The International Development Program has approximately 100 students in residence. They are an exceptionally diverse group, representing all regions of the world and speaking more than 40 languages. Many of our students entered the program with previous experience in International Development, and most engage in practice training during the program through internships and research in Washington DC or overseas.

Degree: Master of Arts in International Development and Master in Global Cooperation at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan
Interests: cross-cultural interaction in development, gender and youth
Where are you from: St. Paul, Minnesota

Past Development Experience:

Following graduation from Oberlin College, I received an Oberlin Shansi Fellowship to teach English and work with the NGO Jagori Rural Charitable Trust (JRCT) in Himachal Pradesh, India. JRCT is a feminist organization that also worked in the areas of youth, organic and sustainable agriculture, and rural political involvement. Although my work was focused on teaching English and working with youth, I was peripherally a part of many of JRCT’s projects and planning meetings.

Why Development:

The area I lived in, near the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharmsala, India, is richly saturated with both international and grassroots NGOs. Working with JRCT and seeing the work of the other NGOs in the communities around me, I found that I wanted to get more involved in the development process beyond my English classroom. I wanted a cross-departmental, professional education to give me the flexibility to work both at an international and local level with development programs, which, in turn, led me to International Development at SIS.

Degree: MA International Development
Interests: development economics,with a regional focus on Latin America and the Middle East regions
Where are you from: Originally from Salt Lake City, home of the Rockies and the world's best powder! I then headed south to Houston for my BA at Rice. Spent 2 years in Jordan as a Peace Corps volunteer, followed by a year in India and Nepal. Home currently is Arlington, VA.

Past Development Experience: I taught for the Princeton Review in Houston and Hong Kong. In Jordan, I was an English teacher and Community Development Advisor. Most recently, I was the Program Manager for the Latin America, MENA, and SE Asia portfolios at a non-profit in DC.

Why Development: I think the ID field is the fate of all RPCVs! Don't we all believe that we can change at least one underserved community, if not an entire geographic region, through passion, education, governance-building, and maybe a bit of federal funding? Once I saw the lack of opportunities for females in Jordan and the extreme poverty and apathy towards lower castes in India and Nepal, it's not something you shrug away. It's something I think I can improve.  

Degree: MS Development Management
Where are you from: Atlanta, GA

Past Development Experience: As Peace Corps volunteer, I spent two years working in Panama. With a focus on environmental initiatives, my projects included supporting a sea turtle conservation program, youth development, environmental education, financial literacy training, and English education.

Why Development: My experience in the developing world led to my passion for international development. Through my studies, I hope to improve the effectiveness of development projects, contributing to the reduction of poverty and increased well-being of individuals around the world.