Sometimes, the most meaningful part of graduate school happens beyond lectures and classroom discussions. For two students from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, their internship experience at the World Bank Group Headquarters in Washington, D.C. became more than a professional opportunity. It became a valuable extension of their academic journey, allowing them to apply what they learned in school, deepen their understanding of global development work, and reflect on the kind of impact they hope to make in the future.

For Garam Jeon (MDP, 2024), the World Bank internship was a natural next step. It combined her interests in research and policy and provided insight into international organizations working on education and development. Hyun Seo Choi (MDP, 2025) found it a valuable chance to apply the analytical tools she acquired from KDI School to real-world development issues.

Life at the World Bank

Garam Jeon (left) and Hyun Seo Choi (right) are pictured in front of the World Bank

Both interns worked in Fiscal Policy and Sustainable Growth Unit, seeing how research informs policy. Garam’s main task was “supporting cross-country analysis on government education spending, tax structures, and fiscal space, including data cleaning and analytical outputs.” This gave her a clearer sense of how technical research supports policy dialogue, especially in domestic revenue mobilization for education. “I supported research on fiscal risks, government debt sustainability, and long-term economic stability,” she says. She also notes that collecting data and preparing policy notes showed her how economic analysis addresses real government challenges.

Hyun Seo works under the Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment (MTI) Global Practice of the same unit, which is the World Bank’s primary platform that prepares and implements the organization’s Development Policy Operations (DPOs). A standout project for her was compiling historical data on banking crises and estimating the fiscal costs: “It showed me how closely connected the financial sector and government finances are, a problem that begins in the banking system can quickly become a major fiscal burden for governments.”

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The internship also showed both students how valuable their preparation at KDIS had been. Garam emphasized that KDIS played an important role in preparing her academically and professionally. She said, “The school provided not only technical training but also exposure to policy-oriented thinking and international perspectives.” She added that being surrounded by professors and peers from different countries who are engaged in public sector and international development helped her clarify her own career direction. Courses in development policy, public finance, and regulatory theory also helped her understand the institutional and political context behind fiscal decisions.

In the same way, Hyun Seo recognized how KDIS helped her develop the skills needed for international development work. According to her, the school’s emphasis on analytical skills became especially useful in an international organization like the World Bank. Classroom discussions on global development challenges also helped her develop a broader perspective on policy issues that affect everyone across the globe. For both interns, graduate school built the confidence, discipline, and curiosity needed to pursue opportunities outside the classroom.

Growth, Perspective, and Future Direction

Beyond work, living in Washington, D.C. also became an important part of the internship experience. She shared, “Living in this city has been a very enriching experience. I enjoy visiting museums, exploring different neighborhoods and international cuisine, and attending policy talks and networking events.” Hyun Seo also enjoyed the personal side of living in the city. She said that living in a shared house allowed her to spend time with roommates, meet new people, and explore places such as the National Mall. For her, even simple activities like brunch, neighborhood walks, and sledding during winter made the experience more memorable.

As the internship continues, it has also shaped how both interns see their future careers. Garam realized that she wants to work within research and policy implementation. She said, “I learned that evidence is important, but it becomes more useful when it is translated into clear actions for policy.” In the future, she hopes to contribute to education and economic policy in international organizations and eventually support policy reforms in South Korea. Hyun Seo, meanwhile, shared that this internship broadened her interests. While she was initially interested in education policy and health systems, she is now inclined toward the areas of fiscal policy and public resource management.

Most importantly, their idea of “changing society” evolved. Garam realized that change is not always about large and visible actions, but “patiently improving systems, supporting policy dialogue, and helping design programs.” Hyun Seo added, “I’ve realized that meaningful change often happens through careful research, thoughtful policy design, and long-term collaboration between institutions.”

For students considering research or international internships, Garam and Hyun Seo’s story is a reminder that change often begins with one thoughtful step and openness to venture in unfamiliar places. These internships reveal that indeed, learning goes beyond classrooms. Anyone passionate to be involved in development work must also work with communities and institutions to understand how knowledge, policy, and collective action can shape lives, solve real-world challenges, and create lasting change.