Alexander Kegel is a University of Washington French and International Studies recent graduate with a focus on Foreign Policy, Security, Peace, and Diplomacy. During his time at the UW, Alex participated in a multitude of opportunities put on through the Jackson School of International Studies as well as playing trumpet in the Husky Band. “In my junior year (2014-2015), I participated in the West Coast Model European Union as the Foreign Minister for Sweden. The following year, I participated in model EU again as a co-President of the European Council. Those two experiences alone inspired me to get involved in as many extra-curricular European Union and international affairs activities as possible, culminating in me contributing to the International Policy Institute’s cyber-security blog as the European Union specialist.”
Along with his extracurriculars, Alex spent his sophomore year studying French Linguistics, Literature, and Culture at the Université de Nantes in France. In addition to his studies at the university, he also audited a history class on the settlement of the Pacific from the 16th to 18th century. “Throughout the year, outside of my class obligations, I traveled solo to 19 countries in Europe and Northern Africa. The chance to study French in Europe and actually watch the functionality of the European Union and the Schengen Zone was powerful.”
Since graduation, Alex has continued his work with the World Affairs Council in the International Visitor Program. His responsibilities include drafting thematic proposals and itineraries for visiting delegations from the US. He has also assisted in the Global Classrooms division and the International Community School in hosting the Euro Challenge event. This event invites ninth and tenth grade students to engage in economic issues relevant to the Euro zone.