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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People in Our Community

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Johns Hopkins University

Understanding the Nuances in International Relations

I chose the Hopkins-Nanjing Center because I wanted to deepen my understanding of global affairs from a Sino-American perspective...The HNC's academic excellence and its focus on fostering U.S.-China relations perfectly align with my career aspirations....

Boston University

Pardee Students Gain Insights and Connections in Washington D.C. Networking Trip

Pardee School graduate students embarked on an educational journey to Washington D.C., exploring humanitarian causes, global economic challenges, peacebuilding efforts, and defense research. The trip included visits to prominent organizations, discussions with experts, and networking opportunities, providing invaluable insights and fostering meaningful connections within the field of international affairs....

Boston University

Pardee Students Lead Inaugural Graduate Research Conference

The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University recently hosted its first annual Pardee Atlas Graduate Research Conference on April 19, 2024. The student-led conference, organized by the editorial team of the Pardee Atlas Journal of Global Affairs, brought together graduate students from across the Greater Boston area to present their research and engage in discussions around the theme of “Global Challenges and Solutions for the 21st Century.” The conference featured a diverse range of presentations from students at institutions including Boston University, Harvard University, Brandeis University, and others. Topics spanned issues in global education, health, humanitarian crises, geopolitics, and security. “When I first started my graduate degree, I wanted to see more engagement between graduate students and give my fellow colleagues the opportunity to share their work and views on global issues impacting us today,” said Manpreet Singh, Editor-in-Chief of the Pardee Atlas Journal and co-chair of the conference. “With the leadership of my fellow co-chairs Brooke Van Ackooy and Alexis Moran, I am excited to see this vision come to life through our inaugural conference.” Harvard Kennedy students present research. The conference provided a platform for interdisciplinary exchange, with presentations covering subjects like teacher shortages in the Philippines and Venezuela, cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination programs in Russia and Nigeria, impacts of the Taliban regime on gender and ethnic rights in Afghanistan, and the emergence of paramilitary organizations in post-Soviet Russia, among others. “It was a pleasure working with both Brooke and Alexis as we built the foundation for future conferences,” Singh added. “Thank you to all the presenters for taking the time to share your work and engage in lively discussion. I also want to thank the Dean’s Office and Pardee School administrative team for their support in making this event possible.” The conference organizers plan for this to become an annual event, fostering dialogue and collaboration among the next generation of global leaders and thinkers in the Boston area. Participant Justin Dynia, LASMA ’24, reflected positively on the conference stating, “We all learned a lot from each other and the future feels brighter knowing about their dedicated efforts to make our world a better place.“...

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