Pushing the Envelope and Expanding Her Thinking on Problem-Solving  

Born in the United Kingdom and raised in the United States, Eliana Johnson F25 loved experiencing the two countries and developed an interest in global affairs. Johnson began looking at graduate schools while in China for her undergraduate study abroad. 

“I was Googling different international relations programs in my international student dorm in Shanghai, and Fletcher stood out to me because of the long list of noteworthy alumni and the range of options for areas of study,” Johnson said. 

Mapping Her Future with Fletcher  

Johnson was accepted into Fletcher’s Map Your Future, a deferred enrollment program that guarantees admitted applicants a place in the MALD or MIB degree programs after completing two years of professional work experience. Johnson worked in Washington, D.C. for those two years researching Russian and Chinese international businesses for a consulting firm.  

Taking a More Critical Approach to International Relations  

After arriving at Fletcher, Johnson decided to concentrate on human security and international development and then discovered the excitement and community that comes with producing a conference. 

“The Decolonizing International Relations (DIR) Conference was started in 2017 by two students who saw that more critique of Western theories was needed at Fletcher,” said Johnson, who was part of the student team that produced the 2024 DIR conference. 

“This conference provides the opportunity to bring in speakers who help us think about taking a more critical approach to international relations and not accepting everything at face value,” she added. “There is quite a diversity of responses to the conference at Fletcher, which is very valuable. I don’t think you’re pushing the envelope far enough if you're not receiving pushback or commentary.”  

Johnson appreciated Fletcher's support for the conference. 

“Year after year, this conference is supported by the Office of Student Affairs and various faculty members, which shows there is a need for the conference,” she said. “We are challenging the underlying notions of how international relations is taught, and we’re receiving pushback and positive feedback, which means we're being heard and creating dialogue around this issue.” 

Exploring New Areas of Learning Means Expanding Thinking on Problem-Solving 

Johnson appreciates how Fletcher allows her to structure her courses in a way that covers the essentials of international relations while exploring other areas she may not have considered. 

“I took a course in GIS (geographic information systems), which helped to broaden my understanding of how this type of software-oriented data collection can be applied to developing climate policy,” said Johnson. “Having these courses available has expanded the way I now think about approaching issues and solving problems, and it made sure that I did not go down a singular track of learning, and I appreciate that.” 

Boston’s Easy Access to Other Major Cities Makes it a Great Place to Study 

With her family in different parts of the world and her interest in travel, Johnson says Fletcher’s location has a key benefit: proximity to a major international airport. 

“Boston has great city culture combined with an international airport and a major train station, so other major cities like New York, Washington, D.C. and London are accessible,” she said. “My core criterion for where I live is easy access to international flights, so Boston is a great place for me.”  

Read more about Fletcher’s Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree program.