Erika Chagin

Erika Chagin graduated with honors from the University of Southern California in 2025, earning a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Business Law. She was a recipient of the Global Scholar Distinction and Global Scholar Prize in recognition of her scholarly research conducted abroad. Her thesis, Hard vs. Soft Law in the European Union’s Migration Externalization Strategy: A Comparative Policy Analysis, examined the legal implications of the European Union’s approach to the Mediterranean migration crisis. While at USC, she studied political economy in Prague, European law in the Netherlands, and international humanitarian law in Kyrgyzstan.

As an undergraduate student, Erika traveled to over forty countries to conduct research, practice language immersion, and intern at various organizations, including Desert Bloom for Training and Sustainable Development in Jordan, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights in Lebanon, and White & Case in Qatar. Through these experiences, Erika developed strong cross-cultural communication skills, nuanced advocacy strategies, and adaptability to navigate complex international professional settings smoothly.

At USC, Erika founded her university’s chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a nonprofit dedicated to educating students on global affairs and providing pathways to engage with the UN. Under her leadership, over twenty students attended UN conferences at the New York headquarters and abroad, while hundreds of others participated in educational seminars on campus. As president, Erika prioritized inclusivity, mentorship, and encouragement, fostering a supportive environment for students to develop professional skills and pursue opportunities for international engagement.

Erika is interested in human rights, global governance, and sustainable development, though she is eager to explore other dimensions of international law while at Georgetown. Her regional focus includes the MENA region and post-Eastern Bloc states. She has varying levels of proficiency in Levantine Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch, and enjoys playing classical piano, working out, and exploring culinary traditions from around the world.