A little late, I know, but better late than never to recap the DC career trip. Although Sandhya already so eloquently described it, I will add a little bit. In general, I found the trip to be quite informative. It wasn’t as if I learned tons of things I didn’t already know, but it was good to be able to hear people who actually work at USAID, State Department and DAI talk about what they do on a daily basis or in more general terms. I thought the Conflict Resolution panel I went to at Brookings was great. Good to see that Fletcher grads can actually get jobs in the fields they study!

Actually, that’s why I liked the DC trip so much–it reminded me of why I’m going to school here. I will eventually apply what I learn at Fletcher to the broader world and that was a much needed reminder for me. I think it also helped me narrow down career fields a bit, too. I really do think government work might be for me. I know, I know. It’s inherently bureacratic and maybe not always the most efficient, but I would rather have someone like me working there than someone else. Fortunately, I still have time to figure all of that out–big sigh of relief.

And now, approximately one week later, I’m sitting in the library trying to be productive on this absoltutely frigid day. Saturday was a wash after staying out way too late at the Green House—another fantastic party as usual. Always nice to spend an evening partying with Fletcher folk. I’ve since gone out to brunch twice this weekend in efforts of procrastination. And am now writing this entry and then going to the gym just to procrastinate. I’ll really be able to study after getting in a work out though….right?

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Each year, Tufts University students put on a conference as part of a year-long academic colloquium through a program called EPIIC (Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship). For one year, selected Tufts University undergraduates and graduates participate in an intense and rigorous exploration of a different topic of global concern. This year, the subject of the colloquium and the conference is “The Politics of Fear”. During the conference, which is currently happening, guest speakers come from around the country and often from around the world to talk about the particular topic. It is one of Tufts most impressive and interesting activities, and I have not taken nearly enough advantage of it.

I have attended two panels thus far, one on “Occidentalism and Orientalism” and the other on “Extremism in South Asia”. Both panels features spectacular speakers, thinkers, and practicioners. Sadly, the panels were not as well attended by Fletcher students, and the entire conference has not received as much attention at Fletcher as in the wider Tufts Community. I have yet to figure out why this is the case, but I have been encouraging my Fletcher colleagues to attend whenever they can. I will be attending another one today on “Post-Conflict Challenges: Reconciliation and Renewal”, which features several speakers who worked on Reconciliation and Peace-Building in South Africa after apartheid. The students have clearly worked very hard to put on this conference, and I have been overwhelmed with the wonderful organization and proceedings of the conference.

The link to EPIIC’s homepage: http://www.epiic.org/. I encourage anyone who is interested to check it out.

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The Harry Potter room at Ginn Library is the coziest reading room at Fletcher. I am not too sure how it got its name, but the name has stuck among students. Urban legend credits Leigh Nolan (MALD 06), the vivacious second year, with having christened it thus last semester, after the summer refurbishments. With paintings of past deans casting their imperious gazes from high above in the soft golden glow of the chandeliers, while a quaint wooden landing seems suspended high up at one end of the room, it is not hard to imagine yourself at Hogwarts.

Last week, however, it wasn’t Prof. Dumbledore but another former dean who made a riveting presentation. Prof. Salacuse, discussed his new book Leading Leaders: How to Manage Smart, Talented, Rich and Powerful People. As he pointed out the general perception of a leader is one of a messiah or prophet who marshals and herds the lost and ignorant populace. As a public servant in a department, where hierarchy is continuously reinforced, I am only too aware of the fact that most organizations and institutions have a hierarchical structure, which places “leaders” on pedestals. The organizational structure gives them so much power that the leadership is not easily threatened. Modern day organizational structures, more horizontal in nature, tend to pose several other challenges to a “leader”.

Prof. Salacuse gave several examples from his experience as dean and commented on dealing with the smart, talented and powerful (ok so not generally rich!) faculty members. The beleaguered Larry Summers featured prominently in the “how not to lead leaders” category. It brought to mind Kissinger’s observation that academic politics are so vicious as the stakes are so low. In this instance though, i.e. leading a university with a $26 billion endowment, it could hardly be termed low stake issue!

The talk also gave much to muse about on our daily interactions with peers as well, when we have very little leverage over regulating the conduct of others. I guess most students pick this up when working in student organizations or even study groups. Having a framework though is helpful and I think Leading Leaders and the 7 principles it lays down are well worth a read.

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This semester has flown by, it’s almost midterm time! And I don’t even know when they are…. that seems problematic, since I have two. I think they’re in two weeks, so I’m off the hook……sort of.

I just spent the weekend visiting my brother in LA, it was the coldest weekend they’ve had in months… 60 degrees. Some say I should be happy with that, but I was hoping for 85, so, frankly, I’m not. It was actually a bummer. Although I hear it was about 0 degrees here in Boston, so, while I’m not happy, I’ll at least not be too upset about it.

I need to try and get some of my papers done for the end of the semester. I have one for each class, and haven’t started any of them (not even close). That and I have to get a bunch of applications in. Spring is the time of deadlines. They’re everywhere.

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This past weekend, I attended the Fletcher Career Trip in Washington D.C. I did not attend the one earlier this year in New York, mainly because I signed up late and did not get into any of the panels that I wanted. For the D.C. trip, entry into the panels was done via a lottery system, where we could bid on the panels that were of most interest to us. I was fortunate enough to get into all of the panels that I bid on for D.C, which was an enormous incentive to go.

On Thursday, I visited USAID, the State Department, and Capitol Hill. Fletcher alumni addressed us at each of the locations, and then we had time for questions and informal “networking”. On Friday, I attended two panels at Brookings Institution, one on careers in Conflict Resolution and the other on careers in Democratization/Civil Society. Both panels featured Fletcher alumni as well.

There were two major insights that I gained from the trip to D.C. 1) I need to learn Arabic and 2) Networking, “schmoozing”, and being persistent are the keys to landing a job in D.C. More than anything, getting a job in D.C. centers on who YOU know and who knows YOU. Other factors such as course selection, a specific skill set and previous work experience certainly figure into your application, but the deal can be sealed based on a personal recommendation or persistant contact with someone on the inside.

For me, the D.C. trip was extremely beneficial and informative. I finally learned what USAID, State, and Capitol Hill employees do on a day-to-day basis. In addition, I gained exposure to a variety of NGOs working in the field, and had the opportunity to ask questions like “how do you balance career and family life when your career takes you to the far reaches of the planet at the drop of a hat”. The panelists were very willing to answer basic questions about life and work in D.C., and I would continuously put myself in their shoes, wondering if I would be comfortable in their careers. It was also very reassuring to see that people actually DO make a living from focusing on these issues. There is life and career after Fletcher!

I’m still not sure if my career path will ultimately lead me to D.C., but I feel much more comfortable with the choices that I have made thus far in my life, and feel better equipped to make choices in the weeks and months ahead of me.

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This past weekend was crazy in good and bad ways. We had the first inagural party of the semester at the Yellow House on Friday and it was a blast. Those guys are always so great in hosting parties. What would we do without the insitutions of the Yellow House and Green House? Supposedly there’s a Pink House, but they’ve never had a party. I guess more importantly, I wonder what we’re going to do without DJ Cliff next year? Is there anyway we can get him to apply for a PhD? No doubt, he is my favorite dj around. He always plays the music you want to listen to and he mixes it up perfectly for Fletcher tastes. If you don’t believe me, just check out his recent Ledger article: http://www.fletcherledger.com/2006/Community/06Feb06/dj_perspective.html

But I’m psyched to have a short week since most of us will be heading to DC for the career trip. I can’t wait to go. It’ll be my first trip back since I left in August and I’m so looking forward to seeing all of my friends and being in a place that I know well. Plus, I’m pretty interested in the panels I’m going to: USAID, State Department, DAI and then Friday’s events at Brookings: Democratization/Civil Society and Conflict Resolution. I’m hoping these people will be able to give my insight on potential future jobs. I’m surprised at how interested I am in all of this conflict resolution/post conflict reconstruction stuff, but it really makes me excited. I’m not sure if excited is the right word, but interested doesn’t do it justice either.

I still can’t decide if I like DC or Boston better. It’s hard to compare because I know DC so well and I can’t say that I’ve made many efforts to get to know Boston…yet. Hopefully soon . But for now I’ll enjoy being back in my old stomping grounds.

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I emerge from Thesis Land, relatively unscathed. The trauma is not easy to overcome and its effects are still felt. Even on a freezing wintry night I wake up sweating, wondering whether my citations were in order. (On the bright side though I am getting some sleep.) Particularly, as I am only on parole, the hunted look remains – I still need to rework some areas, if I want to be considered for the PhD program, so I am only on parole and am yet to be given complete freedom.

Theses do things to you – your senses are keener, there is an overall increased awareness, sentences are long and convoluted, opinions are either hedged against or ruthlessly overwhelming, humor is only in derision… Simple assertions such as “it is going to snow tomorrow” are carefully scrutinized – what is your primary source? how accurate is AccuWeather.com? do you mind if I quote you…

Given these dangerous repercussions, the thesis requirement seems unfair. How can a student, who is expected to take a full course load, participate in organizing conferences and events, work part time to partially manage the exorbitant living expenses and have a reasonable social life, be required to turn in a thesis during the school year? As I complained about the unfairness of it all, I was gently reminded that I could have taken my thesis as an independent study. In fact I believe it could even straddle two independent studies, I was told. Yes, but I want it all. I don’t want to be paying tuition to write my thesis – I want it to be studying new things. The answer curiously inspired my thesis. It all depends on the weightage I attach to my preferred utilities. Kind of cool, I think, to be able to find a common thread between my decision to balance my coursework and thesis requirements, international trade law and human rights law.

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So, I’m currently on the last day of a 10-day fast called the Master Cleanse. It is a body detoxification routine, that consists entirely of a diet based on a mixture of cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and lemon juice. With some herbal tea thrown in for variety. I used to fast on a regular basis when I worked in India, since the communities that I worked with would observe regular fasts. Fasting in India is one way to purify the body, and make it ready for certain tasks. I had begun to feel that the graduate student diet of animal crackers and coffee was taking its toll on my body, so I decided to try my hand at fasting in the United States (have only fasted in India). The experiment is nearly over.

I have learned a lot, I must say, in the past 10 days. It is very difficult to fast at a graduate institution that sponsers pizza lunches every day, has weekly social hours with free food, lectures with refreshments served, and candy in all of the faculty offices. Not to mention social engagements on the weekends, and nights out with the girls. But it has been an exercise in discipline, self-restraint, and control that I have greatly appreciated. I have certainly benefited from better sleeping habits (probably due to lack of caffeine intake), and improved concentration at times. Since Fletcher is often a place of frenzy and chaos, it has been nice to take a step back and really focus on being good to myself. Though this is the last day of the fast, I look forward to carrying this increased discipline and self-awareness to all other aspects of my life here.

Now where did I hide those chocolate-covered espresso beans…?

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A few of my friends and I are trying to organize a “Dialogue on Islam” in the upcoming weeks. Islam, and especially Political Islam, is certainly a hot topic and a buzzword in the media today. All the language about “clash of civilizations” and “Jihad versus McWorld”, not to mention the row over the recently published cartoons, has forced Islam into the spotlight once again (but has it really left since 9/11?). The image that has been painted in the media, however, is often unrepresentative of what the vast majority of Muslims actually believe in. In order to address some of these issues and bring a full picture of Islam to the student body here at Fletcher, we are hoping to organize a panel discussion on Islam.

Organizing something like this certainly has it difficulties. The concern of some of the Muslim students here is that the ideas being discussed around Fletcher often include misperceptions and misrepresentations of Islam, which stem from a simple lack of information and awareness. The proposed panel discussion is aimed at clearing up those misunderstandings, and offering a more complete picture of Islam, from the perspecive of a Muslim student. The objective is to stimulate dialogue within the student body with regards to Islam, and to increase awareness about the different forms of Islam and what they represent to the Muslim students here.

I hope that it goes well, and that we are able to have a constructive dialgoue with some substantive issues discussed. I strongly feel that, since we are a school that prepares “Leaders with a Global Perspective”, we should also be regularly engaging in dialogue with our own students, who come from all corners of the earth, and who have the ability to speak with first-hand knowledge about so many of the “hot topics” that capture the world’s attention these days.

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Ok, well maybe that’s not exactly true. It’s certainly not normally true for me, but I haven’t laughed as hard as I did in last night’s study group in a while. In fact, Abdul said he’s never seen me laugh so hard. But I couldn’t help it with Brian doing his impressions and Perla’s funny comments. It was great. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I actually retained some of the stuff we went over and can go through the problem set on my own.

This is actually my first study group. I was kinda jealous of everyone who had one last semester, but it worked out that I just didn’t need one for any of my classes. So far, so good for International Trade & Finance. I think we’ll work well together and have some good times.–the perfect combination.

Maybe I was laughing so hard, too, because things seemed to have worked out with the State Department. Nothing’s a gurantee obviously, but it has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Phew.

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