SAIS Europe: A Year in Bologna and Beyond
Name: Rachel Fink
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)
Rachel, a participant in the five-year BA/MA program between Johns Hopkins and SAIS, began her SAIS Europe journey with the Summer Academy, a trial run that confirmed Bologna was the right fit. Her experience extended beyond coursework to career treks and study trips, including a migration-focused trek to Tunisia, where she engaged with organizations like UNHCR, IOM, and the World Bank. Bologna’s dynamic, student-driven environment fostered strong connections and informal learning, while SAIS Europe provided the academic foundation, hands-on experience, and global network to shape her career in international affairs.
What has been your most memorable experience at SAIS and why?
One of my most memorable experiences at SAIS Europe was participating in a study trek to Tunisia focused on migration. During the trek, we met with representatives from organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN, and the World Bank. We also had the opportunity to meet Tunis-based SAIS alumni for Iftar. Given my background in climate change and migration, this trek was particularly meaningful because it built on my coursework and allowed me to see how different organizations operate on the ground while also highlighting the region’s major challenges. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow students and alumni who share my interests.Attending the Summer Academy in Bologna gave me a trial run to assess whether a year at SAIS Europe would be a good fit and provided a clear, honest view of what a master’s at SAIS would look like.
How has your time at SAIS helped shape your career goals or perspective on the world?
Since beginning at SAIS, I have secured funding for unpaid summer internships at the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi and the World Food Programme in Rome. The resources and support at SAIS allowed me to live and build connections in these new cities while navigating the complex web of rules and acronyms inherent to international NGOs. These experiences provided me with a more nuanced, unfiltered understanding of the UN system and solidified my interest in a career focused on fundraising for organizations working on climate justice and emergency response.How has living and studying in Bologna influenced your graduate school experience?
Spending a year in Bologna enriched my graduate school experience beyond coursework and professional networking. Bologna’s identity as a city built around students infused the year with strong friendships, spontaneity, and a more informal approach to learning.Additionally, its central location made travel easy, and I had the chance to visit Geneva for a career trek focused on human rights, where we met with representatives from organizations such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Whose support has made your journey at SAIS possible, and why?
From giving me pep talks before presentations to editing my essays, my parents and siblings have been absolutely instrumental in my journey at SAIS!Additionally, I’m grateful for the financial support provided by the JHU Baltimore Scholars Program and the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship, both of which have been essential in making my academic journey possible.
SAIS Europe Summer Academy: A Preview of Graduate Life
How do you feel your experience at the Summer Academy prepared you for graduate studies at SAIS?
I was accepted into the five-year BA/MA program between Johns Hopkins and SAIS when I applied to university at 18. Attending the Summer Academy in Bologna between my sophomore and junior years gave me a trial run to assess whether a year at SAIS Europe would be a good fit. During this time, I gained valuable insight into life at SAIS, including its community, financial aid options, and the strengths and weaknesses of the program. I also enjoyed the coursework, which included classes on Green New Deals and Genocide and Mass Violence. This experience provided a clear and honest view of what pursuing a master’s degree at SAIS would entail.What was your favorite part about your time at the SAIS Europe Summer Academy?
My favorite part of the Summer Academy was the strong sense of community. I got to know my cohort incredibly well, as we had class every day, aperitivi in the evenings, and traveled together to Venice and Trieste on weekends. These experiences were a fantastic way to bond and learn about each other’s backgrounds. Much like SAIS, the people I met and learned from made the experience valuable. I also appreciated the opportunity to study climate policy from a European perspective, which recontextualized my previous studies at JHU and connected them to relevant international events and challenges.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.
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