SPIA Spanned Seven Continents Over the 2024 Winter Break

Mar 08 2024
By
Sydney Taylor MPA ’25
PUPSG Admissions Rep

Graduate students at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs traveled to all seven continents through a combination of student-led, SPIA-sponsored policy trips and personal travel over the five-week break between fall and spring semester. Having such a diverse, international cohort allows for wide-reaching global networks, in addition to pretty amazing travel experiences both on your own time and through SPIA-sponsored opportunities such as policy trips and workshops.

Over a three-week trip in January, I traveled with Uma Mengale MPA ’25 to Turkey, where we met up with our Turkish classmate Tunç Ekin Yavuz MPA ’25 who was able to show us all of the best spots in Istanbul and teach us more about the rich culture, history, and delicious food. 

Sydney Taylor MPA ’25 and Uma Mengale MPA ’25 in Cappadocia, Turkey
Sydney Taylor MPA ’25 and Uma Mengale MPA ’25 in Cappadocia, Turkey

From Turkey, Uma and I traveled to the United Arab Emirates. Prior to coming to SPIA, I lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so I loved being able to return to the Gulf and share culture, food, and architecture with Uma on her first visit to the region. Worlds collided when I was able to visit some friends from my time in Saudi and introduce them to my classmate!

After UAE, Uma met up with other classmates in the Balkans and I joined Juyoung Lee MPA ’24, Elmir Mukhtarov MPA ’24, and Elmir’s wife, Samira in Baku, Azerbaijan! Elmir and Samira are from Azerbaijan and were excellent hosts - we enjoyed a traditional Azerbaijani meal at Samira’s family’s home, visited the Carpet Museum, admired the fascinating Baku architecture, and learned so much about the history and culture of Azerbaijan. When asked about what it was like to share his home country with his classmates, Elmir said “many Americans I meet know very little (if anything!) about Azerbaijan, so it was great to explore the cities, taste the delicious food, and experience the local culture with Noah, Juyoung, and Sydney!”

Elmir Mukhtarov MPA ’24, Juyoung Lee MPA ’24, and Sydney Taylor MPA ’25 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Elmir Mukhtarov MPA ’24, Juyoung Lee MPA ’24, and Sydney Taylor MPA ’25 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Juyoung, Sydney, Elmir, and Elmir’s wife Samira at a traditional Azerbaijani lunch in Samira’s family home.
Juyoung, Sydney, Elmir, and Elmir’s wife Samira at a traditional Azerbaijani lunch in Samira’s family home.

From Azerbaijan, I traveled on my own to Tbilisi, Georgia and Lori, Armenia! I had the best time during my three-week trip, but was so excited to return to Princeton, reunite with my friends, and hear all about the amazing trips that my classmates went on. See below for more SPIA representation across the globe over winter break!

SOUTH AMERICA

A group of MPAs, MPPs, and PhDs in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A group of MPAs, MPPs, and PhDs in Buenos Aires, Argentina, home to Agostina Dasso, first-year PhD in Security Studies. “It was wonderful to receive my friends from SPIA in Buenos Aires. I got to show them the city I love and the streets I grew up in. Being able to share my life, my people, my food and culture with them was one of the best experiences I’ve had.”

 

First-year MPAs Julia Kaufman, Tina Lee, and Ariel Munczek Edelman in Medellín, Colombia.
First-year MPAs Julia Kaufman, Tina Lee, and Ariel Munczek Edelman in Medellín, Colombia.

ASIA

First and second-year MPA students traveled to Seoul, South Korea
First and second-year MPA students traveled to Seoul, South Korea for a policy trip to study economic transformation and international engagement. Korean native and trip planner Juyoung Lee MPA ’24 said “I hope the policy trip allowed my SPIA friends to not only deepen their knowledge through our meetings, but also a chance to explore Korean cuisine, history, and warm Korean hospitality in general. It was a genuine honor to organize such a successful trip, and I extend my gratitude to everyone from SPIA and my cohort friends who helped bring it to fruition!”

EUROPE

A group of first and second-year MPAs traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark
A group of first and second-year MPAs traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark on a policy trip to learn more about the Danish social safety net. “The SPIA policy trip was the most comprehensive educational experience I’ve had so far at SPIA! I learned so much about the social safety net in Denmark and also really enjoyed getting to know and collaborate with my classmates in the year above me.” - Rachel Morrow MPA ’25
First-year MPAs Uma Mengale, Aaron Arnett, and Stuart Ewen in Montenegro during their road trip through ten Balkan countries.
First-year MPAs Uma Mengale, Aaron Arnett, and Stuart Ewen in Montenegro during their road trip through ten Balkan countries.

NORTH AMERICA

MPAs, MPPs, and PhDs traveled to Jamaica on a policy trip exploring sustainable planning and climate adaptation.
MPAs, MPPs, and PhDs traveled to Jamaica on a policy trip exploring sustainable planning and climate adaptation.
Jiuen Kim MPA ’25 and her husband Kai in Teotihuacan, Mexico.
Jiuen Kim MPA ’25 and her husband Kai in Teotihuacan, Mexico. “Exploring places I could not even dare to venture in Korea, and learning their histories and diverse cultures, is truly joyful. These two years at SPIA will be a time not only to build knowledge and friendships, but also to expand my perspective and palate.”

AFRICA

A SPIA delegation of MPPs, MPAs, PhDs, post-docs, and GPO staff, visited Accra, Ghana.
A SPIA delegation of MPPs, MPAs, PhDs, post-docs, and GPO staff, visited Accra, Ghana on a policy trip to meet with government institutions, international organizations, and local organizations to discuss topics of development and climate finance.
Maria Dooling MPA ’25 and Jenn Williams MPA ’25 in Tunis, Tunisia.
Maria Dooling MPA ’25 and Jenn Williams MPA ’25 in Tunis, Tunisia.

ANTARCTICA

Jonathan Barry MPA ’25 in Antarctica.
Jonathan Barry MPA ’25 in Antarctica.

OCEANIA

Frances Steele MPA ’25 in Twizel, New Zealand with her sisters.
Frances Steele MPA ’25 in Twizel, New Zealand with her sisters.