Greetings and a warm welcome to our new EPD-ers, and a lovely welcome back to our returning EPD-ers!
We're Paras and Orcun, your trusty EPD Program Assistants, and we are absolutely thrilled to have you in our vibrant EPD community. First of all, happy first week of classes! We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new members, and now that orientation and the intense math camp are officially behind us, it's time to dive headfirst into the exciting world of EPD. You are officially in the coolest concentration at SIPA (let no one else tell you otherwise). From this point on, please consider us your go-to guides, problem solvers, and partners-in-crime. Throughout the year, we'll be sending you a steady stream of emails packed with insights, updates, news, and events and filled with a sprinkle of fun to keep you connected, informed and entertained. Your journey here is about to get truly remarkable, and we're here to make sure it's nothing short of amazing!
This week’s newsletter includes:
- EPD Events
- Meet Your EPD Program Assistants
- Career Resources
- EPD Courses with Open Seats
- Things to do in NYC
- EPD Office Hours
EPD Events
EPD Course Advising Session
When: Thursday, September 7, 2023, 1-2 pm
Where: Room 1302
Register here
This is an informal discussion session led by the EPD Program Assistants along with other second-year students to discuss their thoughts and ideas about different courses, tips for navigating the semester and assignments, and managing your course load. Come with your questions and queries, and we'll do our best to answer them and guide you to the necessary resources to ensure you succeed in your time at SIPA!
EPD Retreat
When: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 9 am - 8 pm
Where: Taconic Outdoor Education Center
Our annual EPD Retreat will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center (TOEC) located in Cold Spring, NY (just over an hour north of NYC). The retreat is an excellent opportunity for new students to make new friends, bond with second-year EPD students, and engage with several EPD faculty in a fun outdoor setting. Registration is open to both first- and second-year EPD concentrators.
Register on Campusgroups here
Registration and payment deadline: by 5pm on Friday, September 22.
Cost: $40 (cash or check payable to Columbia University).
A detailed agenda and confirmation email will be sent to all who registered (and paid) prior to the retreat.
Meet your EPD Program Assistants: Paras Abbasi and Orcun Dogmazer
Paras
I am a second-semester MPA student concentrating in EPD, from Karachi, Pakistan.
I am interested in women and rural development, and passionate about working on how the interests of minority and underprivileged communities can be put on forefront with climate change catastrophes becoming more frequent and predictable. Over the summer, along with a campus job, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the Pakistan Mission to the UN in their media and information team in New York.
When SIPA is not taking over my life, I like to read (two to three books at a time), sometimes write, explore the city, and try out all sorts of teas this city has to offer (chai tea is not real).
Orcun
I'm Orcun, a second-year MIA student with a focus on EPD. Istanbul (Turkey) is where I was born and raised, and I am a Fulbright Scholar at SIPA.
My passion lies in exploring how technology and startups can create a positive impact on emerging markets. In terms of my professional background, I've mostly been involved in development consulting and venture capital. Over the summer, I had the fantastic opportunity to intern with the International Finance Corporation's venture capital team in DC.
When I'm not diving into my academic and professional pursuits, you'll find me enjoying a game of basketball, having a good laugh at stand-up comedy shows, or simply savoring a cup of coffee.
Career Resources
SIPA Career Website & Resources
Check out great career development resources for students that can be found on SIPA Career Resources Website.
Factsheets on Career Development - Tips for international students and on connecting with alumni, interviewing, networking, PMF information, writing resumes and cover letters and other career development topics.
Career Overview Factsheet - Information, sample employers, and online resources for a variety of fields and industries
Sector-Specific Fact Sheets - Lists of employers by industry or field, organizational charts, and information on IFC and World Bank internship programs and YPPs.
Check out other resources on this website.
EPD courses with open seats
Students still searching for courses to add to their schedule can check out the following EPD courses:
INAF U6574 Evaluation in the UN System (new course)
Shravanti Reddy
Wednesday, 11:00 – 12:50 pm
Call #: 17176
INAF U6743 Advancing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression in International Development (new short course)
Fabrice Houdart and Philip Crehan
Thursday, 6:10 - 8:00 pm
Course Dates: 9/7 – 10/19
Call #: 17201
INAF U8246 Comparative Development: East Asia, Its Lessons and Other Regions
Akbar Noman
Wednesday, 2:10 - 4:00 pm
Call #: 17844
PUAF U8349 Intersections of Race and Power in Development
Shawna Wakefield
Tuesday, 11:00 - 12:50 pm
Call #: 17273
Note on Registration: Priority in registration will be given to EPD, MDP, IO/UN and GPP students. Registration for this course will be managed through a waitlist. Interested EPD students should therefore add themselves to the waitlist as soon as they can register.
INAF U8842 Economic Crisis Management in Developing Countries
José Antonio Ocampo
Monday, 11:00 - 12:50 pm
Call #: 17308
We also wanted to highlight the following ESP course offered by Prof. Adela Gondek ENVP 6225 Global Environmental Ethics which is open to students from other programs as well.
ENVP 6225 Global Environmental Ethics
Adela Gondek
Thursday, 11:00 - 12:50 pm
Call #: 11623
Things to do in NYC
One of the many wonderful things about SIPA is the diversity of international students who come from all over the world every year to study, and New York with its vibrant life does not disappoint. We share with you the best this city has to offer so that when you are out and about after a full day of classes, you have a range of things to do in the city!
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse Kayaking
Where: Pier 4 Beach, New York, NY 11201
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturdays (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Family Program on Sundays (12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
At Pier 4 Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park, visitors can kayak for free along the river for 20 minutes. All people need are clothes they can get wet in, and the rest is provided by Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can book the trip here and the reservations open two weeks in advance. The free slots are only on certain days and times, and walk-ups are welcome if there is free space.
Queens Museum & the Unisphere
Where: Museum - Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Building, Queens, NY 11368, Unisphere - Avenue of the Americas, Queens, NY 11354
When: Museum - Wednesday through Fridays (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Unisphere - All Week (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
This free experience is perfect for those who want to experience art and the outdoors. Visitors to the museum will be able to see the famous “Panorama of the City of New York On Long-Term View” Collection along with other beautiful pieces. Just make sure to reserve a spot on their website by clicking here. After going to the museum, visitors can then walk to the Unisphere right next to the museum and enjoy this amazing attraction.
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Where: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
When: Monday and Thursday through Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Tuesday and Wednesday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
If you love libraries, this library would be a treat for you! NYPL houses the iconic Rose Main Reading Room and is a must see. Not only is the library free to enter, but so are the tours! The 60 minute building tour is on Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tickets must be reserved online and are limited to the first 20 people. Visitors can access the link here for the building tour. The 15 minute Rose Main Reading Room Tour is available Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 a.m., and 3 p.m. This tour is only open to the first 25 people who sign up in person 30 minutes prior to the tour.
EPD Office Hours
José Antonio Ocampo, EPD Co-Director
jao2128@columbia.edu
Sign up online for office hours: https://tinyurl.com/officehours-ocampo
Eugenia (Jenny) McGill, EPD Co-Director & EPD Workshop Director
em419@columbia.edu
Sign up online for office hours: https://tinyurl.com/mcgill-oh
Ilona Vinklerova, Concentration Manager
iv2105@sipa.columbia.edu
Sign up online fir office hours: https://sipa.campusgroups.com/meetings/1060915/IlonaOH_Fall2023
Paras Abbasi (MPA/EPD), Program Assistant
pa2643@columbia.edu
Email for appointment
Orcun Dogmazer (MIA/EPD), Program Assistant
od2263@columbia.edu
Email for appointment
Your friendly PAs,
Paras and Orcun
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