2011 Entering Class Profiles

Christopher Williams , United States

Why I chose Fletcher:
One of the key reasons I chose Fletcher was its emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to the study of international affairs.  After more than five years of covering a wide variety of foreign policy issues on public radio it was clear to me that the most pressing global problems do not fit neatly into a single academic discipline. For example, while working on a segment that examined the Kyoto Protocol to curb greenhouse gas emissions I needed to consider environmental, economic, and diplomatic factors.  And when I explored the Carter Administration’s response to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, knowledge of America’s history with the Shah and an understanding of Ayatollah Khomeini’s unique brand of Shi’ism were crucial.  Fletcher is a place where I can continue to develop my ability to analyze international politics in a holistic fashion.

Fletcher’s alumni community:
My interest in Fletcher was piqued by the school's impressive alumni network. During my work as a journalist I interviewed a number of Fletcher graduates that had gone on to become leading diplomats and scholars. The substantive knowledge, career accomplishments, and approachable nature of these Fletcher graduates made a favorable impression on me. Each spoke of their time at Fletcher as a formative professional and personal experience—a desire to share in that experience attracted me to Fletcher.