Learning Statecraft and Diplomacy from World-Class Practitioners
Name: Thomas Turmel
Home Country: Canada
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations
Scholarship: Public Service Fellow & Fulbright
Before joining the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), what were you doing?
I was born and raised in a small town in French-speaking Quebec, Canada called Vallée Jonction. After high school, I became the first in my family to go to university and enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada where I studied political science and developed an interest in international relations. I was keen to further my knowledge of international relations and American politics, and found myself applying to SAIS and the Canadian Fulbright program.What led you to Johns Hopkins SAIS?
I knew I wanted to do a master’s program outside of Canada and SAIS caught my attention because of its close association to American foreign policy and the wide range of courses it offers in national security. When deciding where to go for my graduate studies, the privilege of being selected as a Public Service Fellow and receiving a Fulbright scholarship for my studies in the United States were also deciding factors.I have loved all of the organized lectures and talks that SAIS hosts with guest speakers, especially practitioners like the director of the Central Intelligence Service, U.S. Secretary of State, and foreign policy officials from Qatar, who shed light on the practice of statecraft and diplomacy.
What has been your favorite experience at SAIS and why?
Coming from a small publicly funded Canadian university, the caliber of speakers SAIS draws has been a highlight. I have loved all of the organized lectures and talks that SAIS hosts with guest speakers, especially practitioners like the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Secretary of State, and foreign policy officials from Qatar, who shed light on the practice of statecraft and diplomacy.What do you plan on pursuing after graduation?
I have the privilege of being a civilian member of Canada’s public service. In the years to come, I am hopeful to apply the knowledge I have acquired at SAIS to positively influence Canada's overall goals and aspirations as a leader in Canada’s national security community.What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the process of choosing graduate schools?
I would say to look for a school that will offer you a holistic experience alongside your studies; I chose SAIS, because it was located in Washington D.C., the very core of American foreign policy. Graduate school should be, I believe, a value proposition. In combining both a lived experience and useful education, SAIS was an utmost value proposition for me.What was one of the things you learned during your time at SAIS that transformed your way of thinking?
Perspectives matter! This sounds simple, but has been a key discovery of my time at SAIS. Because my classmates bring varied lived experiences to the classroom and my professors have fostered genuine exchange, I have learned to put myself in the shoes of decision makers past and present. This has also been a key insight to understand social movements where perspectives are key.If you are looking to learn more about what it's like to be a current student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we encourage you to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Fellows.
Enjoyed reading Thomas's experience? Learn more about our Master of Arts in International Relations.
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