BY VICTORIA WANG ’20
Every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m., a group of students eat and engage in discussions about global politics in the international relations lounge in Skinner 101 Some of these students study international relations or politics and some are simply passionate about global affairs.
The idea to establish the Mount Holyoke International Affairs Association was first brought up last fall by Anika Shorna ’18, when she noticed the lack of dialogue among students in the politics and international relations departments.
“We had no organization on campus for students who study politics and international relations, or anyone who’s interested in international politics to communicate,” says Julia Kellerbauer ’18, the co-founder of the association. “We want to create a community for students in these fields.”
She hopes this new community will serve as a network for students, where they can share information, get assistance with their course of studies and explore opportunities from others’ experience. “One of our long-term goals is to set up an integrated community, [to] bridge [gaps] between first-years and seniors, so students can really connect with each other,” said Kellerbauer.
Last week, the association organized a student panel called “Looking to the future --— opportunities for international relations and politics students” where students were invited to talk about their distinctive academic experience. During the panel, some students described in detail their self-designed internships and study abroad experiences.
The Association is planning another panel next year, for Mount Holyoke alums who previously studied international relations and have careers in related fields.
“I love these meetings because students get to meet, ask questions and get informed in a casual way,” said Kellerbauer. She believes that these kinds of discussions take out the fear for people to ask questions.
The association is currently working through the procedures to become an official campus organization recognized by the Student Government Association (SGA). The International Affairs Association is scheduled to gain this status in Spring 2018.