I am currently working as a Business Controller at WEP, an international organization that supports students pursuing study‑abroad experiences around the world. In my role, I support strategic decision‑making and oversee financial analysis for eight European markets, as well as the UK and Australia. GLODEP helped me get here by giving me a strong analytical foundation, but also by shaping the way I approach international environments. The program trained me to think across countries, systems, and cultures — which is exactly what I do every day in my job.   I chose GLODEP because it’s really a one‑of‑a‑kind program. Not many degrees allow you to live and study in three different countries, experience completely different academic approaches, and meet people from all over the world. That mix of cultures, universities, and ways of thinking was exactly what I wanted. Besides the academic content, the biggest learning for me was adaptability — getting used to new places, new systems, and...

Currently, I am working as a Senior Tax Specialist in the oil and gas sectors. While my current role is largely aligned with my professional background prior to GLODEP, the program has had a significant impact on my personal and professional development. It has shaped the way I think, communicate, and approach challenges, all of which contribute to how I perform in my role today. The program is highly comprehensive, and while it may initially seem that it does not focus on a single specialization, this is actually one of its greatest strengths. It exposes students to a wide range of subjects, allowing them to explore different areas and discover what suits them best. In addition, studying at three different universities and living in three different countries is a unique experience. Its impact may not be fully understood at the beginning, but over time, you realize how much it shapes your perspective—how you think, how you approach situations, and how you see the world. The courses were...

My name is Khammailee Vangxaolee (Lee), and I am a graduate of the GLODEP Class of 2024 from Laos. Driven by a passion for social development in my home country, I joined this prestigious program to gain a global perspective on development, economics, and international studies. Just one month after my graduation in June 2024, I returned to my hometown of Luang Prabang, Laos, to join the Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC), the only free pediatric hospital in Laos, supported by the US-based nonprofit Friends Without a Border. As the Visitor Centre Manager within the Development and Communications Department, I present the hospital’s projects and key activities to stakeholders, international tourists, and private donors, enabling them to contribute to and support its mission. I also co-lead local fundraising campaigns and engage with both local and international stakeholders to support the hospital, which treats more than 45,000 patients per year in Laos. Moreover, I assist my team...

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...

After graduating from GLODEP in 2024, I began working approximately three months later as an Assistant to the Deputy Head of Mission and Political Affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in The Netherlands. This role has allowed me to apply many of the analytical, communication, and coordination skills I developed during the program, particularly in political reporting, stakeholder engagement, and multilateral diplomacy. I chose GLODEP because of its unique joint-degree structure, its strong academic reputation, and its interdisciplinary approach to development policy, combining economics, political science, and international cooperation. The opportunity to live and study in three different countries was also a key motivation, as I was looking for a truly international and immersive academic experience. One of my key learnings from GLODEP was the ability to approach development challenges from multiple perspectives I hadn’t even considered (economic, political, social, philosophical,...

I am from GLODEP graduating class of 2024. Two months after graduation, I joined the World Bank Group as a consultant, where I leverage my expertise in economics and geospatial data analysis to inform lending and policy. My work focuses on just sustainable growth and on inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure—grounded in hands-on operational experience in Fragile, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) contexts. I specialize in translating data-driven evidence into actionable investments and policies. I have contributed to lending operations, investment projects, and advisory services in Yemen, Malaysia, Thailand, and Egypt.    My two-year, rigorous academic journey in the GLODEP program—while navigating the systems, cultures, and societies of four countries—has profoundly shaped my professional life in international development. Exposure to diverse cultures alongside classmates from across the globe fostered the agility, curiosity, and adaptability needed to collaborate with global teams....

I currently serve as a Junior Officer in the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), where I contribute to the Investigations team. My primary responsibilities include examining and addressing allegations of misconduct, such as fraud, corruption, and sexual abuse, harassment, or exploitation.  Prior to joining the IFRC, I completed a one-year Fresh Graduate Programme at UNICEF, working as a Quality Assurance Assistant in the Service Quality Management department. This marked my first professional role following graduation from Olomouc.  My current position builds directly on the research experience from my final semester in Bogotá. The investigative methodologies—developed from an academic perspective—provided essential skills for a career in internal investigations. The curiosity and professionalism demanded by rigorous academic research are indispensable in my daily work. I first honed these qualities...

I currently work at the European Commission, in a unit responsible for anti-racism and non-discrimination at the European Union level. The GLODEP programme helped me build a strong European profile, particularly through studying and living in three different European countries. This experience was a real asset when applying for my current role. Interestingly, one of my superiors also studied at  Palacký University in Olomouc years ago.  Why did you decide to come to study IDS at Palacky University (Olomouc, Czech Republic)?  To be honest, I mainly wanted to travel. I discovered Erasmus Mundus quite last minute, and once I was selected for GLODEP, I was excited to explore a part of Europe I did not know at all.  What were your biggest learnings during the master’s course?  I gained strong theoretical foundations, especially in development studies, peace studies, and democracy studies. This knowledge is still invaluable today, as it taught me that arguments and interpretations depend...