As KDI School continues to spread its wings far and wide, every year, the international student community expands as students from different countries walk the halls of this mighty campus. This year, KDI School welcomed the first-ever student from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a picturesque country in the southern Caribbean, made up of the primary island, St. Vincent, and a collection of smaller, scenic islands. Renowned for its stunning yacht-filled harbors and exclusive private islands, the nation is a sought-after destination for sailing enthusiasts. Its landscape is a striking blend of lush volcanic terrain and pristine coastlines. One of its popular attractions is Bequia Island, which lies off Admiralty Bay and is encircled by vibrant coral reefs and pristine white-sand beaches like the famous Princess Margaret Beach. The capital city, Kingstown, is situated on the main island of St. Vincent and serves as the cultural and commercial hub of the country. Visitors are often drawn to the natural beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and luxury appeal of this Caribbean gem.

Ms. Tonya, you are welcome to KDI School. Please tell us more about yourself.

My name is Tonya Saflana John from the beautiful island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines comprising 32 island chains. Saint Vincent is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea at the south end of the Windward Islands. I graduated from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Girls’ High School in 2010, and I enrolled in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines community college two years later I decided to pursue my bachelor’s degree at the University of the West Indies open campus in Saint Vincent where I attained a bachelor’s degree in management minor economics while working full time with the government of Saint Vincent.

Why did you choose to study at KDI School?

I chose KDI School because of the dynamic programs offered at the school which aligned with my bachelor's degree and the school’s rich cultural diversity. Coming from a small island developing state, it is important to learn about the global issues we are facing and how we can adopt methods and strategies to mitigate such challenges as well as to compare and learn from other countries. I chose to pursue my degree in sustainable regional development at KDI School as South Korea is one of the most successful countries in achieving rapid economic growth swiftly moving from a recipient aid country to a donor country. I think that’s very impressive.

What were your first impressions of the school and its community?

When I first got to the school, my anxiety levels were to the roof because I am so far away from my family and friends. I am the only one from my country, but I settled in very quickly. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful in terms of settling in. The campus tour was very helpful too and the dorm assistants, the staff, and continuing students were of great assistance in guiding us to the nearby stores, how to navigate apps, and getting bus routes to move around Sejong. This is my very first on campus full time experience. My first degree was done part-time, so staying on campus is a new experience for me and so far I am enjoying it. There are various clubs I can join to spend my free time. I am interested in table tennis and the beauty club.

Which subjects or activities are you most excited about, and why?

I am interested in taking the Korean Economic Development course as well as Korean Language and Culture. I would like to learn about the history, the challenges, the methods, and strategies faced. Korea is known for the best skin care products; I am excited I will get to try out so many and share my experiences with my friends and family. The food is super delicious. I have joined the gym.  I think I will enjoy my stay here.

Are there any challenges you’ve faced since joining, and how have you managed them?

Surprisingly, I have not faced any challenges yet. My program is 100% taught in English but before I came here, I was concerned about the language barrier and not knowing how to move around independently outside of the school. There are many apps such as Papago, Naver Maps, and Google Translate which make commuting easy as well as translating Korean to English.

For your friends in Saint Vincent and anyone considering studying at KDI School, what is your advice for them?

Good question! For the Vincentians back home, I encourage you to take the yearly educational opportunities offered and explore the different programs offered at KDI School. Take the leap of faith and apply as I did. There are many scholarship opportunities available for you to take. Being able to travel across the world to learn about global issues affecting us is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is also worth noting that KDI School is NASPAA accredited. Throughout my stay here in South Korea I hope to explore other Asian countries before I return to my home country.