To contact us Click HERE
A man walks past a beggar every day and gives him Rs. 10 and that Continues
for a year.
Then suddenly the daily donation changes to Rs. 7.50.
"Well," the beggar thinks, " it's still better than nothing."
A year passes in this way until the man's daily donation suddenly becomes
Rs. 5.
"What's going on now?" the beggar asks his donor. "First you give me Rs. 10
every day, then Rs. 7.50 and now only Rs. 5. What's the problem?"
" Well," the man says, "last year my eldest son went to university, it's
very expensive, so I had to cut costs".
"This year my eldest daughter also went to university, so I had to cut my
expenses even further."
" And how many children do you have?" the beggar asks.
"Four," the man replies.
"Well," says the beggar,
" I hope you don't plan to educate them all at my expense".
31 Aralık 2012 Pazartesi
The new 11th Commandment
To contact us Click HERE
ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT
During a recent staff meeting in Heaven, God, Moses and Saint Peter
concluded that the behavior of Ex-President Clinton and Monica has
brought about the need for an 11th Commandment.
They worked long and hard in a brain-storming session to try to
settle on the wording of the new commandment, because they realized
that it should have the same style, majesty and dignity as the
original Ten Commandments.
They persevered with their brain-storming and drafted the 11th.
After many revisions, they finally agreed that the 11th commandment should be:
"Thou shalt not comfort thy rod with thy staff."
During a recent staff meeting in Heaven, God, Moses and Saint Peter
concluded that the behavior of Ex-President Clinton and Monica has
brought about the need for an 11th Commandment.
They worked long and hard in a brain-storming session to try to
settle on the wording of the new commandment, because they realized
that it should have the same style, majesty and dignity as the
original Ten Commandments.
They persevered with their brain-storming and drafted the 11th.
After many revisions, they finally agreed that the 11th commandment should be:
"Thou shalt not comfort thy rod with thy staff."
Three women & the electric chair
To contact us Click HERE
Three women go down to Mexico one night to celebrate college
graduation.
They get drunk and wake up in jail, only to find that they are to
be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember
what they did the night before.
The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is
asked if she has any last words. She says, "I just graduated from Trinity
Bible College and believe
in the almighty power of God to intervene on the behalf of the innocent."
They throw the switch and nothing happens. They all immediately fall to the
floor on their knees, beg for forgiveness, and release her.
The second one, a brunette, is strapped in and gives her last words. "I just
graduated from the Harvard School of Law and I believe in the power of
justice to intervene on the part of the innocent."
They throw the switch and again, nothing happens. Again they all immediately
fall to their knees, beg for forgiveness and release her.
The last one (you knew it), a blonde, is strapped in and says, "Well, I'm
from the University of Tennessee and I just graduated with a degree in
Electrical Engineering, and I'll tell ya right now, ya'll ain't gonna
electrocute nobody if you don't plug this thing in."
graduation.
They get drunk and wake up in jail, only to find that they are to
be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember
what they did the night before.
The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is
asked if she has any last words. She says, "I just graduated from Trinity
Bible College and believe
in the almighty power of God to intervene on the behalf of the innocent."
They throw the switch and nothing happens. They all immediately fall to the
floor on their knees, beg for forgiveness, and release her.
The second one, a brunette, is strapped in and gives her last words. "I just
graduated from the Harvard School of Law and I believe in the power of
justice to intervene on the part of the innocent."
They throw the switch and again, nothing happens. Again they all immediately
fall to their knees, beg for forgiveness and release her.
The last one (you knew it), a blonde, is strapped in and says, "Well, I'm
from the University of Tennessee and I just graduated with a degree in
Electrical Engineering, and I'll tell ya right now, ya'll ain't gonna
electrocute nobody if you don't plug this thing in."
Christmas Warning
To contact us Click HERE
Dear Staff,
Please be advised that all employees planning to dash through the snow in a
one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are
required to undergo a risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs
for members of the public. This assessment must also consider whether it is
appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where
there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be
obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To
avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request that
laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise
nuisance.
Benches, stools and orthopedic chairs are now available for collection by
any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While
provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras
from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility users are
reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for
known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded
that — prior to shining his/her glory all around — s/he must confirm that
all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to
account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of
Glory.
Following last year's well publicized case, everyone is advised that EEOC
legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of
Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer
games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be
taken against those found guilty of this offense.
While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practiced in various
parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the
bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be
registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal
personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold
are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act. Further, caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as
aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions.
Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger
without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be
arriving shortly.
Merry Christmas,
Risk Management Department
Please be advised that all employees planning to dash through the snow in a
one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are
required to undergo a risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs
for members of the public. This assessment must also consider whether it is
appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where
there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be
obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To
avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request that
laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise
nuisance.
Benches, stools and orthopedic chairs are now available for collection by
any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While
provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras
from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility users are
reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for
known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded
that — prior to shining his/her glory all around — s/he must confirm that
all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to
account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of
Glory.
Following last year's well publicized case, everyone is advised that EEOC
legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of
Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer
games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be
taken against those found guilty of this offense.
While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practiced in various
parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the
bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be
registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal
personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold
are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act. Further, caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as
aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions.
Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger
without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be
arriving shortly.
Merry Christmas,
Risk Management Department
Seniors Leaving Britain
To contact us Click HERE
News Flash from the offshore Portland Bill
The Royal Navy intercepted three boatloads of people off the South coast of
England today.
This placed the Navy in an awkward position, as the boats were not heading
to,
but away from Britain towards the Middle East.
Another surprise finding was that they were loaded with British
who were all seniors of pension age.
Their claim was that they were trying to get to the
Middle East
so as to be able to return to Britain as illegal immigrants
and therefore be entitled to far more benefits than they were receiving
as legitimate
British pensioners.
The Navy, it is believed, gave them food, water and fuel
and assisted them on their journey.
We are booking the next boat out,
Please let me know if you want to come.
The Royal Navy intercepted three boatloads of people off the South coast of
England today.
This placed the Navy in an awkward position, as the boats were not heading
to,
but away from Britain towards the Middle East.
Another surprise finding was that they were loaded with British
who were all seniors of pension age.
Their claim was that they were trying to get to the
Middle East
so as to be able to return to Britain as illegal immigrants
and therefore be entitled to far more benefits than they were receiving
as legitimate
British pensioners.
The Navy, it is believed, gave them food, water and fuel
and assisted them on their journey.
We are booking the next boat out,
Please let me know if you want to come.
27 Aralık 2012 Perşembe
XX Female logic backfires
To contact us Click HERE
Lady: Do you smoke?
Man: Yes.
Lady: How many packs a day?
Man: 3 packs.
Lady: How much per pack?
Man: Ten quid.
Lady: And how long have you been smoking?
Man: 15 years.
Lady: So 1 pack cost £10.00 and you have 3 packs a day which puts your
spending each month at £900. In one year, it would be £10,800 correct?
Man: Correct.
Lady: If in 1 year you spend £10,800 not accounting for inflation, the past
15 years puts your spending at £162,000 correct?
Man: Correct.
Lady: Do you know that if you hadn't smoked, that money could have been put
in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound
interest for the past 15 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari?
Man: Do you smoke?
Lady: No.
Man: Where's your fucking Ferrari then?
Man: Yes.
Lady: How many packs a day?
Man: 3 packs.
Lady: How much per pack?
Man: Ten quid.
Lady: And how long have you been smoking?
Man: 15 years.
Lady: So 1 pack cost £10.00 and you have 3 packs a day which puts your
spending each month at £900. In one year, it would be £10,800 correct?
Man: Correct.
Lady: If in 1 year you spend £10,800 not accounting for inflation, the past
15 years puts your spending at £162,000 correct?
Man: Correct.
Lady: Do you know that if you hadn't smoked, that money could have been put
in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound
interest for the past 15 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari?
Man: Do you smoke?
Lady: No.
Man: Where's your fucking Ferrari then?
Advice from a Friend
To contact us Click HERE
With the Holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with
my friends about drinking and driving. As you may know some of us have been
known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home
after a "social session" out with friends.
Well last weekend I was out for an evening with friends celebrating the
season and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine.
Feeling jolly I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the
limit. That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a
cab home.
Sure enough on the way home there was a police road block, but since it was
a cab they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a
real surprise as I had never driven a cab before, I don't know where I got
it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.
my friends about drinking and driving. As you may know some of us have been
known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home
after a "social session" out with friends.
Well last weekend I was out for an evening with friends celebrating the
season and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine.
Feeling jolly I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the
limit. That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a
cab home.
Sure enough on the way home there was a police road block, but since it was
a cab they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a
real surprise as I had never driven a cab before, I don't know where I got
it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.
Not Blonde jokes, Blond Jokes
To contact us Click HERE
A friend told the blond man: "Christmas is on a Friday this year." The blond
man then said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
Two blond men find three grenades, and they decide to take t
hem to a police station. One asked: "What if one explodes before we get
there?" The other says: "We'll lie and say we only found two."
A woman phoned her blond neighbour man and said: "Close your curtains the
next time you & your wife are having sex. The whole street was watching and
laughing at you yesterday." To which the man replied: "Well the joke's on
all of you because I wasn't even at home yesterday."
A blond man is in the bathroom and his wife shouts: "Did you find the
shampoo?" He answers, "Yes, but I'm not sure what to do... it's for dry
hair, and I've just wet mine."
A blond man goes to the vet with his goldfish. "I think it's got epilepsy,"
he tells the vet. The vet takes a look and says, "It seems calm enough to
me." The blond man says, "Wait, I haven't taken it out of the bowl yet."
A blond man spies a letter lying on his doormat. It says on the envelope "DO
NOT BEND ". He spends the next 2 hours trying to figure out how to pick it
up. (I had to think about this one a minute)
A blond man shouts frantically into the phone "My wife is pregnant and her
contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" asks the Doctor. "No!" he shouts, "this is her
husband!"
A blond man was driving home, drunk as a skunk. Suddenly, he has to swerve
to avoid a tree, then another, then another. A cop car pulls him over, so he
tells the cop about all the trees in the road. The cop says, "That's your
air freshener swinging about!"
A blond man's dog goes missing and he is frantic. His wife says "Why don't
you put an ad in the paper?" He does, but two weeks later the dog is still
missing. "What did you put in the paper?" his wife asks. "Here boy!" he
replies.
A blond man is in jail. Guard looks in his cell and sees him hanging by his
feet. "Just WHAT are you doing?" he asks.
"Hanging myself," the blond replies. "It should be around your neck" says
the guard. "I tried that," he replies, "but then I couldn't breathe."
(This one actually makes sense.)
An Italian tourist asks a blond man: "Why do Scuba divers always fall
backwards off their boats?" To which the blond man replies: "If they fell
forward, they'd still be in the boat."
man then said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
Two blond men find three grenades, and they decide to take t
hem to a police station. One asked: "What if one explodes before we get
there?" The other says: "We'll lie and say we only found two."
A woman phoned her blond neighbour man and said: "Close your curtains the
next time you & your wife are having sex. The whole street was watching and
laughing at you yesterday." To which the man replied: "Well the joke's on
all of you because I wasn't even at home yesterday."
A blond man is in the bathroom and his wife shouts: "Did you find the
shampoo?" He answers, "Yes, but I'm not sure what to do... it's for dry
hair, and I've just wet mine."
A blond man goes to the vet with his goldfish. "I think it's got epilepsy,"
he tells the vet. The vet takes a look and says, "It seems calm enough to
me." The blond man says, "Wait, I haven't taken it out of the bowl yet."
A blond man spies a letter lying on his doormat. It says on the envelope "DO
NOT BEND ". He spends the next 2 hours trying to figure out how to pick it
up. (I had to think about this one a minute)
A blond man shouts frantically into the phone "My wife is pregnant and her
contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" asks the Doctor. "No!" he shouts, "this is her
husband!"
A blond man was driving home, drunk as a skunk. Suddenly, he has to swerve
to avoid a tree, then another, then another. A cop car pulls him over, so he
tells the cop about all the trees in the road. The cop says, "That's your
air freshener swinging about!"
A blond man's dog goes missing and he is frantic. His wife says "Why don't
you put an ad in the paper?" He does, but two weeks later the dog is still
missing. "What did you put in the paper?" his wife asks. "Here boy!" he
replies.
A blond man is in jail. Guard looks in his cell and sees him hanging by his
feet. "Just WHAT are you doing?" he asks.
"Hanging myself," the blond replies. "It should be around your neck" says
the guard. "I tried that," he replies, "but then I couldn't breathe."
(This one actually makes sense.)
An Italian tourist asks a blond man: "Why do Scuba divers always fall
backwards off their boats?" To which the blond man replies: "If they fell
forward, they'd still be in the boat."
XXX: ADULT PUNS!
To contact us Click HERE
There once was a lady named Cager,
Who readily agreed to a wager,
She consented to fart,
The entire oboe part,
Of Mozart's quartet in F major.
I walked up to a really pretty girl at the bar the other night and said,
"Hey, babe, can I buy you a drink?"
She said,
"Do you like sex?"
I said,
"Of course I like sex."
She said,
"Do you like to travel?"
I said,
"Yeah, I love to travel."
She said,
"Then f*ck off."
Sign outside a brothel:
Married men not allowed.
We serve the needy, not the greedy.
A tourist arrived in Australia, hired a car and set off for the outback.
On his way he saw a bloke having sex with a sheep.
Deeply horrified, he pulled up at the nearest pub and ordered a straight
Scotch.
Just as he was about to throw it back, he saw a bloke with one leg
masturbating furiously at the bar.
The bloke cried,
"What the hell's going on here? I've been here one hour and I've seen a
bloke shagging a sheep, and now some bloke's wanking himself off in the
bar!"
"Fair dinkum, mate," the bartender told him, "you can't expect a man with
only one leg to catch a sheep"
90% of gals have a left boob bigger than the right
Because
90% of boys are right handed.
"The thrill is gone from my marriage," Bob told his friend Mike.
"Why not add some intrigue to your life and have an affair," Mike suggested.
"But what if my wife finds out?"
"Heck, this is a new age we live in, Bob. Go ahead and tell her about it!"
So, Bob went home and said,
"Dear, I think an affair will bring us closer together." "
Forget it," said his wife, "I've tried that and it's never worked."
New AIDS awareness slogan:
Try different positions with the same woman
Instead of
Same position with different women.
Angus Broon of Glasgow, Scotland, comes to the little lady of the house
exclaiming,
"Maggie, cud ye be sewin on a wee button that's come off of ma fly? I canna
button ma troosers."
"Och, Angus, I've got ma hands in the sink, go up the stairs and see if Mrs.
MacDonald could be helpin ye with it."
About 5 minutes later, there's a terrible crash, a bang, a bit of Yelling
and the sound of a body falling down the stairs. Walking back in the door
with a black eye and a bloody nose comes Angus.
Maggie looks at him and says,
"My god Angus, what happened tae ye? Did you ask her up the stairs like I
told you?"
"Aye," says Angus. "I asked her to sew on the wee button, an she did,
everything was goin' fine but when she bent doon to bite off the wee thread,
Mr MacDonald walked in."
I'm not saying she's a slut,
But
she's been banged more than my snooze button.
A stunning blonde had gone to her student advisor for some course problems,
but seemed to be paying only half attention to his replies.
"Are you feeling ok?" he asked.
"Well, to be honest, have this compulsion to have sex with every man I
meet," she admitted. "Is there a name for my condition?"
Why yes, there is," he said, as he picked her up and began carrying her to
the couch. "It's called 'Good News'."
Such an unfair world:
When a man talks dirty to a woman its considered sexual harassment.
When a woman talks dirty to a man its $8.50/min (charges may vary).
Who readily agreed to a wager,
She consented to fart,
The entire oboe part,
Of Mozart's quartet in F major.
I walked up to a really pretty girl at the bar the other night and said,
"Hey, babe, can I buy you a drink?"
She said,
"Do you like sex?"
I said,
"Of course I like sex."
She said,
"Do you like to travel?"
I said,
"Yeah, I love to travel."
She said,
"Then f*ck off."
Sign outside a brothel:
Married men not allowed.
We serve the needy, not the greedy.
A tourist arrived in Australia, hired a car and set off for the outback.
On his way he saw a bloke having sex with a sheep.
Deeply horrified, he pulled up at the nearest pub and ordered a straight
Scotch.
Just as he was about to throw it back, he saw a bloke with one leg
masturbating furiously at the bar.
The bloke cried,
"What the hell's going on here? I've been here one hour and I've seen a
bloke shagging a sheep, and now some bloke's wanking himself off in the
bar!"
"Fair dinkum, mate," the bartender told him, "you can't expect a man with
only one leg to catch a sheep"
90% of gals have a left boob bigger than the right
Because
90% of boys are right handed.
"The thrill is gone from my marriage," Bob told his friend Mike.
"Why not add some intrigue to your life and have an affair," Mike suggested.
"But what if my wife finds out?"
"Heck, this is a new age we live in, Bob. Go ahead and tell her about it!"
So, Bob went home and said,
"Dear, I think an affair will bring us closer together." "
Forget it," said his wife, "I've tried that and it's never worked."
New AIDS awareness slogan:
Try different positions with the same woman
Instead of
Same position with different women.
Angus Broon of Glasgow, Scotland, comes to the little lady of the house
exclaiming,
"Maggie, cud ye be sewin on a wee button that's come off of ma fly? I canna
button ma troosers."
"Och, Angus, I've got ma hands in the sink, go up the stairs and see if Mrs.
MacDonald could be helpin ye with it."
About 5 minutes later, there's a terrible crash, a bang, a bit of Yelling
and the sound of a body falling down the stairs. Walking back in the door
with a black eye and a bloody nose comes Angus.
Maggie looks at him and says,
"My god Angus, what happened tae ye? Did you ask her up the stairs like I
told you?"
"Aye," says Angus. "I asked her to sew on the wee button, an she did,
everything was goin' fine but when she bent doon to bite off the wee thread,
Mr MacDonald walked in."
I'm not saying she's a slut,
But
she's been banged more than my snooze button.
A stunning blonde had gone to her student advisor for some course problems,
but seemed to be paying only half attention to his replies.
"Are you feeling ok?" he asked.
"Well, to be honest, have this compulsion to have sex with every man I
meet," she admitted. "Is there a name for my condition?"
Why yes, there is," he said, as he picked her up and began carrying her to
the couch. "It's called 'Good News'."
Such an unfair world:
When a man talks dirty to a woman its considered sexual harassment.
When a woman talks dirty to a man its $8.50/min (charges may vary).
EIGHT THOUGHTS TO PONDER
To contact us Click HERE
Number 8
Life is sexually transmitted.
Number 7
Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Number 6
Men have two emotions : Hungry and Horny. If you see a gleam in his eyes,
make him a sandwich.
Number 5
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the
Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years
Number 4
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospitals, dying
of nothing.
Number 3
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to
criticism.
Number 2
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is
weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
And The Number 1 Thought
Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers--what you do today, might burn your
ass tomorrow.
- - - and as someone recently said to me:
"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."
Life is sexually transmitted.
Number 7
Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Number 6
Men have two emotions : Hungry and Horny. If you see a gleam in his eyes,
make him a sandwich.
Number 5
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the
Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years
Number 4
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospitals, dying
of nothing.
Number 3
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to
criticism.
Number 2
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is
weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
And The Number 1 Thought
Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers--what you do today, might burn your
ass tomorrow.
- - - and as someone recently said to me:
"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."
20 Aralık 2012 Perşembe
The analytical essay: you'll want to read this
To contact us Click HERE
Today we publish an analytical essay by a current SAIS Bologna student that caught the eye of the Admissions Committee.
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
In other words, she looked at an issue of international interest through a personal lens. Not every candidate will have Ally's background -- experience at two U.S. federal agencies, on Capitol Hill, on a presidential campaign and in a law firm. We would not expect candidates to duplicate Ally's essay.
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
 |
| Allison Carragher |
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
- Find a topic that interests you and is relevant to what you might like to study at SAIS.
- Explain it simply and clearly, say why it's important and examine it critically.
- Do it all in under 600 words.
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
Bonding behind castle walls
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A few weeks ago, the International Development concentrators at SAIS Bologna organized a weekend retreat to the small town of Granaglione.
Granaglione is a few kilometers outside of Porretta Terme, near Emilia Romagna's border with Tuscany, about 1-1/2 hours from Bologna. Twelve of us spent one weekend in the Castello di Granaglione, a small medieval castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking the town.
Getting there was an adventure in itself. Although the train to Porretta Terma runs very frequently, to get to the castle we also needed to take a bus, which in small towns runs only once or twice a day over weekends. For those of us who missed that bus (or even one or two trains), finding a taxi was not any easier either.
After we had all arrived safely, we took some time to look around the scenic grounds. As night drew closer, we quickly found out that as enchanting as “being in a castle” may sound, “central heating” -- or lack thereof -- became much more important. Huddling around the fireplace or the kitchen stove made for some interesting stories.
The next morning the fog was so thick that it was hard to see very much at all. We went on a short hike in the mountains, and it was striking to walk through the forest -- everything seemed haunted.
To keep costs to a minimum, we had brought our own food. Luckily for us, we have some pretty wonderful cooks in our group. Our main chef, Megan Davidow, planned three amazing meals for the entire group, helped of course by our sous-chefs Lauren Keevill, Tendi Madenyika, Chimdi Onwudiegwu and David Gorgani. It was truly delicious (and inexpensive), so I’m including pictures and recipes. It was quite nice to be able to relax after what seemed to be a particularly stressful midterm period. We may plan this again next semester, but certainly when the weather is much warmer. And we will budget for a car rental.
Megan’s beans ("zariko sy sauce tomaty") recipe:
If you have dried beans, soak them overnight, then boil them until they are soft and set aside the liquid. If you have fresh beans, boil them for a few hours until soft and set aside the liquid. If you have canned or boxed beans, just reserve the liquid.
Put about two tablespoons of vegetable oil into a pot and heat. When hot, add chopped onions and tomatoes and cook until the onions are translucent and the tomatoes give up their juice. You can add however many you like, but I usually add two tomatoes and two onions for one can of dried beans. Add cooked beans to the vegetables and mix. Add reserved bean water and salt, and boil with the lid on until you get the amount of sauce you're looking for. I usually add leeks with the bean water, too.
Obviously, serve with copious amounts of rice. And that's it!
For the hot sauce (sakay), I chop pili pili, then add grated ginger and grated garlic to taste, then mix in vegetable oil to bind it together. If you can't get pili pili, red pepper flakes also work.
Here is the Baked French Toast recipe Lauren made: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/08/baked-french-toast/
by Melissa Paredes Saltos
A few weeks ago, the International Development concentrators at SAIS Bologna organized a weekend retreat to the small town of Granaglione.
 |
| The IDEV concentrators |
Getting there was an adventure in itself. Although the train to Porretta Terma runs very frequently, to get to the castle we also needed to take a bus, which in small towns runs only once or twice a day over weekends. For those of us who missed that bus (or even one or two trains), finding a taxi was not any easier either.
 |
| The Castle |
After we had all arrived safely, we took some time to look around the scenic grounds. As night drew closer, we quickly found out that as enchanting as “being in a castle” may sound, “central heating” -- or lack thereof -- became much more important. Huddling around the fireplace or the kitchen stove made for some interesting stories.
The next morning the fog was so thick that it was hard to see very much at all. We went on a short hike in the mountains, and it was striking to walk through the forest -- everything seemed haunted.
 |
| The Fog |
Megan’s beans ("zariko sy sauce tomaty") recipe:
 |
| The Food |
Put about two tablespoons of vegetable oil into a pot and heat. When hot, add chopped onions and tomatoes and cook until the onions are translucent and the tomatoes give up their juice. You can add however many you like, but I usually add two tomatoes and two onions for one can of dried beans. Add cooked beans to the vegetables and mix. Add reserved bean water and salt, and boil with the lid on until you get the amount of sauce you're looking for. I usually add leeks with the bean water, too.
 |
| Chimdindu & Melissa |
Obviously, serve with copious amounts of rice. And that's it!
For the hot sauce (sakay), I chop pili pili, then add grated ginger and grated garlic to taste, then mix in vegetable oil to bind it together. If you can't get pili pili, red pepper flakes also work.
Here is the Baked French Toast recipe Lauren made: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/08/baked-french-toast/
by Melissa Paredes Saltos
To Geneva and back: a tale of career discovery
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A snowy Sunday in Geneva witnessed dribs and drabs of sleepy SAISers emerge from an overnight train. The luckier ones hopped off the airport bus, fresh from a weekend break in Spain.
Gathering by the lake, under the shadow of Rousseau, Calvin and the only tourist attraction in Geneva, the unimaginatively named "Jet d'Eau" fountain, they wondered whether they had a future in this eye-wateringly expensive center of international politics.
Luckily the SAIS career trip, starting bright and early on a recent Monday morning, was there to give them the answers.
The whistle-stop tour of Geneva’s multitude of multilaterals with alphabet names began at the WTO, where we were greeted by SAIS Bologna Prof. Michael Plummer’s book in the reception and treated to a talk assessing the headaches of the Doha Round.
A quick taxi took us to the International Environment House where we met two junior professional officers (JPOs) from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and friendly contacts from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
All three organisations generously covered the ins and outs of the Green Economy, subsidy analysis, public procurements and internships in Geneva. Discussion was well fueled by a tasty UNEP lunch.
After a long day assessing the sustainability of careers in trade, we headed to UNAIDS for an evening alumni event jointly held by SAIS and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Between making the most of the free canapés, there was plenty of opportunity to meet alumni working in the U.S. mission, UN disarmament program, the German mission, the ILO, UNAIDS and more who were surprisingly as interested to meet us as we were them.
Day two brought us to the heart of the action in UN headquarters, where a SAIS alumnus from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) gave us a detailed insight into his work and some good tips on how to approach the UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP).
Next, after a few obligatory photos in front of flags, we stepped into the private sector and met the chief investment officer of Blue Orchard, a microfinance investment company. Her varied career in development banking and finance seemed like the ultimate test for a SAIS economic education.
The grand finale came with the UN triumvirate of OHCHR, UNICEF and UNHCR. Wonderfully hosted in UNHCR, with the first complimentary coffee and cookies of the trip, we debated the moral authority of the UN and intently questioned Prof. Søren Jessen-Petersen's old colleague on his first forays into the field.
We ended with some candid and passionate advice from UNICEF’s Christine Knudsen, a SAIS alumna. The message was clear: be persistent, be flexible, don’t have illusions about changing the world but be sure you believe in what you are doing.
Christine and the others took us beyond the acronyms and protocols of Geneva. As the students shivered back towards the train and a welcome return to the euro, I suspect there were many who, after two fulfilling days, did indeed glimpse a future by the lake.
by Oliver Russell
A snowy Sunday in Geneva witnessed dribs and drabs of sleepy SAISers emerge from an overnight train. The luckier ones hopped off the airport bus, fresh from a weekend break in Spain.
Gathering by the lake, under the shadow of Rousseau, Calvin and the only tourist attraction in Geneva, the unimaginatively named "Jet d'Eau" fountain, they wondered whether they had a future in this eye-wateringly expensive center of international politics.
Luckily the SAIS career trip, starting bright and early on a recent Monday morning, was there to give them the answers.
The whistle-stop tour of Geneva’s multitude of multilaterals with alphabet names began at the WTO, where we were greeted by SAIS Bologna Prof. Michael Plummer’s book in the reception and treated to a talk assessing the headaches of the Doha Round.
A quick taxi took us to the International Environment House where we met two junior professional officers (JPOs) from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and friendly contacts from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
All three organisations generously covered the ins and outs of the Green Economy, subsidy analysis, public procurements and internships in Geneva. Discussion was well fueled by a tasty UNEP lunch.After a long day assessing the sustainability of careers in trade, we headed to UNAIDS for an evening alumni event jointly held by SAIS and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Between making the most of the free canapés, there was plenty of opportunity to meet alumni working in the U.S. mission, UN disarmament program, the German mission, the ILO, UNAIDS and more who were surprisingly as interested to meet us as we were them.
Day two brought us to the heart of the action in UN headquarters, where a SAIS alumnus from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) gave us a detailed insight into his work and some good tips on how to approach the UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP).
Next, after a few obligatory photos in front of flags, we stepped into the private sector and met the chief investment officer of Blue Orchard, a microfinance investment company. Her varied career in development banking and finance seemed like the ultimate test for a SAIS economic education.The grand finale came with the UN triumvirate of OHCHR, UNICEF and UNHCR. Wonderfully hosted in UNHCR, with the first complimentary coffee and cookies of the trip, we debated the moral authority of the UN and intently questioned Prof. Søren Jessen-Petersen's old colleague on his first forays into the field.
We ended with some candid and passionate advice from UNICEF’s Christine Knudsen, a SAIS alumna. The message was clear: be persistent, be flexible, don’t have illusions about changing the world but be sure you believe in what you are doing.
Christine and the others took us beyond the acronyms and protocols of Geneva. As the students shivered back towards the train and a welcome return to the euro, I suspect there were many who, after two fulfilling days, did indeed glimpse a future by the lake.
by Oliver Russell
Answers to your questions - Part I
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Today we run a Q&A aimed at addressing key issues facing candidates applying to SAIS Bologna for 2013-14. We will run another Q&A on December 26.
A reminder that the deadline for applications is January 7. If anyone has any questions, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.
Q: What if my application is not complete by January 7?
A: Your application must be complete before the Admissions Committee can consider your candidacy. If you are unable to submit all elements of your application by January 7, please submit what you can and drop a note to admissions@jhubc.it explaining what is missing and why. The longer your application remains incomplete after January 7, the less likely the Admissions Committee will consider it.
Q: I am a non-native English speaker but my undergraduate curriculum was conducted entirely in English. Do I have to submit the results of an English proficiency exam as part of my application?
A: It depends. If your university was in a country where English is an official language, you are exempt. Otherwise, you need to submit a test score.
For more information on the English language requirements, click here.
Q: Is it better to choose a preferred campus or indicate that I would be willing to start in either Bologna or DC?
A: If you would prefer to start at one campus or the other, please check that campus as your preference. If you are open to either campus and do not have a preference, then check that box, keeping in mind that the Admissions Committee will choose a campus for you if you are admitted.
Q: Will my chances of entry to SAIS Bologna be hurt if I do not submit a GRE or GMAT score?
A: While SAIS Bologna does not require either the GRE or the GMAT of non-U.S. candidates, we do recommend one or the other. The tests are not perfect tools for assessing a candidate’s aptitude or promise, and the results are only part of a complex picture painted by an application. However, an unusually strong score can help a candidate, while an unusually low score can raise a warning flag for both the candidate and the Admissions Committee. Keep in mind that we want candidates to be confident of their ability to succeed in a demanding program such as SAIS.
Having said that, we do not require the GRE or the GMAT, and so candidates who do not submit scores from either of these tests will not be punished.
Q: What if I encounter technical problems when I try to submit my online application?
A: On each page of the online application there is a box called “Tech Support”. If you are having technical problems, please click the box and follow the instructions.
While candidates who submit their application early gain no advantage in the admissions process, we do recommend that you not wait until the last minute to submit your application. We would not like a technical glitch to hinder your submission.
Q: What documents need to be sent by snail mail to SAIS?
A: All documents other than undergraduate transcripts and standardized test scores can be uploaded to the online application system.
There are two ways to send undergraduate transcripts:
1. The candidate’s undergraduate institution can send an official undergraduate transcript by mail to the SAIS DC Admissions Office, where it will be uploaded into our system:
SAIS DC Admissions1740 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
USA
2. Or candidates can use a credential evaluation service. For a list of such services, click here.
Standardized test scores should be sent directly to SAIS as follows:
A reminder that the deadline for applications is January 7. If anyone has any questions, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.Q: What if my application is not complete by January 7?
A: Your application must be complete before the Admissions Committee can consider your candidacy. If you are unable to submit all elements of your application by January 7, please submit what you can and drop a note to admissions@jhubc.it explaining what is missing and why. The longer your application remains incomplete after January 7, the less likely the Admissions Committee will consider it.
Q: I am a non-native English speaker but my undergraduate curriculum was conducted entirely in English. Do I have to submit the results of an English proficiency exam as part of my application?
A: It depends. If your university was in a country where English is an official language, you are exempt. Otherwise, you need to submit a test score.
For more information on the English language requirements, click here.
Q: Is it better to choose a preferred campus or indicate that I would be willing to start in either Bologna or DC?
A: If you would prefer to start at one campus or the other, please check that campus as your preference. If you are open to either campus and do not have a preference, then check that box, keeping in mind that the Admissions Committee will choose a campus for you if you are admitted.
Q: Will my chances of entry to SAIS Bologna be hurt if I do not submit a GRE or GMAT score?
A: While SAIS Bologna does not require either the GRE or the GMAT of non-U.S. candidates, we do recommend one or the other. The tests are not perfect tools for assessing a candidate’s aptitude or promise, and the results are only part of a complex picture painted by an application. However, an unusually strong score can help a candidate, while an unusually low score can raise a warning flag for both the candidate and the Admissions Committee. Keep in mind that we want candidates to be confident of their ability to succeed in a demanding program such as SAIS.
Having said that, we do not require the GRE or the GMAT, and so candidates who do not submit scores from either of these tests will not be punished.
Q: What if I encounter technical problems when I try to submit my online application?
A: On each page of the online application there is a box called “Tech Support”. If you are having technical problems, please click the box and follow the instructions.While candidates who submit their application early gain no advantage in the admissions process, we do recommend that you not wait until the last minute to submit your application. We would not like a technical glitch to hinder your submission.
Q: What documents need to be sent by snail mail to SAIS?
A: All documents other than undergraduate transcripts and standardized test scores can be uploaded to the online application system.
There are two ways to send undergraduate transcripts:
1. The candidate’s undergraduate institution can send an official undergraduate transcript by mail to the SAIS DC Admissions Office, where it will be uploaded into our system:
SAIS DC Admissions1740 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
USA
2. Or candidates can use a credential evaluation service. For a list of such services, click here.
Standardized test scores should be sent directly to SAIS as follows:
- By electronic submission (SAIS code):
- TOEFL (5610-0000)
- GRE (5610-0000)
- GMAT (KGB-GX-99)
- By mail to SAIS DC Admissions (address above):
- IELTS
- Cambridge Proficiency
Put This On My List...
To contact us Click HERE
Put this on my list of papers I wish I had written: Manipulating Google Scholar Citations and Google Scholar Metrics: simple, easy and tempting. I think the title is sufficiently descriptive of the content, but the idea was they created a fake researcher and posted fake papers on a real university web site to inflate citation counts for some papers. (Apparently, Google scholar is pretty "sticky"; even after the papers came down, the citation counts stayed up...)
Actually, I'm disappointed nobody in my graduate class thought to do something like this for a project. I suppose it's hard to do as a class project, as it's a bit time-consuming (you don't know how long you'll have to wait to get noticed), and the outcome might have been nothing. Or maybe I haven't clarified how much fraud can lead to interesting security projects!
Actually, I'm disappointed nobody in my graduate class thought to do something like this for a project. I suppose it's hard to do as a class project, as it's a bit time-consuming (you don't know how long you'll have to wait to get noticed), and the outcome might have been nothing. Or maybe I haven't clarified how much fraud can lead to interesting security projects!
16 Aralık 2012 Pazar
One man's circuitous route to SAIS Bologna
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Students follow different paths to SAIS Bologna. Some come right out of undergraduate; others have heaps of professional experience. Today Tony Bonanno describes the circuitous route he took to end up at the Bologna Center after law school, military service and an international career.
I first learned of SAIS in 1965 when applying to attend Dickinson College’s junior year abroad program in Bologna for the 1966-67 school year.
Dickinson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, had a very close relationship with SAIS at the time, with Dickinson classes conducted at the Bologna Center and Dickinson students like myself enjoying taking some SAIS courses.
We were made to feel part of the SAIS community even though we were Dickinson undergraduates. For me the year in Bologna was transformational for my later life and career choices, and SAIS contributed to that. Besides learning about a different culture and beginning to learn the language, I loved the total Bologna experience and dreamed one day of returning to Bologna.
Soon thereafter, the U.S. Army intervened to delay my law school plans. I enlisted in the U.S. Army (it was the time of the Vietnam War) and to my surprise, because of my experience at Dickinson, SAIS and Bologna, I was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, for two years in 1970 and 1971. I made sure to take trips back to Bologna.
After law school in Washington, DC, I practiced law in Washington until 1983 when I transferred to my law firm’s office in London, where I practiced international tax law until my retirement at the end of 2010.
I was then faced with having to decide what to do in my retirement. The idea of returning to Bologna and SAIS seemed a good idea. My wife was very supportive, and I was excited about pursuing my life-long interest in international relations studies. I learned that SAIS had an MIPP program (Master of International Public Policy) which seemed to suit my desires exactly.
Returning to SAIS and Bologna as a retired lawyer was a great decision, and I highly recommend it for the “mature” student like myself.
I first learned of SAIS in 1965 when applying to attend Dickinson College’s junior year abroad program in Bologna for the 1966-67 school year.
Dickinson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, had a very close relationship with SAIS at the time, with Dickinson classes conducted at the Bologna Center and Dickinson students like myself enjoying taking some SAIS courses.
 |
| Tony Bonanno |
Soon thereafter, the U.S. Army intervened to delay my law school plans. I enlisted in the U.S. Army (it was the time of the Vietnam War) and to my surprise, because of my experience at Dickinson, SAIS and Bologna, I was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, for two years in 1970 and 1971. I made sure to take trips back to Bologna.
After law school in Washington, DC, I practiced law in Washington until 1983 when I transferred to my law firm’s office in London, where I practiced international tax law until my retirement at the end of 2010.
I was then faced with having to decide what to do in my retirement. The idea of returning to Bologna and SAIS seemed a good idea. My wife was very supportive, and I was excited about pursuing my life-long interest in international relations studies. I learned that SAIS had an MIPP program (Master of International Public Policy) which seemed to suit my desires exactly.
Returning to SAIS and Bologna as a retired lawyer was a great decision, and I highly recommend it for the “mature” student like myself.
One woman's "real world experience" before SAIS
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SAIS Bologna is a diverse place by way of nationality, age, background, expertise and experience. Recently we published posts by Tony Bonanno, who came to SAIS Bologna after three decades as a lawyer, and Andreas Glossner, who came here after studying Physics at university.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
I started working in the executive office of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), an international organization of over 450 banks and other internationally active financial institutions. The IIF, in addition to conducting advanced economic research on a macro level, also examines the impacts of international banking and financial regulations on industry and the economy.
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
 |
| Kate Maxwell |
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Economics: In SAIS's hard wiring
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From SAIS's inception, economics has been intrinsic to the program. Economics was not tacked on to a menu of other social science courses as an after-thought. It is a main dish.
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
The strong emphasis placed on economics in the curriculum is one of the unique characteristics that sets SAIS apart from other graduate programs in international affairs....
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
A while back we published a post on the economics program and included a question from a final exam in International Monetary Theory, one of four required economics courses.
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
 |
| Prof. Carbonara |
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
 |
| Prof. Alvisi |
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Questions from SAIS Bologna's Open Day
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Prospective applicants came from across Europe to attend SAIS Bologna's annual Open Day last Friday. It was a chance for them to meet faculty, students and staff, and get a close-up view of life at the Center.
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
Q: What was the hardest part of applying?
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
Graves: The results of one of those tests can send an important signal to both the candidate and SAIS. An especially good score can help an application; a weaker than average score on a section of the test could be a warning signal. It's important that applicants be convinced themselves that they can handle the demands of SAIS's rigorous curriculum.
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
 |
| Profs. Plummer, Keller, Cesa |
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
 |
| Student Government Association |
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
 |
| Our visitors mingling with current students and staff |
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
The analytical essay: you'll want to read this
To contact us Click HERE
Today we publish an analytical essay by a current SAIS Bologna student that caught the eye of the Admissions Committee.
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
In other words, she looked at an issue of international interest through a personal lens. Not every candidate will have Ally's background -- experience at two U.S. federal agencies, on Capitol Hill, on a presidential campaign and in a law firm. We would not expect candidates to duplicate Ally's essay.
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
|
| Allison Carragher |
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
- Find a topic that interests you and is relevant to what you might like to study at SAIS.
- Explain it simply and clearly, say why it's important and examine it critically.
- Do it all in under 600 words.
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
12 Aralık 2012 Çarşamba
One woman's "real world experience" before SAIS
To contact us Click HERE
SAIS Bologna is a diverse place by way of nationality, age, background, expertise and experience. Recently we published posts by Tony Bonanno, who came to SAIS Bologna after three decades as a lawyer, and Andreas Glossner, who came here after studying Physics at university.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
I started working in the executive office of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), an international organization of over 450 banks and other internationally active financial institutions. The IIF, in addition to conducting advanced economic research on a macro level, also examines the impacts of international banking and financial regulations on industry and the economy.
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
|
| Kate Maxwell |
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Mustaches for charity
To contact us Click HERE
SAIS Bologna students grew mustaches, played touch football and tackled trivia questions last month as part of a global initiative to combat cancer.
The charitable impulse is common at SAIS, where international concerns are intrinsic to the curriculum and on the minds of students, faculty and staff. But Bologna Center students resorted to a mix of unusual techniques in November to raise $1,450 in the fight against prostrate and testicular cancer.
Twenty-five students participated in the SAIS BC Movember Movement, growing mustaches and then having them shaved off by donors as part of the global Movember initiative.
The group, captained by David Gorgani, will be publishing a "glaMOur" calendar to attract more donations to support the campaign to raise awareness of men's health issues.
A mustachioed Joshua Simonidis was master-of-ceremonies at Trivia Night which drummed up additional donations from several dozen students and stumped participating teams with questions such as:
"Which countries in South America do not have Spanish as an official language?""Who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations?""What famous mustached man did not believe in ocular revenge?""Which SAIS staff member translated a novel that was adapted into a film with Penelope Cruz?"
The winning team of Brad Folta, Joseph Geni, Danny Wessler and Ellen Wong donated most of their winnings to the Movember movement. A touch football tournament raised funds for both the Movember movement and the SAIS Bologna Thanksgiving dinner.
The Movember calendar is expected to go on sale later this month. Donations are still open at http://us.movember.com/team/753317.
(Thanks to Marwa Abdou for the photographs.)
Nelson Graves
The charitable impulse is common at SAIS, where international concerns are intrinsic to the curriculum and on the minds of students, faculty and staff. But Bologna Center students resorted to a mix of unusual techniques in November to raise $1,450 in the fight against prostrate and testicular cancer.
Twenty-five students participated in the SAIS BC Movember Movement, growing mustaches and then having them shaved off by donors as part of the global Movember initiative.
 |
| Waiting for a trim |
A mustachioed Joshua Simonidis was master-of-ceremonies at Trivia Night which drummed up additional donations from several dozen students and stumped participating teams with questions such as:
"Which countries in South America do not have Spanish as an official language?""Who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations?""What famous mustached man did not believe in ocular revenge?""Which SAIS staff member translated a novel that was adapted into a film with Penelope Cruz?"
The winning team of Brad Folta, Joseph Geni, Danny Wessler and Ellen Wong donated most of their winnings to the Movember movement. A touch football tournament raised funds for both the Movember movement and the SAIS Bologna Thanksgiving dinner.
The Movember calendar is expected to go on sale later this month. Donations are still open at http://us.movember.com/team/753317.
(Thanks to Marwa Abdou for the photographs.)
 |
| Posing for the glaMOur calendar |
 |
| The mustachioed with their donor supporters, minutes before the end of the mustaches |
Economics: In SAIS's hard wiring
To contact us Click HERE
From SAIS's inception, economics has been intrinsic to the program. Economics was not tacked on to a menu of other social science courses as an after-thought. It is a main dish.
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
The strong emphasis placed on economics in the curriculum is one of the unique characteristics that sets SAIS apart from other graduate programs in international affairs....
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
A while back we published a post on the economics program and included a question from a final exam in International Monetary Theory, one of four required economics courses.
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
|
| Prof. Carbonara |
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
|
| Prof. Alvisi |
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Questions from SAIS Bologna's Open Day
To contact us Click HERE
Prospective applicants came from across Europe to attend SAIS Bologna's annual Open Day last Friday. It was a chance for them to meet faculty, students and staff, and get a close-up view of life at the Center.
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
Q: What was the hardest part of applying?
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
Graves: The results of one of those tests can send an important signal to both the candidate and SAIS. An especially good score can help an application; a weaker than average score on a section of the test could be a warning signal. It's important that applicants be convinced themselves that they can handle the demands of SAIS's rigorous curriculum.
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
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| Profs. Plummer, Keller, Cesa |
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
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| Student Government Association |
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
|
| Our visitors mingling with current students and staff |
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
Next information session on December 19
To contact us Click HERE
We will hold our last online information session of the year -- and the final one before the deadline for applications for SAIS Bologna's 2013-14 year -- on Wednesday, December 19.
The session will start at noon Italy time (1100 GMT). For instructions on how to connect to the session, click here.
Participants will need an Internet connection. To participate in the audio, you will need speakers or headphones plus a microphone. Otherwise, you can ask questions via the chat function.
This month our special guest, Ally Carragher, will focus on the analytical essay -- one of the components of the application for the MA and MAIA degrees. The sessions usually last about one hour -- or as long as it takes to answer any and all questions.
Applications for the next academic year are due by January 7, 2013. If you have any questions about procedures or are having any problems with the online application system, be sure to contact us at admissions@jhubc.it.
To start an application, click here.
Nelson Graves
 |
| Ally Carragher will discuss the analytical essay and answer questions |
Participants will need an Internet connection. To participate in the audio, you will need speakers or headphones plus a microphone. Otherwise, you can ask questions via the chat function.
This month our special guest, Ally Carragher, will focus on the analytical essay -- one of the components of the application for the MA and MAIA degrees. The sessions usually last about one hour -- or as long as it takes to answer any and all questions.
Applications for the next academic year are due by January 7, 2013. If you have any questions about procedures or are having any problems with the online application system, be sure to contact us at admissions@jhubc.it.
To start an application, click here.
Nelson Graves
11 Aralık 2012 Salı
Economics: In SAIS's hard wiring
To contact us Click HERE
From SAIS's inception, economics has been intrinsic to the program. Economics was not tacked on to a menu of other social science courses as an after-thought. It is a main dish.
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
The strong emphasis placed on economics in the curriculum is one of the unique characteristics that sets SAIS apart from other graduate programs in international affairs....
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
A while back we published a post on the economics program and included a question from a final exam in International Monetary Theory, one of four required economics courses.
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
|
| Prof. Carbonara |
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
|
| Prof. Alvisi |
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
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