Christian Finlay '16

Christian Finlay ’16 vividly remembers walking into Madame Fawzi’s fifth-grade French class for the first time, feeling “daunted,” as he puts it, convinced he wouldn’t understand a single word. 

But his fear dissolved quickly. “Madame Fawzi immediately broke the ice by having us sing the classic song Aux Champs-Élysées. We were all so bad—but having so much fun—that we could forget our embarrassment over messing up,” he recalls.

“Starting to learn a language at Peck made me curious. I can confidently say that curiosity—more than hard work, discipline, or being clever—is the reason I’ve found success.” That early spark, he reflects, became one of the most meaningful tools he carried into his high school years at Hotchkiss, college at Cornell—including a particularly challenging but transformative class in international political economy—and ultimately, his nascent career.

“Pro tip for college,” he shares. “Keep your eyes open for the professors you think you’ll click with. The ones with the reputation for being difficult are usually the most inspiring.”

Christian reflects, “Curiosity isn’t just a trait—it’s a skill. Journalists rely on it to uncover stories, entrepreneurs use it to build the next big thing, and anyone living in another country needs it to truly understand a place.”

Today, he regularly draws on that mindset as a research fellow for International Crisis Group, a leading think tank focused on preventing war and shaping policies to build a more peaceful world. Interning in Nairobi, Kenya, daily “plot twists,” as he calls them, demand constant flexibility, empathy, and above all, curiosity. In his work with Crisis Group, Christian helps produce detailed, actionable reports for policymakers and diplomats, focusing on violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was drawn to the region because, he says, “violence seems to be the norm to most onlookers, and consequently, it gets overlooked”—a reality he hopes to change through his work.

Christian elaborates, “It’s one of the ‘forever wars’ that has been quietly raging for thirty years, and to some, a hopeless conflict; the term ‘failed state’ is all too often an accurate depiction. Though recent progress has been made, diplomatic fatigue plagues the region. Urgency tends to become apathy. When agreements are made, they fall short on enforcement. We collectively lose the political will to address the root causes of violence. Crisis Group’s work is intent on bridging this gap.”

Christian has also learned that, despite the challenging stories that dominate global headlines, people everywhere share more similarities than differences. “In all of the weird, wild, far-flung corners of the world, I realize time and time again that I have more in common with people than not. Despite what we hear in the news, most people have your back.”

In Christian’s field, speaking French isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. “I use it in my work daily,” he explains. “French is the official language of the DRC, so a lot of what we read and write is in French.” Speaking directly with local partners in their language, he says, can transform a conversation. “One of my favorite things is when someone’s face lights up after realizing an American is speaking to them in their language—the barriers melt away. There’s no better way to make a friend.”

For students wondering whether language learning is “worth it,” Christian offers a reality check: “Only a quarter of the world’s eight billion people speak English. Even if French or Spanish isn’t your top priority, stick with it. Someday you’ll surprise yourself with how fluent you’ve become and how much fun it actually is.”

For Peck students hoping to make a global impact, he offers both encouragement and challenge: “You have a lot of runway in front of you, so have fun. Don’t settle into the groove that everyone else is in just because it seems like the thing to do. Say yes to everything (within reason). Be a sponge. The best gift you can give your future self is to experience as much as possible.” And if he could return to Peck for just one day? “I’d tell myself how lucky I am. You’re surrounded by brilliant, motivated friends—and even more brilliant and motivated teachers. Simply recognizing that can make a world of difference.”