I have always dreamt of getting a foreign graduate education. Beyond acquiring a different kind of training from the one I''m used to, I’ve believed that living abroad within an international community would contribute to my growth, both as an individual and as a professional. As a person coming from a family of modest means, this dream could only be fulfilled through generous financial support. I’m grateful and proud of having been taken in by the KDI School of Public Policy and Management.

Over the past 11 months, I have acquired invaluable fundamental skills needed to be a competitive public manager. In between learning about management, finance, and policymaking, I have developed cultural intelligence through working with my peers within and beyond academic settings. I also got acquainted with handling new settings and new people. It has been an interesting year, honing both my hard and soft skills.

As we approach graduation, I''d like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the community that made this year more than just about lockdowns and movement restrictions. The wonderful professors, staff, and students of KDIS defined my 2020, making it a year of learning and creation of meaningful connections – especially my amazing colleagues from the Writing Center, TEDxKDISchool, and the Student Reporters who engaged me in compelling extracurricular activities. I am deeply grateful to my lovely new friends, who made each day more exciting through study sessions, coffee crawls, and even spontaneous grocery shop visits!

As much as I dread bidding goodbye, I am also excited to put the knowledge I gained from KDIS to good use. My year in Sejong will always be cherished. Maraming salamat (thank you so much)!

Joyce Mariel Sugui Aguirre (2020 MPM)

It feels like only yesterday that I entered KDI School last fall, but time flew by so fast, and I’m already about to graduate. Considering how much I’ve learned and grown, I strongly believe that choosing KDI School was the best fit for my career and interests. All the learning and hard work has improved my value as an expert in and a researcher of the field of development.

The most memorable activity in my school life was working as a TA (Teaching Assistant). Although I had no background in statistics or economics, I got the opportunity to work as a TA in the Quantitative Methods, course thanks to the encouragement of the professors. Through my TA activities, I gained confidence in quantitative research methodologies, further strengthening my basic knowledge of it, so much so that I could use quantitative analysis for my graduation thesis. Most rewarding of all, I was able to both help and learn from other students and other TAs, and enjoy good relationships with them. Thank you to Professor Kim Dong-seok and Professor Rhee In-bok for allowing me to have this valuable experience, and for generously supporting me. I would also like to thank my Supervisor, Cho Yoon-cheong, and Professor Joo Yu-min for guiding me to the completion of my graduation thesis.

I also appreciate the efforts of faculty and staff who have devoted themselves to providing quality education during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures the school took to adapt to the pandemic helped us to continue our studies without restrictions, both online and in on-site classes.

I was honored to share my goals and visions with my classmates from all over the world. In addition, through various cultural and academic events, I had a great school life interacting with my friends.

It is a pity to leave school, but I believe that we will be able to continue our solidarity through our alumni network even after graduation.

Jiin Yoo (2019 MDP)

The Globe – KDI School Yearzine 2020