Alex Na Selected for Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences congratulates Alex Na, a junior majoring in government and politics, who was selected for the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) 2021 Junior Summer Institute. Na will study at the University of Michigan during the program.

Na thanked Dr. Leslie Brice, assistant director of UMD’s National Scholarship Office, for editing his PPIA application essay, and for encouraging him through the process.

At this point, Na does not know if the program will be in-person, hybrid, or online, but said he is looking forward to working with “a very diverse group of highly motivated students from all over America.”

“In our GroupMe introductions, I met students majoring in engineering and business, which aren't typically aligned with politics or policymaking,” Na said.

During the summer, Na will take classes including microeconomics, statistics, and writing in order to prepare for graduate school. He will work with students from various disciplines to apply analytical and communication skills to approach current policy issues.

Na’s interest in international relations started when he first moved to the United States from Korea, when he was about 7 years old. Attending a predominantly white public elementary school was challenging for Na; at the time, he did not know more than the English alphabet.

“I was the language bridge to my parents. I also was the cultural bridge to my parents as they learned the American culture through me. They learned the American way of life by having me as their guinea pig, as I was the first in many milestones,” Na said. “I was the first to graduate from an American high school. Soon, I will be the first to graduate from an American university. These experiences shape who I am and nurture my love for international relations, as I bridge gaps between two nations and cultures.”

In the future, Na hopes to work for the government in the fields of public service or foreign relations, or in a private sector or nonprofit organization.

“Regardless of where I work, I just want to help people in any way and continue to bridge gaps. I want to fight for justice and advocate for human rights across the world. I want to bring peace and stability to low-income families,” Na said.

Published on Mon, Apr 19, 2021 - 11:29AM