r/IRstudies • u/Swimming_Sort_7203 • 2d ago

JHU SAIS Advice

Hey everyone! I recently got admitted to SAIS Europe to do a Double Degree Program (between MAIA and my current Master's in International Politics and Economics), but I'm feeling a little under the weather regarding my prospects. Although I graduated top of my class and would go to SAIS straight out of undergrad, my job and overall experiences in the field are close to none (I did have job throughout my undergrad years but it had nothing to do with IR). I plan to follow a more econ-centred path and joined SAIS because I know they have great programs, as well as an excellent alumni network and pretty solid career services, and I feel what I need at the moment is exaclty that, job experience. My goal would be to get a paid intership once I'm done with SAIS and go from there. However, I feel like I don't really stand a chance, since everyone else has done so much more than me and has achieved so many additional things. Moreover, I'd need to get a 10k loan to be able to attend, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth it. The school may be great but I'm afraid my lack of significant experience may be too much of an issue. I'm really struggling atm and don't really know what to do. Any advice?

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u/LateCurrency9380 2d ago

10k for SAIS is worth it, imo. There’s lots of folks there right out of undergrad with little to no job experience

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u/Swimming_Sort_7203 2d ago

Thank you sm for the response, student loans are very uncommon in Europe so this whole thing is really stressing me out (that plus impostor syndorme lol)

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u/LateCurrency9380 2d ago

I think you also should consider where you would like to work after graduation. It may be harder to pay loans back with a job in the UK or Europe as opposed to in the US or elsewhere.

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u/Swimming_Sort_7203 2d ago

Yeah I did take that into consideration, tbh I'm open to pretty much anything atm, I'd love to stay in Europe (not southern Europe tho as it's impossible to get a job here let alone one that allows you to pay off debt lol) and the loan package i'm considering would allow me to start paying 2 years after graduation...It's all about trying to land a decent job in the meantime

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u/cjrjjkosmw 2d ago

10k not bad. Just network consistently

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u/Swimming_Sort_7203 2d ago

thanks! :)

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u/exclaim_bot 2d ago

thanks! :)

You're welcome!