Sixteen International Policy Associates of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs’ Liechtenstein Institute on Self Determination were in Trenton last month to meet with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy at the State Capitol. LISD Acting Director Sophie Meunier, a senior research scholar in SPIA, and Executive Director Nadia Crisan joined the undergraduate students on the visit.

The IPAs, who travel to Berlin, Germany, for a fall break trip, heard Murphy discuss his experience serving as U.S. ambassador to that country from 2009 to 2013 and as the Garden State’s chief executive. He described New Jersey as one of the country’s most internationally focused states, citing its large population with ties abroad, extensive language programs in primary and secondary schools, and international business connections in a variety of industries.

Murphy told the students that ties between the U.S. and Germany have never been stronger. The governor attributed this, in part, to increased cooperation after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including a renewed commitment to NATO.

IPA Uma Fox, a Princeton sophomore, enjoyed the opportunity to leave campus for a bit and learn more about how New Jersey interacts with the global community.

“Meeting with Governor Murphy was an exciting opportunity to reflect on the local implications of foreign policy,” Fox said.