My Teaching Comparison: SIPA vs. the World

Often, prospective applicants ask what the teaching style at SIPA is like compared to other places and what the format of our classes is. Today, I would like to share my teaching comparison stemming from my university studies in the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States.

Naturally, every country and every university (or even a school) is different and unique in the way in which they teach their students and organize their curriculum. However, I would say that after spending a couple of years in different institutions, I can now see some similarities and differences. For example, in the field of international affairs, the United Kingdom is very academic and research-oriented. Often, essays are the core assignment type of programs focused on international relations, and being able to write a good academic essay is the basis of many programs. Furthermore, a significant portion of the week is devoted to self-study, usually by assigning a substantial amount of academic readings.

On the contrary, my experience in Japan had been quite the opposite. In Japan, attendance at lectures was essential, and the quantity of knowledge obtained was important in my particular program. While my studies in the UK were revolving around the analytical and critical-thinking aspect of an academic essay, the Japanese educational system seemed to be focused more on facts and knowledge.

So what is SIPA like?

SIPA is unique in its ability to combine all studying styles at once. At SIPA, you can take courses that focus on teaching negotiation skills, writing policy papers, or giving presentations, but also courses that are exactly the opposite. While SIPA is greatly oriented towards practical rather than theoretical aspects of the policy making craft, it offers more than 200 courses every semester. Among those courses, you may select those focusing on practice but also pure academia should you be interested in it. In this sense, I would say SIPA is generally decentralized in terms of the educational and assessment practices employed by faculty. In my opinion, this is a great thing because it gives each professor the opportunity to adjust their course in a way that brings the most benefit to their students in the specific field and topic they teach about. Another advantage is that a substantial number of professors at SIPA are current or former policy practitioners, meaning that the subject matter they teach almost always comes from their personal experience from the field. I also like that similar to London and Tokyo, New York is an amazing hub for all sorts of careers and also a place where so much could be done and experienced. All in all, the SIPA curriculum feels like a great combination of educational styles I have encountered in the past, and I cannot but recommend it!