Southeast Asia, IDEV, STRAT and Korean Studies top student approval charts

For some, the concentration choice is nearly innate.  An undergrad toiling over Swahili, 2 years of Peace Corps in Kenya, a passion for microfinance and a life size blow up doll of Amartya Sen in your bedroom meant you had IDEV tattooed on your inner thigh the day you got your acceptance letter.  Watching the years fall away as you increased your understanding of derivative markets and securities, perfected your pronunciation of ‘May our partnership bear us years of prosperity’ in Mandarin and that funny warm feeling you get deep inside your suit when the boss starts talking about a successful ‘stimulus package,’ – you knew you were a dead ringer for a Finance Specialization and China Studies.

For others it couldn’t be done more haphazardly. ‘See Mom and Dad, I told you I could do something with my life, I got into SAIS!’  ‘Well dear, what are you studying?’ ‘Uhhh…’ A cursory glance of available options, a check on the box next to IR General, and away we go.

And yet for a chosen few selecting a concentration is a mind boggling burden.  ERE or Eurasian Studies?  Your passion for hydro-power and the carbon trading system cannot be contained, but those 3 years in Estonia taking moonlit walks in the icy Baltic air were the best of your life.

Does it all make a difference, anyway? How much does selecting a concentration really alter our brief 2 year visit to the hallowed halls of SAIS?

Last semester 150 students answered a 20 question survey regarding their concentrations’ coursework, faculty, sense of community, and marketability.  Responses were overwhelmingly positive, but did vary from one concentration to the next.  Quantitative data was briefly discussed in a previous article and is presented in detail above.  All program coordinators were contacted however several faculty and staff were unavailable for interview or did not respond to Observer requests.  Those concentrations who had either 10 people or 20 percent of their group respond are included.

Respondents:

Overall Rankings based on Positive Responses (Note Several Concentrations had less than 5 people or 10% of their students respond and were not considered here).  Concentration Codes: SEA: Southeast Asia. CM: Conflict Management. ILAW: International Law.  IP/ERE: International Policy (now Energy Resources and Environment).  STRAT: Strategic Studies.  IDEV:  International Development.  KOR: Korean Studies.  SA: South Asian Studies. ME: Middle Easter Studies. RES: Russian and Eurasian Studies. IRGTH: International Relations, Global Theory and History.

Total Responses:

Responses based on Courses

Responses based on Faculty

Responses based on Community

The results hinted that available and helpful faculty combined with a strong sense of community mattered most in students’ overall impression of their concentration.  Coursework may not have played as large a role in determining how much respondents liked their area of study, but was often listed as a weakness.  Departments who boasted more long term and non-adjunct faculty also rated highly in questions pertaining to sense of community.  According to Shelley Su, Program Coordinator for Southeast Asia Studies, “I really enjoy the job, though I am jealous of the students here; I love the faculty.  Students will come into the office to chat, study or just relax on the couch; the professors’ doors are always open.”  Some concentrations also emphasized events offered which strengthened student-student and student-professor relations.  “We host consistent events every 1 or 2 weeks; public seminars, ambassador forums, and lunches that allow students face time with guest lecturers.  I, myself, am interested in the topics and am having a ball with this job,” stated Rahul Madhavan, Program Coordinator for South Asia Studies.  Director of the International Development program, Professor Francis Fukuyama, stressed that what set IDEV apart was the preparation provided for students to become well-rounded development practitioners with hard analytical skills and a deep understanding of the issues.  The distinguished professor did concede that fun played a role as well, mentioning IDEV barbeques, camping trips and losing paintball matches to Strategic Studies.

Coursework and a somewhat distant faculty were often cited as issues by students concentrating in subjects that did not fare as well.  “One challenging aspect of the program is the high number of adjunct faculty.  The concentration has brought a variety of different experienced adjuncts in to the program, but as their primary attention is not at SAIS, students have to work harder to make a connection,” responded one  ERE concentrator.  “(Conflict Management) seems to focus more on domestic conflicts even though this is an international relations school.  They offer Peace Kidz which is working in local middle/high schools- I’m sure it’s a great experience but it’s not international relations.  A mediation class I took last year was very interesting and taught by a knowledgeable professor, but it used land disputes between local farmers and child custody cases as references.  We should be discussing ongoing, live international disputes,” stated one 2^nd year student in Conflict Management.

Despite the variation, nearly all departments had a majority of favorable responses. It appears those who ranked near the top had friendly faculty and staff that ensured students felt welcomed and wanted.  So if still in pursuit of your academic bliss, shop around and pay attention to both the welcome you’re given and the folks you’ll be studying with.  Apparently, even hardcore workaholic IR grad students like to feel a little love.

Robert McDonald is a second year M.A. candidate in Southeast Asia Studies and is happy to provide the data for this study.  Have a question, a bone to pick or a different viewpoint? Please contact the Observer at observer@jhu.edu.

Over the fall break, 20 students from the SAIS International Law and Organizations department flew to New Delhi to try and gain an insight into the realities, politics, and economics of life in India. After two days of tourism and five days of meetings, visits, and many questions I, for one, came away with a newfound respect for the difficulty of life in India and for the long and perilous road which that country faces on its way to development.

However, instead of boring you, dear reader, with an essay on the challenges of the urban poor, the plight of the lower-classes, discrimination against women, the effects of climate change, or any of that typical SAIS stuff (with which you are no doubt already inundated with in class), the story of the trip is told through a selection of pictures and short captions. Enjoy.

Peter Rizov is a second year M.A. candidate in International Law and Organizations.

By Jessica Lamberston

Switching from a full time career to a full time job as a student (as many SAISers do) can’t always be easy. Although studying new topics and class time full of discussions may be a great break from the drone of every day life, there is a certain strain on the pocketbook during the life of graduate study. Luckily, SAIS is full of opportunities to make money; you just need to know where to look.  Many student leadership positions, research gigs, and of course teaching assistant positions will get you a chuck of extra cash – something always helpful around this time of year.

The most obvious positions at SAIS are the hired student employee jobs.  Positions such as assistants in the library, desk help in the Language Lab, and even manning the phones for JHU Advanced Academic Programs are almost always options.  These types of positions generally pay around $10.50 an hour and are some of the most relaxed working atmospheres on campus.  In many, you can actually do your homework while you’re at work – as long as you jump to help anyone who may stop by.  Often, these positions are listed on the SAIS forums, but the Business Office and individual departments may have information about these types of positions as well.

If you’re looking for a more fulfilling (or pocketfilling) line of work, check out teaching assistant opportunities. Before the start of each semester, the Career Center will often send out an email with available TA spots. Many students find these jobs exciting and a good review for orals. One TA who spoke with the Observer says, TAing is “a great way to really get in depth and master the materials, as there’s no better way to retain information learned than by teaching it to someone else. It also feels good to help others who are struggling with the material (which I hope I’ve done!).” Of course, that warm fuzzy feeling isn’t the only benefit to being a TA: as one of the highest paid positions at the university ($18 an hour this semester), it can add some nice padding to your budget. One thing to know before you sign on to be a TA, is that the workload can be the most rigorous.  You are expected to run office hours, have a tutorial session each week, attend class, grade assignments and exams, prepare material when necessary, and proctor exams.  Although the hours are many, you are compensated for all of your time (even if it’s spent copying and stapling). You can also talk to Lois Weiss in the International Economics program for more about TAing or about the workload and expectations of a graduate level TA.

Another route are research assistant jobs.  These can sometimes be more difficult and competitive to find.  But, if you land one, these can be the ultimate in part time jobs.  As a research assistant, you often work closely with a professor as he or she prepares materials for books, journals, or other publications. As a research assistant myself last year, I formed a close relationship with a professor in my department, got a few mentions in journals articles that I researched for, and was even able to write materials that ended up in international publications.  It was a great way to conduct research in my own field, and of course the pay was quite nice.  Research assistant jobs are usually very flexible, and the work can be done on your own time.  If you work better late at night while watching trashy reality TV, no one has to know.  The pay for these positions varies by department and position, but I was paid the going rate at SAIS (around $10.50 per hour). Some departments need extra help in other capacities as well.  Running the concentration’s blog, helping organize events in the department, and doing generalized small tasks can be an easy way to stay in touch with your fellow concentrators and make a few dollars in the process. The best way to find out about research and departmental positions are to ask – talk to your department’s coordinator or speak with a professor you’d especially like to work with.

Student groups are also a great way to get involved and get paid for what you do.  As a member of SGA, you are compensated with an annual stipend in the range of $2000.  Being an SGA member can be a lot of work. You’ll have to be present on campus, but if this is something you’re passionate about it’s easy to do.  Student groups also often compensate their leadership. Our own editors of the SAIS Observer are given a stipend of $1500 per year.  Andre Castillo, a Co-Editor-In-Chief of the paper, definitely recommends this type of work, and tells the Observer “It’s a great opportunity to meet people and actually see the fruits of your labor, unlike those papers we’re always writing that collect dust in our filing cabinets!  I’ve really enjoyed my time as an editor.”  Getting into a leadership position like the Observer or another student group does take some work, but Castillo says, “the workload is very manageable. I spend about 10-15 hours each [monthly] issue putting together the layout and conducting meetings, etc.  Other than that we had to put in some time for getting trained, which was only a couple of hours, and occasionally taking care of tasks like updating the website and getting food and materials as needed.”

Other positions exist as well.  Writing and language TAs are hidden, yet well-paid opportunities.  Working in other Johns Hopkins programs on Mass Ave are also viable options.   The key is to walk in, introduce yourself and make then realize they need a student worker, and that you are it!

Jessica Lamberston is a second year M.A. candidate in Latin American Studies.

Dear SAIS Guy:

I’m stressed. I’m not sure why. I know it’s not my responsibilities as an editor for the SAIS Observer, I got Andre doing all the work for me now, lol. Loser. I also know it’s not because of my job as a T.A for macro. I’m so good at that I can do it with my eyes closed. I know. I’ve tried. Do you think it might be another case of Canadian identity crisis, my fellow Canuck?

What’s the solution? American accession?

-Graham Bocking, SAIS Observer editor, Teaching Assistant for Macroeconomics, and b-ball baller/shot caller.

Mr. Baller:

Stress is to SAIS as global-warming is to carbon emissions (unless you read the Climate-gate emails, but that’s another story). This reputation for a stressed-out student body preceded my arrival at the school; a fellow student at a conference mentioned that she attended a few events at SAIS and thought that everyone was “really smart, but kind of manic.” My roommate lat year noted that the most common expression among students was, “man, I’m so far behind.”

I guess graduate school is supposed to be an intense period, but do we really think that life after graduation will be simple? I would argue that searching for a job, adjusting to new colleagues, and navigating your way through the career ladder is a struggle too.

Stress is going to be with us forever. So we better get used to it and take it seriously. Learning to cope with stress could be one of the best life-skills to take away from SAIS.

The effects of stress are striking. Health ailments caused by being over-stressed cost the economy $300 billion per year, about three-fourths of the entire Defense Department budget in a single year! (Maybe someone should tell Congress?).

More than money though, stress causes real harm to our bodies. It causes the vascular system to restrict circulation to non-vital organs and causes the brain to release chemicals that can damage the heart itself. The brain releases other hormones that diminish short-term memory – making you less effective on your upcoming exams. All these natural responses by the body wear down the immune system, which explains the rash of sickness across the school (and Obama’s gray hair).

OK, enough with the science lesson Dealing with this stuff is not rocket science. Our bodies need to get out of the library and get exercise. We need to quit drinking five to twelve cups of coffee a day. Eat a balanced diet. It sounds silly to say these things, but they’re still true even though they are simple. Not only does your success at SAIS depend on it, you success over the long-term surely does as well.

Check out Erin’s suggestions below for more advice, she has a lot of good suggestions. Just remember Graham, accession is never the answer – no matter how poorly the Oilers and Maple Leafs may be doing. Even when they’re second and third-to-last in the NHL. But hey, who’s counting?

Jamie Huckabay is a second year M.A. candidate in Canadian Studies.

Dear SAIS Gal:

Andre Castillo, Daniel Balson and Erin Kelley of the Middle East table watch ominously as the votes are tallied for Best International Dinner.

The SAIS International Dinner traditionally takes place at a time when all students are crazy with the onset of finals. However counterintuitive, the dinner does provide much needed reprieve for the stressed and helps raise money for a great cause: the summer internship fund.

Thanks to the SAIS summer internship fund, this author took advantage of a wonderful opportunity and spent her summer working for Freedom House in lovely Budapest, Hungary. Had this dinner not taken place in December 2008, this author and many others would have needed to say no to meaningful and fascinating professional internship opportunities, because these positions did not provide any financial compensation.

Students organize all the food at the SAIS international dinner; some food comes from  ocal restaurants, while other students choose to share their culinary talents with fellow classmates. This year, the students did not just partake in the culinary feast, but got a chance to vote for their favorite cooking teams; the prize consisted of a golden SAIS apron. Who won? More about that a little later.

The China Club wowed SAIS with fine fare from a local restaurant and a variety of homemade dumplings. The veggie dumplings with fresh basil were especially delicious. The table featuring a group of Japanese people and Japan lovers made the most of their highly limited budget ($50) and presented an impressive array of omigiri (rice bowl) and a variety of Japanese snacks. The Thai Club served their delicious food with in front of lovely images from Thailand, helpfully supplied by the local Thai embassy. They served up a storm of Thai iced tea, green curry chicken, fried fish, fried rice, crab, and egg omelet. The Korea Club had their food catered. The club organizers displayed a wide variety of foods that both included the favorite bulgogie (Korean BBQ), two types of kimchi, jon (different types of beef), egg battered and fried veggies, as well as jap che (sweet potatoes and starched noodles). While the Russia table served vodka shots and caviar, the Southeast Asia table provided pilau, dal, samosas, aloo tikk, pavbhai kebab, and ramsalai all made from scratch.

However, the table of the Middle East Department emerged as the crowd favorite. Halva, Baklava, Fesenjoon (chicken in pomegranate and almond sauce), Tepsi Beitinjan (eggplant, tomatoes, and beef), dolma (stuffed grape leaves), rice, hummus, and babaganoush. Happy students just kept coming back for more and more food. Their loyalty to the Middle East table came through with the overwhelming number of little blue tickets. No, the ME did not have to pull a Karzai, (or an Asad, Ahmadinejad, or a Mubarak, for that matter)  and stuff the ballot box, it appears the golden apron was won fair and square. Congratulations team Middle East you served up a delicious and abundant feast!

Masha Bolotinskaya is a second year M.A. candidate in Middle East and Russia and Eurasia Studies.