Class of 2012 Student Profiles

Amy Bracken , 2012, United States

Why I chose Fletcher: Consuming and reporting the news is always exciting for me, but as world events flash by in tweets and sound bites, so many questions go unanswered. I wanted to take two years to chip away at some of the difficult questions—why are some countries so unstable? and why are international efforts so often ineffective?—things you can't usually talk about in the newsroom or at social gatherings. I looked at several international relations programs, and Fletcher was the one where students seemed to be living and breathing the tough questions; they really do stick around after class to continue the conversation. And they apply it, including organizing themselves to help out in creative ways after the earthquake in Haiti. I wanted to be part of that ball of energy.

How I plan to use my experience at Fletcher to make a difference in the world: I hope to make a difference through knowledge. I hope to use Fletcher to equip myself to conduct in-depth field research and analysis that will inform policy and practice, particularly in the areas of poverty alleviation and human rights.