When Ariana Lily Nikmanesh (MSFS’22) moved to Washington, DC, to study in the Master of Science of Foreign Service (MSFS) program, she was excited to take advantage of the unparalleled opportunities offered by one of the best international relations graduate programs in the world.
In addition to taking classes with top global affairs experts and pursuing certificates in Diplomatic Studies and Gender, Peace and Security, Nikmanesh has gained valuable professional experience, completing an internship with the State Department’s Office of International Media Engagement and a graduate fellowship with the United Nations.
While Nikmanesh has a vast array of personal achievements on her resume, she credits a strong community of inspiring Hoya women with much of her success. “[They] have sincerely changed my life and have really shown me what it means to be loved, respected and valued for who you are,” she says. And the soon-to-be alumna has supportive champions at home, too. “My dad has always inspired me to never settle and to go after my dreams,” she says. “So, thank you, dad, because now I’m going after my dreams and living them!”