Admission: 2011 Spring ITTP Master Program

Affiliation: Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security

Position: Chief Systems Development Officer

 

“It was great to experience snow for the first time in my life. Despite the heavy snow during the early days of my stay in Korea, the excitement of being in a foreign country provided the warmth to me.”

 

My Korean story to commemorate the 16^th ITTP Anniversary

My journey to study in South Korea started like a dream. I had just returned from a 6 weeks long course on the Island of Okinawa in Japan. No soon had I returned back home than a friend from Ministry of Communication and Transport shared scholarship programme information from African Development Bank (AfDB). He and the other colleague had just completed their respective MPA Global e-Policy and e-Government courses at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea. I had no idea where South Korea was located as I had always thought there was only one Korea in this case North Korea. Considering that my programme was to take place in another city not Seoul, I was gripped with apprehension of what to expect in a totally new environment where I had no much information about.

The scholarship information was shared with a number of colleagues in my country and one of them was my close acquaintance whom we had been together in high school. We were excited and agreed to apply hoping both of us would be accepted. I recall October 2010 when I received an email from Ms Minju Shin for a phone interview appointment with Professor Jae Jeung Rho, the Director of ITTP at KAIST. I was gripped with mixed feelings as I did not know what to expect from the phone interview. It was equally an honour at that time to be called by phone all the way from a foreign country. I finally had my phone interview with this fine spoken Professor who sounded caring and confirmed all details he wanted from me. Actually, my interview was an extra-ordinary one as I was out of office on duty. I had my interview while on road and I had to request the driver to park the car by the road side so I could easily communicate with the Professor from KAIST. After this interview, all my apprehensions about going to study in a foreign land for 2 years were cleared and I was now looking forward to receiving an admission letter. The Professor was so supportive and caring during the interview which got me encouraged.

Finally, I received my admission letter on 9^th December 2010 and subsequently, I arrived in Korea at Incheon Airport on 31^st January 2011, in good time for the Orientation Ceremony the following day on 1^st February 2011. It was a chilly late evening and I was gripped with fear as I did not know where I was going after coming out of the airport. Little did I know that I had to take a bus for another 150km for me to reach my final destination. Thanks to the basic Korean handbook that was sent to me prior to my departure. It was very handy for me to communicate with the shuttle bus driver. Upon arrival in Daejeon City, my final destination I was warmly received by my mentor who happened to be my fellow African from Burundi. Thanks to this mentor-mentee relationship that I feel created some encouragement and confidence to the new comers to ITTP Family to quickly settle in Korea. My mentor ushered me into Hwaam dormitories where I spent my 2 years in the same room. It was great to experience snow for the first time in my life. Despite the heavy snow during the early days of my stay in Korea, the excitement of being in a foreign country provided the warmth to me.

It was exciting to discover on the Orientation Ceremony day that in fact there were a number of colleagues from nearly all the continents. I discovered that my batch was an all-African class with Fellows from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria which made it so easy for me to settle and feel at home. More especially, for the presence of colleagues from three neighbouring countries of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania whom we do share similar cultures. In his welcoming remarks during the Orientation Ceremony, Professor Rho encouraged us to work hard but also enjoy our stay in Korea. As the saying goes when you are in Rome do what the Romans do, similarly Prof. Rho encouraged us to enjoy Korean food like Kimchi and experience the Korean culture. Hence, the need for us to learn Korean Language for basic communication with Koreans. My prior experience of Korean food in Zambia before departure made it even easy for me adapt to the new food menu.

My stay in Korea was full of mixed feelings and emotions considering that I had left my family (my wife and four children) behind in Zambia. First and foremost, it was very difficult to adjust my sleeping habits the first 2 months of my stay in Korea such that I used to dose off in class. I had a challenge especially when we had early morning classes because I used to sleep late in search of sleep as well as checking on my family due to time difference. As the pressure increased with school work coupled with homework assignment deadlines, I slowly acclimatised and adjusted to the Korean environment accordingly. I made new friends outside Campus like church and the Korean Community around Daejeon.

All these pressures were in the end neutralised with sporting activities especially Taekwondo and football in the Munji Campus grounds. Despite, hating Taekwondo class in the early days, I came to appreciate the sport and enjoyed it to the fullest. I managed achieve a red belt level and I was proud of myself. I always feel proud when I put on my uniform back home.

My stay in Korea was also educative especially with the visits to different industries and cultural places not forgetting the touristic places. In this regard, a visit to Jeju Island provides me fond memories of Korea. The first ride on a cruise ship to and from Jeju Island is unforgettable. It will always linger in my memories. I had many exciting events with KAIST ITTP fellows as well as some Korean friends across Daejeon and Seoul cities such that going back to Korea today would be like coming back home. I will forever cherish my study at KAIST ITTP and stay in Korea in general.

I was proud to have successfully completed my Masters course and returned home to continue serving my country after 2 years. Upon return, I was promoted to Principal Systems Analyst in the Ministry of Higher Education. I also became an annual visitor to Korea for 3 years attending the ICT Expert short courses. I am currently serving my country in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security as Chief Systems Development Officer. Our main project in the ministry is to implement the Public Safety and Security project for Zambia through the use of ICTs.

I appreciate African Development Bank (AfDB) and Korean Government for extending this rare chance for me to study in Korea at the prestigious institution, KAIST. I will remain indebted to them for the immeasurable financial and moral support provided to me.

My first snow experience in Korea

My first Day in Korea at Hwaam Dormitories

Zambian Traditional Dress

Zambia has many tribes with different dress codes. However, the Lozi speaking people have a unique dress that cannot be identified as Zambian. Below I am dressed in the Lozi dress called “Siziba”