Class of 2012 Student Profiles

Julia Fitzpatrick , 2012, United States

Why I chose Fletcher: I came to Fletcher because it was the only school that made sense for me. I was drawn to the diversity that is at the heart of what Fletcher is all about; diversity of course offerings, of student body, of experiences of faculty and students, and of points of view on critical issues facing the world today. The interdisciplinary nature of my career fit perfectly with Fletcher's flexibility of curriculum and strengths in areas I'm passionate about, such as international law, humanitarian affairs and international conflict resolution. The blend of theory and practice in the classroom allows me to examine the experiences I've had and learn from those of my peers and professors, while testing those experiences against prominent theories in international affairs. When it came time to choose my courses, I felt like a kid in a candy store—so many to choose from, and so many I wanted to take! Every course provides the opportunity to build on a strength or work on an area of weakness, and all of it ultimately works towards producing a more well-rounded and informed professional skill-set. But above everything else, I chose Fletcher because of its international character and focus on community. I will spend two years at Fletcher thinking critically with my peers about some of the most challenging issues facing our world today and how best to address them collaboratively in an interdependent world. At Fletcher and beyond, I am fostering a global network of conscientious practitioners that I will draw upon throughout my career.

How Fletcher has broadened my global perspective: Spending two years at Fletcher in such an international community will prepare me to think and live globally. After Fletcher, I cannot imagine living an international life in isolation. Rather, I see myself living constantly between worlds—whether in the U.S. or abroad—always rooted and at home in an international setting. Professionally, the Fletcher community gives me a worldwide network of contacts and peers to draw upon who can connect me to important work taking place in fields other than my own, thus constantly expanding my horizons. I no longer feel as if my career exists in a vacuum, but rather is tied to the collaborative efforts of a wider community of like-minded practitioners.