Two for one: first year, Bologna reps share thoughts

November 30, 2009 | Observer Staff | Comments 1

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By Jinny Lee

I had the opportunity to interview new SGA representatives Larina Helm, the Bologna Representative, and Sean Healey, one of two first year representatives.  What follows is the personal interviews of these two new SAIS figures in the SGA.

Jinny:  Tell us a bit about your background.
Larina: I’m from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I studied international relations and economics at Boston University and I’m studying Energy, Resources and Environment Policy here at SAIS. I plan to work in the U.S. Foreign Service after SAIS. I enjoy traveling, cooking, eating, watching great movies, being outdoors, rooting for the Boston Red Sox, and spending time with friends and family.
Sean: I grew up in Long Beach, California. I come from a working class background, I was the first from either side of my family to attend college. After graduating from high school, I moved to New York to do my undergraduate studies at NYU. I double-majored in Film and Politics, with my home college being the Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating in 2004, I started working at the Council on Foreign Relations. After working at CFR for about 7 months, I joined the Benenson Strategy Group, when it was still small. It was a great place to get my feet wet as I instantly had much more responsibility there than I would have had at a bigger firm. We did a lot of great work, culminating with Joel Benenson, the founder, leading the polling team for Obama’s Presidential campaign. I left BSG in Sept 2008 to move to China. I received a scholarship from the Chinese government to study Chinese at a university in Beijing. By that point, I had already been thinking about applying to programs like SAIS or Georgetown for nearly a year, so I thought it would be a great experience before my graduate studies. I studied for one year in Beijing and returned to the US right before Pre-Term. I am concentrating in China Studies and will also complete a specialization in international finance. I’m interested in working in China and Hong Kong, ideally in the areas of private equity, consulting and banking.
Jinny:  What went into your decision to become representative?
Larina: I love my Bologna family, and I loved helping out with events and making student life enjoyable last year in Bologna. For this year, I wanted to help the Bolognese integrate into the greater SAIS community, as well as continue facilitating a fun student environment at SAIS. This is something I really hope to achieve.
Sean: SAIS is a dynamic community with people from all backgrounds. Being the representative seemed like a great way to get to meet everyone, especially those who are not MA1’s. I also enjoy planning events (talk to anyone who went to my elaborate birthday party two weeks ago!) and seeing my friends having a good time.   Additionally, this is my education and I want my voice and views to be considered. What better way to do that than getting involved in the SGA?
Jinny:  What the best thing abut getting elected as a representative
Larina: More emails!
Sean: I received a lot of congratulatory emails, Facebook posts and kind words from people about the election. It’s always inspiring to hear people express their thanks. Since the speeches last Friday, I’ve also had a number of people come up to me with suggestions for the school. I like being the sounding board for their ideas and constructive criticism.
Jinny: What are the major things that you would like to change, improve, or work on at SAIS?
Sean: I think the 2nd year officers have a better grasp of what needs to be fixed or improved. They also know where to go to get things done and what’s been attempted in the past. I’m still learning! I do want to ensure that we have a lot of fun, inclusive events that brings our school together. But my biggest priority is to gather feedback from the students and ensure that their ideas are implemented, or at the very least, seriously debated and considered by the senior officers and administration. Compared to the monstrosity that is NYU, the bureaucracy at SAIS seems minimal. Hopefully that will means we can affect change easily.
Larina: I’d really like to organize some events that help bring the whole SAIS community together, and to better integrate Bologna and DC 2nd year students with current first-year students. These events will hopefully bring a little slice of Bolognese life to DC, as well as bring Washington to life for those who are here for the first time (or the first time in a long time) so that we can all share some of the best that Italy and Washington have to offer.
Jinny: Has Washington DC served you well so far?
Larina: Yes. Quite.
Sean: DC is actually a lot cooler than I originally thought it would be. The Dupont area reminds me a lot of the West Village and Chelsea in NYC, where I lived for a number of years. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to enjoy the DC cultural sights. The library seems to monopolize too much of my weekends!
Jinny:  Choose one word in each category and explain why. Beer or Wine.
Sean: Beer. Because the French would never call Moet “the beer of champagnes.”
Larina:  If I had to choose I’d say beer in DC, wine in Bologna.
Jinny:  Nitze or Rome
Sean: Nitze for the win. It has a much more vibrant energy than Rome. It has group study rooms, the library, events in Kenney, the ping pong table and my locker. And all my favorite ladies working in the cafe making me pizza and sandwiches.
Larina: Rome. Duh, it has the Colosseum!
Jinny: What is your dream honeymoon spot?
Larina: Well I suppose I’d have to examine the opportunity cost of some place tropical and exotic versus some place more traditional…
Sean: I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve already done quite a bit of traveling. I would probably either choose India or motorcycling through Eastern Europe. Patagonia would also be incredible.
Jinny:  Anything you want to say to your fellow SAISers
Larina: Enjoy the year, and please let me and any of the other SGA members know if there is anything we can do to make this year a great year at SAIS!
Sean: Get involved in school, whether it be the SGA, a club or just throwing parties at your house. We have a few different committees with the SGA and we’d love to get more 1st year and MIPP students involved. The Career Services people were right when they said that fellow SAISers will be your best resource once you’ve left the school, so you do yourself a disservice if you don’t meet as many people as possible. So don’t live in the library, it probably won’t help you get that first (or sixth) job. Additionally, if you’re unhappy with something, get involved and let your voice be heard. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, right?  I like hearing your complaints, but also let us know what is going right at the school. When we know what you like, we will make sure those things happen again.  Also, I’ve found that a “thank you” goes a long way with administrators, school staff, professors and TA’s. Remember to say it and they’ll be happy to help you out the next time you need a favor.

Jinny Lee is a second year M.A. candidate in International Policy-Environment.

Filed Under: September 2009