Alex Rued

Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Eden Prairie, MN

Internships during time at SFS:

Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Journal of Asian Affairs, East Asia People’s Republic of China Intern at the Stimson Center; Associate at Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

Activity/internship Summer 2015:

Research Assistant & Program Coordinator for the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Harold L. Rosenthal Fellow in International Relations

What made you choose SFS for your graduate education?

I initially applied to SFS because it allowed a specialized course of study in the politics and security of East Asia and the promise of continued Mandarin instruction. After meeting the enthusiastic and committed SFS faculty and staff at accepted student day, I knew it would be a great fit for me.

Alex Rued and friendsDo you have any mentors or advisors at SFS who made a big impact on you? SFS is full of talented and busy people who still make time for those around them. My adviser, Dr. Michael Green, clearly counts investing in students among his top priorities; whether discussing coursework, the Georgetown Journal of Asian Affairs, or my future career options, Dr. Green has been an incredible teacher and mentor for me at Georgetown University.

How has SFS prepared you for your career path?

Aside from the knowledge I gained through SFS graduate-level coursework, the advice and ideas garnered from connections made during my two years in graduate school also defined my current career trajectory.

What has been your favorite course at Georgetown and why?

I can’t pick one! I would have to say “Makers of Modern Asia” with Professor Michael Green because international relations theorists often marginalize the study of leadership from the field, yet examining leaders’ personal preferences, beliefs, and formative life experiences is essential to understanding political phenomena or even predicting leaders’ policy preferences.

Another favorite course was “Marketing National Security Policy” taught by Professor Bernadette Meehan. “Marketing National Security Policy” is one of the capstone courses offered for the Certificate in Diplomatic Studies, so it was particularly relevant to any profession that might require identifying and engaging stakeholders to communicate a national security related policy.

What will you miss the most about Georgetown?

Never again will I spend hours each week with some of the world’s most brilliant and enthusiastic academics and practitioners—all for the sole purpose of learning. I will definitely miss such a unique opportunity.