Chiara Monti
Research Assistant
“I received my M.A. in Economics from the University of Bologna, with a thesis on Cooperation and ethnic diversity in Italy: an experiment on the norms of the native and foreign-born populations, and I am currently an M.A. Candidate at SAIS Johns Hopkins University. Here I chose the European Studies concentration, given that it represents also the main focus of my political activity. Indeed, I am also enrolled in a political school for young activists. Interested in socio-economic issues, I would like to work as a policy-maker for an international organization. In the past years I have been an exchange student at the Maastricht University and the University of California Santa Cruz. My natural curiosity for different cultures and my linguistic ambitions ignited my desire for international experiences. Travelling and living with people from different cultures has had a tremendous formative impact on me, and taught me to be open-minded and respectful.
I speak Italian, English, French, Spanish, and I just started a German class at SAIS. It is my second year as intern at the CCSDD: what can I say, I love the atmosphere in the office.”
Antonio Skarica
Sarajevo Study Trip Coordinator
“I was born and raised in Prozor, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I attended United World College in New Mexico and received my BA in International Political Economy and African Studies from Colorado College. I studied abroad in Botswana, Greece and the Czech Republic. In 2009 I received a $10,000 grant from Davis Projects for Peace that was used to start a music camp in my home town. The project aimed to foster cooperation and dialogue between students from both Bosniak and Croat communities. At SAIS, I’m studying international finance and energy, resources and environment (ERE).”
Sylvia Staneva
European Union and Legal Reform Summer School in Montenegro Coordinator
“Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, I received my B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Bates College in Maine, USA, where I spent a year abroad at Sciences Po in Paris. For my Political Science thesis, I examined the question of European Union foreign policy as an instrument of inner-identity construction and unified actor-ness production. My Economics thesis analyzed the Maastricht Convergence Criteria and the Stability Growth Pact in light of the Optimal Currency Theory, thus shedding light on the inconsistency and out datedness of those currency mechanisms for the euro zone. My previous professional experience involves internshipsat the International Network of the Public Affairs Council in Washington, DC, a non-profit public affairs association, as well as the Bulgarian Embassy in France, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Information Center of the European Commission in Bulgaria as well as a Research Assistant position with the Bates College Politics Department.
As a graduate student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, I am concentrating in European Studies and transatlantic issues, in the pursuit of a career in aid of further developing the complex intersection of EU-U.S. political communication and their common efforts in foreign policy and humanitarian aid abroad. Apart from my native Bulgarian, I am also fluent in French and German and am now in the process of learning Italian.”
Matteo Garnero
University of Bologna Intern – Library Manager (Second Semester)
“Born in Susa, near Turin, Italy, I am now attending the last year of my BA degree in International Studies at the University of Bologna. I am mostly interested in International Politics, in particular those of Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I’ve been learning German since February and I’d like to move to Germany in the future. Apart from studying, I spend a lot of time reading and I love to travel every time I get a chance.”
Carolina Vargas
University of Bologna Intern – Library Manager (First Semester)
“Born in Colombia, I’ve been living in Italy for the past 2 years. Originally I intended to do a one year photography course, but at the end decided to study here and I am now finishing my BA degree in Sociology at the University of Bologna; I’m planning on getting my master at Bologna as well, before hopefully moving to New York. I would like to live in many places as possible before going back and start working for my country.”
Giacomo Tagiuri
Research Assistant (Washington-based)
“I was born and raised in Ravenna, Italy. After having studied at Liceo Classico in my hometown, I began studying Law at the University of Bologna. In 2008, I spent a semester abroad at the University of Copenhagen. I graduated with honors from the University of Bologna after spending several months in London conducting research for my dissertation thesis, “Museum Administration in Italy and the United Kingdom.” During this time, I developed a keen interest in cultural policy and cultural heritage laws. I interned at the Italian Consulate General in New York City, and I am currently a student of European Studies at SAIS.”
Helga Kalm
Student Photographer
“Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, I am a SAIS students concentrating on Conflict Management. Before coming to Bologna, I interned in the European Parliament in Brussels, focusing primarily on Foreign Affairs and Security and Defense. During my undergraduate studies, I spent a year as an exchange student in France and participated in summer schools in Prague and in Beijing. In addition to my mother tongue Estonian, I speak English, French, Russian and German. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, reading, and visiting modern art galleries.”
Nimisha Jaiswal
Communications Manager
“Before coming to the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Bologna Center for my Masters in International Relations, I was working at the New Delhi office of the Indian Express, an English national daily in India. I pursued my BA in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and also received my post-graduate diploma in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding there. I hope to continue pursuing journalism in the future, specifically in the context of diplomacy and international relations analysis.”
Evan Fowler
Communications Manager
“I am a first-year student at the School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University, where I am pursuing a two-year M.A. in International Relations. I am concentrating in Middle East Studies, with an emphasis on the Broader Middle East. Currently, I am interning as the Communications Manager for the CCSDD where I mostly manage the blog. One of my projects over the year is going to be working with Nimisha to edit the Center’s website and utilize more social media tools. I hope that I will be able to transition from SAIS into a career with the American government. Outside of school, I enjoy playing rugby, traveling and watching movies.”
CCSDD Blog 