McCourt School of Public Policy
McCourt School of Public Policy

Walwala Bashir

Hometown: Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan 

Why did you choose McCourt? I was drawn to McCourt because of its strong commitment to evidence-based policymaking. It’s a place where passion meets data, and where big ideas are backed by real impact. I believe that when heart and evidence align, we can drive meaningful change—and create a future that’s both equitable and effective.

What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt?

My journey into policy started long before grad school—with grassroots social service, policy debates, and competitions that fueled my curiosity and commitment. I interned at ICRMS, won a policy competition at the University of Lahore (PMC), and later, a policy hackathon in Quetta focused on out-of-school children. I also conducted research on radicalization in Balochistan, which deeply shaped my understanding of the intersection between policy, conflict, and community.

But perhaps my biggest leap came when I transitioned from a theoretical background in International Relations to a highly quantitative master’s in International Development Policy. It was a risk—and a challenge—but one driven by the desire to not just understand problems, but to solve them.

What has been the best part of your experience so far?

The diversity and depth of the McCourt community have been nothing short of transformative. Being surrounded by brilliant, purpose-driven people has expanded my worldview and sparked new ideas.

One standout experience has been my fellowship at the Center on Faith and Justice, where I explored how values, faith, and justice can shape inclusive policy.

And on a more personal note—I have to say, learning data tools has been an unexpected joy. From struggling with Stata in my first semester to now genuinely enjoying the process of discovering how data tells stories, it’s been a fulfilling (and humbling) learning curve. I’m still learning, but loving every step.

What internships have you had so far during your time at McCourt?

During my time at McCourt, I’ve been fortunate to intern with:

Both experiences gave me the opportunity to apply classroom theory to complex, real-world issues—and showed me just how powerful the right tools can be when tackling entrenched challenges.

Student organization involvement while at McCourt:

Community has been at the heart of my McCourt experience. I’m actively involved in:

I was also honored to be a Georgetown Public Policy Challenge finalist, where my team designed a policy aimed at empowering immigrant parents to better engage with their children’s education. Being selected as a finalist from over 50 teams was a truly humbling and rewarding experience that deepened my passion for inclusive policy solutions.

More recently, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a keynote speaker at Georgetown’s first Faith and Public Policy Breakfast—an inspiring event that brought together diverse voices to explore the intersection of values, belief, and policymaking.

Through these experiences and roles, I’ve been able to work on issues related to sustainability, equity, and civic engagement—three causes that continue to shape and inspire my journey in public policy.

Undergraduate University, degree, and major: I earned my BS in International Relations from the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering & Management Sciences, where my passion for global issues, diplomacy, and development first took root.

Hobbies/ Interests:

Outside of the policy world, I love:

Reach out to me about: