Recently, KDI School of Public Policy and Management held its long-awaited completion ceremony, a day that was as much about achievement as it was about celebration. The ceremony was a formal recognition of academic success as well as a testament to resilience, growth, and community. Across the stage, students received their certificates, smiles lighting up their faces, while applause echoed through the auditorium, honoring months of late-night studies, and rigorous coursework.

At the end of the ceremony we had the chance to sit down with: Lamin K. Manneh (2024 MDP, Gambia), Ella Lisuntha (2024 MDP, Malawi), Goabaone Banyaditse (2024 MDP, Botswana), and Miete Whyte (2024 MDP, Nigeria) to hear firsthand about their experiences, challenges, and memorable moments at KDIS.

Welcome and congratulations to all of you! To start off, can you each introduce yourselves?

Lamin: Thank you! I’m Lamin K. Manneh from The Gambia. I am a Master’s in Public Policy student. Before coming to Korea, I worked as a Planner at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and briefly at the Ministry of Trade.

Ella: My name is Lisuntha Ella, and I am from Malawi. Back home, I worked in the Ministry of Energy as a Statistician in the Policy and Planning Division.  My major is Master of Development Policy 

Goaba: My name is Goabaone Banyaditse from Botswana. I worked in community development before joining KDIS for my Master’s in Development Policy.

Miete: I’m Miete Whyte from Nigeria, a Masters in Development Policy student. I previously worked as an administrative officer with the National Assembly in Abuja.

What would motivated you to enroll at KDIS to pursue your respective programs?

Ella: My greatest desire has always been to contribute to the creation of lasting, meaningful change in people’s lives. Having worked in the civil service, I observed that most development projects fail to meet their intended goals despite significant investments, often because they lack a strong evidence base. This motivated me to strengthen my ability to transform data into policies that truly work for people. KDI School provided just the kind of training I was looking for because of its emphasis on evidence-based policy formulation.

Goaba: I wanted to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to design and implement evidence-based social interventions. My goal has always been to improve the lives of marginalized communities in Botswana by contributing to the creation and execution of effective social policies.

Miete: I heard from a friend about the great opportunities at KDIS. Learning that it’s a leading think tank in Asia and internationally credible in policy research motivated me to apply.

Lamin: I was drawn to KDIS for its strong academic framework and exposure to diverse perspectives. I also wanted to gain the tools for a career that balances policy research and real-world impact.

Interesting! Can you share your most memorable experience during your time at KDIS?

Miete: Definitely the 2024 Food Festival! Tasting dishes from all over the world it was truly an amzing event. Another one that was up and personal to me was the African Develoment Forum’s (ADF) cultural night. I enjoyed this event because I particpated actively I walked on the runway in my traditional outfit basically I was a model. I also danced showcasing my culture which was so much fun I interacted with my peers from other african countries it a day I will always remember. 

Goaba: Though I can’t single out one specific event, the relationships and networks I’ve built are the most treasured part of my KDIS journey. From classmates who guided me through academic challenges, to friends who shared in my laughter, tears, and triumphs — each connection has shaped me in profound ways. These bonds have enriched my life far beyond the classroom, and I will carry them with me long after graduation. To everyone who walked alongside me, supported me, and celebrated with me — thank you from the depths of my heart. Lastly, I dedicate this degree to my grandmother (mmê, I made it jaanong robala ka kgotso).

Lamin: For me, I loved the communal dinners in the dorm kitchen. Those random conversations and shared meals helped build bonds across cultures. Another memomrable moment outside KDIS is the riding a bike at Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge it was amazing. 

What were some of the challenges you faced while pursuing your studies, and how did you overcome them?

Miete: Undertaking the Quantitative Methods course was tough for me since I have a humanities background. It made my first semester very challneging, I struggled a lot in the beginning. Luckily, KDIS has great support systems they have teaching assistants, peer study groups, and aside from the school the African Development Forum organized study classes that helped students like me prepare better for exams. The support systems at KDI School are quite incredible.

Goaba: The most difficult moment was losing my grandmother who was my rock and not being able to travel back home for her funeral. It was an incredibly painful time, but the compassion and support of my friends here at KDIS helped me feel less alone and gave me the strength to keep going.

Lamin: The greatest challenge was re-entering the academic environment after more than five years of being away from formal study. Fortunately, the well-structured KDIS courses, complemented by professors’ expertise and their ability to break down abstract concepts into more practical examples, made the transition remarkably smoother. This vibrant academic framework with the best faculty one could ask for is, to me, one of KDIS’s defining strengths.

The initial months in Korea were both adventurous and demanding. Adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, and acclimating to a different academic environment all required significant effort. But reuniting with a close friend who was already familiar with the country and a supportive student community helped me settle in well. Taking the Korean Language and Culture course was indeed transformative, turning initial complexities into excitement for all that Korea has to offer. I cannot forget always speaking my few broken Korean sentences to everyone on campus. 

Finally, what advice would you give to incoming students at KDIS?

Miete: Be strategic with your courses and also explore Korea — it’s a life-learning experience beyond school. 

Goaba: Cherish the connections you make; they are just as important as the academics.

Lamin: Balance academics and extracurriculars. Engage fully in student life and seize leadership opportunities.

Ella: Be open minded and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. 

Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey with us. We wish you all the best as you go back to your countries to impact your communities.