Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global cultures and international studies from UC Irvine in 2021. During my undergraduate years, my academic interests primarily lay in globalization and multiculturalism in East Asia. I participated in several internships across the private and public sectors — federal government agencies, executive boards, and nationally recognized non-profits. Prior to enrolling in the Master of Public Diplomacy program, I worked as an immigration analyst and a global research assistant at multinational law firms.

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

Wavering between law school and a master’s degree, I initially considered programs with a joint MA/JD option. However, during my research into graduate school, I came across the Master of Public Diplomacy (MPD) offering at USC and immediately knew it would be a perfect fit. I wanted a program that focused on soft power rather than hard policy; my interest in intercultural communications became even clearer.

I knew USC offered strong networks on the West Coast and the East Coast, especially with the opening of the USC Capital Campus. It felt like an easy choice, given the MPD’s pioneering public diplomacy academics and practitioners.

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

There are a plethora of extracurricular opportunities to put learning into doing. I served as the director of professional relations and director of social media at the Society of Public Diplomats. I also enjoyed events hosted by the Center on Public Diplomacy, such as a Q&A session with Joseph Nye, who coined the term "soft power."

My degree has already returned dividends. The knowledgeable professors in the MPD program emphasize career connections and regularly introduce working professionals to students. While at USC, I worked with the U.S. Department of State in various capacities, an opportunity I likely wouldn’t have had outside of the MPD program.

In my admissions statement, I wrote about hoping to become involved with the Osaka, Japan World Expo in 2025. Now, come May, I will be in Japan for two weeks at the Expo and will meet public diplomacy actors in Tokyo through a Maymester. I believe the MPD program has come full circle, and it truly allows you to pursue both your academic and professional goals. It’s not just about what the professors hope for you to glean from the program, but equally about what you want to get out of it.