José Jerónimo Olvera León
(Mexico – GLODEP cohort 2019–2021)
What is your current position/job, and how did you use your IDS master’s experience and its courses to acquire this position?
I am currently a Junior Professional Associate at the Governance – Public Institutions Global Practice at the World Bank. I have to say that this master’s degree was a cornerstone for achieving this position. As with many professional journeys, achievements are incremental and cumulative, each step builds on the previous one.
Soon after graduating from the master’s program, I secured an internship at the World Bank. The program’s focus areas, the communication and language skills I gained, the knowledge on development-related topics, the technical terminology, software skills, and the multicultural experience all made me competitive and allowed me to obtain that internship. In the same way, it was my master’s background combined with my internship experience that led to a consultancy at the United Nations. Ultimately, the combination of all these experiences helped me secure my current position as a Junior Professional Associate.
Why did you decide to study IDS at Palacký University/Olomouc/Czech Republic?
It was the best master’s program I found that aligned with my interests. Since I was a young student in Mexico, I have been strongly motivated to find solutions to the hardships of poverty, not just temporary fixes, but structural and sustainable solutions. This master’s program offered the opportunity to explore those issues from multiple perspectives and through various methodological approaches.
At the time, I didn’t know much about the city or the country, but they completely won me over. I couldn’t be more grateful for the experiences I had and the way they shaped my life. Receiving financial support through an Erasmus scholarship, made possible by the efforts and dedication of the staff at Palacký University, was also essential. Without that support, I would never have been able to live on such an adventure.
How was it to study in Olomouc? What were the major challenges?
My main challenges were adapting to the pace and teaching style at the university. I had a background in economics, but I had studied it in Spanish, so I lacked some of the technical vocabulary in English. Although I understood the concepts, it took me some time during lessons to connect all the dots. This, however, was part of the experience, learning to adapt and rise to the level of the challenge.
The exams were also particularly demanding. The level of discipline required in a European master’s program was much more rigorous than what I was used to, coming from a place with a more relaxed teaching style. But this extra rigor sharpened my skills and encouraged me to take my academic progress more seriously.
Despite the challenges, studying in Olomouc was a beautiful experience. The city is welcoming, the people are kind and fun, and the student atmosphere is warm and lively. Winter is rough, though!
What were your biggest learnings during the master’s course?
I learned the importance of scientific rigor and the commitment required to complete studies with professionalism and a genuine intention to contribute to positive change. The program exposed me to development challenges that differ across contexts, historical backgrounds, geographical conditions, and institutional capabilities.
I gained crucial English technical vocabulary for discussing these issues. The multicultural environment was incredibly valuable, especially for someone aspiring to work in a multilateral organization. I also acquired software skills, such as STATA and GIS, which I still use today.
What features from the courses do you use in your daily job/position?
I still use the software skills I developed, I have continued building on my STATA and GIS knowledge, and I apply them regularly. Research methods have also been crucial. Many projects I encounter require research using different approaches, and thanks to the master’s program, I’m not unfamiliar with those methods.
Beyond that, diplomatic sensitivity, professionalism, and the ability to apply multiple approaches have all been essential in my career progression.
How did your stay in the Czech Republic influence your thoughts and views of the country?
It opened my eyes to a completely new world. When I arrived, I had a very limited international experience. Although I had strong academic performance in my home country, I was ignorant of many things (I still am). My time in the Czech Republic was a learning journey from beginning to end.
I witnessed firsthand that Czech people are warm and welcoming. The staff of the master’s program genuinely cared about us, not only about our academic performance but also about our psychological well-being and our ability to appreciate the experience beyond academics. For everything they did for us, I am forever grateful.
Experiencing a country through its people offers a true reflection of its character. I grew to admire its historical sites, wonderful architecture, strong infrastructure, delicious food, great beer, and much more.
What was the most important moment that made you feel that the two years of studying abroad were really worth it?
Many things happened during those two years, and when I returned home, I knew I had become a different person. The world had just gone through COVID, so being away from family had been difficult. But even before completing the program, I already felt the experience had been worth it, I had learned so much, tried new things, and developed high aspirations.
The strongest moment of realization came when I was accepted as an intern at the World Bank. I was amazed that such an institution considered me suitable. The work environment, the professionalism, and the level of compensation were unlike anything I had experienced before. Just before starting the master’s, I had been walking dogs and working in a factory. To suddenly be eligible for such an institution, and to have the means to support my family in new ways, was incredibly meaningful to me.