Nothing says more about the quality of the MAITP degree than what the students themselves have to say. What follows are their own stories, in their own words, as they address their experiences at the Monterey Institute, their classes and faculty, and their career interests.
Nicholas Allen, USA
MAITP, 2005
I initially chose the Monterey Institute due to its wide range of programs, "boutique" nature, and international student body, plus it was a good excuse to move back to the Monterey Bay area where I hail from. My two years virtually flew by, and I learned a good deal, enjoyed my time there immensely, and the friendships I made there will hopefully last throughout my life.
Clearly the most useful skill that I honed within the MAITP degree was my ability to communicate effectively. In drafting my first policy memo I learned the importance of understanding one's audience, remaining objective, and most importantly, writing concisely. My first day in a public speaking course reinforced the need for brevity and clarity of goals, and to remember to always structure speaking into three sections: introduction, explanation, summary. The skills I learned from these two exercises will remain with me throughout my professional life.
Outside and inside the classroom, I learned to think strategically, and to trust my judgment when making decisions. Prior to enrolling at the Monterey Institute, I had no clear idea of what program to study nor any clear goals of what I wanted out of an MA, but my time at the Institute fueled my self-sufficiency and personal drive. After my first year I began to analyze a great many issues in terms of international trade law; this lead me to focus on US government anti-terrorism issues as they impact US trade policies. By the end of my studies, I had written my thesis on this topic, published articles, and found a job in exactly the niche consulting field where I am currently responsible for following policy changes and interpreting them for our clients. Critical thinking opened this door, but I relied on my own judgment to guide me where I wanted to go.
Peter Fordos, Slovakia
BAIS/MAITP, 2006
When the Velvet Revolution happened in 1989, I was demonstrating in Bratislava for the overthrow of the communist government. At that time I didn’t even know where Monterey was located.
After working and traveling worldwide, I decided to come back to school to advance my career. I had heard about the Monterey Institute, but only after visiting the campus during the International Bazaar was I fully aware of, and astonished by all the different degrees being offered. I knew right away that the multicultural flavor of the Institute would be the perfect fit to advance my future goals, combining past working experience with the International Trade Policy degree.
The MAITP degree is one of the few programs offered in the world that trains professionals in understanding the importance of combining global trade with business. The Monterey Institute has always been a pioneering institution with a vision of educating global leaders for the 21st century. The best thing about the Institute is the number of specialized degrees offered where students find themselves in the classroom with people from all over the world such as Afghanistan, Peru, Tibet, Palestine, Hungary, Cameroon, Norway and Moldova. I particularly enjoy the small class sizes where the professors’ professional experiences enhance students’ education. If I had to make the decision again, I would not hesitate in choosing the Monterey Institute as the means by which I accomplish my aspirations to become a global leader.
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