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Kateryna Kravchenko
(Ukraine – GLODEP cohort 2018-2020)

Written on . Posted in Alumni.

How did you use GLODEP to get where you are now?

My journey through the GLODEP programme was more than just academic. It was a stepping stone that launched my career. The work on my thesis, which I poured countless hours into, paid back as it stood out during my interview at UNDP Ukraine for a role in Monitoring & Evaluation. This was my first step into the world of development — a field I am deeply passionate about — all thanks to the solid foundation I built at GLODEP.

How did GLODEP help you to achieve your career goals?

GLODEP was transformative for me. The courses, especially in Development Economics and Health Economics, equipped me with crucial insights and skills. It was also the hands-on use of Stata for data analysis that became indispensable in my day-to-day work. It is not just about the skills, though. It is how they shaped my approach to solving real-world problems that really made the difference.

How do you use the experience from the GLODEP program?
 Whether I am analysing data or starting to work on new projects, the experiences and knowledge I gained from GLODEP guide my decisions. It is like carrying a toolbox where lots of the tools are equipped as the lessons from the programme ready to be used to tackle challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of international development.

What did you learn?
 GLODEP taught me much more than just the fundamentals of development. It gave me a deeper understanding of global challenges and how interconnected although quite imperfect our world is. But what is equally important is the network of friends I made. My classmates became my family away from home. We supported each other throughout two years of the programme and till today we continue to meet up around the world and keep celebrating birthdays together and attending each other’s weddings. These bonds have been just as influential in my personal growth as the academic knowledge I gained.

How did you like it in Olomouc?
 Olomouc was not just a place of study. It was also the first time I spent that much time somewhere away from home. Warm, welcoming, and vibrant, it was here among the cobblestone streets and historic architecture that I made lifelong friends. Even now, just hearing the name Olomouc or seeing it in videos sends a wave of joy through me. It is a place that holds countless cherished memories, and I look forward to the day I can visit it again.