Pardee School Welcomes New MA Students
The Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University is proud to welcome its newest MA candidates, who gathered for their academic orientation on August 31.
These new students join the ranks of the Pardee School graduate program from diverse and exciting backgrounds and walks of life.
The new students were welcomed by a panel discussion with Pardee School Dean Adil Najam, Director of Graduate Studies Robert Loftis, and Michael Williams, graduate student advisor. They also participated in a meet-and-greet session with current Pardee School students, and even enjoyed a scavenger hunt.
“I encourage you to make the best of your limited time at the Pardee School. Attending university should be like drinking from a fire hose. You can’t possibly get it all,” Najam said, “but absorb as much as you can.”
Loftis discussed the special components of a Pardee School education, including thesis defense.
“We don’t want you to spend your time here sitting in what we used to refer to as ‘cylinders of excellence.’ Go outside your comfort zone,” Loftis said. “Everything you learn and do here will be applicable in some way to your future, including your thesis defense. If you can defend your conclusions here, it will stand you in good stead in the world of policy development.”
Students praised the orientation experience.
“I’m really excited about how passionate the professors are,” said Erika Beidelman, a MA candidate in Global Development Policy from Pennsylvania. “I can’t wait to get started on my research into the education issues that effect global development.”