SAIS’ Greatest Strength: Its Community of Leaders
Name: Harry Otimos
Home Country: Greece
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations
Scholarships: Public Service Fellow , Syn-Enosis Foundation Scholar
Before joining the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), what were you doing?
Prior to joining SAIS, I obtained my undergraduate degree in international relations at King’s College London, where my research focused on the factors eroding public trust in government and strengthening effective citizen participation.I also worked at the programs department of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, a global philanthropic organization. Before that, I co-founded a youth advocacy network in Greece, leading grassroots campaigns on issues like climate change, student housing, and education reform, recruiting 2,000 members from all over the country. Additionally, I spent a year serving in the Greek Army.
What led you to Johns Hopkins SAIS?
I grew up in Greece during the country’s worst economic crisis in its modern history, coupled with an unprecedented wave of extremist violence targeting marginalized communities. I witnessed firsthand how global crises and government mismanagement exacerbated inequalities and undermined the cohesion of our community. That is when I decided that understanding how these crises work and finding ways to mitigate their effects would be my life’s work.As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to spend a year abroad at Johns Hopkins, taking classes with SAIS professors. Being directly exposed to thought leaders like Anne Applebaum and Peter Pomerantsev transformed my way of thinking about the challenges our societies are facing. I quickly felt the impact of learning from the very people spearheading global public discourse. Now, as a graduate student, my professors are people who brokered UN treaties, advised presidents, and headed ministries. Discussing the challenges they faced, learning from their experiences, and analyzing their decisions informs my own understanding on how leadership works in practice.
SAIS’ greatest strength is its community and the opportunity to be part of a global network of alumni who will support you throughout your entire academic and professional journey.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the process of choosing graduate schools?
Make sure to do extensive research before applying. Talk to students, alumni, and faculty to understand each school’s comparative advantage and how your research interests align with the work being done there.Through this process, I discovered that SAIS’ greatest strength is its community and the opportunity to be part of a global network of alumni who will support you throughout your entire academic and professional journey. This research also helped me discover scholarship opportunities that match my background and goals, like the full-tuition Public Service Fellowship which I am honored to have been awarded. The fellowship’s unique programming that offers access to lectures, seminars, and events led by policy leaders and public service practitioners enriched my journey both academically and professionally.
Harry invited European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño to the Foreign Policy Institute.
What has been your favorite experience at SAIS?
My time working as a research assistant at SAIS’ Foreign Policy Institute stands out as a highlight of my SAIS experience. Through this role, I was able to put together events that encouraged meaningful dialogue and debate on campus.With the help of the SAIS network, I took the initiative to invite President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Nadia Calviño to our campus for a keynote event. In a conversation moderated by Senior Fellow John Lipsky, the president discussed her vision and strategic priorities for the EIB and explained how she navigates the challenges facing multilateral financial institutions. This event had the largest turnout of all Foreign Policy Institute events of the year.
Having the opportunity to gain professional experience while on campus tremendously enhanced my skills and qualifications. This summer, I drew on and developed this expertise during my time as a research intern at the Brookings Institution’s Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security project.
Radosław Sikorski, minister of foreign affairs of Poland, answering Harry’s question in a roundtable with SAIS students.
What is your favorite SAIS tradition?
The annual Brzezinski Lecture series is a staple of the SAIS experience. In 2023, we had the privilege of hearing from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who delivered a major policy speech on campus, and in 2024 SAIS welcomed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski. These lectures provide invaluable opportunities to learn from the world’s preeminent practitioners who are at the forefront of global issues.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 Harry's experience? Learn more about our Master of Arts in International Relations.
Back to Student Stories