Finding Her Voice in International Relations: Meet Yildiz Malik

Before arriving at the University of Maryland as an International Relations major, Yildiz Malik was already drawn to understanding the world around her.

A lifelong interest in social studies eventually led her to the Department of Government and Politics through UMD’s Terps Young Scholars program, where she took GVPT200: International Political Relations while still in high school. The course helped solidify what had already been growing for years — a passion for global affairs, international conflict, and policy.

Now a junior pursuing a degree in International Relations with a minor in Global Terrorism Studies, Malik has built an academic path centered on understanding how politics, law, and global systems intersect. Along the way, she developed a particular interest in terrorism studies and international security, areas she says challenged her to think about global issues in a more analytical, academic way.

At GVPT, that curiosity has continued to evolve through coursework spanning international relations, counterterrorism, religion and politics, American foreign relations, and international trade. Malik says one of the most rewarding parts of the program has been seeing how topics connect across classes and disciplines, allowing her to build a broader understanding of the political world.

Outside the classroom, she has embraced nearly every opportunity to expand that learning into real-world experience.

Malik completed the College Park Scholars Civic Engagement for Social Good program, where she combined community engagement with professional experience through an internship with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Office of Resilience Strategy. She also participated in the Global Fellows Program in Critical Regions and International Relations, an experience that introduced her to professionals working across diplomacy and international affairs.

Her involvement on campus reflects that same drive to create impact and community. Malik serves as Director of Media for Empowering Women in Law, participates in Phi Alpha Delta and Pi Sigma Alpha, and co-founded the Asian-American Pre-Law Society to help create space and support for underrepresented students interested in the legal profession.

Her interest in law has also led her to opportunities outside the classroom. Last summer, Malik worked as a legal intern at a law firm in Colombia, where she helped prepare court documents, communicate with clients, and support attorneys on a variety of cases. The experience gave her a closer look at the day-to-day realities of legal work while strengthening her interest in international law.

At the same time, she has spent the past two years helping fellow students navigate their own journeys through her role as a peer advisor in the GVPT advising office.

“The advisors are super supportive, and they genuinely care about students,” Malik said. “My favorite part about the role is definitely being able to give back to students.”

Whether assisting with orientations, major workshops, or answering advising questions, Malik says the role has given her the opportunity to support students in the same way she was supported when she first arrived at UMD.

Her time at GVPT has also helped shape her long-term goals. Originally interested primarily in international human rights work, Malik’s experiences have broadened her interests to include international law, trade, and corporate accountability.

Currently, she is working on an honors thesis with GVPT Professor David Cunningham, examining France’s Duty of Vigilance law and corporate social responsibility within mineral supply chains connected to Francophone Africa. The project focuses on preventing human rights violations within global supply chains: work that reflects Malik’s growing interest in the intersection of business, law, and human rights.

For Yildiz, the work ultimately comes down to protecting people, no matter what path she pursues in the future.

“Whether that’s through field work, corporate accountability, or legal work, I want to help protect people,” she said.

Published on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 13:14