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Nothing says more about the quality of the MAIPS program 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.
MAIPS 2007, Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies
During an internship at the United Nations I was working on nonproliferation and disarmament affairs. The topic and the international flair at the UN were so inspiring that I decided to specialize in these issues to be able to work later on in this field. I asked several people at the UN about their recommendations and very often I heard: "When it comes to nonproliferation – Monterey is the place to be". Very soon I figured out that this is absolutely true.
At the UN I met several professors and students from Monterey that were there for conferences or internships to get some first hand insight. These experiences are later included in the teaching. It is really fantastic to see how theoretical and practical aspects of these issues run together at the Monterey Institute’s Center for Nonproliferation Studies. By that one can get here an excellent academic background without neglecting the practical aspects. This serves as a great preparation for a future job. And already now after one year of study I can confirm that "Monterey is the place to be."
MAIPS 2006, Specialization in Conflict Resolution
When I first came to the Monterey Institute I have to admit I was skeptical that such a small school could provide the same benefits as some of the larger schools. I soon realized that the small size of the Institute is actually an advantage- it affords me the opportunity to not only build close relationships with my professors and a sense of camaraderie with my fellow classmates, but also creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
As an MAIPS student focusing on international conflict resolution/negotiations, I have not only studied international conflict, but have had the opportunity to participate in negotiation simulations- something very unique to the Monterey Institute. It is one thing to just read about conflict, and quite another to actually practice negotiation techniques. These simulations have proven to be an invaluable learning experience, and one of the highlights of my time here. I have also had the opportunity to take classes at the Naval Postgraduate School and attend regular career workshops, which I am sure helped me secure my summer internship at a Washington, DC-based non-profit. While I began my degree a bit skeptical, I will graduate completely confident that I made the right choice when choosing my graduate school and program.
MAIPS 2006, Specialization in International Norms/Human Rights/Justice
At MIIS, the learning truly continues outside of the classroom. Since I've begun school here, I have come to learn so much from the very unique and diverse student body and faculty. Though it is small, I have never felt like I've missed out on anything. On the contrary, I have met more interesting, ambitious, and exceptional individuals here than ever before. Since the beginning, I've been able to focus my studies on what interests me most, as well as gain professional experience with the International Organization for Migration in Guatemala as part of the International; Professional Service Semester.
The Monterey Institute experience is one that not only prepares students for professional careers, but also motivates individuals to strive for excellence while pursuing them. Last but not least, the Monterey Institute has been a place where I have met friends that I will have for life.
MAIPS 2005, Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies
My education at Monterey Institute of International Studies prepared me for my career in many ways. As a staff member of a small advocacy group, I never know what project I will be asked to complete next. My coursework in nonproliferation and international security topics gave me a solid grounding in the subjects I cover for signature ads, internet content, background papers and legislation among other things. Beyond factual information, my coursework emphasized professional skills and conduct. In addition to my responsibilities as our subject matter expert, I am also responsible for much of our publicity and public outreach activities. Of particular note is the course I took on managing media and legislative relations.
Since I graduated in May 2005, I have attended meetings with members of congress, planned and managed events, written press kits and releases, as well as assisted in the formation of a coalition with other Chicago area peace groups. Even though many of my colleagues have participated in advocacy work for many years, consistently I am chosen to take on new and important tasks. My responsibilities are continually evolving and my education prepared me to accomplish my next assignment.
MAIPS, 2006, Custom Specialization in Security and Development
My decision to come to the Monterey Institute came out of a matching of my professional interests with the courses and opportunities available through GSIPS. The Trade Policy and International Negotiation specialization I had initially declared on my arrived however is not the one I will graduate with in August. This is largely due to the introduction through a half-semester class of the field of Security and Development, a sector of development I had never previously considered or known about. This story of altering specializations is very common at GSIPS as students cannot help but take in the foundations and details of several varying fields in their first semesters. New interests are created and professionals made. Professors such as Ed Laurance and Bill Monning bring superb and genuine experience into the classroom, making it a much simpler task to be confident about the path one is taking as one graduates.
During my time at the Institute I have interned at a local conflict resolution NGO Global Majority, as well as the Bonn International Center for Conversion (Germany), where I was able to participate in a Biennial Meeting of States at the UN in New York regarding the issue of small arms and light weapons. Currently I am in my final semester and working for the Small Arms Survey in Geneva as part of the International Professional Service Semester. I have just returned from working in the field in south Sudan, and have an upcoming project on politics, armed groups and development in Nigeria.
As my time draws to a close, and my professional life pulls closer, I remain very confident of, and pleased about, my choice and the initial exposure that brought me to such a necessary, interesting and motivating field.
MAIPS 2006, Custom Specialization in EU Political and Economic Integration
My decision to attend the Monterey Institute has by far been my most valuable investment. I took away much more than a master’s degree in international policy; I gained a sense of personal fulfillment and pride and created long lasting friendships. I was able to tailor my degree and had the unconditional support of all the faculty to pursue my professional goals.
During my two-year degree, I developed my own version of the International Professional Service semester, traveling to Brussels, Belgium for 8 months to complete a part of my IPS degree. I trained at an advisory agency funded by the European Social Fund of the European Commission and launched social contracts with 10 EU countries that enabled asylum seekers to integrate vocationally and socially into European society. It was an amazing experience and I returned to my studies with valuable insight on the government sector.
I can honestly stay that every day I realize more and more how the MAIPS program has trained me to apply the skills and lessons I learned, and I respect and admire the MIIS community for that opportunity. There are a lot of choices for graduate schools, but I could not have made a better decision. Making the “right choice” in which school to attend has been my proudest accomplishment thus far.
MAIPS 2007, Custom Specialization in Human Rights & International Development
The best learning experience I had at the Monterey Institute was during the course on Globalization in Spain, conducted in the Monterey Model style. It is very difficult to maintain the capacity of your foreign language outside of intensive immersion programs. The Monterey Institute has an incorporated language program, which enables me to constantly improve and increase my language level.
In the Monterey Model class, we engaged in simulated negotiations with our classmates, where we were forced to use Spanish at an advanced level in discussing world issues, as well as increasing our knowledge of international policy terms. During this class, we also had plenary sessions where each language group presented various topics on globalization (in German, French, and Chinese) and the rest of the students were able to listen to the presentations in their own foreign language through the Interpreters from the Translation and Interpretation school. This improved my comprehension of various terms related to International Policy, as well as my confidence in presenting in Spanish.
I feel that the language component of the Monterey Institute has greatly improved my comprehension and speaking skills. I know this has contributed to my language learning experience and something that will inevitably help me in my future professional career and growth.
MAIPS 2007, Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies
Following my undergraduate degree, I decided to go straight into graduate school. I chose the Monterey Institute because of its emphasis on professional development and reputation for producing top-notch graduates in the field of nonproliferation who go onto outstanding careers in government. I was fortunate to receive a research assistantship with the Newly Independent States Nonproliferation Program at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), where I utilize my Russian language skills while working on issues directly related to my specialization and coursework.
My favorite experience thus far has been attending the guest lecture series sponsored by CNS. My most memorable lecture was listening to former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara discuss his experiences during the Cuban missile crisis and the lessons he learned on the importance of leadership, crisis management, and the threats posed by nuclear weapons. The entire time I was a little bit in shock because Secretary McNamara is an incredibly significant person in the history of the United States and here I am, a student, getting to hear him speak about one of the defining events in modern history and in the field of nonproliferation!
MAIPS 2007, Specialization in International Development
My name is Natalie Flor and I am currently a second semester IPS student, specializing in development with an emphasis on counter trafficking in persons. Prior to MIIS, I had worked for several U.S. federal agencies including the State Department, Department of Commerce as a Ronald H. Brown Scholar, along with an internship with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in Vienna, Austria. I chose to attend the Monterey Institute because the MAIIPS was a practical program in which I could concentrate on human trafficking while developing my career skills for an international policy job.
With many international students and professors, students at MIIS acquire the ability to work with any type of person–a skill that many graduate schools do not offer. After two semesters at MIIS, I have found the difficulty and the value of group work, where all the students have different styles of presenting, different priorities and very different opinions. I have also found MIIS professors to be very supportive of student interests, including my interest in counter trafficking in persons. I had the opportunity to write an extensive paper on US policies for sex trafficking in a directed study with Professor Morgan, and have recently received the William Sloane Coffin Scholarship, founded by Professor Grothe for efforts in counter trafficking.
This coming summer, I will be interning with the US Department of State in Trafficking in Persons Office in Washington, D.C., followed by an internship with the Asia Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand to evaluate a project funded by the State Department.
MAIPS 2006, Specialization in International Development
I chose the MAIPS program at the Monterey Institute because of the diverse courses and subject matter it offered. I was excited to see that I could expand my knowledge by taking a number of courses that held my interest and develop my skills set. By attending the Institute, it inspired and pushed me to take up an internship at the United Nations (in Vienna) during the summer months. Without that encouragement from faculty and classmates, I could not have had that invaluable and worthwhile experience.
MAIPS 2006, Specialization in International Norms/Human Rights/Justice
I chose to come to the Monterey Institute because I knew I could obtain the professional experiences, skills, and knowledge needed to enter a profession in the international field. What initially attracted me were the language requirement (particularly the Japanese program) the different specializations within IPS, and the small campus. Having just returned from two years in Japan, I wanted to advance my Japanese as well as my professional interests, but I was not 100% sure about what exactly I wanted to do or how to get there. With the help of friends, colleagues, professors, especially Nuket Kardam, and the GSIPS career counselors Leah Gowron and Tate Miller, I have begun my professional career in the international realm.
The Institute community is a unique one. The small campus allows for inter-personal communication between professors and students from all over the world in and out of class. Hearing and learning the different view points is crucial and the campus provides this forum in the classes, especially seminar courses. During my studies, I was also a Disaster Services Intern with the Carmel Chapter of the American Red Cross. Working there for two years gave me professional experience in disaster related work and it opened new doors such as being a founding member of the International Service Committee for the chapter. In addition, last summer I obtained a UN internship with United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, working in the Emerging Social Issues Division for four months in the area of human trafficking and Burmese migrants. Two years have passed but I now I know without a doubt what I want to do...and will never forget my experiences here.
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