On August 7^th, ten of KDIS students went aboard a plane to Tokyo with great expectation. It naturally developed into a strong passion to devote ourselves to one month of new life, even giving up a leisurely vacation. The school, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) was somewhat alike this KDI School with modern outlook and very warm-hearted people. People in GRIPS really impressed me with their good care during the stays.

The day after arriving, the FDI class with GRIPS and Tsinghua students began. Prof. Yoshitake delivered the lecture from the very basic theory of FDI to practical policy implications. From his insightful lecture I could learn how an economic theory could be applied to the real world as a practical guide for policy initiatives.

Based on what we learned, we had several chances to broaden our view with field trips and special lectures. We visited Nippon Koei R&D Center and Tokyo University. There, we could experience other careers as a researcher and PhD student. Especially in Nippon Koei, the most interesting part was a discussion about government’s role in establishing national R&D Center clusters. It was a chance to think about how Korean government could support private sectors in establishing R&D clusters.

After some time of sharing, I could see students from different backgrounds becoming friends very soon. We celebrated birthday of a friend from Tsinghua, and we also went out together for sightseeing just like old friends. We also shared some of policy issues related to Korea, Japan and China with careful discussions. Somewhat tricky issues like territorial dispute were covered very deeply in very different perspectives.

Looking back to August, we shared so many things in very short time. All of us finished the program with pride of ourselves to participate in another chance to make three countries much closer. I could be sure that this program established a foothold for real understanding of each other. This Campus Asia Fortnight program made me have another ambitious goal as next Campus Asia student. The goal is to come true in next February at Tsinghua University!

By Jieun YOU(2013 MDP)