My name is Gloria Tukamwesiga, MDP 2024 from Uganda. I am a KDIS student reporter 2024.

I went on a small mission to collect students’ first impressions of the Korean Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management. In this story, I share my impressions from the time of application and document submission to eventually being admitted to one of the leading institutions in South Korea.  KDIS is home to over 300 students from all over the globe. Also known as Asia’s Think Tank and recently, being awarded the excellent institution award, 4th time in a row since 2020, KDIS prides itself in the diversity of its students from all walks of life, who are passionate about research and public policy. In this article, I’ll also share the first impressions of Hiramony (Bangladesh), Karlpeters (South Sudan) and George (Cameroon) on their journey from application to admission and to finally setting foot at KDIS.

I first heard about KDIS in 2023, from a colleague of mine who was a student at the time.  From his charming elaboration of KDIS, I knew it was a school I wanted to try out. I waited eagerly for the application period to open and when it did, I embarked on the submission of all academic documents, in the hope of meeting all the requirements and joining this amazing institution. To say I was filled with joy when I received my admission offer to KDIS is an understatement. I beamed with excitement as I prepared to embark on this journey to  Korea. 

I was welcomed by winter, a kind of weather I had never experienced in my life. I was underdressed for the occasion of winter, and by the time I reached the KDIS dormitory, I was shivering like a chicken. However, the dormitory assistant helped me to settle in, and we went for the campus tour. My fellow students were welcoming and willing to direct me around campus. I was mesmerized by the state-of-the-art Library, and I knew it was one place I would spend most of my time. With books smartly organized on shelves, I knew my future was secure. Indeed the 20-hour flight from Uganda to South Korea was worth it.

My time at KDIS and in Sejong City has so far been enjoyable, marking just the beginning of my academic journey and future aspirations. As I look ahead to my one-year stay in South Korea and KDIS, I am eager to explore more and tick off items from my bucket list that I would never have ticked off, if I had not joined KDIS. Cheers to the adventures that await in this beautiful corner of the world. Indeed, this is Where the Difference Begins.

HIRAMONY, Marufa Sultana Khan (2023 MPP, Bangladesh)

Meet Hiramony, from Bangladesh, 2023 MPP major as she takes us down memory lane from the day a circular from KOICA was shared at her office to setting foot at KDIS in the winter semester of 2023.

I embarked on my journey at KDIS to pursue a master’s in development policy (MDP) in 2023. My journey to KDIS began when a circular from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was shared via the Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh where I worked at the time. Intrigued by the prospect of studying at an institution renowned for its excellence in public policy and management, my expectations were high. Little did I know that these expectations would be exceeded from the very first moment I set foot on the campus.

As a government official immersed in the intricate workings of policy and administration, my journey to KDI School of Public Policy and Management (KDIS) has been more enlightening. The rigorous curriculum is meticulously crafted to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential for navigating the complexities of governance and development. The emphasis on evidence-based policymaking resonates deeply with my professional ethos, reinforcing the importance of data-driven decision-making in shaping effective public policies.

As I delved into the KDIS learning environment, I was greeted by a myriad of innovative tools and technologies aimed at enhancing academic experience. From the Knowledge of Public Economics (KOPE) program providing foundational knowledge to e-learning technologies making coursework more engaging, KDIS seamlessly integrates technology into learning. The KDI CL platform simplifies administrative tasks, while apps like KDIS Connect foster a sense of community among alumni. 

My experience at KDI School has been the opportunity to engage with a diverse cohort of students hailing from various corners of the globe. Each interaction serves as a window into different cultures, ideologies, and policy landscapes, fostering a nuanced understanding of global challenges and solutions. The collaborative spirit that pervades the classrooms and discussion forums underscores the institution's commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation, essential pillars for addressing complex transnational issues.

With a supportive community, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to excellence, KDIS embodies the epitome of a world-class institution, and I am privileged to be a part of its vibrant tapestry.

KUOL, Kuol Karlpeters Kuol, (2024 MDP, South Sudan)

Before joining KDIS, Karlpeters was working as a Local Coordinator for South Sudan at “Students for Liberty Africa.” the largest pro-liberty student movement dedicated to promoting libertarian ideas across the world. Despite his greatest worry about food and cooking, Karlpeters says, “KDIS is a home away from home.”

I first heard about KDI from my Zambian friend Thomas Mwimba, who was a student at KDIS. He completed his MPP in 2023. He told me about the different scholarship opportunities available, and I also applied. Thomas talked fondly about KDIS, and I wanted to give it a try. I am the only student from South Sudan this semester. Though I have heard that there have been students from South Sudan in the previous semesters. 

While on the way to KDI School, I was worried about the cooking and how it would possibly encroach on my reading time. Finding the Food for Thought Lounge at the heart of the KDI School building made my worries dissolve away. I just effortlessly tap my phone or Student ID against a machine and instantly receive delicious meals a few meters away from my classroom. 

Korean people are kind and respectful. I arrived at the airport late and didn't have any idea of how to get to KDIS. I asked one Korean guy about the directions, and he showed me the ticket office for buses going to Sejong. At the bus office, I was told all the bus tickets for Sejong had been sold out. The only option left was to take a taxi. The guy guided me to the taxi stop and helped me get a taxi to Daejon. I later contacted my Dorm Assistant, Abdulqudus, who guided me on the phone. KDI School’s learning environment is wonderful. The classes, the library, and the reading rooms are very organized. Technology makes everything conveniently simple. The library is fantastic. Before coming to KDIS, I was used to libraries where everything is done manually. You find your own way to the bookshelf you need without any guidance. You pick up a book and write down your names manually with the attention of the librarian. Here at KDIS, I only struggled finding the books that I wanted for the first one week of my arrival. Since then, I have been navigating my way, picking whatever I want and bringing it back without anybody’s supervision. It has been so appealing to me and has encouraged me to borrow any book that I want and thus motivates my desire to read from a variety of books and authors.

GEORGE ENO TABI, Lobe Makia (2023 MPP, Cameroon)

George is a geologist who is revolutionizing trade and mining as a sub-director in the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development in Cameroon. He serves as the President of the KDIS African Development Forum (ADF) and Dormitory Assistant (DA) for building 102. He says coming to Korea and KDIS was the most challenging yet exciting decision he has ever made. He praises the dormitory assistants for the warm welcome, something that inspired him to be a dormitory assistant to extend the same welcome he received to others.

KDI School has a variety of students with diverse backgrounds and cultures, which you witness every day through the languages, food and in the lecture rooms. KDIS is like the whole world in one place. KDIS efforts in balancing studies and social life are very commendable and that has made me feel at home though I am thousands of miles from home. 

My experiences have been greeted with warmth. It is true that language has been a barrier to interact socially, but I am always amazed with the efforts of an old man on the streets who tries to communicate with me when I want to ask for directions, which is usually through Google Translate.

KDIS excels in striking a balance between academic rigor and fostering a vibrant social atmosphere, truly making it feel like a home away from home. The knowledge and skills I've gained thus far are immeasurable. I aspire that by the time I complete my studies, I will proudly stand among the finest public policy makers equipped to address both domestic and international developmental challenges, positively impacting my home country. KDI School is indeed Where the Difference Begins.