Enriching Beyond the Classroom Experiences
Ester Fang
MAIR '21
Q: What encouraged you to apply to Johns Hopkins SAIS?
A: Going to graduate school was already on my radar back when I was a freshman in my undergraduate studies. A mentor informed me that it would be best to obtain my master’s early on if I wanted to become a high-level policy advisor. I met a few alumni from my alma mater that also attended Johns Hopkins SAIS. They highly recommended the school for its excellent academic caliber, extensive alumni network, and overall student experience. What sealed the deal was the school’s Washington DC location. I knew its proximity to think tanks, government agencies, and NGO’s would make for a great career launchpad post-graduation.
Q: What has been one of your favorite experiences during your first year of graduate study?
A: I am currently the co-President of the SAIS Student Diversity Coalition. It has been very worthwhile to push for greater inclusivity and institutional change. I have been able to meet some of the most compassionate and ambitious peers through this student club. I created our Diaspora Dialogues series to provide a space for students with underrepresented heritage backgrounds to share how they navigate the foreign policy space. It has been incredible to see the positive reception and eagerness for the next Diaspora Dialogue.
Q: Could you please tell us about your role contributing to The SAIS Review?
A: I am on the editorial board as the Podcast Editor for The SAIS Review’s podcast The Looking Glass. I develop and produce podcast episodes on foreign policy. The Looking Glass provides a platform that melds professional and Johns Hopkins SAIS student viewpoints on prominent international relations issues. Currently, I lead and collaborate with three other students to produce each episode. This season, we focus on how global changes impact diplomacy. Stay tuned for the episode to be released soon on Spotify, Google Podcast, and Apple Podcast!
Q: What do you hope to do with your degree after you graduate?
A: I hope to find a career in post-conflict peacebuilding in the Middle East or Asia. I am especially interested in how narratives and story-telling impact the success of peacebuilding. While I am still interested in traditional peacebuilding routes like humanitarian aid organizations or becoming a Foreign Service Officer, recently I have been looking into more alternative approaches in this sector.
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