Program Assistant Introduction: Maxim Visnovsky MIA ’26

Maxim Visnovsky is a second-year Master of International Affairs candidate, originally from Prague, Czech Republic. His program concentration is in International Security Policy (now International Security and Diplomacy), and his regional specialization (now an optional minor) is in Russia and the Former Soviet States. Maxim graduated with a degree in War Studies from King's College London, and spent a year abroad in Tokyo, Japan. With interests in national security, foreign policy, multilateral diplomacy, he interned for his government in the Czech national security apparatus, and in diplomacy. Maxim's engagements at SIPA include his positions as an IGP Student Scholar, a Harriman Junior Fellow, and President of the Columbia European Union Student Association. 

What were you doing before you came to SIPA? 

I am actually one of the students at SIPA who came directly upon completing an undergraduate degree. I knew that there weren't that many students like that in the program, but I really liked the idea that SIPA accepts candidates from all sorts of backgrounds as well as educational and professional experiences. Before coming to SIPA, I was studying a 3-year undergraduate program in War Studies at King's College London, with an optional year abroad at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, I've had internship experience from the Czech Ministry of Defence, the National Cyber and Information Security Agency, the Permanent Delegation of the Czech Republic to NATO, and the Czech Embassy in London. 

What attracted you to SIPA and Columbia University? 

SIPA is a great combination of everything. It offers courses focusing on all sorts of policy topics from national security to finance, energy, data science, development, or the environment. It features globally renowned professors, including Nobel Prize laureates and a great number of former high-ranking policymakers in a range of fields. In addition, I was right to think that I would study with many extremely interesting people from all around the world, while having access to all the academic and leisure facilities that Columbia offers. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that a university like Columbia remains highly regarded by potential employers, and living in New York is truly a unique experience. All these factors were definitely very important for me when I was doing my research on graduate schools! 

What has been the most challenging part of your SIPA experience? 

The biggest challenge for me has been overcoming the fact that every day at SIPA still only has 24 hours. There is simply so much stuff one could do that it is tempting to use all the free time you have. For example, you could join a student association, attend academic events and social gatherings, find an on-campus job, go swimming in the Dodge Fitness Center, work out, do your own research, attend networking events, take more courses, and so much more. In fact, there are so many courses SIPA students could choose from, that you will likely end up in the same situation as I did where deciding between them is a real dilemma. You could also cross-register for courses from other Columbia schools! 

Can you comment on the quantitative rigor in the curriculum? 

As a person who has never liked STEM courses too much, I have to say that quantitatively focused courses at SIPA for me have never been easy, but they have always been manageable. This semester, I am taking a Quantitative Analysis I course, for which we need to know a little bit of programming in R. Before the semester began, SIPA enrolled us in a brand new R Bootcamp, and made sure we learned all the necessary skills before the course started. 

What are your goals for the second year? 

My goals are to finish all my required courses and degree requirements, start looking for a job, and above all, enjoy my time here. Oftentimes, it is really easy to become a little bit too complacent and just stay on campus all the time, because of how convenient it is. That is why this year, I would like to take some time off and explore New York City a bit more. This week, I bought a discounted ticket to the Metropolitan Opera through the Columbia Arts Initiative, so I am excited to see what the city has to offer! 

What advice do you have for current applicants? 

My advice is simple – just apply! It's the most important part of the process, and the best way to start your own SIPA journey. If you're fulfilling the requirements, don't ask yourself whether you can do it or are 'good enough' for SIPA, just apply!