School of International Affairs welcomes class of 2028

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) kicked off the 2026-2027 academic year with orientation and convocation for its newest cohort of graduate students. The full scope of orientation, which begins the Friday before the start of classes and continues with two additional activities in the first week of the semester, is designed to help the students begin building community with each other and to lay the foundation for success at SIA.

The incoming class includes students enrolled in SIA’s Master of International Affairs, Master of Science in Global Economic and Business Relations, and graduate certificate programs. In each of these academic paths, SIA students position themselves for global careers in fields such as policy, diplomacy, security, development, economics, business, research, education, and more.

“After engaging with our incoming students remotely all summer, it is wonderful to welcome them in person and begin getting to know them,” said SIA Director and Professor of International Affairs Mitchell P. Smith. “This year's incoming class is yet another group of talented individuals from across the country and across the world. I'm excited to see these students learn from one another and develop professionally.”

The incoming class, at a glance:

• 49 total students
• 15 countries represented, including the United States
• 19 U.S. states represented, plus Puerto Rico
• 33 different undergraduate majors
• 30 languages spoken
• 1 Fulbright recipient
• 4 members of U.S. military (2 Air Force, 1 Army, 1 Marine)
• 3 Penn State student athletes (field hockey, baseball, and track and field)

Student Perspectives: Looking Ahead

The start of a new academic year at SIA always brings a mix of excitement and anticipation as incoming students begin their graduate school journey with an eye toward their future career path. Each student brings their own set of experiences and goals, exemplified here by three members of the incoming class who shared their perspectives on the coming year and beyond.

"I’m coming to SIA with years of practical international experience, much of it shaped by working for a country at war. Diplomacy is not an abstract concept for me. It means building partnerships, negotiating resources and support, turning our own experience into expertise that can help other countries become more resilient, all while making decisions under extraordinary pressure. This experience made my next professional goal very clear: I want to become an Ambassador of Ukraine.

What I’m looking forward to at SIA is the chance to examine what I have experienced through an academic lens. I want to understand more deeply the forces reshaping international order and in what kind of world diplomats will have to navigate in the next decade."

-Veronika Gryshchenko, incoming Master of International Affairs student

"I’m most looking forward to engaging with professors whose professional career experiences will greatly enhance my knowledge and learning. I’m also excited to expand my career opportunities and explore different areas of international affairs through a variety of courses, which I hope will help me determine the path I ultimately want to pursue.

During my first year at SIA, I hope to grow my professional network through meaningful connections with my peers and faculty and staff. I also want to search for internship opportunities during the summer that will allow me to apply what I’m learning in the classroom and gain valuable experience, as I begin shaping my career in international affairs."

-Luisa Aranda, incoming Master of International Affairs student

"I'm most looking forward to learning alongside classmates and faculty who bring such different regional and professional perspectives to the questions I've been studying. I'm also excited to start as a research assistant with Professor Johannes Fedderke, applying what I have learned in the classroom to real research right away.

I want to build a strong foundation in the quantitative and policy tools that shape international economic relations and turn that into real-world experience through development-focused internships and build meaningful connections along the way."

-Muhammad Hussain, incoming Master of Science student

A Foundation for Success

Orientation began with a message from Director Smith, who welcomed the students and encouraged them to engage fully in the opportunities before them.

Following Smith’s remarks, a series of sessions led by SIA staff introduced the students to academic resources and support, capstone planning and internship opportunities, library resources within the Montague Law Library, and more.

In addition to staff, many second-year students play an active role during orientation by imparting insights gained from their own experiences at SIA. Current president of the Student Government Association (SGA) Itzel Mialma Romero led a session encouraging students to get involved in SIA’s student organizations, including SGA, the Black Student Association, and Somos.

The day also included a University Resource Fair that showcased many of the opportunities and resources across campus that SIA students can tap into as part of the Penn State community.

“The information and guidance new students receive during the first day of orientation builds a foundation that better prepares them for success in their first week of classes and beyond,” Smith said.

Building a Globally Engaged Community

A further goal of SIA’s orientation is to give new students an opportunity to begin building community and camaraderie with each other and with faculty, staff, and second-year students.

Part of the first day was dedicated to experiential activities, held on the lawn outside the Lewis Katz Building, focused on team-building and peer engagement. Facilitated by an instructor from Penn State Extension, the activities helped the students get to know one another and build rapport in a relaxed, informal setting.

Another opportunity to build community came during the first week of classes, when SIA hosted its annual welcome picnic. Held at Sunset Park just off the University Park campus, the picnic brought together new and returning students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the start of a new academic year and enjoy fellowship before the rigors of the semester intensify.

Building a globally engaged community does not end with orientation activities; it is an ongoing priority that SIA cultivates through events such as the INTAF (international affairs) Discussion Series and by supporting an active student body, which initiates and organizes its own events and activities.

The Penn State School of International Affairs provides an innovative education for the next generation of global leaders. Its graduate degree programs offer the best of both worlds: smaller class sizes and hands-on training, while also providing access to all the resources of a world-class research institution. SIA is a globally engaged community and home to expert faculty who focus on practical, experiential learning to help students advance their careers in the fields of policy, diplomacy, security, development, economics, business, and more. Our graduates shape policies, drive innovation, and foster understanding across cultures. Learn more at sia.psu.edu.