FORDHAM |IPED

by ipedmedia | September 14, 2017 · 11:40 am

Prestigious Awards: Robyn J Emory-Murray on the Critical Language Scholarship in Xi’an

Robyn Emory-Murray IPED ’18

Robyn Emory-Murray (IPED ’18) is a recipient of the 2017 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for Mandarin in Xi’an, China. CLS is an eight-week intensive language and cultural immersion program targeted toward students of critical languages as defined by the U.S. Department of State. This fully-funded government program offers students the opportunity to live among the cultures whose languages they are studying while fully integrating themselves into the language itself.

Datong Furong Park lights at night

Robyn with the Terracotta Warriors 兵马俑

Robyn received the award with the help of the Office of Prestigious Fellowships, who assisted her with the lengthy application process. When asked about the application process, she said, “The Office of Prestigious Fellows was invaluable. They helped me frame my thoughts, answers, and attributes in a way that really spoke to the program and its goals.” The application was due in the Fall, and awards were announced in March of the next year.

Robyn at the Kongtong Shan (崆峒山) Bridge to Heaven

Robyn’s goals are to continue to pursue Mandarin in the hopes of using it as she pursues a career in economic and international security studies, specifically centered on the Sino-American relationship.

The reward for the night hike, sunrise from East Peak of Hua Shan

Robyn had the following advice for those interested in the program: “Go all in. There is a pretty intense language pledge and those that stick to it really see amazing results. At the same time, though, don’t stress yourself out. You will have a lot more success if you take care of yourself and remember that learning a new language should also be fun!”

The lights during the Hua Shan (华山) night hike

Robyn on the famous Hua Shan Plank Walk

Robyn is a full-time student in the IPED program and a recipient of the Public Service Assistantship.

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Filed under Community & Culture, IPED Fellowships, Prestigious Awards, Trips

Tagged as China, CLS, Critical Language scholarship, fellowships, Fordham, international, IPED, language, Prestigious Awards, public service fellowship, travel, Xi'an

by Henry Schwalbenberg | June 26, 2017 · 2:19 pm

Fordham IPED’s Emerging Markets Program Welcomes the 8th Cohort of Students from South Africa

Blog contributor: Carlos Baeta*

The IPED commons has witnessed a flurry of activity with the arrival of 21 South Africans from the 2017 cohort that are currently partaking in IPED’s flagship Advanced certificate in Emerging Markets and Country Risk Analysis program. This study tour is sponsored by the Fordham University’s Graduate Program in International Political Economy and Development (IPED) and is held at the Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx.

Emerging markets cohort with Prof Salvatore and South African business and government leaders.

This year’s cohort includes top performing economics students from the University of Pretoria as well as employees of the National Treasury, The South African Reserve Bank and the Public Investment Corporation, amongst others. Whilst in New York, the students will partake in two courses, namely; Strategic Financial Management and Political Risk Analysis. Besides having the opportunity to meet with a number of faculty members, the students also have the opportunity to visit several international institutions, investment houses and major banks in New York and Washington DC respectively. This provides those involved with the unique opportunity to apply what they have learnt in class and simultaneously engage with business leaders and policy makers within the United States.

South Africans wearing their national colours.

South African students enjoying sightseeing on their time off.

After five weeks in New York, the students will return to South Africa alongside Fordham IPED and Economics graduate students in order to complete the Emerging Markets course presented by Professors Henry Schwalbenberg and Booi Themeli at the University of Pretoria in the country’s capital city. This is the eight year in which Fordham has welcomed South Africans to our Rose Hill campus. That said, 2017 represents the tenth year in which IPED has sent its students to South Africa in what has become a highly successful academic and cultural exchange immersion experience. The program’s growth is highlighted by the fact that it offers students the opportunity to develop the political, economic, and financial analytical skills that are needed to evaluate the potential rewards and risks associated with analyzing and investing in emerging markets. The programs continued growth in stature is emphasized by the successes of alumni of the program that have gone on to represent leadership positions in both the public and private sector across Africa and the world.

The South African flag adorning the at the IPED commons walls.

*Carlos Baeta is a proud South African and was part of the 5th cohort of South Africans participating in the Emerging Markets program. He is currently completing his MA IPED degree and will be pursuing his second MA in Economics at Fordham beginning Fall 2017.

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by Henry Schwalbenberg | June 2, 2017 · 11:33 am

Student Spotlight: Liya Khalikova at the United Nations’ Counterterrrorism Executive Directorate

Liya Khalikova (IPED ‘18) is an intern with the UN Counterterrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) at the UN Headquarters in New York City. CTED was created in 2004 to strengthen and coordinate the global terrorism monitoring process and to support the United Nations’ Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, established in 2001. CTED currently employs approximately 40 individuals, primarily holding roles as legal, political, and human rights affairs officers.

Liya Khalikova, IPED Class of 2018

Liya’s position is in the public information section, helping CTED’s communications advisor. Her daily responsibilities include compiling media digests, assisting with social media, drafting posts/documents, assisting in the organization of briefings and meetings, taking notes in said briefings, helping with research, etc. LIya says of her work: “Tasks are not limited to anything in particular and are based on the sphere of my interests. I can [always] find something exciting to do!”

Liya, who is a Fulbright Student from Russia, says that the internship has allowed her to become more comfortable writing in English and has exposed her to the unique “UN language.” She continues to say, “Part of my internship was helping to translate committee’s website into Russian which took a lot of time and effort. The Russian version of the website should be online sometime soon.”

Liya and her fellow interns at the CTED

Liya found the internship through the UN careers website and applied by filling out a standard UN application on Inspira. After several weeks she was called for an interview. The whole process took around a month. Initially the position was for three months, but was then prolonged for an additional three months.

Liya shared the following advice for those applying for internships. “Apply for positions that have a direct interest to you and can impact your future career, and be patient – sometimes the recruitment process, even for an internship, can take several months.”
Liya pursues her studies with IPED as a full time student and Fulbright Fellow while fulfilling her internship duties on a part-time basis.

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Filed under Academic, Career, Internships

Tagged as Career, counterterrorism, Fordham, fulbright, internship, IPED, public sector, public service, security, United Nations

by Henry Schwalbenberg | May 31, 2017 · 10:29 am

Student Spotlight: Alex Zakrzewski at the United Nations’ Department of Public Information

Alex Zakrzewski (IPED ‘18) is interning for the United Nations’ Department of Public Information, NGO Relations & Advocacy Section (DPI/NGO). The office is tasked with serving a liaison between civil society and the United Nations. The NGO Relations Section within the United Nations’ DPI is the link with approximately 1,500 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) who are partners and members in association with the Department of Public Information and support the UN efforts to disseminate information on the priority issues on its agenda, including sustainable development, creating a safer and more secure world, the importance of prevention, helping countries in transition, empowering women and young people, and addressing poverty, among others.

Alex at the DPI/NGO

Specifically, Alex is on the association team which includes reviewing documentation of NGOs’ applying for formal association with DPI. His tasks include reviewing and verifying these NGOs’ documents and work and fielding questions concerning the attainment of association status. He also works with the association team on examining their current NGOs annual reviews, reports demonstrating their continued commitment to the UN’s agenda and goals.

Alex’s work-space at the DPI/NGO office

Alex shared his thoughts on his most recent weekly briefing: “Last week’s [briefing] was a particularly successful gathering with over 400 attendees and focused on faith-based NGOs and their work with refugees. The briefing was led by a strong multi-faith panel including individuals from Islamic Relief Society, UNICEF, the US Department of State, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was very well received and particularly poignant given the state of current world affairs.”

Alex found his position through an email received from the Fordham Alumni Office and applied via the United Nations Inspira portal with the engagement and support of a Fordham staff member who frequently participates in UN activities.