing author. This experience allowed him much greater insight into the finer details of China’s economy, as he was often researching and writing about topics such as abnormal fluctuations in highway freight, causes of regional variations in labor strikes, local consequences of unregulated industrialization, and domestic perceptions of economic trends such as foreign direct investment, financial liberalization, and expanding special economic zones.

As an undergraduate at California State University, Chico, Doug taught a United Nations simulation course and led the university’s Model United Nations team to earn the highest awards at both the regional conference in Seattle and the national conference in NYC. He was also president of the Students for Diplomatic Solutions club, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and worked for two years as an Instructional Student Assistant. Prior to his return to higher education Doug spent five years in Los Angeles working as an audio engineer and Pro Tools editor, during which time he earned multiple gold records for his work on projects such as the Steve Miller Band, Justin Timberlake, and Godsmack.