Kayanat Iltaf (Pakistan – GLODEP Cohort 2022–2024)

I am currently pursuing a DPhil in Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford, where I specialize in maternal health and early childhood development in low-resource settings. My research focuses on how maternal risks during the perinatal period shape socioemotional and behavioral outcomes in young children, and the pathways through which these effects unfold across the life course. After graduating from GLODEP (Class of 2022–2024), I worked as a predoctoral research fellow in the Development Economics research group at the University of Göttingen. My work spanned projects on rural incomes, sustainable development, climate change, and learning assessments, including collaborations with international organizations such as the World Bank and fieldwork experience in Indonesia.

 Looking back, GLODEP played a defining role in my journey. It gave me not only a strong academic foundation, but also the confidence to pursue opportunities that I once felt out of reach. I chose the program because I wanted to understand development beyond borders and learn from a truly global perspective, surrounded by diverse voices and experiences. Its mobility was another major draw, and while living and studying across countries came up with challenges such as unfamiliar systems, bureaucracy, and language barriers, those experiences became an important part of my growth. More than academic training alone, GLODEP taught me critical thinking, adaptability, resilience, and openness, skills I continue to rely on in my work every day, especially as a researcher working with vulnerable populations. Most importantly, it taught me not to fear change, but to navigate it with confidence.

 What stays with me most, though, is the feeling of belonging that GLODEP gave me. The support of my peers and the program administration turned what first felt like a daunting experience into one of the most cherished chapters of my life. The moment I truly realized the two years abroad were worth it was at graduation, when we all shared a group hug. At that moment, it felt like we had become a small family, a home away from home. Being surrounded by people who had supported, cared for, and grown alongside me while we all navigated new countries and new versions of ourselves was incredibly special. GLODEP gave me much more than a degree; it gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and helped shape me into a stronger version of myself.