International Studies Minor Students Visit New York City

Over Winterim 2023, eight students enrolled in the Dickey Center's International Studies Minor (ISM) visited New York City for an immersive experience in international affairs. The trip made tangible the theories, concepts, and ideas discussed in their ISM courses in a real-life setting, and allowed the participants to explore international career options. The trip also served as a shared experience for Dartmouth ISM students, allowing them to further develop a sense of community.

The students visited with parts of the United Nations, including the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Major Group for Children and Youth, and the World Health Organization (WHO). They also met with a senior policy advisor at the US Mission to the UN, and with an interpreter working with the UN and the NY district courts. 

A highlight of the week was a chance for the students to connect with local Dartmouth alumni at a reception hosted by a member of the Dickey Center Board of Visitors.

Accompanying the students were Professor Graziella Parati, Chair of the ISM Faculty Steering Committee, and Casey Aldrich, Associate Director of Global Studies and ISM coordinator and advisor. 

Reflecting on the trip, Muhammad Faisal Azizi '24, a Government and Middle Eastern Studies major originally from Afghanistan, said, "This experience didn't just offer a new vantage point; it profoundly solidified my conviction in the UN's pivotal mission and its integral role in molding the destinies of people worldwide, particularly in places like my homeland. These newfound insights promise to be a guiding force in my future pursuits."

Valentina Fernandez, also a '24, a Biology and French double major, said, "This gave me the opportunity to connect with Dartmouth classmates I had never met before over a mutual passion: that of international studies and international understanding. Although each and every one of us had very diverse academic backgrounds-- some of us focused in economics, others in biology, French, engineering, sociology -- we came together because of our love for international studies." 

Dartmouth's International Studies Minor has been offered through the Dickey Center for International Understanding since 2008. Minors take classes spanning international disciplines including international relations, international development and economics, global environmentalism, and global health. The minor's core courses ensure a well-rounded understanding of international issues, preparing students to enter an increasingly globalized world and workforce with a unique understanding of how different global forces interact. 

The ISM visit to New York was made possible through the generous support of the Great Issues Innovation Fund by the Dartmouth classes of '57 and '82. 

Learn more about the International Studies Minor here, or contact casey.aldrich@dartmouth.edu