Isabella Frazier – a fourth-year student majoring in International Affairs – was accepted into the Master’s program for Human Rights and Politics at the London School of Economics.
The London School of Economics caught Frazier’s eye during a Florida State University study abroad program studying human rights and genocide. She was then able to work with the FSU Office of National Fellowships to apply for funding for this opportunity.
Frazier initially chose to come to FSU because of its strong reputation for social sciences research, but she also wanted to come to a place that would allow her to be more than just a student.
“I knew I wanted to immerse myself beyond my university culture, but also in the community, I would be a resident of for four years,” she said. “FSU is actively working to bridge its students to the Tallahassee community and its organizations.”
FSU allowed her to do that and so much more over the course of her four years at the University. She served as the Director of Global Peace Exchange, the Lead Communications Intern at the Florida Lottery, a Social Science Scholar, a community ambassador for Florida’s People Advocacy Center, and an ambassador for FSU’s International Programs.
Her most impactful experience though came as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) in 2020. It was her time researching human rights in West Africa with Joseph Hellweg, Ph.D., that she credits as the catalyst for her chosen career path.
“It allowed me to delve into my academic writing skills but also pushed me to present my research at numerous conferences across the country,” Frazier said. “My UROP experience also pushed me to apply for the study abroad program in London, which ultimately led me to discover LSE.”
Altogether these opportunities have prepared her to take on the challenges of a new school, a new country, and a new chapter of life.
“My four years at FSU could not have better prepared me for my post-graduation path,” Frazier said. “At FSU I learned that I am a leader, a researcher, a mentor, an activist, a global citizen, and most importantly a lifelong learner. My faculty and mentors at FSU pushed me when I didn’t believe in my abilities.”
She is planning to move to central London in September and is ecstatic to embark on a new journey.
For more information about FSU’s International Affairs program, visit coss.fsu.edu/internationalaffairs. For more information about the Social Science Scholars Program, visit coss.fsu.edu/social-science-scholars.