Avantika Singh
Biography
Country: India
On global affairs
My interest lies in global politics, global security, and crisis management as these are subjects aligned closely to my experiences in the news industry that placed me right at the heart of breaking news. As a journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to cover and report some of the biggest news stories across the world. Apart from that, my forces background may have also drawn me to these subjects. I like to delve into understanding important international security issues, threats facing nations, power politics, non-state actors, hybrid wars, military conflict, national security, diplomacy, strategy, etc., along with their lasting impact on nations. Security remains a fundamental human concern. Learning about it in the 21st century is both important and relevant especially in the context of today’s challenges. Studying these subjects along with both my colleagues and professors has allowed me to dive deep, analyze and focus on questions related to security and strategy.
On GMAP
I chose the Fletcher GMAP because of its stellar reputation and the variety of courses it offers. The program gives holistic and well-rounded insight on every situation. Most importantly, I love the diversity the school offers. It gave me the opportunity to interact with students from different nationalities and I learned so much from their experiences and perspectives on different subjects throughout our course. It helped me understand global issues through multiple lenses, and even challenged some of my previously held beliefs. Our discussion boards and conversations on every issue helped me think creatively, self-reflect, and consider different perspectives more clearly.
What’s next
From understanding different types of negotiating skills, strategies, and techniques towards effective communication to learning about trends in development and humanitarian assistance, the learning curve has been enriching. The program provided me with an in-depth knowledge in decision-making, strategy, crisis management and other complex security issues the world faces today. While my focus will always be on global politics and international security, I have gained a lot from my negotiation and mediation class which will certainly help me in my personal and professional choices in the future.
Education before Fletcher:
- Executive program on persuasive communication (Narratives, Evidence, and Impact), Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and History, Delhi University
Experience before Fletcher:
- Senior News Anchor, India Today, TV Today Network, New Delhi, India
- Strategy and Alumni Manager—Teach for India, TFI, New Delhi, India
- Teaching Fellow, Teach for India, TFI, New Delhi, India