Natalie Fiszer, ESIA BA ’14, was recently selected for the USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship, which offers financial support for graduate school as well as an opportunity for employment with the USAID Foreign Service upon completion of her studies.
GW: Tell us about what you are doing now and why it matters to you.
NF: Since graduating from the Elliott School in 2014, I have been working in global health in Latin America. I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, and later managed a community health project in Ecuador for a small NGO. This September, I began a Master of Public Health program at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. My course of study will focus on epidemiology and infectious disease, enabling me to complement my field experience by gaining technical skills in epidemiological surveillance and disease prevention and control strategies to address public health emergencies. Upon completing graduate school, I will swear in as a Population /Health /Nutrition Officer in the USAID Foreign Service, where I’ll be assigned to overseas USAID missions and work with governments and partners in-country to implement public health projects that meet the U.S. government’s foreign assistance objectives.
During my career in grassroots development, I have absolutely loved collaborating one-on-one with communities and working directly in health education, capacity building, and program development. As a Foreign Service Officer, I will focus more on the design, management, and evaluation of large-scale, high-impact projects, while supporting and training host country nationals who are guiding the future of their country’s development. Moving forward in my career, I aspire to always carry my perspective of community driven development in public health, empowering and working alongside local counterparts to create sustainable change.
GW: How did the Elliott School influence your professional choices and successes?
NF: I was greatly influenced by the students and faculty at the Elliott School, specifically by their professionalism, passion, and real world experience. Entering into a culture where many students had internships or jobs related to their degrees inspired me to look for internships and volunteer opportunities as soon as I arrived in DC. I appreciated the opportunity to learn from faculty who shared their decades of experience working in the field, and to see the many different directions my career could take me. Being a GW student enabled me to gain formative experience in international development as an intern, and then employee, at the Peace Corps, and I observed the inner workings of national and international policy as an intern at the U.S. House of Representatives and at local non-profits. I was fortunate to study abroad in Brazil, which further reinforced my interest in living and working abroad. Many of my classmates at the Elliott School also chose to serve in the Peace Corps after graduation, and I thrived in a culture where my peers had similar interests and values.
GW: Are there particular classes and professors who stand out in your mind?
NF: One of my first classes at GW was Introduction to Comparative Politics, during which the professor took the class on weekly trips to various embassies in DC to hear from representatives of each country about their culture, language and politics. I enjoyed this class because of its real world connection. My favorite Elliott classes were those that similarly combined in-class instruction with examples of current events in the subject area. I fondly remember James Foster’s Development Economics class, and I have been able to apply concepts learned in his class and other economics courses while working in the field.
GW: What would you say to current Elliott School students who want to make a positive difference in the world? To GW alumni?
NF: As a student of international affairs, I believe it is incredibly important to develop an understanding of the world beyond the classroom. I would encourage students to travel, build language skills, and develop relationships with people who come from diverse backgrounds. Even for students who are interested in U.S.-based careers, time spent in the field living and learning about the politics, economies, and cultures of a region can provide crucial skills and knowledge to make an impact in your work. While study abroad or other international travel opportunities can be costly, it is possible to find funding opportunities and support at GW to enable those experiences. Once you enter the workforce, it is important to keep looking for opportunities to gain diverse experience through fellowships or short-term contracts.
For GW alumni interested in a career with USAID and planning to pursue a Master’s degree, I would highly recommend applying for the 2020 cycle of the Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship. Applicants can be recent graduates or have several years of experience – the only requirements being enrollment in a two-year Master’s program related to international development and a five-year commitment to the USAID Foreign Service. The application deadline is November 1, 2019, and more information can be found at paynefellows.org.
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