On a warm summer night in 2018 founders Laleh Ashrafi and Bridget Carter sat at a bustling cafe nestled in the center of Vienna's 1st district. After spending some time discussing all-things IR, Webster University, and their various interests, they realized Webster Vienna Private University did not have a student writing initiative. With pen and paper, they busily jotted down project plans for establishing their own International Relations student-based magazine.

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What started out as a coffee conversation, evolved into a full-fledged WVPU IR student initiative. Over time they built a team of graduate-student editors, designers, photographers, and contributing writers. Heidi Böening designed the front cover of the print magazine and created the WD logo, while Katie Loscher dedicated her time and skills to becoming a part of the core editorial team. 

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It was important to the team to invite both graduate and undergraduate students from all departments and provide an opportunity for students to sharpen both their writing and interview skills. In addition to that, Ashrafi and Carter envisioned creating a tighter-knit community on campus where students could create and discuss -- together.

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The magazine's content ranges from analytical pieces on global issues and current state of political affairs, to WVPU professor spotlights, student book  recommendations, coverage of university research seminars, and more. 

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Laleh Ashrafi

Co-Founder & Publisher

 

Laleh Ashrafi, the founder of World Dip Magazine, is an –International Relations graduate student at Webster Vienna Private University with a  background in the field of Linguistic and Literature. Her passion for learning the German language additionally to Farsi and Russian brought her to Vienna. Having a rich background in humanitarian activities in different countries including Afghanistan lends her a wider perspective on immigration and War studies which are her main focuses

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Bridget Carter

Co-Founder & Editor in Chief

 

Co-founder of World Dip magazine, Bridget is an International Relations graduate student at Webster Vienna Private University where her areas of focus include gender dimensions of post-conflict development. She was born in Texas, grew up in California, lived in Bangkok, and now calls Vienna home. Her background in the field of forensic science and journalistic writing give her a unique perspective from which to approach various topics of international relations. Her written work has been featured in Austin Monthly magazine, The Chronicle, The Ten-Twenty, and Metropole magazine. 

 

 

Katie Loscher

Editor & Designer

 

Katie Loscher, originally from Illinois, has spent the past five years living in Vienna. Currently a graduate student at Webster Vienna Private University, she studies international relations and would like to focus her research on security studies and foreign policy.

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Heidi Böening

Print Cover & Logo Design

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Heidi Böening from California is a woman who gives a damn. She is currently a graphic designer, business owner, and International Relations graduate student at Webster Vienna Private University. She is also currently interning at the Public Information & Communications office for the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).

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Oliver Herrmann-Preschnofsky

Editor

 

Oliver is a graduate student in the International Relations Department at Webster Vienna Private University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Media Management from FHWien der WKW in Vienna. He currently works as Editor in Chief of TeamLiquid, and as Research staff for the Austrian Press Agency (APA) and

MINDS international.

 

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Aika Maeda

Photographer

 

Aika is a photographer for World Dip Magazine and an undergraduate student at Webster Vienna Private University. She is from Osaka, Japan and came to Vienna to study Psychology. She does portrait and street photography as her hobby but also takes photos during university events.

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Alireza Shahabi Sirjani

Contributing Writer

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Alireza Shahabi Sirjani studied his BA in International Relations at WVPU where he is currently studying his MA in the same field. Prior to studying IR, he studied Architecture at the Technical University of Vienna. He has interned in a number of architectural offices as well as international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is a member of the CTBT Youth Group and his interests in the field if International Relations fall mainly in the area of arms control.

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Szonja Benczik

Contributing Writer

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Szonja from Budapest is an undergraduate student at Webster Vienna Private University where she majors in International Relations and minors in History and Management. Her main areas of interest include Central European studies and environmental issues. She came to Vienna to take advantage of the opportunities the city has to offer for IR students, but is also completely amazed by the architecture and culture of the Austrian capital. She is also involved in reporting on university events and writing about cultural topics for World Dip magazine. 

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Anna Gorbatyuk

Contributing Writer

 

Anna is an undergraduate International Relations student at Webster University with minors in Economics and Philosophy. Originally from Ukraine, she came to Vienna to continue her academic studies and professional development in the public policy field. Anna has a wide array of interests ranging from humanitarian aid affairs to global economic disparities. Currently she is developing an online platform with a global perspective for Webster students to facilitate academic exchange.

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Yelizaveta Andakulova

Contributing Writer

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Yelizaveta Andakulova is an International Relations graduate student at Webster Vienna Private University. Her research interests include EU foreign and defense policies and diplomacy. She enjoys living in Vienna where she has the opportunity to savor different musical and cinema events, as well as centuries-old architecture.

 

 

Rebecca Canak

Contributing Writer

 

Rebecca Canak is a graduate student in Webster University's Global International Relations program where she is earning her MA while studying in the Netherlands, Thailand, Ghana, Austria, and Switzerland. She attributes her interest in international affairs to growing up in the U.S. - Mexico border El Paso, Texas. Following a degree in Creative Writing and Global Studies, she spent three years traveling around Southeast Asia and South America as a freelance writer and ESL teacher. Her areas of interest include education, the refugee crisis, and women's rights. Update: Rebecca completed her MA in 2019 and is currently working as an analyst for a non-profit on the U.S.-Mexico border that provides free legal services to asylum seekers and refugees.

 

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Deborah Aberastury

Contributing Writer

 

Deborah is a graduate student in the International Relations Department at WVPU. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations with a minor in Spanish from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. Previously, she has studied abroad in Greece and England. Aberastury also writes for Pasquines and Voy Abroad and has entered with the US State Department and the Missouri Coordinated Democratic campaign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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