As a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow, an honor that I received with assistance from the staff of the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research, I had the privilege of interning at the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs (more commonly referred to as the China Desk) at the State Department this past summer.

Although it is probably every intern’s dream to do more than just copying and shredding papers at their internship, with only a B.A. degree under my belt and no previous government-related internship experience, I started my internship on the China Desk with minimal expectations for my assigned responsibilities. Contrary to my expectations, however, my summer internship was filled with a multitude of challenges that enabled me to apply my knowledge to a real-world setting, as well as endless opportunities for direct engagement in the policy-making process.

During my first month on the China Desk, I was already excited and satisfied when tasked with attending and reporting on meetings both within and outside the State Department and drafting replies to incoming Congressional correspondence. Supporting the China Desk Director, Deputy Director and Desk officers at these meetings helped fulfill my goal of witnessing and engaging in the interagency policy-making process first hand.

As an aspiring diplomat who has always been immensely interested in China affairs, particularly U.S.-China relations, being able to read the latest updates on their bilateral relations and see diplomats negotiating right in front of my own eyes was indeed a major treat. Yet, at the time, I did not know that the highlight of my summer was still awaiting me.

As we hit July, my office was getting busier and busier and before I knew it, I was part of “Erica’s (the State Coordinator for the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, often referred to as the S&ED) Army.” Along with the other interns on the China Desk, I was excited to just have the opportunity to work on a very high profile project. After all, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner, their Chinese counterparts, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan, as well as many other high level American and Chinese officials were participants.

Initially we devoted our efforts to editing and compiling briefing materials for senior State Department officials to use in high-level negotiations, but soon we were entrusted with responsibilities interns could only dream of having! Our 9-hour workdays eventually turned into more than 12 hours ones. From providing logistical support and advanced coordination to meeting high-level officials from the Chinese Embassy in preparation for the S&ED, I was especially overjoyed to have the opportunity to practice being a diplomat in a real life setting.

When the S&ED, which took place in Washington, D.C. from July 27 to July 28, finally occurred, I was privileged to witness first-hand American and Chinese officials discussing a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues that carry strategic and economic implications for U.S.-China relations in both the short and long-term. My optimism for the future of U.S.-China relations was emboldened when I noticed diplomats of both countries cooperating with each other to address shared interests while acknowledging the differences that exist in the relationship.

To sum it up, my summer internship on the China Desk was truly an experience of a lifetime. Although my involvement in the S&ED, especially being able to shake hands with Secretary Clinton and the two top Chinese officials at the Dialogue defined my summer, the unending support and guidance that I received from everyone on the China Desk helped make my experience there truly memorable. This experience also reconfirmed my interest in international affairs, especially U.S.-China relations, and my desire to pursue a career in diplomacy.

Thao Anh is a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she double majored in International Affairs (with concentrations in International Politics and Asia) and Asian Studies. In 2007, she studied abroad in Hangzhou and Beijing, China and is currently on a Fulbright grant in Yanji, China conducting research on the role of the ethnic Korean community in facilitating Sino-North Korean relations. Upon her return to the U.S., Thao Anh will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

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I must confess that up until 2008, I was one of those people living in Pakistan who thought 9/11 was an inside job and that the War on Terror was actually a War on Islam. I have lived 18 years of my life in a country that has been overwhelmed by conspiracies. Whether it is a suicide attack on a five star hotel or economic turmoil, our government has comfortably blamed the Indians and the United States for every flaw of our society. During the time I spent in Pakistan I pondered why every other country conspired against us? The only answer I got from the people was that they (the United States and India) hate us because we are Muslims and we are a nuclear power. Reluctant and unsatisfied, I would accept these answers. However, this was soon to change.

I was quite nervous when I first landed in Washington D.C. I had to fight my way to the United States as my father was extremely unhappy sending me to study in the U.S. I came to the Elliott School of International Affairs with a passion for international affairs and politics. I wanted to understand what was going on in my country and the role of United States in my region. After taking four semesters at Elliot Schooll I returned to Pakistan for a winter break. I went back as a changed man. Living in the United States and studying at one of the best schools of International Affairs opened my eyes. Studying at the Elliott School enabled me to remove myself from the biases I had developed while living in a land flooded with conspiracies.

The more I talked to my people, the more frustrated I got. I argued restlessly with people to convince them that the United States did not intend to break Pakistan. I argued passionately on Islamic teachings under the light of modernity. It was not long enough when I was being labeled as pro-American, CIA, etc.

I am not a part of the CIA but, yes, I take myself as pro-American for a very simple reason. If Pakistan gave me a life and brought me to where I am today, the United States gave me an education and opened my eyes to this world. I can never be selfish to a country that has given me an opportunity to educate myself. I fell in love with this country the first day my U.S. Diplomatic History professor told me, ‘Yes we Americans messed up a lot in this world, but let us study that so we can prevent any future mistakes’.

Today, when I observe the political situation in Pakistan I am no longer confused. I understand the nature and history of the problem. I have stopped blaming the United States or India. I understand where the problem rests and I plan do something about it once I graduate. ‘Change’ is what the United States has taught me.

Hussain is an international student from Lahore, Pakistan majoring in International Affairs at the Elliott School. He is concentrating in the Middle East and South Asia regions. He is currently spending a Junior Year Abroad (JYA) at Pembroke College, Oxford. Hussain is also the student liaison to the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. He plans to pursue graduate study at Oxford University after graduation and work in the government of Pakistan.

“Wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual’s own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry, and if it be expended for philanthropic purposes. Above all, if a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no undertaking greater than this, and it would rank in the sight of God as the supreme achievement, for such a benefactor would supply the needs and insure the comfort and well-being of a great multitude.”

~Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, The Baha’i Faith

In light of a variety of factors–the undeniable truth of the above quotation, a new book I’m reading called The Blue Sweater, a global financial crisis whose most dire implications seem to somehow trickle down to our impoverished brothers and sisters around the world, and my own musings and observations here in Beijing–I have decided on what I need to dedicate myself towards: rewiring the global economy for inclusion and true prosperity. The means? For-profit models of investment. The end? The complete eradication of poverty world wide. I’m sick and tired of NGO’s being run by a few underpaid visionaries to benefit only a few of the billions who yearn for real economic equity. And as for governments: human beings want dignity, not hand-outs in the form of “aid”. I think it’s time the world made a real effort to make this ‘end’ a reality. This realization I’ve had has been a long time coming but trust me folks, it’s here to stay.

I want to create the next bubble. We just saw several pop (real estate, finance, the MBA degree etc.) but I don’t think a bubble is necessarily a bad thing if created in the right sectors. One example that quickly comes to mind is clean tech./alternative energy. Would it be so bad if we inflated this underdeveloped but arguably critical area of industry? Would it be so wrong to provide financial incentives, hundreds of billions of dollars in investment, and tens of thousands of jobs for the sake of reconstructing the foundation of the global economy? Such a ‘bubble’ would inflate supply of capital/labor and demand for the application of green technology while pushing down costs of production and attracting intelligent competition to the market. A regulated bubble could quickly gains its own momentum. I say yes, and I think we can do the same for poverty eradication.

It should start with the simple premise that all human beings are intricately connected and that not only do we harm ourselves when large portions of the population are stuck in poverty but we will exponential increase our potential as a world to learn, provide, create, thrive, and endure when all are extended the gift of opportunity. In short, I know that we (humanity) are capable of so much more but we aren’t giving ourselves the chance.

How should this be done: retool for-profit models of investment (VC/PE) for large scale involvement in the developing world (i.e. invest in sustainable solutions to chronic problems–education, energy, housing, access to clean water, basic health care, universal Internet connectivity and access to technology). At this point in time there is only one power in the world seeking out this opportunity: the government of the People’s Republic of China. In the West we choose to antagonize them for this but I maintain that it only lays bare our own insecurity at their effectiveness and our lack thereof (this topic deserves its own post…). There are several existing groups like Acumen Fund and Relief Development Consulting that have just begun to scratch the surface but I know it will take more than isolated and uncoordinated efforts by a few brilliant individuals. It will take government. If there is one thing that I’ve learned while here in China it’s the immense potential of government–to build, to improve, to adapt, to protect. To transform the lives of 1.4 billion people.

This post doesn’t have a happy ending but I’m thinking that’s a good thing. In the words of John Legend: “This ain’t a movie, no. No fairytale conclusion y’all–it gets more confusing everyday…” More thinking on this topic to come.

Bobak is a junior in the Elliott School of International Affairs, majoring in International Affairs with concentrations in International Economics and East Asia. In addition to being passionate about world unity and the Baha’i Faith, Bobak’s Persian heritage, American upbringing, and obsession with the People’s Republic of China lend him a unique perspective on what is unfolding around us. Duck and dumplings are currently on the menu as Bobak is in the midst of spending a full year in Beijing, China studying Mandarin and working for a Chinese environmental NGO.

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Networking with peers at an academic conference in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Thao Anh Tran

Between meeting and discussing with students across the globe my shared interest in East Asian affairs and seeing North Korea from the Peace Observatory in the DMZ, this past week served as an incredible learning opportunity for me.

As a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, I am particularly grateful for the financial support I received from the Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars Program. The funding enabled me to participate as a delegate in the Security workshop at the 2009 Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) Academic Conference, which was held in Seoul from August 14th to August 17th. Every year HPAIR brings together hundreds of the brightest minds, both students and experts in the field of international relations for discussion on economic, political, and social issues pertinent to the East Asia-Pacific region.

Originally I was extremely worried that I would appear out of place when engaging in discussion of complex issues with future leaders in the field of international relations. Fortunately, my mind was immediately put to ease when I realized my familiarity with the topics of discussion. I was first introduced to issues such as U.S. policy in East Asia, Inter-Korean relations, the rise of China, Japan’s Asia policy, ASEAN, and ‘comfort women’ in Professor Mochizuki’s PSC 175 International Relations of East Asia course during my junior year. The knowledge I gained from that course gave me the confidence to debate with the other participants on ways to resolve the history problem that plagues relations between the countries in Northeast Asia.

My participation in HPAIR not only helped me gain a more in-depth understanding of issues of major concern to East Asian countries, but also enabled me to engage in forthright discussions with fellow participants about the future of the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, from my field trip to major cultural attractions in Seoul and interaction with the Korean delegation, I learned a great deal about the Korean culture and picked up a few useful Korean phrases. I also gained numerous friendships with participants from all across the globe. From now on, whenever I travel to countries as far as Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, and Israel, I know I can count on these friends to help me navigate their countries.

Taking in the sites of Seoul, South Korea with new friends. Photo: Thao Anh Tran

By the end of the conference, I could not help but felt great pride as an Elliott School alumna. The Elliott School’s reputation as a renowned institution of international affairs is indisputable and far-reaching. When fellow participants discovered I recently graduated from the Elliott School, I instantly became a ‘human attraction’ for those who plan to attend the Elliott School in the near future.

While I am saddened by the fact that I will not be able to continue to enroll in interesting East Asia-related courses at the Elliott School, I think current and prospective students can take comfort in the fact that their education at the Elliott School will give them the needed preparation and confidence to succeed in the field of international affairs.

Thao Anh is a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she double majored in International Affairs (with concentrations in International Politics and Asia) and Asian Studies. In 2007, she studied abroad in Hangzhou and Beijing, China and is currently on a Fulbright grant in Yanji, China conducting research on the role of the ethnic Korean community in facilitating Sino-North Korean relations. Upon her return to the U.S., Thao Anh will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

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