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: MA International Development
Concentration: Program/Project Evaluation, Public Health
Where are you from: Ester, Alaska

Past Development Experience: Before coming to American University I worked for the International Rescue Committee as a Refugee Resettlement Logistician in Seattle, WA. Between stints at college, I was involved in disaster relief and community development projects in Old Harbour Bay, Jamaica, and New Orleans, LA, as well as a reconciliation program for orphaned youth outside Sarajevo, Bosnia. In college I conducted primary fieldwork on development issues among nomadic communities in Ladakh, India, as well as related themes in parts of Tibet and Nepal.

Why Development: Amid a host of international studies graduate programs with various emphases and agendas, I wanted a department that kept the focus of its work squarely on the poor. Whether looking at global health, migration, capital flows, security or complex emergencies, the emphasis of the ID Program remains (whether domestically or internationally) where the needs are most exigent. Subsequently, I find myself surrounded by colleagues and mentors, no mater what their academic focus, who have the same vision of the world that I have come to embrace.

Advice to New Students: The MA in International Development and MS in Development Management allow a substantial amount of flexibility in how you build your degree and concentration. While new students should be sure to take advantage of this malleability, don't neglect to maximize your exposure to various practical research methods. At AU you have access to courses in quantitative analysis, econometrics, program evaluation, project evaluation, qualitative methods, mixed methods, epidemiology, etc. Keep in mind where the degree can take you thematically, but don't lose sight of the skills that potential employers or future academic programs seek.
 

Degree: MA International Development
Concentration: Development Economics-Agricultural Policy
Where are you from: Nigeria

Past Development Experience: IFPRI - Washington, DC; Accra, Ghana
The World Bank - Washington, DC

Why Development: Here, I have a unique  opportunity to make good use of my professional skills AND make a difference in the lives of regular people regardless of where they are or where I am in the world.

Advice to new Students: If you are one of the strange people that go to school because you think it's fun, then feel free to ignore this. But if you are like me, your number one goal coming out of this experience is to get a job. With this end in mind, try to figure out where you fit in professionally as soon as possible. The sooner you figure that out, the quicker you can test your theory, and figure out not only what you like, but but also what you DON'T like. I strongly believe that this makes the difference between ending up at a job that just pays the bills, and ending up inside a career that excites you on a daily basis.