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Winding to a close

Costa Rica

This year, the Oxy at the UN program added a new component this year. For the first time, the cohort made a field visit to a member state of the UN besides the U.S. While some of our colleagues already had U.N. experience at the country level in their countries of origin (Gaea Morales with UNDP in the Philippines, for example), this experience was a valuable exercise in experiential learning and deploying new skills. The G-17 just returned this weekend from Costa Rica, where we engaged in person with the topic of pineapple production and the external costs connected to growing pineapples, a topic which we have been studying throughout the year in one of the three classes in the program, a task force-based course on human development. 

In Costa Rica, we followed the blueprint of a UNDP visit to a member state as experienced by the director of the program, Douglas Gardner, during his career in that agency. We began in the capital, San Jose, where we gained some background insight into the history of Costa Rica from a local historian and on access to water issues from a community leader. We met with the UN Country Team and visited two national government ministries before leaving the capital for a small municipality, Upala, in the far north of the country. There, we toured a pineapple plantation, planted trees at a reforestation project and met with subnational government and local NGO leaders. Wednesday of last week, we drove into the high mountains of Costa Rica to Monteverde to learn about sustainability, forest preservation, biodiversity and women’s roles in advocacy. The G-17 returned to New York Saturday, Nov. 25. Highlights from the Costa Rica trip are below and be sure to scroll to the bottom for a recap of our other major excursion this semester: to Washington D.C. at the beginning of the month!

Conversations from capital

Saturday, November 18, the G-17 flew from New York JFK airport to San José, Costa Rica. Upon landing and gathering our baggage, we first encountered our guides for the week: Anibál Torres, the phenomenal program leader, translator, restaurant and lodging guru, and all around great person; and Wilson, our bus driver (little did we know when we first boarded the bus that would carry us around the country just how integral Wilson would be to our experience). Over the next two and a half days, we gained a more complex understanding of the background of the issues than our research had afforded by speaking with individuals from academia, civil society, the UN system, and the national government. We gained a deeper understanding of Costa Rican history and of the impact pesticides from farming has on local communities’ water supplies. We learned about how the UN team works in Costa Rica and what sort of projects each of the agencies — UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA — has in the country. We also spoke with the Ministry of Planning, where we heard about how Costa Rica has worked to integrate the SDGs into their policies.

Hanan Mohamed, Shawn Cremer, Siyanna Ahmadu, Jacques Fomerand, Nicole Lin,  Lily Goldfarb, Kasi Whitaker, and Gaea Morales, stand in front of the Costa Rica Ministry of the Exterior and Foreign Affairs.

The Pineapple Farm

From San Jose, we woke before daybreak Tuesday and loaded into the bus to traverse half the length of the country (a distance about as far as the drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles or from New York to Washington, D.C.) to a pineapple growing region in the north called Upala where we toured a pineapple plantation that has been working to transition from conventional farming practices to organic and sustainable ones. The manager of the plantation showed us how they create their own pesticides and fertilizers through a microbial process that uses the natural biological matter found on the forest floor and an anaerobic process that results in organic liquid pesticides. He then took us to an organic section of the plantation, where we got to see how pineapples grow (a surprise to many of us!) and had the luxury of tasting fresh pineapples, no older than 30 seconds off the plant. The sweetness rivaled anything one could get in a grocery store in the U.S. and the way the farmer prepared it for us was the speediest, most impressive way any of us had ever seen someone cut the usually formidable pineapple. He had a machete hanging off his belt that he used to shave the outer rind, holding the fruit by its crown. He then deftly sliced along the core, cutting bite-sized chunks in maybe 15 seconds.

A Costa Rican pineapple farmer hoists two fruits ready to taste in Upala, Costa Rica.

Giving thanks among the clouds

After Upala, we drove into the high mountain region of Costa Rica to visit the cloud forest, Monteverde. Thursday we were staying in La Calandria Field Station, situated on a preserve away from any town, any lights or sounds or smells of industry. This is not to say the field station was a rustic camp; on the contrary, we enjoyed the entire space to ourselves and had gorgeous views looking out over the cloud forest. Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving with a dinner prepared by the wonderful cooks at the field station, and enjoyed the company of these 19 people who have become our adopted family support system this semester.

The view from a suspension bridge in the Monteverde Preserve.

Washington, D.C. Recap

Back at the beginning of November, the G-17 took another trip out of New York, to Washington D.C. Unlike the Costa Rica trip, this trip has been a fixture of the program for a number of years. Primarily an experiential learning opportunity to see how the U.S. government uses the United Nations system in the capital and in policy-making, it also is a chance to explore potential future career opportunities. Collective highlights from the trip include our visit to the State Department, to the Aspen Institute, and to the Brookings Institution. At State, we had very interesting discussions with Oxy alumni and some of their colleagues about what it means to be a government worker under an administration, the policies and philosophies of which one doesn’t agree with. The Aspen Institute, where Oxy-at-the-UN alumna Callie Obern now works, seeks to bring together multiple sectors of society who have differing takes on topics of the day in order to “create friction” to facilitate real dialogue on contentious issues — especially climate and energy-related ones — so that policymakers, researchers, advocates, and other stakeholders, can understand the reasoning behind others’ decisions without the normal politicized rhetoric that surrounds those subjects. As we were speaking to them, we learned that essentially, their success as a convening platform boils down to trust. A real treat of the trip was our visit to the Brookings Institution. We had one hour to sit down one on 17 with Strobe Talbott — and on his last day in his role as President of the Institution — to talk about most policy topics under the sun. He spoke with us about US presidential history in the past half-century, about Iran, the role of think tanks and universities in policy influencing, Artificial Intelligence, and the DPRK. Besides the days full of meetings, we also hosted a reception for the alumni of the program living in D.C. now, which was a fun, semi-casual event during which the G-17 got to see friends and peers from recent graduation years, as well as meet and get to know older, more established alumni.

The G-17, plus Professor Thalia Gonzalez (Politics, at far left) and Professors Gardner and Fomerand, in front of the Finnish Embassy to the United States in Washington, D.C. 

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In Conversation With: Anna Misenti

Originally from Bainbridge Island, WA, Anna Misenti is an intern with the UN Relations and Policy team at the UN Foundation, and is studying Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College. Anna is passionate about human rights, sustainable development and women’s empowerment. Last fall, she studied abroad in Nepal where she studied Nepali and conducted an independent research project on the evolution of community based credit systems in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The past two summers Anna has interned at New Course, a nonprofit focused on empowering women to use sustainable practices in order to reduce poverty, prevent environmental degradation and improve livelihoods. On campus, she is a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field team, and is a barista at the local coffee shop. Outside of the office, she enjoys running, exploring new places, and reading. 

What made you want to apply for the Oxy at the UN program?

The Oxy at the UN program was actually one of the initial factors that drew me to apply to Oxy, and after visiting the campus I knew Oxy would be a great fit. I was interested in the program because of the important role of the UN in shaping norms and safeguarding human rights, and serving as a crucial space of international dialogue. Spending a semester at the United Nations as an undergrad is such an incredible opportunity; I feel really privileged to have been a part of this unique program.

What/where is your internship? What are some projects you have worked on in your internship? 

I am interning at the United Nations Foundation this semester as part of the UN Relations and Policy Team. Every day and week varies, which is something I have found really exciting. For example, on Friday I helped interview Aurora Prize winner Marguerite Barankitse for Facebook Live. Other semester highlights included working at our Gala dinner, where Samantha Powers accepted an award on behalf of Barack Obama, and helping design a gift for the Secretary General to celebrate his work on human rights. On a more continuous basis, I have written daily news updates for the office, covered meetings on the second and fifth committee, and have been working on a long term project tracking the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level.

What are some of your favorite things to do on the weekend in your down time? What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York, as far as 'extracurriculars'?

I have loved living in New York this semester- some of my favorite things to do in my down time include running in central park, scoping out the best bagels, and just going on walks around the city- there is always something going on. One weekend Julia [fellow Oxy intern] and I went to Queens for a Momo Crawl, which is a Nepali dumpling festival, and had lots of fun eating dumplings and exploring Jackson Heights. After studying abroad in Nepal last fall, It was cool to be surrounded by Nepalese food and hear people speaking Nepali in the United States. I highly recommend going on walks in different boroughs, you never know what you might wander across.

What has it been like to work on a UN task force? What is your job like as a coordinator for one of the task forces? 

Our task force this semester is focused on the important role youth can play in fostering peace and security, an idea which gained traction in the UN with the passage of Resolution 2250 last year. The task force I am part of is focused on the Balkans and Caribbean regions, while the other task force is focused on the Arab states. Coordinating the task force has been an intense but rewarding experience, and I am really looking forward to seeing the final product of our work come together this week. I spend a lot of time sending emails between our client at UNDP, our task force team, and our program director- its important to keep everyone on the same page with the vision of the reports and the digital media piece we have been developing.

What is something that you hope to take away from this experience? What is something you've learned (personally or professionally, or both!)? 

One thing I've learned is the importance of taking initiative and not to underestimate your value as an intern. People in your office will come to depend on you based on the quality of your work and your initiative; when in doubt it is important to go above and beyond on a task, or a start a conversation with a coworker on something you're interested in. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with many different teams in my office throughout the semester, which really broadened my understanding of how the UN Foundations (and the United Nations) operates.

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In Conversation With: Judy Lee

How did you first hear about Oxy at the UN? I first heard about the program on my tour of campus. It was a huge part of why I applied to Oxy in the first place!

Why did you want to do the program? I'm actually not a DWA major - I'm studying psychology! However, I've always been interested in international affairs. Another plus is that the current Secretary-General is of Korean descent, as am I!

Where is your internship this semester? I have the amazing honor and privilege to be working under the Military and Defense Adviser for the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations. In hindsight, I can now see that this is the perfect internship for me.

That’s great! How have you found that it relates to your personal interests, academic history or future goals? Did you have previous interests that factored into your being placed in this internship, or how you’ve succeeded there? I was actually a police cadet for the Portland Police Department, so I have some knowledge of troop and police affairs. I really wanted to be located in Rwanda because of its small size, especially in relation to such a large continent. It's also one of the top troop- and police-contributing countries to the United Nations. Working in peacekeeping makes me want to further explore realms of peacebuilding and peace initiatives after my internship here.

What has been something that has defied your expectations over the semester? I never expected my supervisor to be the amazing, empowered, phenomenal individual that she is. She has helped me grow so much in unthinkable ways, and I am continuously astounded by how much support she has given to me.

What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York, as far as 'extracurriculars'? I've seen three Broadway shows, have explored every borough, enjoyed my time at a jazz club, gone to the YouTube space here in NY, and had rainbow bagels. The nightlife on the weekends is fun to explore as well! It's been such an incredible experience.

What are some projects you have worked on in your internship? So I work mainly with peacekeeping. One of my favorite projects I've worked on is drafting a speech to be read by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda!

What is something that you hope to take away from this experience? What is something you've learned, either personally or professionally, or both? I will never forget the power of relationships. Remembering names and faces and establishing positive connections with your peers is imperative to any line of work you decide to pursue. 

Was there a highlight to UNGA for you? Any cool UN experiences? I think the highlight of GA Week was seeing Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, Jane Goodall, and Ban Ki-moon altogether in the span of 10 minutes. Also, I think it's pretty cool that I've met Samantha Power, the Ambassador to the UN from the Republic of Korea, and Jeffrey Sachs.

What are some of your favorite things to do on the weekend in your down time? We live so close to the museums here, so I love exploring those on my own. My friends from New York have also provided me with a long list of bucket items to complete, so I usually spend most of my time fulfilling those.

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From the White House to Black Friday: the G18′s week in Review

Before the newly nicknamed Great Eighteen parted ways for the Thanksgiving holiday, the group spent a few extraordinary days in our nation’s capitol. On Wednesday afternoon, the group departed from New York to spend a couple of days in Washington, DC, to learn more about the overlaps between the United Nations and the intricate world of politics, international organizations and globalized efforts that are shaping our world today.

After arriving to Georgetown late Wednesday night, the G18 hit the ground running on Thursday with back-to-back meetings with successfully established Oxy alumni working in D.C., graciously organized by alum Kyle Ballard. Amy Lillis, Blake Peterson, and Rachel Sauer, who work in the Secretary’s Office for Religion and Global Affairs, the Secretary’s Office for Global Women’s Issues, and Identity and Ideologies: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, respectively, spoke candidly about their positions and how the Obama administration has shaped each of their unique offices, and what the current presidential transition implies for them. On the theme of international organizations, Amy Lillis spoke to the importance of religion today and historically, and how we cannot ignore its role in international affairs. She used the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (the second largest international organization) and the Catholic Church (the largest healthcare provider) as examples of such actors in multilateral efforts.

Another theme throughout both days’ meetings was the current presidential transition, as many of our speakers were also transitioning out of their current jobs as they were placed as political appointees by the Obama administration. More than one speaker showed the group countdown timers programmed to their smart phones, counting down days, minutes and seconds until their retirement.

Oxy alumni Justin Anderson, working on WMDs at the National Defense University and Rali Radissy, from the Commercial Law Development Program in the Department of Commerce spoke to the group next. They both spoke to the changes they expect to see, and those that no one can predict, that will occur in their workplaces specifically on the topics of national security and nuclear proliferation, and international trade. They also divulged their unique and polar opposite approaches to landing their current jobs, and gave the near-graduates helpful pointers in navigating the job market.

 With great thanks to Oxy’s own Professor Derek Shearer, the G18 travelled to the World Bank later that afternoon to speak with Andres Falconer, who works within the institution at the Global Partnership for Social Accountability on engaging civil society in the Bank’s mandate. From there the group met at the UN Information Center to discuss with Robert Skinner, who talked about the drastic changes in the way the public consumes information today at a rapid and instantaneous rate, and again how the UNIC’s role will change with the incoming presidential party.

Thursday evening the G18 hosted D.C.-based alumni of the UN program for an informal dinner gathering to swap program stories, get more post-grad encouragement from surviving millenials, and experience the theatrics of Jacques’ mid-party outfit change.

On Friday the G18 were lucky enough to meet at the Department of Homeland Security with George Selim, Director of the Office of Community Partnership, and Secretary Jeh Johnson. Mr. Selim gave a fantastic and engaging presentation on countering violent extremism and the United States’ role as a leader in global efforts in maintaining international peace and security. Secretary Johnson shared anecdotes about his time at DHS, from travelling to Occidental and the Claremont schools in California to when he met with the Pope (who insisted on driving in an unarmored mini Fiat, much to the chagrin of the U.S. secret service). Secretary Johnson also spoke at length about trends in immigration during the Obama administration, and the facts that undermine many of the claims and plans of the incoming administration regarding undocumented persons in the U.S.

The G18 then went to the Brookings Institute to meet with the President, Mr. Strobe Talbott, who spoke strictly off the record about his own opinions and forecasts of the new administration and his musings on the recent election. Mr. Talbott spoke to the ways in which Americans tend to view academia and facts, stating that his number one job is to protect the integrity of scholarship, which we think he did a wonderful job of in answering our many questions with thoughtful and candid responses. 

The last stop in the packed schedule was a meeting with Celeste Wallander, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia and Eurasia on the National Security Council. She discussed the nature of U.S.-Russia relations and the different paths they could take with a Trump presidency. She spoke to Russia’s own domestic and foreign policy as it relates to how the U.S. should treat the nation as an ally or enemy in the international arena, and answered the many, many questions the G18 posed to her.

After that, it was a quick photo of the big white house next door before the group headed back to the train station before the week of sweatpants, stuffing, and Snoopy shaped parade floats we all just had.

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In Conversation With: Ama Peiris

A senior at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Ama is double majoring in International Relations and French. As a student from Sri Lanka, her choice in major was inspired by her time working as a teacher and volunteer in post-war Sri Lanka, when she observed the devastating effects of war and conflict on communities, but also discovered the transformative power of education and learning.  At Occidental, she led Oxypreneurship, Occidental’s student organization for entrepreneurship and innovation, and is committed to creating and exploring opportunities that combine entrepreneurship and innovation with positive social change. 

How/when did you hear about Oxy at the UN?

I heard about the UN program before I applied to Oxy, while doing research on the school. Since then, I definitely knew I had to apply to both Oxy and the program.

Why did you want to do the program?

As a student from Sri Lanka—a country where the UN has a significant presence—and an avid Model UN participant throughout high school, I have always been extremely fascinated by the work of the UN. I wanted to do the program to be able to experience first hand the work that the UN does, and gain insight into the process of international negotiations. The fact that the program meant spending a semester in New York was definitely also not a complaint on my end!

What is your internship, how does it relate to your personal interests/academic history/future goals?

I currently intern at the UN Permanent Mission to the Republic of Rwanda. My academic interests lie in the field of post- conflict development and I’ve always been very interested in the history and culture of Rwanda. It has been an incredible experience gaining insight to the country from the perspective of the amazing Mission staff, the Ministers and other individuals that I have met. I will be writing my senior thesis on Rwanda, looking at its post-conflict education policy—I hope to be able to continue these studies, and visit the country very soon!

What are some typical things you might do in a day at the Rwandan Mission?

I follow the work of the UN Second Committee, which deals with economic and social issues. So on a regular day, I attend meetings at the UN where delegates discuss a diverse range of issues such as poverty eradication, information and communication technology, sustainable development, urban development etc. Furthermore, since Rwanda is an East African country, it is also a member of the African Group, and the Group of developing countries (the Group 77 and China).Therefore I attend the meetings of these different groups  and have the very interesting position of being able to observe how negotiations are made at several different levels within the United Nations system.

What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York?

Exploring New York has been such a phenomenal experience. This is my first time in the city, so it has been amazing visiting places I’ve heard so much about or seen on TV. Some of my favorite things so far have been visiting the Met, eating rainbow bagels, going to a Harry Potter Trivia Night, and exploring the hidden nooks of Central Park. I also got to see the Lion King Musical on Broadway a few weeks ago, which was honestly probably one of the most magical experiences of my life.

What is something that you hope to take away from this experience?

One thing that I truly appreciate about this experience is the ability to work for a Mission of a country that isn’t my own. Although I may have confused a lot of people when I sit behind the Rwanda country placard during UN Committee Meetings (because I clearly don’t look Rwandan), I believe that this has nevertheless been one of the most profound aspects of this experience. The opportunity to work and advocate for Rwanda has provided a sense of connectedness with this beautiful country and its people, in an extremely powerful way. It has allowed me to better experience a country I have previously encountered only in an academic sense, by understanding the issues that matter to it on a national level. Everyone at the Mission has been nothing but extremely warm and welcoming, and supported me greatly, allowing me to feel connected to the work that I do at the Mission. I have found this sense of global citizenship within the UN as well, where countries or groups of countries work together and support each other, regardless of nationality. If I take one thing away from this experience, it would be the reminder of this sense of global citizenship that I have experienced, both at the Mission and at the UN.

What were the main highlights for you during UNGA?

Apart from all the celebrities roaming around?! I think one of the coolest experiences during GA week was a meeting that I had the opportunity to help organize and attend, which was organized by our Mission. I was asked to help make the place cards for the people attending the event, and upon doing so realized that the guest list included the Presidents of 6 countries and renowned economist—and one of my personal idols— Professor Jeffrey Sachs, to name a few. The meeting was a conversation on the progress of African countries in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, with Professor Sachs providing his advice as an expert. I remember it being one of the most surreal experiences: a DWA major’s dream come true.

What do you do for fun when you’re not at work? Have you found a favorite restaurant or cafe, seen any shows, gone to classes or lecture…etc.

I think one of my favorite things to do outside of work is exploring all the cool events going on in the city. So far, I’ve been able to go to talks by incredible speakers, poetry readings, book readings, and will be going to an international eye-contact festival next week(?) I have also tried many, many different types of cuisines while I’ve been here and am determined to keep adding to the list till the very end!

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The past week has involved many exciting events for the G18! We started November with a lovely visit from Professor Anthony Chase, who is a part of Oxy’s DWA faculty and who also plays a strong role in the UN program as it exists on the LA campus. 

During Wednesday’s task force class, the two teams presented their findings and progress to Professor Chase and Director Gardner for feedback and collaboration with the other team. Task Force Alpha presented on their case studies of youth involved with peace building and political activism across the Arab world, while Task Force Bravo presented on their case studies in the Balkans and the Caribbean.  

On Wednesday evening, the program held a reception to invite all of the participant’s internship hosts, as well as several alums of the UN program now living and working in New York to gather for a relaxed evening at the Church Center, directly across from UN headquarters. Over drinks and a bounty of hors d’oeuvres, the guests were able to meet one another, in addition to the program’s leadership and Professor Chase. It was remarkable to note the amount of progression that has occurred since August, when the current students met for dinner with the alums and asked them nervously about what to expect on their first days at the UN, what UNGA was like, and before anyone had met their internship hosts. The students chatted casually with their bosses, introducing them to friends and teachers, and worked the room like the networking pros they’ve learned to be while spending now several weeks at the UN. 

Thursday’s class contained a guest lecture courtesy of Carne Ross, the founder and executive director of Independent Diplomat. After serving as a diplomat  for the United Kingdom and working extensively at various embassies across the world, he left to found Independent Diplomat after testifying against his government during an inquiry into their involvement in the Iraq war. Carne spoke extensively about his anarchic opinions towards government and how those effectively function for him as an active citizen within the current political landscape, as well as his candid experiences of working successfully for a large national government for many years before transitioning to his current post. 

In other news, the G18 have been actively enjoying the transition into Autumn, going to museums and live music shows, training for half marathons (or just watching runners in today’s NY Marathon!) and playing on rec leagues at the Y as seen below by roommates Mallory and Sammi. Task forces have been hard at work, fueled by an endless supply of Halloween candy and hummus, and all those able to vote in the election this Tuesday have filled out their absentee ballots like the stand-up citizens they are! We are all excitedly preparing for our trip to Washington DC in a couple weeks, and looking forward to Thanksgiving after that! Stay tuned for more adventures to come.

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In Conversation with Kit Wheeldon

Kit Wheeldon is a DWA major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who has spent his semester busily interning at the UK Mission, being a co-coordinator for one of our academic task forces, and taking full advantage of the amazing opportunities at the UN (Obama gets a shout out). Read more below!

What is your internship this semester? 

During my time in New York, I been working at the United Kingdom's Mission to the United Nations.

How does it relate to your personal interests/academic history/future goals? Did you have any previous interests that factored into your being placed in this internship?

 Having dual nationality as well as having spent many summers in the UK, the possibility of working for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office immediately stuck out to me. Though I grew up in America, my family always made an effort to keep up a connection to the UK so on a personal level, working for the British government was a opportunity I couldn't pass. That being said, the UK Mission also offered me a lot of opportunities to pursue many of my interests, the most important of which was to get experience in the inner workings in the foreign policy of a powerful and influential government. So far I've seen many examples of how broad policy is being implemented on the ground at the UN.

What has been something that has defied your expectations in the past few weeks?

Easily, hands down, watching President Obama's speech to the General Assembly during Ministerial Week. My love-affair with Barack Obama goes pretty deep and being able to watch live and in-person a major foreign policy speech is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He spoke about a lot of important new global issues that are not only important to the United States but for the entire world. Issues like globalization and the recurrence of nationalism in the world. Two years ago these issues weren't really a concern but today they are dominating the conversations. I had to wake up at 5am and I didn't even have a ticket until 30 minutes before but I'll remember that one for years.

What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York?

Of course, I have not explored New York nearly as much as I should have. Time tends to pass by really quickly here and you never do as much as you say you're going to do. Running through Central Park is easily one of my favorite parts about being here. I'm also a heights junkie and going up 40 or 50 stories always makes a day a little more memorable. The best, though, has definitely been the new World Trade Center and memorial during the 15th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Being there was a powerful experience that will be with me for years to come.

What are some projects you have worked on in your internship?

Many of my current duties revolve around the UK's third committee team, which focuses on human right's issues within the UN. Besides helping team members with various duties covering plenary meetings and negotiations with other member states, I am tasked with writing up briefs or notes on daily occurrences. The notes are meant to be clear and concise yet informative. It definitely has taken practice to be able to write them and it isn't hard to fall behind day to day. However, the notes are an excellent way of practicing my own writing skills and will definitely serve me well in the future.

What is something that you hope to take away from this experience?

Whenever I am asked a question like this I am always tempted to say, "improving my writing" and while that is true, there are other aspects of this job that I hope will also follow me into the future. Listening and note taking skills are definitely something I can see improving on a week to week basis. I think the most important personal growth though is my ability to network and connect with colleagues and potential connections. The UN is a very social place and it is impossible to be effective in your job without utilizing connections in other governments and missions.

What has being a coordinator for a task force been like? Can you describe the task for experience briefly?

Being a task force coordinator is actually a lot of work and pretty stressful. Pile that on top of a 40-hour (more like 50-hour) per week internship as well as being someone who is stressed out more and more the closer graduation gets, and the task force can be a little overwhelming at times. Luckily, I have an incredibly smart and competent partner [Helena Roy, whose interview you can read a few posts back] who has been fantastic in making sure the group is proactive and that we're on track to what we need to do. Communication has definitely been one of the most challenging aspects of the project. Not just between ourselves but towards our clients at UNDP. As our program coordinator has told us, sometimes the end product can be a moving target and its important to always know where that target currently is so that everyone is happy with the report.

What are some of your favorite things to do on the weekend?

Relax. Having very busy weeks, its easy to be complacent and stay in Manhattan. I'll oftentimes sit outside in a cafe and read or catch up on homework. However, I have done my best to find interesting bars and restaurants and spend time with the people on the program, from my office and people from home who I often don't see while in Los Angeles. Additionally being able to visit friends and family on the East Coast has been one of the best parts about being here. I've already been home twice and visited four different friends at two separate schools. Besides that I spend any free time in search for the best bagel in New York. The search is ongoing. 

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Check out our Instagram page!

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#SeeingStars

Each week, the group is lucky enough to have a guest speaker, with a unique role and perspective on the inner working of the United Nations, come and give a lecture or presentation to the class. This past week we had the distinct honor of welcoming the UN Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, to speak with us about what it is like to be the right-hand of the SG, having served under two very distinguished leaders. Dujarric spoke candidly with the students about his transition from a journalist asking questions (most notably for ABC News for close to ten years), to the one briefing reporters and answering the inquiries of those covering UN news.

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Nearly November!

Last weekend, the G18 zipped up their down vests and wrapped up their scarves for a day trip to the apple orchards and pumpkin patches of upstate New York. The Harvest Moon Festival in Salem had hot apple cider and cider donuts, hayrides through the golden foliage, an abundance of apples and pumpkins for picking (and photo ops), and more! A local bluegrass band played the soundtrack to a pretty idyllic afternoon.

I mean, how cute are they?! 

Those leaves! 

Hot n fresh apple cider donuts and hot cider! 

And finally, the kids were all tuckered out. Sweet dreams of pumpin pie.

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In Conversation With: Nettie Stein-Miller

As we continue to move into chiller temps and cozier attire, our next feature profile is on Nettie, a native New Yorker who knows the joys of East Coast foliage as well as she does the vibrant theater scene and all the best bagel spots in the city. Nettie is an avid yogini, DWA major, and an intern at UNHCR this semester, and can be found taking colorful pictures of her travels around the world @nettieantonia on Instagram. 

How did you first hear about Oxy at the UN?

I actually first heard about the Oxy at the UN program when I was in high school, at an accepted students event in NYC, which Doug Gardner (the director of the program) attended.  Even though I had not committed to Occidental yet, after hearing about the program from Doug I realized how unique an opportunity [this] is for Oxy students interested in international affairs.  It was definitely part of the reason I decided to attend Occidental.

Why did you want to do the program?

I've always been interested in international relations, but wanted to engage with the subject in a tangible way, and not exclusively through academic research.  Interning at the UN gives you a front-row seat to crucial negotiations and policy-making that goes on, which is an incredible learning opportunity for anyone interested in diplomacy.  I wanted to apply my skills and interests in a more active way, and see diplomacy in action, so I applied to the program.

Where are you interning this semester?

I'm interning at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

How does the position and your work there relate to your personal interests, academic history, or future goals? Did you have any previous interests that factored into your being placed in this internship?

My grandfather was a refugee, before UNHCR existed actually, so protecting and supporting the rights of refugees is an issue that is very close to me.  Considering the various humanitarian crises facing our world today, and the 21 million refugees, 3 million asylum seekers and over 40 million internally displaced persons, securing a humane and dignified future for refugees and internally displaced persons is crucial, and cannot wait.  

What are some things that as a native New Yorker, you may have new thoughts about or new experiences with as a participant of this program?

I'm happy to be back in my hometown for the semester!  Most of the G-18 was new to The City before the program started, so I've enjoyed going on trips with them around the city, playing tour guide, and doing fun activities that I wouldn't normally do.  They definitely know more cool places around the city than I do at this point! I think it's easy to get jaded as a native New Yorker, but everyone on the program has kept me exploring my home. I feel really thankful for that.

What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York, as far as 'extracurriculars'?

I've been doing a lot of culinary exploration! There are thousands of restaurants and food trucks in NYC so I'm trying to cross a few off my list while I'm here.  I'm also trying to see some shows; I  went to a John Oliver taping last week, which was a lot of fun.  I'm enjoying time with my family and friends, after being on the West Coast and abroad for the past three years.  There’s no place like home, as they say.

Was there a highlight to UNGA for you? Any cool UN experiences?

UNHCR, my office, was highly involved with UNGA this year due to the 19 September Summit's focus on refugees and migrants.  Given the context of global humanitarian and refugee crises, the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which includes a "Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework" is crucial to securing a safe and dignified future for all refugees and migrants.  The adoption of this document was a huge landmark for UNHCR, and for the whole of the UN.  The New York Declaration also focuses on mainstreaming a gender perspective into the refugee response framework, and as a Gender Studies minor that policy decision is very interesting and relevant.  The highlight of UNGA, for me, was a luncheon that I helped to organize, with several refugee guests and Emmylou Harris, a Grammy-award winning musician and social justice activist.  It was really wonderful to have the opportunity to meet and hear the perspectives of some of the people for whom UNHCR advocates.

What are some of your favorite things to do on the weekend?

The perfect weekend for me always starts with brunch somewhere yummy, taking a yoga class or walking in Riverside or Central Park, and going to museums and exhibits.  Oh and bagels.  Always bagels.

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In Conversation with Helena Roy

Now that the chaos of the GA has dissipated, and the inevitable seasonal illness that attacked every single program member has (nearly) worn off, it’s time to get to know some of our interns a little better, and see what they get up to on a daily basis! First up is Helena Roy, intern at UNICEF and graduate of Pembroke College at Cambridge:

How did you hear about Oxy at the UN?

Oxy at the UN is part of a post-graduate exchange at Pembroke called the Idle Scholarship. Every year, one student from Pembroke gets to participate after they graduate – doing an internship at the UN in New York and taking DWA classes with Occidental students. You can study any subject and still apply: the past two students read politics and Middle Eastern studies, and I read economics.

Why did you want to do the program?

The program allows you to move into a completely new environment post-graduation. I could intern in a field I had never worked in, study a new subject, live in a city and meet new people all at once. New York being so unique added an entirely different dimension: I live in the countryside in the UK and Cambridge is a very concentrated city, so the experience was likely to be outside my comfort zone.

I want to pursue graduate study, but Oxy@theUN gave me the chance to get closer proximity to policy issues. I love economics because it combines rigorous statistical analysis with a nuanced awareness of the social and political context. I think the field is at its most insightful when both these components are equally strong. Oxy@theUN allowed me to gain first-hand experience of the global social and political context.

 What is your internship, how does it relate to your personal interests/academic history/future goals? What are some projects you have worked on in your internship?

I’m working in the Policy Planning Unit (PPU) in the Division of Data, Research and Policy. The PPU is designed to complement UNICEF's strength in reacting to crises by anticipating and preventing them. Such policy-planning could mean, for example, prepositioning food aid in countries at the earliest warnings of famine, flagging education trends in countries trying to escape the middle-income trap or tracking unemployment patterns to predict where violent extremism could emerge.

Because its primary mandate is foresight, my work in the PPU spans a huge range of policy topics. I have worked on projects involving as remittances in Tajikistan, radicalization, the middle-income trap, food wastage and climate change. The forward-looking analysis fits well with econometrics – a lot of my work revolves around understanding relationships between different political or socioeconomic variables, and how this interplay will affect children’s lives in the future.

What has been something that has defied your expectations in the past few weeks?

The presidential election, but I think the same applies to most people here!

 What are a few cool things that you have done so far in New York?

A lot of my exploring has revolved around food; having dim sum on a Sunday morning with friends in Chinatown or working late over Viennese coffee and biscuits at the Hungarian Pastry Shop are two of the most relaxing things to do here.

My favorite place is the American Museum of Natural History. I went there on my first weekend and spent over six hours walking around it. Their marine life and space displays are out of this world – it’s so easy to get lost in there.

 What is something that you hope to take away from this experience?

 The experience teaches you so much about independence. You’re suddenly in a crazy city in a new country without contacts, which can be exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. If you’re confident enough to enjoy your own company, exploring New York and trying to turn it into a home can teach you a lot about yourself.

Was there a highlight to UNGA for you?

The variety of events during UNGA was really stimulating, and the diversity of people, professions and causes was tangible. The most moving event I attended happened a week after. It was a screening of The White Helmets hosted by the UK Mission. Samantha Powers spoke beforehand, and during the documentary many people were in tears. It was visceral, emotional, and a bit of a shock to watch it sitting in a UN conference hall, where so little action is being taken.

You can follow Helena’s adventures through NYC food culture and gorgeous cityscapes @helena_roy on Instagram.

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The Leaves, They Are A Changin’

After over a month as UN employees/NYC residents/Oxy seniors, we have gotten comfortable in our routines of smashing ourselves into the middle of the subway crowd during our morning commutes, rubbing elbows with high powered diplomats as we take notes on GA discussions, stressing out about due dates and comps, and eating aaaall of the bagels (below, intern Helena Roy evaluating another bagel situation. Follow her bagel journey around NYC @helena_roy).

Last week, the group celebrated and learned about the Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah. They ate round challahs, apples, honey, and other sweet treats to symbolize the circular nature of the lunar calendar and the life cycle, and to usher in a sweet new year.

Although the swarm of Hollywood celebrities has left the UN after the GA, we haven’t stopped playing personal paparazzo to our fellow interns. Below, interns Kit Wheeldon and Kara Alam represent the UK Mission, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Not only are we keeping busy with the constant demands of our internships, but we are also taking four fabulous DWA courses this semester, which we will be highlighting more over the next few weeks.

One of these courses is the Task Force, which allows students to do research and work for a real life “client” in the UN system on a particular human development issue. This fall, there are two Task Forces working for the same client at UNDP, Ms. Noelle Richards, on the theme of youth participation in sustaining and promoting international peace and security in areas of armed conflic . Each nine member Task Force has been actively engaged with the client to understand the important details of the particular client’s needs, and each task force has a different agenda based on geographical specifications of their case studies.  The culmination of the semester will be when each task force completes a professional report for the client, along with a supporting digital media component that will elevate the understanding of the given recommendations and case studies to a higher level. Below, both task forces meet jointly with the client group.

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The #UN is going #viral!

It’s hard to believe that only a few short weeks ago we were sitting in the stands at the Mets game, having no idea what to expect on our first days in the UN. Now, we are seasoned experts flashing our badges as we pass through the security checkpoints, we know which food carts have the best pad thai or panang curry for lunch, and have taken our paparazzi shots of Ban Ki-Moon giving speeches under the glistening UN insignia within the GA.

Oh hey, Stevie Wonder!

This past week was the UNGA, where world leaders, politicians, activists, and celebrities convene at UN headquarters for one week to speak passionately about the issues that face us all today. During that time, interns attend high level meetings and listen in on these famous (or infamous) figures hash out the role of the United Nations in aiding solutions to the world’s problems, such as climate change, gender inequality, violent extremism, and more. This year, the Sustainable Development Goals, or the SDGs, were highlighted throughout the week as a central component of all of the UN’s efforts. Find out more about the 17 SDGs here!

Interns Soumya and Julia grab a selfie with the #UNGA sign. The UN is going viral y’all!

One aspect of the UNGA this year was all about “young people” and “youth.” These were major buzzwords thrown about in several speeches, perhaps you caught them spoken about by Ban Ki Moon, Justin Trudeau, Helen Clark, or Emma Watson? As so-called “youth,” us interns have the unique opportunity to be leaders and representatives of our ENTIRE generation, but no pressure, right? We’ve been taking that pretty seriously, as shown in photos below, by speaking our minds and contributing to real changes happening on a daily basis at an institution with global influence.

Although UNGA is the busiest and craziest week of the entire year at the UN, the interns, who have become experts in the field of time management, were able to still take some of the ridiculously strenuous workout classes and see guest lecturers at the 92Y residence (Anthony Boudain, anyone?), eat some Instagram-worthy rainbow bagels, and celebrate the birthdays of two of our awesome friends (Happy birthday Soumya and Ashley!!!). We are having our cake and eating it too #blessed

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P.S. Don’t miss any of the action and go follow us on Instagram, where we will feature photos from the internships, classes, life in New York, and cute #tbt photos of your future diplomats! 

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Week One

This past week marked the true beginning of the semester for the G18. Internships commenced, security badges were acquired, and the academic classes formally begun. Internships this semester range from the Costa Rican Mission to the SDG Action Campaign at the UNDP, from the Rwandan Mission to UNICEF, from the UK Mission to UNHCR, just to name a few. Below are Soumya, Kara, and Kit, who will be at the UK Mission this semester.

The group fits in classes over their “lunch hour,” when they all commute to the Church Center for a seminar or guest lecture, this week given by Jimena Leiva-Roesch. She engaged the group in a discussion about the qualities necessary for a diplomat to have in order to be successful, and gave useful tips and tricks for navigating the UN with grace and ease. 

Above, Judy, intern at the Rwandan Mission, proudly poses with the Korean flag and Rwandan flag.

Outside of the internships and classes, students have been taking full advantage of the many fitness classes offered at the 92Y, exploring the New York nightlife, spending hours at all of the museums such as the nearby MET, Frick, and Cooper Hewitt, and venturing out to find good food in various neighborhoods. 

To cap off the week, the group had a brunch of classic New York bagels in Central Park.

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Hello G18!

Thursday marked the first day of the UN Program in 2016. Students unpacked and settled into their rooms at the 92Y on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, exploring the neighborhood, going for runs in Central Park two blocks over, grabbing gelato with friends and touring the multitude of world-class museums in the area. Thursday evening the students met with their professors, Doug Gardner and Jacques Fomerand for an informal dinner reception to gather everyone and commence the semester’s academic and social components.

Friday morning the group (being referred to as the G18) crossed the hurdle of purchasing metro passes and hopping on the express train to Midtown to tour the United Nations headquarters. There, they got to see the General Assembly, Security Council, and get an overview of how the UN functions in New York. They were also able to map out their individual internship locations in the surrounding neighborhood, and scope out their future lunch destinations and where they will surely be taking daily stops for coffee in the mornings.

Friday afternoon students were free to roam the city. Some ventured into Brooklyn and sought out vintage clothing boutiques and trendy vegan cafes, while others opted for China town for authentic bowls of noodles. Friday ended with another dinner reception with Doug and Jacques, along with a group of alumni of the UN program who are now living as professionals in New York. They shared words of encouragement to the new group, along with stories from their own time in the program and how they got to the jobs they are currently in after they graduated from Oxy at various times in the past decade. From directors of national training programs for a boutique hospitality group to others working at non-profits, NGOs, and more, the group of alumni proved that the program not only offered a once in a lifetime experience for them at the time, but a lasting and meaningful addition to their professional lives by directing them towards whatever path they chose in their post-grad lives. Saturday was a free day for the students to get acquainted with the city. Some went to Williamsburg for the flea market and famous Smorgasbord food trucks, some went to Chinatown to shop for room decor, some went to the Lower East Side to spend the day in the Russian & Turkish bath houses and eat at the famous New York delis.  

Sunday the group ventured out to Queens for the Mets vs. Phillies game, where they got the true experience of eating ice-cream out of a plastic baseball hat, having a hotdog while watching yet another foul ball, and being ruthlessly heckled by locals for taking one too many photos. Today, Monday, is the first day for most students in their internships, and we will take all the good luck you may want to wish us!