The CUNY Baccalaureate Blog

Dear CUNY Baccalaureate,

I am a CUNY BA grad ‘05 and also a Thomas W. Smith Fellow.  Since graduating with dual concentration in Cultural Anthropology and Comparative Literature, I went on to receive an MA degree from Columbia University’s Paris campus in French Cultural Studies.

After completing the degree in September 2006, I worked at the International Rescue Committee with youth from all over Africa and Asia.  In May 2007, I began a 6 months internship with UNHCR in Dadaab, Kenya — a group of refugee camps near the Somali border.  In February I was hired by Mapendo International and now work as a consultant.  I am currently seconded to UNHCR and am working in Kakuma, another refugee camp near the Sudanese and Ugandan borders.

Working and living in refugee camps is not easy, but the rewards are well worth it.

CUNY BA was so instrumental in both my academic and professional trajectory and I really support the program.  I also wanted to send a special thank you to Mr. Smith, if you can pass along my gratitude.

Kind regards,

Jaylene Ney

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