For students pursuing a Master of International Affairs (MIA), offered jointly by the top-ranked O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, hands-on international experience is essential in preparing for careers in global policy, diplomacy, and development. Through the Armenia Capstone Program, participating MIA students… Read more »
International
Armenia Global Capstone offers O’Neill students hands-on lessons in international policymaking
Armenia, with its deep history and rapidly evolving governance structures, became a hands-on classroom for 12 O’Neill School master’s students representing six countries. Through the Armenia Global Capstone, they explored public sector reform, sustainable development, and participatory policymaking, applying their academic training to real-world challenges. During the trip, students collaborated with the UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation… Read more »
O’Neill’s global reach: A student delegate’s experience at COP29
Written by Daniel Farrell, MPA-MIA candidate, December 2025 I recently returned from Baku, Azerbaijan, where the annual United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) concluded after two weeks of intense climate negotiations. This was COP29—the twenty-ninth meeting of what is often the largest international policy conference of any given year. The COP is administered by the… Read more »
Sustainability in action: O’Neill students’ Costa Rica Summer Program experience
This past summer, a group of students from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs embarked on an unforgettable 10-day journey through Costa Rica, immersing themselves in the country’s rich biodiversity and sustainability efforts. From hands-on experiences at local coffee farms and fisheries to eye-opening lessons on environmental policy, the trip offered students the… Read more »
Keeton Gibson reflects on studying abroad in Athens
O’Neill student Keeton Gibson reflected on her experience during the Athens program last summer. Interested in studying abroad this summer? Applications close January 27. What attracted you to the Athens summer program? GIBSON: I was attracted to the Athens summer program because I’ve always wanted to visit Greece. Greece is one of those countries you… Read more »
Derek Schapiro reflects on studying abroad in Denmark
O’Neill student Derek Schapiro reflected with us on his experience during the Denmark program last summer. Interested in studying abroad this summer? Applications close January 27. What attracted you to the Denmark summer program? SCHAPIRO: This was my first course learning about the nonprofit sector; therefore, what attracted me to the program was the ability… Read more »
Professor Mark Norrell shares benefits to studying abroad in Vietnam
Professor Mark Norrell shared the benefits he sees by studying abroad in Vietnam. O’Neill’s programs study healthcare in the country, and include stays in Hanoi, Mai Chau, Tam Coc, and Hue. Interested in studying abroad this summer? Applications are due Jan 27. What makes the Vietnam summer program special? NORELL: The Vietnam program is O’Neill’s only… Read more »
Jane Wright shares her experiences abroad in Ireland
O’Neill student Jane Wright reflected with us on her experience during the Ireland study abroad program last summer. Interested in studying abroad this summer? Applications close January 27. What attracted you to the Ireland summer program? WRIGHT: I was especially excited about the Ireland summer program because even though it is a short-term trip, the… Read more »
Rachel Van Voorhis reflects on her summer abroad in South Africa
O’Neill student Rachel Van Voorhis spent last summer in beautiful South Africa on one of O’Neill’s summer abroad programs. She shared her experiences with us, including her favorite parts of her weeks in the country. Interested in studying abroad next summer? Applications close January 27. What attracted you to the South Africa summer program? VAN… Read more »
Charity Mawi shares her summer abroad experience in Barbados
O’Neill student Charity Mawi reflected on her enriching study abroad experience in Barbados last summer. Interested in studying abroad in summer 2023? Applications close January 27. What attracted you to the Barbados summer program? MAWI: What drew me to the Barbados summer program was the course content and the beautiful island. I was intrigued by… Read more »