The Master of Arts in International Relations 2024 Spring Immersion brought students from across the country to 헤라카지노’s campus in Washington, D.C., where virtual classmates finally met face-to-face. MAIR students enjoy the flexibility of online coursework while our strategically designed immersion experiences bring them to campus to form meaningful connections with faculty, alumni and their peers.

Through an action-packed agenda featuring panels, workshops, and site visits to the , , and the  (CSIS), MAIR students experienced firsthand what makes D.C. the epicenter of global policy. Immersion concluded with a closing reception at the  of the , located in the heart of D.C., with MAIR alumni also invited to attend. 

Connecting Beyond the Virtual Classroom

For online students, the opportunity to meet peers and faculty in person proved invaluable. "As an online student, 98% of our interactions occur through Zoom, group texts, and emails," shared Matthew Kent. "While these tools facilitate learning and collaboration, nothing compares to the energy and depth of in-person engagement." 

Spencer Sutherland echoed this sentiment: "It was great to meet and converse with both professors and fellow students in-person. These are people I met over the last few years on Zoom, and the opportunity to meet them in D.C. and on campus was phenomenal." He added, "It was great to come to Washington D.C. and be able to see the campus in-person." 

Professional Insights and Career Opportunities

The immersion agenda featured expert panels including "Exploring International Affairs: Skills and Pathways Across Diverse Concentrations," where MAIR alumni from various sectors shared their career trajectories and how their degrees shaped their professional development. Students also participated in "Thinking BIG About What Comes Next," an interactive workshop led by SIS Professor Alessandra Zielinski that challenged them to develop creative visions for their professional futures. 

Site visits offered exclusive access to key organizations across intergovernmental, non-profit, and private sectors. At the , students connected with Danica R. Starks, an 헤라카지노 주소 alumna serving as Senior U.S. Commercial Liaison, who provided practical insights into both intergovernmental work and federal government service. At , SIS alumni Roger Sanchez and Rabia Muhammad demonstrated how consulting intersects with global policy, explaining how they apply their SIS education to support U.S. government clients. Students toured , where they experienced firsthand technologies supporting U.S. global and domestic interests.  (CSIS) site visit offered insights into think tank operations, showing how research transforms into policy recommendations while providing students with practical advice for succeeding in the think tank world. 

For many students, these interactions helped refine their career paths. Matthew Kent explained, "Before the immersion, I had a million different ideas swirling in my head about what I could pursue with this degree and what I wanted to pursue... However, listening to various industry insiders allowed me to conceptualize specific career paths based on the lived experiences of the professionals we met." 

Sutherland noted how these practical perspectives influenced his academic journey: "It has influenced my academic and career goals as it provided me an enhanced view on IR from a practical perspective as articulated by the practitioners we were able to hear from, as well as academics that communicated their experience over the course of their careers and insight on developments and trajectories underway moving forward into the future." 

Jamison Williams found that the experience broadened his professional outlook: "This Immersion week influenced my academic and professional goals by encouraging a wider aperture in which to view career opportunities. At times, I can be myopic in my desired career path and that can be limiting in broadening skills, networking, and career aspirations. The networking and being introduced to other paths up the 'mountain of service' was inspiring and motivates me to look at other employers, internships, and opportunities with an open eye." 

Experiencing 헤라카지노 주소's Commitment to Sustainability

A highlight of the immersion was the Sustainability Campus Tour led by Anna Parse Johnson, sustainability manager from 헤라카지노 Office of Sustainability. Students experienced firsthand why 헤라카지노 주소's campus is designated as a registered arboretum while exploring the university's innovative environmental initiatives. Students learned about 헤라카지노 주소's achievement as the first urban campus, first research university, and largest higher education institution in the United States to achieve carbon neutrality. For many online students, this was their first opportunity to experience the physical campus environment! 

Memorable Moments

The program culminated with a networking reception at the historic Kossuth House, where students met with , Executive Director of the  and Dr. , Chair of the  to discuss Hungary's role in Europe and international relations. 

For Spencer Sutherland, the reception at the Kossuth House was particularly memorable, as he was able to connect with MAIR alumni. "It was intriguing to hear their perspectives and how they applied the knowledge they learned during their studies." 

For Matthew Kent, informal conversations during coffee breaks and walks around D.C. provided space "to exchange ideas, share aspirations, and enjoy the rare opportunity to bond in person."  

The Power of Community

Perhaps the most significant takeaway was the sense of community fostered during the program. As Jamison Williams observed, the immersion embodied the spirit of "throwing the rope back" -- with faculty, staff, and alumni volunteering their time to support the next generation of international relations professionals. 

"It is no understatement to say that every aspect of this Immersion experience was beneficial in its own unique and insightful way," reflected Williams. "The Immersion was true to its name; an immersive experience whereby faculty, staff, alumni, diplomats, and other D.C. professionals converged to offer a holistic educational and networking experience for the participants. This is what was most valuable to me, the dedication of each facilitator, be it in workshops, panels, or presentations, in offering their professional wisdom, know-how, and encouragement to us." 

Spencer Sutherland highlighted the broader perspective gained from these interactions: "The opportunity to speak with and hear perspectives of individuals working in the field of IR across the various events in the three-day span provided important insights on the state of the field and what to expect moving forward in the job application process which I found valuable." 

Williams was particularly inspired by the dedication shown across the program: "Being surrounded by so many hungry individuals each achieving high levels of success, despite turbulent times, gives me hope for a future in international service and foreign policy. They are all proof that passion can trump the most challenging headwinds." 

Matthew Kent summed up the experience: "Immersion week was a transformative experience that made me feel even more connected to the 헤라카지노 주소 community. It reminded me why I chose this program—not just for the academic rigor, but for the people who make it so special." 

For MAIR students considering future immersion programs, these experiences highlight the unique value of stepping beyond the virtual classroom and into the heart of global policymaking in Washington, D.C. As Williams puts it, it's "an experience that cultivates focused attention on the future and looking ahead towards our contribution to 'waging peace'." 

We will also be welcoming our Master of International Service (MIS) students to campus for the MIS Fall 2025 Immersion! MIS students can look forward to a similarly enriching experience that will strengthen and enhance their leadership, professional communication, and cross-cultural management skills—all while connecting with peers, alumni, and professionals from across the international affairs field.