Travel Grants

Zach Sherman (BA IR ’24) traveled to Chile to study the post-World War II coexistence of Jewish refugees and former Nazi officers in South America. “My research was significantly impacted by my travels as it allowed me to contextualize my work and gain more insight into post-war South American Judaism. During my trip, I actually discovered the location of Walter Rauff’s grave in the National Cemetery of Chile, learning how the Chilean government buried many former Nazis and then removed them from the records. What was most interesting is that the Jewish community in Santiago did not even know about this cemetery and the burials of Nazi officers there. It showed me how the Chilean government quietly protected these war criminals while publicly supporting the Jewish refugees. This trip allowed me to contextualize all of my research about Jewish South America and it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life.”

Trev Turnbow (BA IR ’24) traveled to Australia to research the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement and Australia’s political dynamics. “The opportunity to undertake this research project supported by the Keylor Grant has been a deeply enriching opportunity for both my research and personal development. Through interviews with think tank experts, academics, state-level political figures, and even the Australian Ambassador to the US, I gained crucial insights into how AUKUS largely happened in the upper-echelon political realm. My visit to the Australian Maritime Museum, including touring the HMAS Onslow submarine, provided valuable perspective on Australia’s naval history and the deep US-Australian relationship. The research revealed fascinating intersections between Australia’s colonial history, its modern politics, and nuclear policy, particularly regarding Aboriginal perspectives on nuclear testing and waste management. I feel very blessed to have had this experience and definitely could see myself leveraging this specialized knowledge into an element of my job-search post grad.”

Malika Kounkourou (BA IR ’22) explores environmental peacebuilding and uranium mining in Niger.

Raina Kadavil – Keylor Travel Grant Recipient (Pardee ’19)

From: White Plains, New York

Major: International Relations

Regional Track: Middle East and North Africa

Functional Track: Foreign Policy and Security Studies

Extracurriculars: International Affairs Association (eboard), IR Review (Editor in Chief), React News (founder), Students for the UN (SUN; founder), BU Chankar dance team

Raina is an excellent example of what it means to be a global leader. Through her fearless determination and hard work, Raina has accomplished major feats throughout her time at the BU campus and beyond. Most notably, she has spent a lot of time working at the United Nations in various spaces. As a proud Indian-American and global citizen, Raina found her voice through activism, entrepreneurship, writing, traveling, and even dance. She truly encapsulates the mission of Pardee to advance human progress.

Her BU journey was rich with opportunities from working as a paralegal, interning at Parliament in London, to doing marketing work at Kaplan Inc. Her professional experience mixed with her educational endeavors in the classroom was diverse, but she struggled to find her specific niche and interest within the broad International Relations sphere. It was not until Raina seized the opportunity to travel to Istanbul, Turkey with the Keylor Travel Grant that her prior experiences mixed with her passions, came full circle.

Raina conducted research with Professor Noora Lori and with the nonprofit organization called Urban Refuge. This app interface uses modern technology paired with the Open Street Maps platform to provide aid resources to refugees. This platform not only provides services for health and education needs but also breaks the barriers of language and geography to connect people in times of crisis. During her time visiting Istanbul, she truly fell in love with the city and its people. Reina notes that the city is a beautiful mix of cultures, architecture, and people. She got the chance to talk to young refugees from Syria and hear their stories. She heard the impactful stories of loss and struggle, mixed with educational and language barrier triumphs. She received insights and feedback from refugees on the ground to then apply to the app. Shortly after this trip, Reina was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Urban Refuge. With Reina spearheading this app and its organization, she has appointed a team of young women who continue to grow this app to areas across the world such as San Jose, Beirut, and even various parts of Latin America.

Raina currently works at Mastercard, a notable philanthropic company, as a Global Product Marketing Specialist. Reina continues her efforts with Urban Refuge and is working on writing a new book aiming at inspiring people to make a difference in the world, influenced by her experience being a Coca-Cola Scholar, an extremely high educational honor. She is very grateful to Pardee and the opportunities that it gave her. To find out more about Reina’s incredible story, refer to her website.

Hafzat Akanni – Keylor Travel Grant Recipient

From: Nigeria

Major: International Relations

Minor: African American Studies

Regional Track: Middle East and North Africa

Functional Track: International Systems and World Order

Extracurriculars: Student Body President: Undergraduate Student Government, Hall Council, African American Studies Center, William Keylor Travel Grant Recipient

Hafzat is a true example of a global citizen. Having been born in Nigeria, moving and living in various places around the world such as Dublin, Ireland, before moving to the states, Hafzat understands the benefits of being well-traveled. As a Keylor Travel Grant recipient, Hafzat took advantage of this accolade to travel to South Africa to deepen her knowledge about Apartheid and its cross-over with Jim Crow, that existed in the United States. She found her cross-cultural analysis to be heightened by immersing herself in this diverse country.

Hafzat is passionate about understanding the experience of marginalized people. Specifically, in South Africa, she studied how Jim Crow-inspired and influenced Apartheid, otherwise known as the institutionalized segregation of white people and black people. The effects of this oppressive law are still felt today. Hafzat expressed her surprise and shock at the fact that black people were and are still currently discriminated against in a country where they are the majority racial group. She gained a solid cultural and historical understanding of this complex region, while also learning more about her own identity and how her passions and values can be used to make a difference. Hafzat continued her travel spree to places like France, Israel, and Germany where she studied the Holocaust and visited the Holocaust museum, drawing parallels between the Equal Justice Initiate exhibits in Montgomery Alabama.

Hafzat uses her travel experience to inform her passions and goals. As the current Student Body President, Hafzat is a leader committed to making BU a better place. She is a student about and for the students of BU. But more importantly, she strives to make the world a better place through humanitarianism, diplomacy, and policy making. Hafzat mentions that she is fulfilled by fulfilling others. “My spark can ignite the fires in others”, Hafzat quotes referring to her future endeavors. Hafzat hopes to be an Ambassador one day where she can continue her humanitarian work and ignite those fires of passion and action on a larger scale.

Clare Budin (MAIA ’24) who traveled to Guatemala reflected, “I am incredibly grateful to the Gilman family and the Pardee School for Global Studies for the opportunity to travel abroad and gather the perspectives of grassroots activists working tirelessly to provide essential resources to their communities and push for equitable policies for Guatemala’s most underserved groups. My MA thesis, “Advising the United States Government on Cooperation for Water Health and Equity in Rural Guatemala,” presents policy options from a U.S. government perspective to solve the longstanding issue of inequities in resource provision and environmental protection across race and geography in Guatemala. Unlike almost every other country in Central and South America, Guatemala has no formal national legislation in place creating a system for the treatment and allocation of drinkable water for its citizens. My trip to the western highlands of Guatemala will allow me to survey indigenous water organizations on what they have achieved to provide potable water to local municipalities and what is needed from what sources to maximize these results across all Guatemalan states and municipalities. With my policy proposal, I hope to bring renewed attention and viable policy solutions to issues surrounding indigenous representation, water rights, environmental stewardship and international cooperation strategies that will only grow more urgent in international affairs of the 21^st century.”

Mahitha Owk (MAIA ’24) traveled to Bangladesh to research educational initiatives for Rohingya children in refugee camps. “My research in the heart of the refugee camps transformed my understanding of the challenges faced by this community. Through interactions with refugees, NGO leaders, and IGO representatives, I gained invaluable perspectives on how education intersects with crucial issues like women’s safety and resource access. These firsthand experiences shed light on realities often overlooked in textbooks, helping shape critical decisions about curriculum and educational initiatives. Every conversation deepened my understanding of the complex dynamics at play, strengthening my commitment to advocate for the Rohingya community and ensure their voices are heard amid global crises.”

Muhammed Fehmi Çetinkaya (MAIA ’24) traveled to the Caribbean to research Israel’s digital diplomacy initiatives. “My thesis explores Israel’s public diplomacy in Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago through social media and AI – a pioneering endeavor as there is not a single academic article exploring Israel’s presence in the Caribbean. While there are numerous compelling topics within Israel’s diplomacy, I chose to explore this understudied region to forge a new path in international relations. This research represents a bold departure from convention, and I am grateful to the Gilman family for supporting this unprecedented study of Israel’s digital diplomatic efforts in the Caribbean. Through this work at the Pardee School, I aim to illuminate these lesser-explored facets of international relations and contribute to our understanding of modern diplomatic strategies.”

Rachel Hull (MAIA ’24) traveled to South Korea to research artificial intelligence development and international competition. “AI represents a technological paradigmatic shift that will change not only our lives but also potentially the globe. I think too often international relations centers around those perceived as the most powerful, but it ignores the agency we all have in shaping the direction of our future. South Korea represents a prime example of a secondary state that is attempting to shift from a ‘fast follower’ to a ‘forward thinker’ in AI development. By examining perspectives beyond the US-China dichotomy, my research aims to show how other nations can carve out space in these debates and utilize technology for their citizens and communities. While the US and China have overwhelming power within global policy, that doesn’t mean everyone else has no power.”

Georgia Nichols (MAIA ‘ 23) traveled to Vanuatu to flush out her final MA policy proposal, which offers strategies that the U.S. can pursue to support South Pacific climate goals and in turn strengthen U.S.-South Pacific relations using Vanuatu as a case study.

Maggie Toombs (BA/MAIA ’23) traveled to Belgrade in December 2022 to conduct additional research and interviews that would bolster her final master’s policy paper. Written from the perspective of the Serbian Ministry of European Integration to the Office of the President of Serbia, her paper will advise on the best course of policy action concerning European Union integration given the current political climate of Europe, especially considering the war in Ukraine.

Aseem Kulkarni (International Relations & Master of Business Administration ‘20) traveled to Dublin, Brussels, and Berlin to study Irish and German technology policy differences and their effect on the European Union.

Kira Levin (MAIA ’20, Diplomacy Specialization) traveled to Tanzania to conduct research on malaria and the impact of local, national, and international organizations that try to eliminate the disease. “While I have had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania prior to this grant, this trip was different. It allowed me to challenge myself academically, explore new aspects of Tanzania, and improve my health-oriented Kiswahili knowledge. I truly appreciated this chance to take my research from theory to practice and I strongly believe that the quality of my research substantially benefited from this incredible opportunity.”

Lara Tennyson (MAIA ’20, Diplomacy Specialization) traveled to New York City and Vienna, Austria to conduct research on why states are not including efforts to combat sexual violence utilized by terrorist groups in their counter-terrorism measures. “The opportunity to conduct research in a foreign country with topic experts was an unparalleled experience that resulted in learning critical information needed for my MA paper. I had the chance to speak to professionals, some of whom helped write a number of UN resolutions on sexual violence in conflict and human trafficking in conflict.”

Maria Caceres (MAIA ’20, Diplomacy Specialization) traveled to Bogotá to research Venezuela’s impact on the internal politics of Colombia and Brazil. “Taking on a contemporary topic can sometimes feel like shooting at a moving target and at times not even being fully aware of where that target may even be. Therefore, my research was positively impacted by my travels within Bogotá because I was able to conduct research both big and small in scale. From formal interviews, to private and public library visits, to even holding an interesting conversation with a local taxi driver – exposure to all information can guide academic research in unimagined ways.”

Mary Rezk (MAIA ‘20, Diplomacy Specialization) traveled to Jaunpur, India to analyze provider-patient interactions and the effect on risk perception and health behavior. “The main aim of the research study that I led was to gain a better understanding of providers’ perceptions of quality of care and of barriers to providing health care services at the organizational and societal levels in Uttar Pradesh, India. This was accomplished through conducting in-depth interviews with 7 providers from public and private health facilities in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. In addition, interviews were conducted with 11 randomly-selected women who were part of the original Jaunpur Social Networks Study directed by Professor Mahesh Karra, in order to provide a more complete picture of access to, and utilization of, health care, specifically family planning care.”

Avery Hall (MAIA ’19, Diplomacy Specialization) built on the fieldwork he completed with his faculty research advisor Julie Klinger, Assistant Professor of International Relations, in the Brazilian Amazon during the summer of 2018. He planned to “reestablish our understanding of how indigenous groups vie for legal representation, from the regional level to the international.” Avery traveled to Brazil to build on the relationships he made while working with Klinger.

Joseph Stuckey (MAIA ’19, Diplomacy Specialization), also working with Klinger, traveled to London to conduct archival research in the National Archives and Maritime Museum where he sought access to records related to the East India Company’s development.

Hoory Minoyan (MAIA ’19, Diplomacy Specialization), working with Professor of International Relations and History Houchang E. Chehabi, conducted primary research in Armenia for a post-conflict diaspora community that has emigrated back to its country of origin and how that affects the sense of Armenian identity. She interviewed Syrian-Armenians in Armenia to discuss their “firsthand experience in the local integration process and the impact it has had on their shift of identity from diaspora-Armenian to local Armenian.”

Roseanna Garcia (MAIA ’19, Religion &  International Affairs Specialization) examined the human rights issues that are addressed in NAFTA and the new USMCA and recommend policy changes to improve human rights practices in the U.S.-owned factories on the Mexican side of the border. She is particularly interested in the role that NGOs that self-identify as Christian play in promoting rights in the maquiladoras.  Her research involved two visits to San Diego and Tijuana: the first to gather information and data through interviews and the second to consult with Mexican workers and others to gain their reactions to her policy proposals. She worked with Associate Professor of History and Research Associate for the BU Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) Jeffrey Rubin.

An Le (MAIA ’19, Security Studies Specialization) attempted to answer the question of why rising powers become belligerent. Working with Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for the Study of Asia (BUCSA) Thomas Berger, he explored why conventional literature speaks to conflicts occurring between rising powers and status quo powers, but little has been written on when, how, and why rising powers choose to display belligerence. He traveled to Washington D.C. for meetings with think tanks and to conduct archival research.

Justin O’Shea (MA in International Relations and Religion): “The Pardee Travel Grant allowed me to travel to Washington, D.C. to interview several academic scholars in the terrorism field. My research focuses on the emergence of ISIS and Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (JFS), formerly Jabhat Al-Nusra and affiliate of Al-Qaeda. I will be meeting with several scholars to discuss the context of Salafism and Jihadism in Syria and how it affected the rise of the two groups. I also plan to meet with a seasoned terrorism expert who can provide valuable insight into the future of ISIS and JFS. These interviews will provide me with important insight that will greatly contribute to the outcome of my paper.”

Paige Pascarelli (MA in International Relations and Religion): “I will be using my travel grant to assist with my MA research paper, which looks at the push and pull factors underlying terrorism and terrorist group allegiance by looking at the Moroccan and Turkish populations in Belgium, and explores some possibilities for why Moroccans have been over-represented among Islamic State foreign fighters and networks. It will look at the question of security from a more psycho-social lens, analyzes broader societal issues like stigmatization, as well as relative strengths/weaknesses of intra-group relationships. It will also take into account the overlap between criminal networks and terror. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to use this travel grant to travel to Amsterdam and Brussels to conduct interviews with notable local experts and researchers who work on these issues.”

Michael DiMuccio Jr. (MA in International Relations and Environmental Policy): “Thanks to the Pardee School Travel Grant, I will have the opportunity to travel and research ways to effectively get water to those that need it most in parts of the world where the effects of climate change are no longer remote.  For decades, the much-discussed threats of changing climates have been seen as a problem for future generations. However, as years pass and little action is taken on a global scale, these distant concerns are becoming a reality. I am honored to have received this grant so that I can begin to address our climate problem and affect real change on the ground.”

Tara Moore (MA in International Relations and Environmental Policy): “I will travel to Madagascar to research conservation policy and local involvement in conservation actions. While there, I will travel from the capital Antananarivo to two national parks on the east and west coasts, conducting research in both urban and rainforest environments. This travel grant allows me to be able to conduct qualitative studies of members of the government as well as survey local community members to gather thoughts on the current political situation and conservation actions. With this research, I will provide a set of conservation policy recommendations for Madagascar that reflect the biodiversity needs and priorities of the locals.  I’m so grateful to receive this award that enables me to pursue my passion for conservation in one of the most biodiverse parts of Africa and the world.”

Jack Davidson (MA in International Relations): “My thesis is focused on the relationship between Turkish energy policy and Turkish security policy, specifically how dependence on energy imports alters Turkish foreign policy. Turkish foreign policy has undergone significant changes over the last decade and a half, and though this is the result of many factors, the role of energy is key. I plan to travel to Turkey to interview some of the officials from the relevant ministries who have made this policy, in order to determine more clearly what factors have been driving this shift in energy policy and how it has related to Turkish security policy. I intend to arrange interviews with institutions such as the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Turkish Interior Ministry.”

Jennifer Kelley (MA in International Relations): “Rwanda has the highest proportion of women in any parliament in the world. My Master’s thesis asks the question, “Why does the amount of women, in Rwanda’s Parliament, exceed the gender quota?” I have four different hypotheses as to why this has occurred. First, due to the increase in women’s rights institutions. Second, it is internally generated. Third, it is externally generated, and fourth, due to the gender demographics of the country changing dramatically, as a result of the 1994 genocide. I am appreciative of the Pardee School travel grant and the opportunity to travel to Rwanda this summer. The purpose of my visit is to observe and inquire about the traits Rwandan voters see in a leader and traits they see in a woman. In doing this, I want to see if there is a relationship between the two in order to help me answer my thesis question.”

Your budget should be carefully researched and should reflect the most economical travel costs possible. No personal travel may be added to the itinerary. Be aware that you may be awarded a grant amount that does not cover the entirety of your proposed budget. Please also note that students are currently expected to pay upfront for all travel grant-related expenses. Expenses will be reimbursed to the student in accordance with guidelines that will be distributed to grant recipients. The Pardee School is also committed to ensuring that travel is accessible to students from all socio-economic backgrounds. If you are concerned about paying upfront for travel-related expenses, please email psgugrad@bu.edu.

Students are reminded that any research that involves direct contact with living persons may require approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). IRB approval is a requirement for the use of university resources for research when dealing with human subjects, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

All students applying for travel grants are required to contact the IRB as soon as possible to share their research proposal with them. Proof of communication with the IRB is a mandatory component of the application. See travel grant application to view acceptable forms of proof.

Grant recipients should be aware of the following:

Accepting the Offer: Grant offer letters will be emailed to students. Upon receiving a grant offer letter, students have one week to accept the grant. If the grant is not accepted, the offer will be rescinded and funds may be offered to another student.

Terms of the Grant: The grant may only be used for the project and the purposes that were specified in the grant proposal. Any significant change in the project, purpose, expense categories, or time frame must have prior approval from the Pardee School’s Associate Dean for Studies.

Timing of Travel: All travel for this grant cycle is expected to be completed by June 1^st. Expenses incurred beyond that date may not be reimbursed. Potential extensions to the end of the summer may be requested from the Pardee School’s Associate Dean for Studies. 

Research: Students are reminded that any research that involves direct contact with living persons may require approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). IRB approval is a requirement for the use of university resources for research when dealing with human subjects, particularly those in vulnerable situations. All students applying for travel grants are required to contact the IRB as soon as possible to share their research proposal with them. Proof of communication with the IRB is a mandatory component of the application. See travel grant application to view acceptable forms of proof.

Travel Registry: In accordance with the BU International Travel Risk Policy, undergraduate and graduate students are required to register their travel before undertaking any University-sponsored international travel. Use this link to register before your trip.

Reimbursements:

• All travel for this grant cycle is expected to be completed by June 1^st. Expenses incurred beyond that date may not be reimbursed. Potential extensions to the end of the summer may be provided by the Associate Dean for Studies.
• Funds will be disbursed to successful applicants as reimbursement for documented expenses. All expenses must be documented with itemized receipts. Reimbursement will not be provided if the student cannot produce an itemized receipt.
• All receipts must be submitted at the same time and should be submitted within 2 weeks of the completion of travel.
• In cases in which the original expense was not in U.S. Dollars, reimbursement will be made in U.S. Dollars at a rate determined by Boston University. Reimbursement will not be provided for currency exchange receipts – all receipts must document actual expenses.
• All travel shall be booked at the cheapest direct economy rates. No personal travel should be added to the itinerary. All university travel and reimbursement restrictions will apply.
• In order to reimburse for a flight, we need both the receipt and the boarding pass.
• Expenses can only be reimbursed for the Pardee School student receiving the grant. For example, the grant cannot be used to cover meals for anyone other than the grantee.
• The purchase of alcohol will not be reimbursed.
• When requested by a student, Pardee School Student Services may assist grantees by directly purchasing airline tickets. Please contact Katie Steele, Director of Student Affairs and Services, if you desire to use this option and leave ample time for this to be processed at the most reasonable price.

Post-Travel Responsibilities: Grantees are required to submit a two-page written reflection on the use of their grant funds and how the travel aided with their research. Written reflections should be accompanied by four-five photos from the student’s travels. The reflection and photos should be submitted to Student Services Undergraduate Office or Graduate Office within two weeks of the completion of travel. Grant recipients must also provide the Pardee School with a copy of the completed research project. The completed project should be submitted to Student Services Undergraduate Office or Graduate Office on the project due date.

Acknowledgments: Grantees are encouraged to cite their Pardee School William R. Keylor Travel Grant or Lynda Gilman Travel Grant on the acknowledgments page of their completed academic work, paper, or any other resulting publications, in keeping with best scholarly practices.

Communications: The Pardee School will appreciate it if you share details of your experience in your travels and research with the School’s communication team and share photographs and details that can be used on the School’s website, social media, and other promotional venues.