Why International Affairs

Global Perspectives

Effecting Global Change

The world is interconnected. Trade; communication technologies; health and security concerns; our shared environment; and personal relationships tie us all together.

Careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors demand professionals who reflect and understand that interdependence. Graduate schools of international affairs help you to weave these different strands together — and set you apart from other candidates.

International affairs programs equip graduates with an understanding of regions, languages, and global trends. They provide skills in project management; problem solving; teamwork; and analysis. Cross-cultural training is not an add-on to the curriculum; rather, students live it every day as they mix with classmates from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Employers seek professionals who can find order in chaos; who can contextualize, and connect ideas; who inspire others; who can create the future as the world changes around them.

Master the underlying principles of this interconnected world.

Be a change-maker.
Make a difference.

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University of Michigan

Brain drain or brain gain? New evidence points to benefits of skilled migration

High-skilled professionals from small or lower-income countries often emigrate in search of greater opportunities. For countries of origin, this population outflow can prompt concern over the loss of human capital– an effect that is colloquially known as “brain drain.” But a new review published in Science reveals evidence that high-skilled migration opportunities can also lead to “brain gain,” increasing, rather than decreasing, a country’s overall stock of educated workers. ...

University of Michigan

Announcing Ken Roy as new Diplomat in Residence

The Ford School extends a warm welcome to Ken Roy, who will serve as the new Diplomat in Residence (DIR) for the North Central region. He will offer advice and guidance to students interested in exploring careers, internships, or fellowships with the U.S. Foreign and Civil Service....

University of Michigan

Mental health and marriage timing

In a new study, Axinn investigates the dynamics between the social organization of families and parental mental health using data from over 10,000 individuals in the Chitwan Valley, Nepal. Setting his research in Nepal— with its near universal marriage and childbearing practices and pronounced gendered household roles—offered a context to examine the effects of both mothers’ and fathers’ depression on the children. ...

Don’t be a bystander. Make a difference. Across the globe.

“The camaraderie and collegiality of all member schools, including the sharing of ideas, challenges, [and] best practices has helped us to develop our Career Development Program, Professional Development Committee, Career Treks to Washington DC, and many others. ”

— David Robertson, Director of Career Services, University of California San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

“We routinely use the APSIA network to recruit for highly talented graduates to join our agency and accomplish our mission. ”

— Office Director, Federal Agency