Student Stories
BAIS student Jaden Ko receives career inspiration at Young Diplomats Forum
By Jaden Ko
From July 14 to 18, I attended the in Washington, DC. The event brought together participants from over 40 countries and featured speakers from a broad range of fields tied to international affairs. Panelists included AI researchers analyzing media narratives in conflicts, as well as former and current U.S. federal advisors from both the executive and legislative branches. We also visited the World Bank, Department of State, and the Organization of American States to ask questions about their work and career experiences.
The forum helped connect what I鈥檝e studied in international relations to how policy is shaped in practice. It was useful to hear how institutions set priorities, manage internal constraints, and operate within political realities. These are often missing from theory-heavy academic discussions. The sessions offered a clearer picture of what actual decision-making looks like on the ground.
Conversations with other delegates added to the experience. Many came from regions directly affected by conflict or policy decisions made in Washington. Hearing their perspectives challenged some of the assumptions I had and reminded me how different global issues can look depending on context. It highlighted the importance of staying informed and engaged beyond the classroom.
Overall, the forum supported both my academic interests and long-term career goals in international policy. It gave me firsthand exposure to the institutions I hope to work with, and a sharper sense of the skills and perspectives needed in this field.