I am originally from the US, and I will be completing the second year of my MPA as a dual degree student at Sciences Po. I graduated in 2005 from the University of California, San Diego with BA degrees in Economics and Political Science. Prior to joining the MPA, I worked for five and a half years, first in international development as a Peace Corps Small Enterprise Development Volunteer supporting community-initiated economic development projects, and then as a Senior Research Analyst at Acumen, LLC. – a U.S.-based public policy consultancy, where I was a Project Coordinator for a joint fraud surveillance initiative.
I believe that the MPA has provided me with a stimulating environment for academic, professional, and personal growth. The programme’s core training succeeds at meeting its stated objective of integrating a cohort with extremely diverse backgrounds and providing a solid foundation in the social sciences, from which to build upon. I also believe that the environment, both within the IPA and the LSE, is intellectually invigorating. The IPA cohort is truly diverse, whether in terms of nationality, academic background, or professional experience. This creates a setting where the debate and exchange of ideas and methodological approaches is constant and classmates are constantly exchanging knowledge. LSE similarly provides a great backdrop for learning – e.g. MPA faculty are often prominent leaders in their respective fields and the university hosts an endless number of timely and fascinating public lectures and seminars.