Student News

Global Affairs student Zara Sarwar was selected as a U.S. delegate for the 18th Korea-America Student Conference in Seoul, South Korea, and New York. With this year's theme being "Constructing Identity in a Globalized World," Zara and her peers explored how cultural, political, and generational forces shape identity across borders. Her group specifically examined how digital platforms mobilize activism within national contexts and contribute to transnational awareness and solidarity. Continue to read her reflection on her experience and learn more about the conference altogether.

Undergraduate and graduate students presented research posters during the Summer 2025 celebration.

Global affairs major Joey Siu was raised in Hong Kong and began her journey as an activist during the 2019 pro-democracy movement, which ultimately led her to seek refuge in the U.S. She continues her advocacy as co-founder and spokesperson for Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas and testified before the U.S. Senate this past summer.

Warmest congratulations to all our Global Affairs graduate research award recipients!

Warmest congratulations to all our Global Affairs undergraduate research award recipients!

Global Affairs Honors student, Ayman Habib, had the amazing opportunity to attend the annual South Asian Youth Initiative (SAYI) conference at Yale University. At this event, she was invited to join the "Jadu: Reimagining Reality for Justice and Culture" panel that sparked new ideas for how she could frame her working capstone project on using technology to bridge the gender gap in education in Pakistan, which she was also able to present. Overall, Ayman enjoyed her time at the conference and believes it's an excellent event that unites the South Asian diaspora to have important conversations about progress within the community.

Global Affairs student Veronica Zhang attended the Duke-UNC Chapel Hill China Leadership Summit as a representative of the undergraduate program. This experience provided her with the opportunity to deepen her understanding of U.S.-China relations, engage in discussions on the topic of “Bridging the Pacific" with her peers, and participate in a short research fair that showcased student projects. 

Olivia Van Hoey, a current Global Affairs major, recently participated in the 2025 Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit, where she learned from experts on U.S.-China relations and networked with fellow students interested in international diplomacy. This opportunity allowed Olivia to explore the details of the U.S.'s complicated relationship with China, as well as gain valuable industry knowledge from young professionals entering the field, which ultimately helped her better connect her current Global Affairs studies with her aspirations for a future career in Asian international relations.

Global affairs graduate student Ibrahima Diallo recently published his short story "The Ghost’s Signal" in Small Wars Journal after winning the inaugural Horizon 2040 competition. Inspired by the evolving nature of warfare and the impact of technology in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, his narrative explores the importance of the human element in warfare amidst advancements in AI, automation, and other warfighting apparatuses.

"My advice for students is to seek adventure and go outside of your comfort zone and your classroom; these experiences will be the ones that shape you and teach you things that a book will never." -- Rahma Tarfa