Prior to the Ireland Fellows Programme, I studied Business Administration at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 2014 to 2018. I have worked in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Department since joining the Ministry in 2018. For the first two years, I was in the General Affairs division, where I gained extensive knowledge of the department’s overall processes. I assisted with numerous administrative tasks, managed document flow, and organized meetings related to ASEAN. After that, I moved to the ASEAN Political-Security Community division (APSC) for one year before I started my studies in Ireland. In the APSC division, I primarily conducted research and prepared reports on ASEAN-related matters, such as ASEAN Summits and Ministerial Meetings. I also coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security on issues related to transnational crimes.

My top priority was to select a course that aligned with my work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After extensive research and reviewing course descriptions, I found that International Peace Studies was a strong option, as it covers many topics relevant to international relations and NGOs. Additionally, the course offered a field trip to the United Nations in Geneva, which I found particularly valuable. Another factor was Trinity College Dublin’s reputation as the most prominent university in Ireland with strong international recognition, making it an ideal place for me to gain new experiences.

During my fellowship, I gained a lot from the experience, but most importantly, I developed greater confidence in myself and my ability to strive for the best version of myself. Additionally, I significantly improved my networking and academic skills. Towards the end of my course, I brought my fiancé to visit Ireland during my last month before leaving. We had many adventures together, staying with an Irish family and exploring beautiful places in Ireland and Belfast. I also had the opportunity to travel with a Laos colleague who was also an Ireland Fellows Programme awardee. We traveled across Europe and managed to visit 8 European countries within two weeks. My experiences in Ireland and my learning at TCD have had both direct and indirect impacts on my profession. The most significant skills I gained include research, language, networking, and organizational abilities. While at TCD, I served as the school convenor (a coordinator for my faculty), which further developed my leadership and coordination skills. Overall, I gained greater confidence in myself and my ability to strive for higher goals.

I have shared advice and experiences about the fellowship and my time in Ireland, both within and outside the workplace. I would recommend applying for the Ireland Fellows Programme as Ireland offers one of the best environments and educational experiences in Europe.

For prospective Fellows, a well-prepared application is key to success. It is a one-year programme that goes by quickly, so I would recommend working hard, studying, and getting involved in social activities and making the most of your time!