2011 Entering Class Profiles

Mariana Diaz Kraus , 2013, Colombia

Why I chose Fletcher: Choosing Fletcher was a simple decision and did not require much thought because I knew this was my dream school. It particularly attracted me because of its intellectual atmosphere, history, the intellectual muscle of its professors, and its interdisciplinary and flexible curriculum. My interdisciplinary training in political science and law over the last four years has deeply informed my work as a policy researcher and analyst. Therefore, my main priority was to find a program that would allow me to broaden my horizons rather than one that would restrict me to a single subject of concentration. I am sure that Fletcher will give me the tools and skills to expand and deepen my interdisciplinary training through the MALD program, and I am completely sure that when I return to Colombia I will be able to apply what I have learned to make a positive impact on my country’s future.

How I learned about Fletcher: I first learned about Fletcher after the First International Congress on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) that was held in Cartagena, Colombia in May 2009. During this Congress I had the opportunity get to know many members of the international community that worked in my same fields of interests. Through many conversations, the subject of graduate programs came up and many opinions where shared.  During these conversations, one school always stood - The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. When I got home, I began to search Fletcher and stayed up all night reading everything I could about it. I was immediately hooked.