Academic Year 2008-2009 Event Summary

Orientation Event 2008, August 29, 2008
Hosted by the IR Director, this annual information session informed incoming freshmen on the specifics of the IR major and the many advantages of one of the best and most popular programs at Tufts.

Meet the Mentors, October 1
Informal event for prospective majors to meet students from the IR mentors program and ask a variety of questions about the program including study abroad, advisors, courses, etc.

State Department Internship Information Session, October 8
Diplomat-in-Residence Suneta Halliburton discussed the range of opportunities available to students interested in the Foreign Service. A wonderful resource on campus, Ms. Halliburton has had a career with the State Department that has taken her all over the world. Attendees learned more about internships in Washington, DC, other U.S. cities, or abroad, and had time to ask questions about life in the Foreign Service. Additionally, this event served to assist students applying for summer internships with the State Dept. before the fall deadline.

Fletcher Night, October 15

Graduate School in International Relations Panel, 6-7pm
The Fletcher Admissions Office hosted an information session for students considering attending graduate school in international relations. Students were able to learn about the graduate school process, details on the Fletcher degree programs, insider tips on applying to graduate school for international affairs, and information on what APSIA (Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs) schools are looking for in applicants. This was a great opportunity to ask questions of the Admissions office from one of the most competitive and prestigious IR programs in the world.

Fletcher Networking Night, 7-8pm
Undergraduate students interested in careers in the broad field of international affairs had the opportunity to speak with Fletcher Graduates about job searching, internships, and career development strategies. It was an evening of informal conversations and networking that bridged the International Relations Program and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The UN: A First-Hand View, October 27
A panel of Fletcher students, who had previously worked for the United Nations, spoke candidly about their experiences, the relevance of the UN today, and how they found their position at the UN. In addition, they gave general career advice to students interested in working for the UN.

Anne E. Borghesani Symposium, November 12
Former Borghesani Prize winners shared their experiences from their research and travels abroad. Not only was this a great opportunity for sophomores and juniors to learn how they could benefit from the support of a Borghesani Scholarship, but also students enjoyed cultural foods from the previous winners' locales.

International Affairs Virtual Networking: A Global Online Forum, November 12-19
Recognizing that technology is increasingly enabling international professional networking, the Tufts Program in International Relations (IR) and the Tufts Career Services Office offered an opportunity for student-alumni interaction through an online global forum. This Virtual Networking was an innovative new approach to connecting IR majors in Medford with alumni working in the broad field of international affairs around the world.

Between November 12th and 19th, students posed general and specific career-related questions to participating alumni, via an online forum, who then wrote brief responses at their convenience throughout the week. These exchanges created an ongoing dialogue between students and alumni. Topics included:

• The broad array of career fields and paths under the umbrella of IR
• Graduate degree program timing and selection
• How to find that first job after college
• General career related advice and anecdotes

Please click here to read a summary of this innovative forum or here to read an article about it.

IR Directors Leadership Council Presents: Worldwide Trivia Night, November 19
IR majors, professors, and students interested in world affairs got together for a night of trivia questions, prizes, and fun. This community building event was a fun and engaging event focused on international knowledge.

Anne E. Borghesani Prize- Application Workshop, January 28, 2009
IR Assistant Director, Kirk Lange, provided guidance on applications for the Anne E. Borghesani Memorial Prize. More information on the Anne E. Borghesani Prize >

Issue as Muse: A Night of IR Artistic Inspiration, February 7
The second annual Issue as Muse was a spectacular evening of student performances that bridged the arts and academia. This special multicultural event was based on a challenge to some of the most creative and dynamic groups on campus to use their incredible passions and talents to design performances inspired by global issues of their choosing. Students showcased their talents in song, dance, acting, and poetry; which was prefaced by a reading of the international issue that inspired them.
To view photos from the 2009 Issue as Muse performances, click here
To read more about the 2009 Issue as Muse performance, click here

The Director's Leadership Council presents: A Debate on Genocide Intervention, March 3
The International Relations Director's Leadership Council held its annual debate on the merits of intervention amidst a humanitarian crisis. "If the international community calls for the U.S. to uphold the Responsibility to Protect in an ongoing genocide, should the Obama Administration lead a military intervention if necessary?" The debate featured Professor Antonia Chayes of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Professor Paul Joseph Director of the Peace and Justice Studies Program.

The Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies Annual Conference
Foreign Policy Challenges for the New Administration: Iran and the Middle East, March 5-6
The purpose of this conference was to identify issues that, in light of a new American administration, would be of concern to Americans in 2009, specifically the continuing confrontation between the United States and Iran. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and subsequent developments in that country have had a significant impact on Iran's position and policy there. Yet, American and Iranian interests and policies have collided in the Gulf and in the Eastern Mediterranean region, as well. Nuclear issues in particular have brought the United States and Iran into renewed confrontation. The conference addressed these concerns and how the new administration can take steps to change the dynamic in a helpful way.

International Relations- Majors Week Event, March 30
Current students and IR staff members were on hand to talk about the IR Program and answer specific questions on the IR major.

Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 3
In its eleventh year, the Undergraduate Research & Scholarship Symposium celebrates the many contributions made by Tufts undergraduates to scholarship and research advances. It included presentations by undergraduates from all disciplines: natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, humanities, the arts, and international relations.

Foreign Service Officer Test Prep Session with NE Diplomat-in-Residence Sunny Halliburton, April 9 Combining lecture and anecdotal stories, Sunny walked attendees through the Foreign Service Selection Process.

US-Russia Relations Symposium, April 10
A day-long symposium on the state of US-Russian Relations that featured experts from Fletcher and Harvard speaking on topics within security and energy affairs. The keynote address on the future of US-Russia Relations was delivered by Dr. Thomas M. Nichols of the US Naval War College.

Townhall Luncheon Meeting for IR Majors, April 28
IR majors and members of the Director's Leadership Council reflected on their experience with the Tufts IR Program. Students commented on what elements stood out and suggested improvements.

Senior Thesis Exchange Celebration, April 29
Senior honors theses students from American Studies, History, ILVS, International Relations, MFA / Interdisciplinary Studies, Peace and Justice Studies, and Political Science gave brief presentations on their interesting research and shared insights on the thesis process.

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