“Zakaria’s personality and approach inspired me to register for the dinner,” explains Muskie [8] fellow Ani Ter-Mkrtchyan. Ter-Mkrtchyan met journalist and international affairs specialist Fareed Zakaria [9] at a dinner event during his visit to the University of Oklahoma [10] campus. She also attended his public lecture on America’s role in the global community.
Ter-Mkrtchyan was primarily influenced by Zakaria’s focus on what the US can learn from developing countries. “He gives a lot of importance to the developing world and other countries that people don’t realize are important,” said Ter-Mkrtchyan.
As a public administration fellow, Ter-Mkrtchyan researches American and global administrative reform practices that can be applied in developing countries, including her native Armenia. Inspired by Zakaria’s perspective, Ter-Mkrtchyan wants to also consider the influence that developing countries have on countries like America.
Listening to Zakaria reaffirmed Ter-Mkrtchyan’s plans for a future of public service. After returning home, Ter-Mkrtchyan would like to work as an adviser to the Public Administration Commission of the Government of Armenia and also teach public management courses.
The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program [8] is administered by IREX and funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State. [11]