Aimée Parvine Ihirwe is a Master of Arts candidate in International Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna, Italy. With a strong passion for diplomacy, global equity, and cross-cultural dialogue, Aimée is committed to building bridges through international engagement and public service. She recently earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science (with a concentration in International Affairs) and Sociology from Howard University, along with a minor in German. Her academic path has taken her across the globe, including study abroad programs in Germany and Ghana, as well as a European Union Study Tour in Brussels. Aimée’s global perspective is deeply rooted in her personal journey. A Burundian-American who grew up in Tanzania and later moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, she first discovered her interest in international affairs through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program in Germany during high school. This formative experience sparked a lifelong dedication to understanding the connections between policy, people, and place. Her professional experience includes internships with the Aspen Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), and Future Now Action. Fluent in Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, German, and French, Aimée brings a nuanced and culturally aware approach to her work. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys traveling, playing her ukulele, and spending quality time with friends and family over a good cup of coffee or tea.