Help choosing an international development program

[Alia]

Hello all,

I'm a Canadian/American planning to study international development in the fall. I have been admitted to the following programs

- Oxford: MPhil Development Studies

- LSE: MSc Development Management

- Stanford: Ford Dorsey Program in International Policy Studies

- SAIS: MA w/ International Development Stream

- Fletcher: MALD

Still waiting to hear from the MSFS program at Georgetown. Rejected from SIPA b/c of a lack of work experience.

I'm leaning towards Oxford b/c I would love to go to the UK and b/c of the reputation of the school, however, I'm concerned that the program is very academic and may lack the practical components that the other programs have. I would be grateful for any advice about these schools, especially from graduates who have attended them. In terms of funding, I currently have only been offered an annual $15000 fellowship from SAIS (but with the current exchange rate Oxford/LSE would still be cheaper).

Upon graduation, I'd like to go into journalism or doing some work related to human rights for an NGO or think tank (basically still figuring it out).

Thanks in advance for your help!