hoggerjp

One vote for Fletcher MIB, especially if you have some "figuring out" to do in terms of what is it exactly that you would like to achieve in the private sector. Although you can choose to take business oriented courses while at SIPA MIA, the private sector focus is already built into the MIB program, and you won't feel like a second banana to Columbia Business School students in that respect. Besides, Fletcher really does care about providing you an individualized program, and the school's atmosphere is more conducive to much needed self-reflection. Personally, this decision will be a no brainer - MIB hands down. (FYI I went to a business school for undergrad and will most likely be enrolling at SAIS this fall) But that's just me. Congrats!

I think the reason why so few top IR programs offer study abroad option is that these schools expect you to already have the experience of having lived or worked overseas, or expects to you work overseas after the completion of a degree. For this reason, Fletcher does not offer foreign language classes for credit (though you are free to audit courses that are offered through Tufts). I do not know about you, but for me, picking out only 16 or so courses out of a myriad of wonderful course offering definitely is going to be a challenge, and I need all four semesters to benefit the most from these degree programs.

I myself am 80% certain that I will be enrolling at SAIS this fall. Mainly because I have taken classes at SAIS and loved them, though I really like Fletcher for the same reasons you had mentioned. But I would like to suggest you an activity that might be able to further guide your decision. Make an excel file with a list of courses that you feel like you must take while you are at these schools, and review the course schedules for the past two years or so to see if these courses were being actually offered. Check out if the professors who were teaching these courses will be present at the school for the next two years. Take into account all the requirements etc while doing so. Mapping out a hypothetical two-year curriculum for each of these schools may give rise to issues and aspects that you did not consider before.

Also, if you are planning on working in the multilateral / public sector, I would not make the perceived name value of these schools' home institutions drive any part of the decision, unless it is important for you to be recognized by those who are outside of this field. If such matters to you though, I think it is a legitimate concern on its own for fair reasons. All these programs are highly regarded and widely recognized within the IR / public field, however.

Location: how would you like to spend the next two years? SIPA's NY/ UN advantage will be relevant only if you are planning on getting UN-related internships during the academic semester. I spent my undergraduate years in NYC; though it was a wonderful program, I felt like I really missed out on the academic experience since everyone was off to do their own things after classes were done. If you would like to spend the next two years surrounded by books and fellow classmates, Fletcher might be the place to be. If your prospects in the chosen concentration will be benefited by being in the DC area, go to SAIS etc..

And most of all, congrats! Your options are just fantastic!