A Note from the Editors
[May 2011 Issue]
By the SAIS Observer Editors
Goodbye and Hello, Revolutions, Terrorists, Students
“As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.” — Socrates
This semester has been one of immense changes in the international sphere, but the question of progress is still left up to future decision makers, if not generations. We’ve witnessed a long-overdue Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East, an earthquake and nuclear dilemma in Japan, and the death of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. Relations between nations are morphing but so are relations inside boundaries. Identities therefore are in flux at SAIS, the place where we come to study our human atmosphere. Is it still worthwhile to study Strat or the Middle East? Is the War on Terror going to be not just decapitalized but over? A new push in international development perhaps? We are professional wonderers and wanderers, if nothing else.
These are all interesting thought experiments but ultimately ones for which we are clearly unprepared to give confident answers, even as graduate students of international affairs. If life is uncertain, the interactions of many of them are even more so. New theories will emerge to explain what is going on but perhaps we are in a post-theory world in which there is no clear end-game in sight? As randomness expert Nassim Taleb explains, “The twentieth century was the bankruptcy of the social utopia; the twenty-first will be that of the technological one.” There are no more intellectual crutches.
We’ve seen many students with little or no background in a particular topic show up to talks discussing the big issues of the day. What more of a reason do we need to study no one region or function but the world writ large? What more of a reason do we need to declare that we know much less than we think? Assuming this is the case, we should take stances on history and politics humbly. We are at SAIS but the world is not ours. The truth may be closer to the exact opposite: that we are the world’s plaything.
To the new students: welcome. To be sure, Washington, D.C. is a great place to study international relations, economics, and public policy. The city must have the world’s largest concentration of think-tanks, institutes, non-profits, and private sector organizations. Living in the nation’s capital, Washington provides you with an experience unlike any other. There is almost every country’s embassy within a few blocks, and experts in every field that has anything to do with international relations, buzzing about. In terms of clubs and organizations, there are many to choose from. The great thing about SAIS is that due to the small number of students and the many things going on, there is often little competition for great leadership positions and jobs.
There are numerous sources of funding across SAIS, and ample chances to fund unpaid internships, many of which even second year students haven’t heard about. Many of us have gotten involved simply by showing up to a meeting, helping out with one or two events, and then mentioning our interest in next year’s activities. Student Government too is very accessible, as is the Administration. You may have heard at Open House that SAIS’ faculty and administration is dedicated to its students and this can be easily glossed over without much thought paid. However, consider that the faculty and staff are here to serve only you. The great thing about SAIS is that there is no one else to demand their attention. No undergrads, no other graduate schools to split time between, and no one else to keep tabs on. They know the SAIS structure, its curriculum and student body, and the jobs we want and they know them well.
This all ties into networks: when it comes to governmental and international sectors and employment potential, DC and SAIS give students here an extraordinary edge. During your stay, you may have the chance to travel around the world on a school trip or two (or three) and through the process come to understand what it means to be a SAIS alumnus working abroad—in an embassy, think-tank, private company, or an NGO. SAIS will truly increase your ability to understand the world we live in. The world is your oyster and if you are fascinated by it, this is the school for you. If you haven’t already guessed it, we believe the opportunities to launch your personal development and career are here.
2011 has been a year of tremendous world affairs. We on the editorial staff can speak for the SAIS student body when we say it’s a privilege to be here while history is being re-written every day.
Best Regards,
The SAIS Observer Editors
Peter Gruskin, Ryan A. Pallathra, Susie Taylor
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