Title: Emily Belson (SFS’18) Pursues Passion for Middle Eastern Affairs

Emily Belson
SFS, Class of 2018, Regional and Comparative Studies in the Middle East
Concord, Massachusetts
Language: Italian, Arabic
Proseminar: Islam and the West with Professor John Esposito
On-Campus Activities: Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program; Club Rock Climbing team; Sexual Assault Peer Educators; Humes Fellow at Institute for the Study of Diplomacy; Research Assistant At Institute for the Study of International Migration
Non-GU Activities: Office of Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (intern); Women for Women International (intern); State Department (Pathways Intern); Camp Birch Hill (counselor)

Emily Belson (SFS’18) came to Georgetown with little knowledge of the Middle East or international affairs but a determination to learn all she could about the world. Her freshman year proseminar, Islam & the West with Professor John Esposito, introduced her to the region that would define her studies while at Georgetown. That class inspired Belson to major in Regional and Comparative Studies (RCST) with a focus on the Middle East. “I loved learning about the Middle East because I hadn’t gotten a chance to do that in high school, and I love the flexibility, freedom and ability to study a region in depth that RCST gave me.”

Starting freshman year, Belson has taken every opportunity to engage with the Middle East. She studied abroad in Amman, Jordan during her junior year and though she initially earned her proficiency in Italian, she’s taken up Arabic since enrolling at the SFS. Her internships, classes, jobs, and experiences have been profoundly influenced by her interest in the region.

Taking Advantage of All D.C. Has to Offer

From the outset, Belson was most surprised by the vast array of opportunities for undergraduates at Georgetown. “Undergrads can really do anything that grad students can do. There are endless opportunities for research, jobs, and internships, even as a freshman.” Belson has not hesitated to take advantage of these for herself.

On campus, Belson worked at Georgetown’s Institute for the Study of International Migration, where she pursued her interests in refugee and resettlement issues as a research assistant.

Junior year, she interned at Women for Women International, a non-profit that helps the most marginalized women in areas affected by conflict and war.

Senior year, Belson was the John Humes Undergraduate Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. With the assistance of advisors Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and Rebecca Turkington, GIWPS Program Manager, Belson conducted research on the operational use of sexual violence and human trafficking by ISIS. In April, she presented her research project, titled “The Intersection of Sexual Violence and Terror: Determining Diplomatic Strategies for Prevention,” at an Institute for the Study of Diplomacy colloquium.

Not Only Professors, But Mentors

If Belson could give Georgetown freshmen one piece of advice, it would surely be to go to office hours. She’s formed strong relationships with her professors and has gained invaluable experiences inside and outside of the classroom.

Although the professors at Georgetown are experts in their field and working on many different projects, they always make time to create individual connections with students. They love when people come to office hours just to chat, and I’ve had many dinners at professors’ houses over the last 4 years.

Those relationships with professors, whether during office hours or over dinner, have translated to valuable insights about her future. “My classes in the SFS helped form my career goals because I was exposed to the many different kinds of work that you can do with an international relations degree, from policy-making to research to volunteering.” Belson cites three important faculty mentors from her time at Georgetown: Elizabeth Arsenault, Madeleine Albright, and Katherine Marshall.

Belson says her International Law professor Elizabeth Arsenault has served as an important mentor for her. “She really takes the time to get to know every one of her students (she even learned the names of all 65 people in our class before the first day!) She is encouraging and supportive but also has very high expectations for her students.”

This semester, Belson took “America’s National Security Toolbox” with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Belson appreciated the way Albright took an interest in each and every one of her students and wanted to hear what they had to say. For Belson, the highlight was a simulation of diplomatic responses to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. “We were all given roles a few weeks before, and held meetings with classmates to prepare for the day-long simulation, which was on a weekend. Professor Albright was there for both days and listened to everyone’s conversations and gave constructive feedback to each one of us.”

Finally, “Poverty and Ethics in Global Development” with Professor Katherine Marshall introduced her to the field of international development and cemented her interest in it as a career.

From the Hilltop to Foggy Bottom

Belson’s job at the Institute for the Study of International Migration, research conducted through the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, and class time with Professor Katherine Marshall have shaped her future career plans. She hopes to work at the intersection of all three by pursuing a career in international development, specifically in regards to women’s empowerment or refugee issues.

Post-graduation, Belson will transition from the Hilltop to Foggy Bottom. Since January, she has been a participant in the State Department’s Pathways Internship Program, which offers interns an opportunity to explore careers in public service. This June, Belson’s position with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs is converting to full-time.

For all that she’s accomplished in her four years here, Belson’s main takeaway is to embrace all that Georgetown has to offer without allowing it to get overwhelming.

Don’t overcommit – there are so many incredible opportunities to take here, and it’s hard not to try to do everything, but it’s also important to take the time to enjoy hanging out with your friends and just being in college.