We are proud to announce that Rony Rodrigo Maximiliano Rodríguez-Ramírez, a recent graduate of KDI School of Public Policy and Management, has been accepted to Harvard Graduate School of Education. Rony hails from Nicaragua, and his acceptance to Harvard is a testament to his hard work and dedication during his time at KDI School. Rony came to KDI School with a passion for public policy and a desire to make a positive impact on his home country. During his time at KDI School, he immersed himself in his studies and took advantage of the numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth that the school has to offer. He participated in research projects, engaged in discussions with experts in the field, and collaborated with his fellow students on various initiatives.

Could you please kindly introduce yourself to our audience?

Of course! My name is Rony, and I am from Nicaragua. I graduated from the Universidad Centroamericana with a degree in applied economics in 2015. After that, I moved to Korea to study at KDI School of Public Policy and Management, where I developed an interest in development economics and education policy. I joined KDI School to pursue a master’s degree in development policy under the Korean Government Scholarship Program. Thus, I lived in Korea for almost 4 years, from 2015 to 2019. Since then, I have worked as a research assistant at Innovations for Poverty Actions in Mexico first, and then moved to Washington DC to work at the World Bank, Development Research Group, evaluating impact evaluations and building programming packages. Overall, my research interests include development economics, education, impact evaluations, and conflict.

As a future Ph.D. scholar in Education Policy and Program Evaluation and Economics, could you please tell our readers about your research interests?

Sure! As I mentioned earlier, my research interests include development economics, education, impact evaluations, and conflict. I aspire to conduct education policy evaluation through the design of interventions using adaptive learning experiments that aim to ensure everyone has access to education and ultimately contribute to the area of economics of education, which is always working to address challenges with the design and evaluation of policies. I am interested in the subjects of the economics of education, and right now, seek to examine how important education is in countries with hotly contested political systems. Through a combination of quasi-experiments and lab-in-the-field experiments, I want to study whether past exposure to literacy efforts in Nicaragua was successful in providing long-term benefits for people living in disadvantaged communities. Moreover, I want to rigorously examine how online tutoring programs have affected children’s outcomes since the COVID-19 outbreak by using randomized controlled trials.

Congratulations on being admitted to Harvard! How do you feel about the news, and what was your reaction when you found out?

Thank you! I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity. When I found out, I was thrilled and immediately began planning for the move to Cambridge this fall.

What drew you to apply to Harvard, and how did you go about preparing your application? Were there any aspects of the process that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?

Harvard is known for its excellence in research, and I was drawn to the Education Policy and Program Evaluation and Economics program because of its focus on evaluating the effectiveness of education policies and programs. I spent a lot of time preparing my application, including writing essays and securing letters of recommendation. My master’s thesis advisors, Professor Booyuel Kim, and Professor Hee-Seung Yang, told me since the first day I finished my thesis that I should start preparing my PhD applications. This is something that you cannot work on for only a month in order to get accepted to these schools. You need to prepare yourself and schedule properly, so you don’t miss any deadline or document. One challenging aspect of the process was deciding on which research projects to highlight in my application, but it was also rewarding to reflect on my past work and identify my strengths and interests.

Can you tell us a bit about your background ? What are some of the experiences or challenges you've faced that you think have prepared you for this opportunity?

I grew up in Nicaragua and attended the Universidad Centroamericana for my undergraduate studies in applied economics. Moving to Korea to study at KDI School was a big cultural adjustment, but it also taught me the importance of adapting to new environments and learning from different perspectives. For instance, while I consider my undergraduate studies to have been excellent preparation, I realized that we did not have the same opportunities as other students from other countries, such as having a counsellor that could guide us if we wanted to apply to graduate programs. The same could be said about having the necessary network to understand what graduate programs want from prospective students. You come to realize how hard it is for students in developing countries to crack this code first and then to be exposed to all the admission systems in the USA and other countries. In addition, working as a research assistant at the World Bank has also been a great learning experience, as I have been exposed to a wide range of research topics and methodologies. I get to know new mentors that also guided me during the admission process and were able to talk to me and give me advice on how to frame my application.

How has KDI School influenced your career path?

KDI School has had a significant influence on my career path. It was during my time at KDI School that I developed an interest in development economics and education policy. Having taking so many PhD courses at KDIS also broadened my perspective on how to conduct research. I took courses with Professor Booyuel Kim, Professor Hee-Seung Yang, and Professor Shun Wang, for example, that improved greatly my research skills, not only at the theoretical level but also at the programming level. The school provided me with a rigorous academic training, exposure to a diverse range of perspectives, and opportunities. Additionally, as the first Nicaraguan who was granted the Korean Government Scholarship Program, I always felt that I needed to excel in every course I took. This allowed me to study in Korea and exposed me to a new culture and language, which was a valuable learning experience. Overall, KDI School played a critical role in shaping my research interests and career trajectory. Without KDI School, I would have never joined the World Bank, for example, and been accepted to Harvard University. 

Could you please tell our readers about your goals and aspirations which are a concrete foundation to shape the world and pioneer the future?

My goals and aspirations are to use my research to contribute to the development of education policies and programs that address the challenges facing individuals in developing countries, particularly in conflict-affected areas. I believe that education is a fundamental human right and a vital tool for promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and building peaceful societies. Through my research, I hope to provide policymakers with evidence-based insights that can inform the design and implementation of effective education policies and programs. Ultimately, I aspire to be a pioneer in the field of education policy and program evaluation and to use my research to shape the world for the better. I hope that I get the chance to promote education policies in countries such my own, Nicaragua, that will generate personal and community growth.

What would be your advice for current KDIS students? Are there any memorable moments at KDI School that you cherish?

My advice for current KDIS students would be to take advantage of the many opportunities available at the school, including engaging with faculty and other students, attending seminars and workshops, and participating in extracurricular activities. First, academically, follow the structure of your master’s program, that is take the required courses, and then, start exploring those courses that are related to your research interests if you would like to follow an academic journey. This will be essential for you to develop a strong commitment to research and, also, to explore what kind of researcher you would like to be. Secondly, it is also essential to be proactive in seeking out research and internship opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. If you find a professor’s research area interesting, talk to them and ask them if they are looking for research assistants, for example. Finally, enjoy Korea. It might be difficult at first, but try to visit places that are important for Koreans. Immerse yourself with the culture, expose yourself to their traditions, and, more importantly, learn from them. This is key for you to how you can make bridges between different cultures. As for memorable moments, I cherish the times spent with my classmates, engaging in rigorous academic discussions, exploring Korea, and celebrating cultural events. As a former Head Dormitory Assistant, I will always remember the valuable time I spent trying to communicate the concerns students had, not only with the dormitory but also the school in general, to KDI School. KDI School provided me with a unique and enriching experience that I will always cherish.

We at KDI School are proud to have played a part in Rony's journey, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his academic career. We are confident that he will continue to make a positive impact on the world and inspire others to pursue their dreams with determination and passion.

If you want to find out more about Rony’s research interests and profile, check out the following links:  

Rony’s personal website: https://rrmaximiliano.github.io/ 

Rony’s GitHub account: github.com/rrmaximiliano 

To find out more about other KDIS alumni success stories and their contribution, please stay connected with KDIS.