A Dream Fulfilled at Fletcher

Growing up in Kolkata, Aryama Bhattacharyya F25 dreamed of traveling the world, learning about different cultures and joining the Indian Foreign Service as a diplomat. After finishing her undergraduate studies at the University of Calcutta, Bhattacharyya came to the United States to continue her education at Fletcher.

Fletcher, the dream school

“Fletcher has always been my dream school,” said Bhattacharyya. “I was interested in international relations and diplomacy, and while I know other schools focus on policy-making and international relations, what got me most interested in Fletcher is its focus on diplomacy and negotiations.” What sealed the deal for Bhattacharyya was learning that Shashi Tharoor (MA 76, MALD 77, PhD 79), a member of the Indian Parliament, is a Fletcher alum.

A supportive, welcoming, and fun Fletcher community

Leaving her big, close-knit family and home where she spent her whole life, Bhattacharyya knew she would experience some significant changes coming to Fletcher and the Boston area. “It was a big change, and not just a cultural change but the education system, the culture, the weather…everything is different from India,” said Bhattacharyya. Soon after arriving, she began to feel the support from the community. “The people are amazing. They are so supportive at Fletcher. Whenever I felt down, my new friends and the student affairs team were always there for me.”

In just a short time, Bhattacharyya started building her Fletcher network. “We talk about policy and diplomacy, but we also have ski trips and other fun activities. The friends you make at Fletcher are connections for a lifetime,” she said. And this extends to the faculty as well. “One of the most important aspects of Fletcher is that the faculty are always there for us,” said Bhattacharyya. “You can feel the cordial relationship that we share with them, and they are accessible and ready to help.”

From Kolkata to the Artic

Bhattacharyya never expected to be interested in the Arctic, much less travel to it, but she did with Professor Rocky Weitz. He leads a delegation of Fletcher students to Iceland to participate in the Arctic Circle Assembly, where topics such as energy, geopolitics and climate change are discussed and analyzed.

Professor Weitz made it possible for Bhattacharyya to participate in the Arctic Innovation Lab, during which she presented her solution on energy transition and won her part of the competition. 

“It was an amazing experience and an exciting way to learn and share ideas,” said Bhattacharyya. “It was very interesting to see countries like Brazil, China, Singapore and India participating in large numbers at this conference, which helped me realize the Arctic’s impact on the world.”

Working closely with faculty and learning through experience

Like many Fletcher students, Bhattacharyya is learning by working closely with faculty. As a senior center assistant at the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, she is responsible for project management and event logistics while also helping the Center’s founding director, Professor Emerita Leila Fawaz, on research projects. Bhattacharyya is also a senior editor of Praxis, Fletcher’s human security journal. 

“Aside from the academic learning at Fletcher, I feel that understanding what it takes to put on events, organize a center and oversee a team of editors is preparing me to be a strong project manager, a better writer, and a leader of people, all of which are important, transferable skills for my future career.”

A strong alumni network

Fletcher is known for its enthusiastic and connected alumni in the U.S., India, Japan and Europe. As Bhattacharyya begins her job search, she is realizing the advantages of this alumni network. 

“The alumni are helping me connect with organizations that I am interested in and giving me an internal perspective and an unfiltered view of what it’s like to work in some of these organizations,” said Bhattacharyya. During Fletcher’s annual New York City career trip, she experienced more helpful interactions with alumni. 

“We had quite a few alumni join us and share their experiences at Fletcher, how they developed their skills, and how Fletcher prepared them for the job they have today, which is very helpful for someone like me going into the job market.”

Fletcher’s location is ideal for grad school life

Fletcher’s location on Tufts University’s beautiful campus in Medford, Massachusetts, appeals to Bhattacharyya and has many advantages such as allowing her to cross-register at nearby Harvard Law School. 

“Fletcher is situated in a calm environment that helps you keep your sanity and allows you to build yourself up. It’s very well suited for student life and grad school life,” said Bhattacharyya. “And if you want some city time, Cambridge and Boston are so close.”

Learn more about Fletcher's Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree program.