Graduate student uses internship to study political polarization

Sarah Holland — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:50:59 +0000

Graduate student uses internship to study political polarization Sarah Holland Fri, 08/25/2023 - 15:50

When ��AV graduate student Yuhyun Sihn worked as a student research fellow and a project intern for the Peace and Conflict Center Asia (PACSC Asia) in Mason Korea, she felt there were not enough opportunities for people to have a dialogue.

PACSC Asia strives to improve the relationship between people from North Korea and North Korean diasporas who have settled in South Korea and those already living there. That internship prepared Sihn perfectly for the work she is doing as a master’s student at Mason’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and her internship this summer with the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

“I want to create more spaces to discuss and share the future of the Korean peninsula with a variety of people,” said Sihn, who grew up in Incheon, Korea. “This [Sorensen] internship gave me a lot of insights and certainty in my vision to become a connector of people to resolve deep-rooted conflict in the Korean peninsula.”

After studying at Mason Korea, Sihn moved to the United States in January 2022 in time for the spring semester and completed her BA in conflict analysis and resolution in December 2022. Now she is working on her master’s in conflict analysis and resolution at Mason Square as part of Mason’s accelerated master’s program.

When she found out the Sorensen Institute of the University of Virginia’s 22nd Century Scholars summer internship program was open to students from other Virginia colleges, she decided to apply.

This year’s 22nd Century Scholars Program, which is a five-week virtual internship focusing on Virginia politics, was titled “Virginia—A Two-Party Dominion" and focused on common elements of how Republican and Democratic candidates have won gubernatorial elections since 2000, emphasizing themes such as education, jobs, health care, public safety, transportation, energy, and the environment.

“As I was interested in polarization, I thought this program would give me a great chance to explore solutions to division and polarization in society,” she said.

But first, Sihn needed to put in extra time to get herself up to speed on Virginia politics. “As the American political system and culture is quite different from the Korean ones, it was challenging to understand the unique sentiments and cultures that each region in Virginia has.”

Program speakers included former governors and lieutenant governors, policymakers, political strategists, data analysts, and journalists, who shared their experiences with the gubernatorial elections. Sihn even had the opportunity to ask Senator Tim Kaine how he and his team dealt with the divisive and polarized issues during his governorship.

Kaine told her: “Even though there is a person who has a different point of view from you, listen to it sincerely. This simple action helps to lower the temperature.”

“As a conflict scholar and a future practitioner, we will face so many issues or conflicts which are difficult to resolve and meet people with different understandings and interests,” Sihn said. “From his words, I realized it is important not to give up communication with people who have different opinions and views.”

^{“This [Sorensen] internship gave me a lot of insights and certainty in my vision to become a connector of people to resolve deep-rooted conflict in the Korean peninsula.”}

^{~ Yuhyun Sihn}

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On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:39:57 +0000

On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health John Brandon C… Mon, 03/07/2022 - 12:39

Master of Public Health student Nicole Sanz shares how the bachelor’s to accelerated master’s program has supported her goal of becoming an epidemiologist.

The bachelor’s to accelerated master’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a great opportunity for undergraduates that are committed to pursuing an advanced degree in public health. As an MPH student in the accelerated master’s program, Nicole Sanz is already ahead of the curve on her career path at a time when there is growing demand for public health professionals.

“I have felt challenged and motivated by the program, my professors, and my peers,” said Sanz on her experience studying public health at Mason. “While we have different concentrations and career goals, my peers and I all aspire to improve the health and well-being of the public. The public health field is growing and needs dedicated individuals to contribute to the most pressing public health problems.”

The accelerated master’s program allows highly motivated students to complete 12 credits (four courses) of advanced courses that “double-count” in both their undergraduate and graduate degree program. As a result, students in the program can earn their MPH degree in a shorter time. Sanz is in her first year of her master’s program and is set to graduate in December 2022.

Sanz dreams of being an epidemiologist and investigating infectious diseases in communities. So, when she expressed interest in a master’s degree to her academic advisor, he told her about the accelerated master’s program. “I was drawn to apply because of its financial benefits and the opportunity to experience graduate-level courses,” said Sanz. Students who pursue an accelerated pathway can reduce the overall cost of obtaining a master’s degree.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In her program, Sanz has gained hands-on experience in academic research. Previously, she worked on a research project with former Assistant Professor Suzie Carmack where she helped research how micro-breaks in movement and mindfulness could reduce suicide risk. In a different pilot study, Sanz helped Carmack code and analyze data on a wellness training intervention. In the future, Sanz is interested in researching infectious diseases and global health solutions.

Off-campus, Sanz has continued to make an impact in her community. In September, she started an internship with Fairfax County Government. In this role, she’s had the opportunity to coordinate COVID-19 surveillance testing in addition to other health and wellness events for the county.

“Courses emphasizing social determinants of health, program implementation strategies, and epidemiological concepts helped prepare me for my internship,” said Sanz about how her degree program made her a great fit for the position.

The accelerated master's program is a unique experience that has given Sanz a variety of learning opportunities beyond the classroom. From conducting research alongside faculty to working directly in the community, the accelerated master's program is equipping her with the necessary skills to achieve a successful career as an epidemiologist.

For undergraduate students considering the accelerated master's program, Sanz suggests that students talk to their academic advisor first to see if the accelerated pathway is a good fit and to compare the benefits of the program and the non-accelerated pathway. She encourages them to speak with current accelerated master's students too.

Learn more about the fastest growing health care careers, including epidemiology.

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