Yuna Kim ’17 (Global Affairs), one of the first George Mason University Korea graduates, is headed for the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) at Geneva in September 2018. This is very exciting and inspiring for Patriots since she is part of the school's very first generation. GMUK's The Voice celebrated her achievement and interviewed her about her time at Mason Korea and her journey to IHEID.
IHEID is a renowned graduate school in the field of international relations primarily due to its history and location. It is the oldest school of international relations in Europe and was the world’s first university dedicated to the field of international affairs. According to IHEID, “Today, Geneva hosts 30 international organizations, 250 international non-governmental organizations and 172 states represented by a permanent mission.” As the Graduate Institute, Geneva is located in a major international district, it has a close relationship with over one hundred international, non-governmental and private organizations in Geneva. There are numerous opportunities for students from all over the world to experience internships in NGOs and other international organizations.
Kim’s concentration was global governance at Mason Korea. Being the first generation at GMUK made it difficult for her to get the necessary support for career development due to the lack of a career education system. Therefore, she built her resume by putting herself out there and inquiring about internships at numerous companies and organizations. She also paid close attention to information that professors of global affairs provided to the students, and further participated in various international forums held in Songdo. Through her passion and continuous efforts, she moved one step closer to her dreams.
Along with her own efforts, “When I was preparing for graduate school, I received huge help from professors at Mason Korea,” Yuna said. Her sincerity and constant efforts to attain her dream made an impression on the professors. In particular, she has been working as a program assistant at GMUK with faculty who gave her essential advice. This experience along with advice and information from the GMUK faculty and staff helped her successfully prepare for the process. Although Yuna received job offers from some of the companies she worked at, she decided to pursue her studies in Geneva.
“GMUK has been a good stepping stone in my life,” Yuna said. During her years at Mason Korea, she had been studying and preparing for her dream in a relatively less stable environment than the current students. However, she believed in her infinite potential and continuously challenged herself. "Rather than envying the new opportunities that current students get, I look forward to meeting Mason Korea students not only in Geneva, but also on the international stage.”
In her final remarks to global affairs students in particular, Yuna advises, “The most important thing is to seek knowledge at school, actively use that knowledge, and be brave and go for it."
May 03, 2018
