Hello from Brattleboro, Vermont! My name is Jenna, and I am a member of the SIT graduate admissions team for the Program in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management. I have had an extended relationship with SIT and its umbrella organization, World Learning. As a child, my family hosted exchange students through the Experiment in International Living. Living with exchange students stimulated my curiosity about distant places, and sparked interest in the inter-relationship between the US and other countries in the world.
This early experience led me to undergraduate studies in cultural anthropology and language, study abroad programs, and eventually a career focusing on refugees, migration and displaced persons. Later, I earned a Masters degree in International Cooperation and Development in Pavia, Italy. Together with my partner, who is a graduate of SIT with a concentration in Sustainable Development/Organizational Management, I have spent most of the last 10 years outside of the United States, working with international NGOs and the UN in the Near East, Mediterranean and the Balkans and involved in the coordination of work in post-conflict areas worldwide.
During my fieldwork I was in the position to hire persons undertaking humanitarian work, and noted the quality of graduates from SIT’s Master programs. When we decided to move back to the US, I sought out SIT as a way to continue to contribute to the field of development, shifting from actual field work to helping people prepare themselves to do this work through graduate studies.
I am convinced in the quality of the coursework here at SIT, based on my experience with graduates of both the PIM and MAT programs. I am also satisfied to be working with a graduate school which is making such an impact on the lives of so many people worldwide. I look forward to continuing a conversation with those of you who are interested in SIT’s graduate programs!
See Jenna’s other entry at http://pimadmissions.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/admissions-counselor-jenna-shearer-demir-on-learning-from-each-others-experiences/.
Tags: - World Learning, Jenna Shearer Demir, Prog in Intercultural Serv Lead and Mgt, SIT
January 2, 2008 at 3:24 am |
Jenna, I enjoyed reading your post and am impressed with your background! You chatted with me during the virtual open house about the International Education program and were so helpful. I plan to submit my application soon. Best wishes to you for 2008.
June 18, 2008 at 1:01 pm |
Hi Jenna,
I am interested in pursuing the master’s international degree program, so I was hoping if you could provide me with some information about the application process.
Thanks,
Jessica
June 23, 2008 at 2:17 pm |
Hello Jessica,
The Master’s International Program is a great way to combine SIT and Peace Corps and get the best of both worlds. We would be happy to provide you with some additional information about the specifics of the MI program at SIT. In general, we suggest people begin their Peace Corps and SIT applications at the same time, as the PC application tends to take a lot longer. That way, by the time you finish your coursework at SIT, you are ready to jump right in to your Peace Corps placement, which will count as your Practicum for the Reflective Practice Phase at SIT. Someone will be in touch right away with more details on what you will need to do to begin the application process.
Thank you.
January 15, 2009 at 9:47 pm |
Awww…. Amazing! I’m jealous of all of your endeavors!