An Enriching Graduate School Experience

Ananya Kumar
MAIR '21

Q: What encouraged you to apply to Johns Hopkins SAIS?

A: I love the international community that Johns Hopkins SAIS fosters, with the student body hailing from different parts of the world, and bringing their dynamic experiences to everything we do here. I also enjoy hearing about and learning from the impressive professional work that my peers have been involved in before coming to the school, and their aspirations after graduation.

Q: Could you please tell us about any extracurricular activities you have been involved with during your graduate studies.

A: As the president of Global Women in Leadership, I have enjoyed the opportunity to create space for women at Johns Hopkins SAIS. In this role, I have had the chance to explore various professional opportunities through talking with women in positions of leadership in academia, policy and think tank worlds. 

Q:  What has been one of your top experiences studying at SAIS Europe so far?

A: I loved being a part of the cultural trek to Vienna, which culminated in the Vienna Ball of Sciences – a time-honored tradition at SAIS Europe.

I also enjoy the Friday aperitivos at our local café, Giulios, quite a bit! It is a great place to meet new people and talk to professors in a relaxed atmosphere.

This past summer, I also had the valuable opportunity to work with the economic research institute, Prometeia, as a Research Analyst developing financial risk models for emerging economies affected by the coronavirus.

Q: What do you hope to do with your degree after you graduate?

A: After graduating, I am hoping to apply to PhD programs in Political Science.

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