Evan Wright wants someday to work at the U.S. State Department. The Indiana University student says News Decoder is helping him blaze a career.
Evan Wright
Evan Wright of Indiana University has published two articles on News Decoder, participated in three webinars and served as Student Ambassador for two years.
For his multi-faceted contributions and commitment, Wright wins this month’s Student in the Spotlight award.
“Learning about international affairs in an academic setting can sometimes be impersonal,” Wright said when asked what has been most meaningful about engaging with News Decoder.
“The most meaningful part of my work with News Decoder has been connecting with people who are directly fighting against global challenges like climate change and human rights violations. Interviewing these individuals has helped me understand how the work that people do at the local level can have global implications.”
The Indiana University student is interning with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Earlier this month, Wright connected with Burmese in the U.S. state of Indiana to write about what members of that sizable community are doing to fight for democracy in Myanmar.
Two years ago, he looked at a war on drugs launched by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and asked the question: Can that Southeast Asian nation be considered a democracy?
In between those articles, the third-year student at Indiana University participated in three online webinars, including two this year — on the U.S. presidency and human rights.
An intern with the U.S. State Department at the Embassy in Tokyo, Wright is focusing on East Asian Languages and Cultures, and on Intelligence Studies in his undergraduate studies. This summer, he will be interning with the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.
‘News Decoder has taught me skills relevant to international affairs.” — Evan Wright
I asked Wright some questions about his work with News Decoder and his plans.
ND: Why did you get involved in News Decoder?
Wright: I got involved in News Decoder because I wanted to join a community of writers who are passionate about international affairs. I also come from a line of journalists, notably former ABC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Wally Bruner, so joining News Decoder gave me an opportunity to get in touch with my family roots.
ND: What are you studying and how does it relate to News Decoder?
Wright: I study the security environment of East Asia with a focus on the U.S.-Japan alliance, intelligence and Japanese foreign policy. Working with News Decoder has taught me to write concisely for a global audience when reporting on complex topics. Tackling global issues from the perspective of a journalist has also given me additional insight into international affairs that complement my studies.
ND: What has been most meaningful for you in working with News Decoder?
Wright: Learning about international affairs in an academic setting can sometimes be impersonal. The most meaningful part of my work with News Decoder has been connecting with people who are directly fighting against global challenges like climate change and human rights violations. Interviewing these individuals has helped me understand how the work that people do at the local level can have global implications.
ND: What are your future plans? And how might your work with News Decoder help you?
Wright: After I graduate from Indiana University, I hope to go to graduate school at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and get a job in the civil service at the U.S. Department of State. The writing and interviewing skills News Decoder has taught me are directly applicable to my work in international affairs, where concise writing and reporting skills are the cornerstones of good analysis.
(Nelson Graves is the founder of News Decoder.)