DC and Taxes

January 15, 2015 • by Beth Gawne

I never in my life thought I’d be excited to take a class all about tax policy, but lo-and-behold, last week I found myself sitting in the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., learning all about how the corporate income tax works.

And I loved every second of it!

Something great about Maxwell are the opportunities to take interesting and relevant classes not only in Syracuse but around the US and even around the world. The past few weeks were the January Intercession courses, and some of us stayed up in snowy Syracuse, while others went to New York or Washington, DC. While my fellow IR-ers were in good ol’ NYC learning about the United Nations, I was in DC with some MPA students learning about one of the two inevitable things in life.

We got to create our own tax incentives, “advise” the President about what to say on taxes in the State of the Union Address (a simulation of course), and present our own research on a particular area of the field. I, myself, prepared a riveting “Frozen“-themed presentation on the Scandinavian Dual Income tax.

(A picture of the class in action)

Maxwell has a partnership with CSIS where they utilize the study space in DC for classes and research. Not only is the January intercession class taught there, but all the other Maxwell in Washington classes are there (summer, fall, and spring). It was a gorgeous, modern building with really cool facilities, all located in a convenient park of DC. There were some cool cafes and restaurants located within walking distance, and even in the freezing cold it was quite pleasant to stroll around the area.

(The lobby of CSIS. Source- http://adcyoungguns.org/images/projects/4363/07__smart_large.jpg)

I felt really lucky to not only study in such a great place and awesome city, but with some of the top professionals in the tax and budgeting realm of the US government. It has me eagerly anticipating my fall internship in DC, and I’m definitely looking forward to returning to this city during that time!

Magic of the Maxwell “Mafia”

November 14, 2014 • by Beth Gawne

The time is 2018 and the place is the Middle East. Tensions are rising between Iran and Israel, and it’s up to the nations involved to determine whether the world erupts into World War III or not. ….. Or, at least that was the scenario we were given.

Allow me to explain.

An old friend of mine and a Maxwell alum is a part of an organization called “Young Professionals in Foreign Policy,” and this past weekend in Washington, D.C., she was helping put on a Security Crisis Simulation. I decided to take part, even though I was nervous and scared about joining in. However, I soon learned I had no reason to be. Because of the help of other Maxwell students, I got a ride down to New York, had a fun Friday in the city, and was able to save money. My Maxwell alum friend hosted me at her place, I met a few other awesome people at dinner, and geared up for an exciting and fast-paced crisis management scenario.

Checking out the White House– and perhaps one of our future homes?

At the scenario itself, I worked with other young professionals in the international relations field, and we navigated our national interests alongside the whims of other States as well as surprise events that cropped up. Assassinations, drone strikes, and media faux pas were just some of the predicaments that came our way. My team was China, and we worked really well together.

Team China!

I got a chance to learn diplomatic skills, see how military and intelligence operations work, and meet tons of fascinating people. And I’m proud to say that China did a pretty awesome job over all– if acquiring South China Sea territory as well as the Taiwan island is any evidence to our teamwork and savvy. It was exciting, interesting, and challenging all at the same time, and I can’t wait for future opportunities.

I really think it’s the amazing experiences in the Maxwell school that allows alumni to stay invested in the program and let us know about opportunities like this. Having a place to stay, getting fabulous advice, and even some career suggestions… I can’t believe how much help that all was. And, I don’t blame the alums for wanting to stay in touch with Maxwell. My trip over to New York– even though it was just for transit– was a ton of fun thanks to my fellow classmates being so great!

And just look at these fun and awesome Maxwell folks!

Grassroots Internationalization

October 10, 2014 • by Beth Gawne

In Eggers 400 every Wednesday from 12:30-1:30, PARCC (Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration) hosts a conversation group on a conflict or international issue. They bring in outside guest speakers who present on something relating to conflict or conflict management. A few weeks ago was the first one of the year, and I figured I would see for myself how it was– the free pizza didn’t hurt either!

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Image source:http://maxwellalumni.wordpress.com/tag/immigration/

That week we got to hear about a program that brought academics from North Korea together with educators from the US and South Korea to build scientific knowledge. One of my fellow Maxwellians was one of the students participating this past summer, and he gave a really great presentation about his experience. I came in that room with preconceptions of North Koreans, and I’m glad to say those preconceptions were rightfully challenged.

The group this past summer was doing some hard work putting together scientific research, but a lot of the best parts of the exchange happened when the laptops were closed. Eating together, chatting, sightseeing… it served to not only break-down stereotypes, but also build bonds of friendship. The media tends to portray North Korea as something so starkly different from the side I saw at the conversation table, and this presentation reminded me that real North Koreans are far from that image.

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The group of North Koreans and educators. (Picture courtesy of Eric Horvath)

I connected a lot with the presentation, not only because of its hopeful message, but because of my own experience doing cross-cultural exchanges in rural Japan. In Maxwell’s IR program, we’re learning a lot of “big picture” ideas. I know more than ever about international organizations, the UN, NGOs, or how policy is implemented on a large scale. But, I think that just as important as these are the people-to-people connections built on a smaller scale. When we don’t interact with or understand people from different nations, we can create some pretty damaging images of one another.

And it’s so easy for us to make an enemy out of an unknown people. We justify acts of violence through by saying that another group is somehow “bad” and deserves it. When we’re forced to see just how human they are, all these stereotypes break down. It might not be as flashy as negotiations between ambassadors, but connecting on a grassroots level is just as necessary. Even more, it’s something everyone can do, and you don’t need an IR degree to do it.

I guess that’s something I’ve really enjoyed during my time in Maxwell so far. I’ve been learning just as much outside of class as I have in class. Sometimes the opportunities sometimes even end up being more than I can physically go to– which is awesome in all the right ways!