International Area Studies Newsletter

Professional Development Programs: IAS Alumni Mentor Pilot Program Reflection

 

This fall, the IAS program launched the pilot Alumni Mentor program where graduating seniors were paired with IAS alumni to guide them throughout the transition from student to graduate. Click here for Alumni Adam Zahn's reflection on this program. 

 

 

November 12, 2014—Interconnected World of International Education

 

As part of Drexel’s celebration of International Education week, IAS, along with the Global International Education program, hosted several International Education professionals who shared insight about their backgrounds and offered advice for students interested in graduate school or careers in education.

 

 

November 19, 2014—Is Syria Still a “Crisis?”

 

Robert Vitalis PhD, Professor—University of Pennsylvania

This I-Café examined the sources of changes that are being witnessed in Syria and Iraq, as well as what the US response has indicated.

 

 

January 20, 2015—Foreign Service Internship and Career Information Session

 

This annual event was met with great enthusiasm and provided students with knowledge about many different state department internships and careers.

 

 

February 12-15, 2015—Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN)—Boston

 

Winter Storm Neptune couldn’t keep our IAS students from attending this annual conference. HNMUN serves as a forum in which students from colleges and universities around the world can meet to discuss the greatest challenges facing the world today, in fields ranging from international peace and security to economic and social progress and human rights.

 

 

February 20, 2015—Members’ Day at the United Nations

 

IAS staff accompanied students to attend the United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA) Members’ Day in New York. More than 750 UNA-USA members and UN supporters visited UN Headquarters for Members' Day and the 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, a day of dynamic and informative discussion on the most pressing issues facing the United Nations.

 

 

February 25, 2015—IAS Quizzo at Landmark Americana (for students and alumni)

 

Our first Quizzo event was a smashing success. Students and alumni faced tough, internationally themed questions on topics including global pop-culture, geography, politics/current events, language and the arts, and “wildcard” questions. Prizes included bags of candy and loads of bragging rights.

 

 

March 25-29, 2015—Washington Model Organization of American States (WMOAS)

 

Lead by Dr. Matus-Mendoza of the Language Program, and as part of her course on the Organization of American States (SOC 435), Drexel once again sent an engaged delegation of students to the Model OAS. The WMOAS is a collaborative effort between the OAS and the Institute for Diplomatic Dialogue in the Americas (IDDA) which is a legally incorporated entity, with status as a civil society organization with the OAS.  The WMOAS is actively supported by the OAS Office of the Assistant Secretary General and has been endorsed in a Resolution of the OAS itself.

 

 

April 7, 2015—Syrian and Eritrean Crises: Responsibility, Refugees, and Resolution

 

Tendayi Achiume, J.D., Assistant Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law

Michael Woldemariam, PhD, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Political Science at Boston University

This presentation discussed several topics including the question of the European Union’s and other wealthy nations’ responsibility to resolve the refugee crisis in Syria and the destabilizing spread of the crisis to neighboring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.

 

 

April 30, 2015—Seeking Peace and Political Asylum: A Personal Account of the Syrian Crisis

 

Two years ago, Mahmoud Hallak, a Syrian citizen and Drexel freshman, arrived in the United States to seek asylum. Since his arrival, Mahmoud has lectured at high-schools, social groups, synagogues, and colleges to help his people through education and activism. In this lecture, Mahmoud provided information on key players and events which have transformed “a peaceful revolution into a civil war” and shared his story of loss and empowerment.

 

 

May 8, 2015—IAS Global Careers Day

 

The biennial IAS Global Careers Day is an opportunity for the Drexel community to acquire valuable career advice from International Area Studies alumni who work in globally related fields as well as an overview of networking best practices. This year the day opened with an interactive networking lunch and concluded with an IAS mixer at City Tap House allowing students and alumni to mingle over tasty food and drink!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 15, 2015—IAS Senior Dinner

 

This annual event invites the IAS community to gather and celebrate our graduating seniors.  Words of wisdom are shared by our graduating class for the benefit of our undergrads. This year’s dinner was held at the Academic Bistro at Drexel University.

 

 

May 21, 2015—The Power of Words: Books, Justice, and the Prison System

 

This event highlighted the education and service at Books Through Bars, a West Philly nonprofit working to reverse the devastating effects that incarceration has on individuals, families and communities. This event was exclusively crafted for IAS students, especially those interested in social justice work.