Joachim Jan Thraen , 2012, Germany

On the flexibility of the curriculum: Many of the global issues we face today transcend boundaries and are interdisciplinary in nature. This is reflected in Fletcher’s highly flexible curriculum which has allowed me to understand the economic, political and social implications of these issues from an international perspective. Choosing my own fields of study has enabled me to pursue my academic and professional interests, while retaining the big picture by fulfilling breadth requirements in quantitative skills, economics, diplomacy, and law. While choosing 16 credits from more than 170 courses and 20 fields of study (not to mention the cross registration opportunities at other graduate programs) can seem challenging at first, Fletcher’s dedicated faculty and staff support you in charting the course that best fits you.

How I first learned about Fletcher: The first time I learned about Fletcher was at an LSE lecture given by a Fletcher alumnus who served as an ambassador to the United Kingdom. He inspired me to learn more about The Fletcher School, and in the following years I was able to speak to several current Fletcher students and alumni in various countries. Besides talking about the great reputation and advantages of the flexible curriculum, they underlined the strength of the Fletcher community where friendships are formed that last a lifetime. The academic excellence, the flexible curriculum, a close-knit community, and the great reputation were compelling reasons why I felt that Fletcher was the right choice for me.