International affairs students attend security conference in London

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Three graduate students at the Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) recently attended a high-profile international security conference in London with the help of financial support from SIA. At the conference, the students networked with and learned from senior policymakers, military officials, and security experts from around the world.

The conference, Security and Defence 2024, was hosted by Chatham House, a leading think tank and policy institute based in London.

The three students—Spencer Decuir, Rayan Mama Amadou, and Kateri Rios—are all second-year SIA students who anticipate completing their master’s degree in international affairs this May. As they prepare to launch their careers, they said that attending the conference was an invaluable opportunity to expand their networks and learn more about the field of international security.

SIA encourages its students to participate in international experiences during their time in the program; its academic and career advisers work with students to identify relevant opportunities and help them fit international experiences into their academic schedule and career goals.

Decuir, Mama Amadou, and Rios received additional support in the form of the Global Award, which provides select SIA students with funding to use toward an internship, study abroad, or professional conference experience outside of the United States.

“We in the School of International Affairs are thrilled that three of our students were able to participate in the 2024 Security and Defence Conference at Chatham House, London, with SIA support,” said Dr. Mitchell Smith, SIA director and professor of international affairs. “This conference attracts internationally renowned speakers from government, the military, and civil society, giving our students a valuable opportunity to expand their professional horizons. As it turned out, to no surprise, the students also discovered Penn State connections at the conference.”

Smith noted that the experience came about through a combination of the students’ initiative and SIA support—an excellent model for how students can maximize their time at the school.

“We encourage all of our students to continue seeking opportunities to participate in important international conferences and workshops, and we are committed to supporting as many of them as possible to do so,” Smith added.

Professional Development

Following their return from the conference, the students all highlighted the professional impact of their experience.

“Participating in this conference proved to be a remarkable opportunity, offering insights into security and defense from esteemed experts in the field,” Mama Amadou said. “The exposure to European perspectives on defense and security added a valuable dimension to my understanding.”

Rios, who is pursuing concentrations in international security studies and criminal justice and is interested in working at a national security agency, was drawn to the conference because of the topics that were being covered, included NATO’s horizons after Vilnius, the new space race, European defense, resilient national infrastructure, and AI and emerging technologies.

“By attending this conference, I gained networking skills outside of a Penn State setting,” Rios said. “I also gained knowledge on other career paths that I might not have previously considered, which really opened doors to more opportunities.”

Similarly, Decuir entered the conference with a plan to proactively connect with professionals working in fields in which he is interested.

“One of my biggest goals was to approach individuals who work within organizations I’m familiar with or aspire to work for one day, or with other young professionals who attended the event,” Decuir said. “I met a lot of really fascinating people who provided interesting perspectives on the discussions, shared some of their own work and what they were currently focused on, and broadened my network to a whole new level.”

Support from SIA

The SIA Global Award provided Decuir, Mama Amadou, and Rios with significant financial assistance that helped make the conference trip a reality.

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Penn State School of International Affairs for the funding that enabled me to attend a security conference outside of the United States,” Mama Amadou said. “I believe that, apart from the annual career fairs, attending conferences stands out as one of the exceptional opportunities that SIA helps provide to its students.”

SIA support went beyond financial assistance, however.

Given the timing of the conference, which took place while classes were in session, the students needed some flexibility from professors regarding missing classes and making up assignments.

“My professors were not only understanding of the time missed in class but were very encouraging of my attendance at the conference,” Decuir said. “I really appreciated having the support of the SIA community prior to and after the trip.”

The shared experience abroad is one that all three students are not taking for granted.

“My favorite part was that Spencer, Rayan and I got the privilege to represent the Penn State School of International Affairs in a foreign country,” Rios said. “This was a great career and networking opportunity that I would not have been able to do without SIA.”