What does it take to understand a world that is constantly changing?

Professor Andrey Kovsh during a classroom discussion.

For Professor Andrey, it begins with curiosity and extends to the willingness to see things beyond what is immediately visible.

“Interest in international relations was not given much consideration in the past,” he recalls. However, the Cold War in the 20th century and the growing interconnectedness of countries through business, trade, supply chains, and energy have made geopolitical issues more crucial than ever. 

Since 2023, Professor Andrey has been sharing his perspectives on geopolitics and global affairs with students at KDI School. For this semester, Professor Andrey is teaching Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region. With students coming from different countries and professional backgrounds, his classroom offers more than an opportunity to discuss global issues, it has become a place where different perspectives meet.

Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region students with Professor Andrey.

“Geopolitics is not about us; it is about people,” he says, highlighting that it is important to understand how historical and cultural contexts, personal experiences, and national circumstances shape the way people see and interpret the world around us.

His own connection to KDI School goes back much further than his current role as a visiting professor. After graduating and teaching from Saint Petersburg State University, Professor Andrey first came to Korea as one of the two first Russian KOICA scholars and earned his Master of Public Policy from the institution in 2005. Returning to the school years later as a professor has given him the opportunity to experience KDI School in another way. 

One thing that has remained familiar, however, is the value of bringing different perspectives together.

In a classroom consisting of students from different parts of the world, a single geopolitical question may have many unique interpretations. For Professor Andrey, this is exactly what makes this kind of conversation meaningful. Instead of searching for a single right answer, he urges students to try to see the whole picture. 

Class field trip at the West Protection Hall at the ROK Navy Second Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea last July 28, 2026.

“You need to try to see the complete picture,” explains Professor Andrey.

This implies looking beyond a single event, asking what happened that led to it, what interests are involved, and how different actors might interpret the same situation. For students preparing to work or already affiliated in government, international organizations, and other policy fields, this way of thinking can be especially important.

The world of public policy, after all, rarely follows a perfectly predictable path.

Professor Andrey encourages students to remain open to possibilities, even those they may not initially expect.

“Don’t ignore unexpected scenarios. Be attentive to different possibilities and try to address them as much as possible.”

For him, this does not mean trying to predict everything that will happen. Instead, it means being observant and being prepared to respond when circumstances change.

That habit of attention extends beyond the classroom. When asked what students can do to strengthen their understanding of global affairs, his advice is straightforward: stay informed and keep learning.

“Pay attention to the news, read books, and analyze development case studies.”

For students at KDI School, these resources can provide different ways of understanding the same world. News stories tell students what is happening in the world at that moment. Books provide a detailed view, through theories and academic explanations of the topic. Development case studies describe how policies are carried out and their impacts to societies.

With students representing different countries, sectors, and experiences, classroom discussions can introduce perspectives that students may not encounter elsewhere. For Professor Andrey, this exchange and interaction is part of what makes teaching rewarding.

“I do not think of myself as mentoring students. We are all learning from each other in my class,” he says. 

That sentiment captures much of the experience of studying and teaching at KDI School. The classroom is not simply a place where professors share what they know. It is also a space where students challenge ideas, share experiences, and learn to see familiar issues from unfamiliar perspectives.

After several years at KDI School, Professor Andrey continues to encourage students to approach the world with that same openness. In a rapidly changing international environment, there may not always be a clear answer or even a clear indication of what comes next.

But by staying curious, paying attention, and learning to see beyond the immediate issue, students can be better prepared for whatever comes next.

Perhaps, in the end, understanding geopolitics begins with something quite simple: taking the time to see the bigger picture.