A little over a year ago I decided to study abroad. I hadn't taken the opportunity to do so during my undergraduate years, so I wanted to take advantage of the many study abroad options we have as SPP students here at George Mason. My initial interest was to study in Cuba, though the State Department would not allow GMU SPP to offer the program. Having studied Spanish in college, Mexico seemed like the next logical option if I wanted to brush up on my language skills and visit Latin America.

Mexico had never been a place I was particularly interested in before. I suppose as our neighbor to the south, it is frequently overlooked as a case study in International Affairs. Nonetheless, I applied to the program and was accepted. I figured this was a way to visit a location that I probably wouldn't visit otherwise. I obtained my required readings and began to open my eyes to Mexico and its transformation.

I came to class on a Saturday for our pre-trip departure and was thrilled to meet the other SPP students who would be joining me on the trip. Each was eager to learn, and brought different backgrounds to the group, as most of the SPP classes generally do. Though we were a very diverse group, we instantly bonded over tacos that Michal (the Study Abroad Faculty Director) graciously bought us. We introduced ourselves, found roommates for the trip and discussed our flight itineraries. We couldn't wait to leave.

I won't lie. The trip took focus and dedication. We didn't leave until the end of May, and we had to deliver a paper on our first day in Mexico City. This was at the same time we were wrapping up with finals so dedication was a must.

Our first night as a group in Mexico showed us that it was well worth the work and the wait. We stayed at a hotel in the Historic District. We resided there for about 4 days, while we toured Mexico City. During our time in the city, we went from visiting ruins dating to the first century to meeting with political leaders who helped set the tone for the political situation in Mexico today. From one hour to the next we were digging deeper and deeper into understanding Mexico and the problems it faces as well as the transformation it is undergoing.

After a few good days in the city, we left for Cuernavaca, the "land of eternal spring." You can see why when you're there; it is always 75 degrees and the flowers are always in bloom. There the group continued to meet with local leaders, business people and others who could show us first hand what it meant to be Mexican and what Mexico's new role in the global economy was becoming.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Professor Rogowsky (our faculty director) and Michal McElwain Malur (our Study Abroad director) were not only easygoing but provided structure and balance to the program. We had clear expectations of the work that we had to do, but they made sure to balance that with showing us a real Mexican experience.

Had I not been granted the opportunity to visit Mexico through the SPP Study Abroad program, I would not have applied for a Fulbright Scholarship to that country less than a month upon my return. Unfortunately, I did not receive the Fulbright but I am working toward a transfer with my company to our new office in Mexico City. There is much work to be done in Mexico, and as students of the George Mason School of Public Policy, we are being provided the tools with which to help shape the world. I'm prepared. I just need to get where I'm going.

Kate Hotze
International Commerce and Policy

As the main admission processor here at SPP I receive many questions from applicants about the admissions process. The question that pops up consistently is whether all required application materials--goals statement, resume, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation--need to arrive at our office all at once, or whether each can be mailed separately. Indeed, having all your material arrive together will make processing your application easier, but it is not necessary. We will hold and update your application file as your credentials arrive to our office, as well as hold onto any that arrive before you fill out an online application or mail in a paper one.

If you do decide to send your materials separately please include your name on all of the documents, and notify us of any former names. This is important because the occasional transcript will come to our office under a previous name. In order to match this transcript to the correct application, we need the student to inform us of name changes. In the end we will do everything we can to make sure that all of your materials are kept together, but if you have any concerns you are always more than welcome to contact us.

Tyler Sanders
Graduate Admissions Assistant

Labels: Application

During my travels to Korea and China, I spoke with hundreds of prospective international applicants who did not know where George Mason University was located, what kind of weather we enjoy, or in what kind of city we are located. All of these questions are practical in nature and made me realize how important this information is for someone making the choice to go to school in another country. This BLOG will hopefully clarify some of these issues. Enjoy the Q&A and let SPP know if you have further questions.

1: Where is the School of Public Policy located?
Specifically, SPP is located on George Mason's Arlington, Virginia campus. We are a 10-minute drive or a 30 minute metro-ride into Washington, D.C. and approximately a 30-45 minute drive, depending on traffic, to George Mason's main campus located in Fairfax, Virginia. The cities of Arlington and Fairfax are both located in the northern part of the state of Virginia.

Generally, the state of Virginia is located on the Atlantic coast of the United States, not far from Pennsylvania or New York.

2: What is the weather like in Northern Virginia?
We are lucky to enjoy all four seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) with no season being overly harsh in temperature. In January the average temperature can range from 19 to 45 (Fahrenheit) or -7.2 to 7 (Celsius). In July the average temperature can range from 61 to 86 (Fahrenheit) or 16.11 to 30 (Celsius).

3: How easy is it to get around?
The Arlington campus is metro-accessible, as we are only one block away from the nearest metro station. With 5 major subway lines and a very good city bus system, this is a city that is easy to get around without having a vehicle.

4: What type of housing do you offer?
The Arlington campus does not have on-campus housing; however, it is an area that has different options for students choosing to rent. For a copy of our Arlington Campus Housing Guide, please email spp@gmu.edu. For those of you who are thinking of applying to the Ph.D. program, the Fairfax campus does offer graduate student housing but it is limited and since some of your classes will be at the Arlington campus, you may find it more convenient to be near the Arlington campus instead of Fairfax.

5: Is Arlington, Virginia a safe place to live?
Safety is a number one priority at all of George Mason University's campuses. We have our own police officers at each campus who are committed to safety and crime prevention. As stated previously, the School of Public Policy is close to Washington, D.C., which is a large city but also considered to be a fairly safe city; however, it is always good to be alert and aware of your surroundings when off-campus.



Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

After a 14 hour plane trip, I finally made it back to the U.S. on the evening of April 9th. Experiencing Korea and China was an amazing opportunity but it was also good to be back home and in a routine again. As promised, I wanted to make this BLOG about some of the more pertinent questions I received from interested international applicants. I hope that this Q&A is helpful but if it brings up any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at spp@gmu.edu. We are here to help answer your questions at any time!

1: What career can I expect after obtaining a degree from the School of Public Policy?
One of the great things about SPP is the fact that we have a Career Services Office specifically for our students and alumni. From the day you begin classes with SPP you will find that we are here to help you identify your strengths and interests to find meaningful and rewarding work with your degree. The Career Services Office continually offers workshops, career fairs, as well as internship postings that will assist you in building your skills and resume to find the job you want.

Our graduates have been successful in all types of organizations. To see a sample of where our alumni work please click on the link provided: http://policy.gmu.edu/career/.

2: What can you tell me about your faculty?
SPP faculty are renowned in their fields, which span a wide range of academic disciplines. Our students are taught by professors who specialize in economics, business, education, anthropology, engineering, sociology, history, and political science to name just a few. Our faculty are also in the news and are continuously cited in major newspapers such as Washington Post and New York Times as well as appear on television and radio networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. For the most recent media coverage of our faculty, please visit: http://policy.gmu.edu/news.

As a student in the School of Public Policy, you will be taught by the best. If you want more in-depth knowledge about the faculty's specific areas of research, please view their biographies and curriculum vitas at http://policy.gmu.edu/faculty/.

3: Is the application process complicated?
As with any university's application process, there is some planning on the part of the prospective student if he/she is truly interested in applying. However, that being said, the School of Public Policy's application process is straightforward. GMU's online application system is easy to use and upon creating a login and password, allows the applicant to come back to his/her application if more time is needed. Some things to begin thinking about include taking either the TOEFL or the IELTS exam. Also, if you are interested in any of our Master's degree programs and want to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, GRE scores must be submitted. GRE scores are also required for all Ph.D. applicants.

For a complete checklist of application materials needed for any of our Master's programs or the Ph.D. program, please visit the following website: http://policy.gmu.edu/admissions/.

4: How does your school rank in the U.S.?
The United States does not have an official ranking system for their schools, however, specific programs and important areas of education tend to be ranked by different for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in our country. Some statistics that SPP is most proud of include the following:

Founded in 1990 as an institute, and developing into a School of Public Policy in 2000, SPP is now recognized as one of the largest, most diverse, and respected public policy schools in the country.
SPP is a major research unit within George Mason University, which has the largest enrollment in a Virginia public university and is rated by the Princeton Review 2005 survey the most diverse higher education institution in the nation.
SPP is ranked fourth in its higher education discipline by the National Science Foundation for research expenditures from federal sources in 2003 (most recent, official ranking to date).

5: Is George Mason University a private or public university?
GMU is a public university in the state of Virginia.

Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

While there are a variety of excellent classes offered by the School of Public Policy, two classes stand out in particular for me. These classes are PUBP 501 (Policy and Organizational Analysis) and PUBP 503 (Culture, Organization and Technology). These classes are offered every Fall and Spring semester. I took PUBP 501 last semester (Fall 2007) with Dr. Rainer Sommer and was immediately intrigued by the topics he covered in the course. Dr. Sommer's background and expertise in Enterprise Architecture makes his PUBP 501 section especially unique. The course examines "organizational dynamics" and how technology is altering it. Some of the topics covered in the course are: organizational structures, business process, strategic planning, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and enterprise integration. While technical in nature, Dr. Sommer takes a gentle and non-technical approach to teaching the subject which makes the material easy to absorb for students with a non-technical background like myself.


Having been satisfied with the material covered in PUBP 501, I decided to take PUBP 503 with Dr. Sommer. While some of the material in PUBP 503 overlaps with that of PUBP 501, its overarching theme is different. The course examines organizational structures (with emphasis on management) and how technology and culture affect it. In this era of change (technological and social), organizations need to adjust to keep up with an ever-changing global economy. Some of the topics covered in this course are: evolution of modern technologies (emphasis on telecommunications), globalization, organizational dynamics, organizational entrepreneurship, change management and much more. Once again, Dr. Sommer takes a non-technical approach, teaching the material conceptually instead of technically. Enterprise Architecture is a subject that most of are not aware of and will probably never study in-depth. Yet, it is something that is vital for modern organizations that are now competing in a global economy. I strongly believe that successful managers in the near future will be those that grasp these concepts.

Brian Jacob
Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics

Labels: Class, Courses, Faculty, Sommer

Shanghai is an amazing city with towering skyscrapers set against traditional Chinese gardens and architecture. The people of China have been very welcoming and I've had the opportunity to speak not only with prospective applicants from China during the Shanghai fair on April 6th but I also had the opportunity to tour the US Campus Center the next day. The US Campus Center is a nonprofit organization, stationed here in Shanghai and created to assist Chinese students in their quest to study in the United States as well as build relationships with U.S. high schools, colleges and universities.

It has been incredible to explain to prospective applicants what it is like to study public policy at George Mason University. With our renowned faculty and our campus located just minutes away from our nation's capitol, it is an ideal place for international students to study both American and international policy issues.

This trip has gone by quickly and I'm heading back to the United States this week. Look for my next BLOG where I will write a Q&A section, detailing some of the more habitual topics I received from prospective applicants in both Korea and China.

From Shanghai, China...

Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

As I write this BLOG I'm sitting in Busan, South Korea's international airport on my way to Shanghai, China. Surrounded by mountains and near the water, Busan is a beautiful city along Korea's east coast. I represented George Mason University and the School of Public Policy at the AIEF fair on April 1st and, although a smaller venue than Seoul, was able to talk to prospective applicants extremely interested in studying in the United States.

Many people were pleased to find that not only is our campus near Washington, D.C. but we are also metro-accessible. Both Seoul and Busan have extensive metro-systems and this became an important point in all of my discussions with the people of Korea as many use public transportation on a daily basis to get around their respective cities.

As I conclude my travels here I'm happy to report that I've felt very welcomed by everyone I've met, from the university officials at Yonsei and Seoul National Universities to the prospective applicants both in Seoul and in Busan. It has been a pleasure to visit this country and I hope to stay in touch with each and every person I've had the good fortune to meet.

I will be writing again soon as I begin my travels in China.

Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions