My Journey to KDI School of Public Policy and Management

I come from a community where achieving equality and obtaining a quality education are significant challenges for many children who, in reality, have a growing appetite for the same. Therefore, when I received the news I had qualified for a KDI School scholarship, it was like heaven came down. I had mixed reactions, however, on whether it was real, having previously suffered as a victim of a scholarship con. I had to ask quite a lot of friends and conduct research on the existence of KDI School to ascertain whether it was safe before making the decision to move forward with my application. The fact that it was Korea worsened my suspicions, coupled with the fear of security issues.

I still remember how I spent nights preparing for the interview because I wanted to give my best so that I would not miss the opportunity, only to be interviewed for less than 5 minutes! This further escalated my fears as I asked myself, “What kind of interview lasts less than 5 minutes?” Having attended other scholarship interviews where I was grilled for hours as if I was applying to be a national detective it was quite unusual! When the big news of “Congratulations!” came through, it elicited mixed reactions of both happiness and anxiety. 

Traveling to South Korea was my first international trip. I was not sure how things would be and I was so worried. However, it was amazing how KDI School made things really easy for international students like me with adequate information on every stage. Actually, the most worrying part for me was the moment when the plane touched down — how would I get around? Fortunately, upon arrival, I was instantly received. In fact, the first question I was asked at the airport after going through the immigration procedures was "Are you a KDI School student?" And boom, it was easy! KDI School was able to organize my reception and transportation to a quarantined hotel. The seven quarantine days were like a small prison on Earth, but I was in constant communication with the KDI Student Affairs Division through Kakao Talk. They were very friendly and kept checking up on me. I still appreciate that box of goodies from the KDI School Student Affairs Division—it was a great package! 

My first day at KDI School was full of experiences. It was so cold, I was freezing my fingers off! I was received by the Students Affairs Division who assisted me with the transition to the dormitory so that I was settled within no time. Actually, it was at this point when I was handed my first stipend that I really believed my dream of getting a master's education had come true. KDI School is a striking palace to be; a self-sustaining environment. I was amazed at the solar energy traps running across the road, the waste management system, the security within the dorms, and the super-fast WIFI connection! When I visited the library for the first time, I did not want to leave. I saw a lot of reading materials that I fell in love with and the silence within the library was amazing. The “Think-Tank” section is my favorite place!

The diversity of the students at KDI School was also encouraging. I had the opportunity to interact adequately with people of different cultures and backgrounds while learning new things, and new foods, among others, every day. The respect and reserved nature of the Korean nationals was another heart-lifting experience. Professors were extremely respectful, friendly, and full of knowledge, making learning really easy and not as distressing as I thought it would be. I am looking forward to full hybrid classes to be able to maximize my interaction.