1. Please introduce yourself (background, interests, your MBTI, and so on)

My name is Ivon Karimi Mwithimbu. I come from Meru county in Kenya. I double majored in Political Science and Korean Studies at the University of Nairobi, where I graduated with a First Class Honours.I am currently a student at Sogang GSIS, pursuing my master’s in International Relations. I am also a GKS-G 2024 Global Korea Scholarship recipient.

Before coming to Korea, my life looked very different. Just one month before I began my studies at Sogang GSIS, I lost my father. Starting this chapter here, while carrying that grief was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my whole life.  However , in many ways, it was also the most courageous decision I have ever made. It is a step I believe he would have been proud of as he played a huge role in supporting my journey in academia. This experience has therefore, become deeply personal: not just a chapter of academic growth, but a testimony to resilience, and the determination to keep moving forward even in hard times.

My MBTI is ENFJ and I would describe myself as someone who is quite extroverted. I value deep conversations and meaningful connections. My friends refer to me as a yapper because I tend to talk a great deal around the right people. To a larger extent, I appreciate spending time with friends, especially when we share experiences like exploring new places together. At the same time,  I enjoy quiet moments too. I have some downtime activities that include potttery and book club meetings where I can slow down and simply be.

2.  Can you tell us the reason why you chose to study at SOGANG GSIS?

I chose Sogang GSIS because of its strong reputation in international studies.For me, studying here is not just about academics. It is also about experiencing a different perspective on global issues, especially being in Asia while coming from Africa. For me, this was never just about academics. It was about challenging myself, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and growing in ways that would not have been possible had I stayed in familiar surroundings. With that, Sogang felt like exactly the right place to do that.

I am also deeply grateful to my Korean Studies professor at the University of Nairobi, Professor Park Yujhin, who played a pivotal role in guiding me toward this path. After I shared my interests in diplomacy and international relations with her, she strongly encouraged me to consider Sogang GSIS and that recommendation changed the course of my life.

3. How do you usually spend your spare time in Korea?

In my free time, I like to keep things simple. On weekends, I usually head out with friends  café-hopping, trying different cuisines, sometimes ending up in a baseball game and exploring whichever corner of Seoul we have not yet discovered. Being a tea and coffee connoisseur, you will often find me at a traditional tea house in Insadong or tucked into a cozy café in Yeonnamdong.

As someone with a deep love for history, I find it genuinely fulfilling to visit Seoul's many great  museums and palaces to learn more about the culture and the fabric that holds Korean society together. During my first semester here, I made it a point to visit the Demilitarized  Military Zone in Goseong and even spent a night there, absorbing the weight of that unique history and the enduring story of a divided peninsula.

I also volunteer whenever I can. Giving back to community has always been part of who I am, something that did not start or end in my village in Mathagiro, Timau. I have carried that spirit all the way to Korea, and through it, I have met people who have genuinely changed my outlook on life.

4. Can you recommend your favorite place/spot in Seoul?

I have three spots I absolutely love. First, Hongje Falls, a hidden gem tucked in the middle of the city where you can witness all four seasons transform the scenery. It also connects to a hiking route leading directly to the Ansan Mountain trail, perfect for an early morning walk when the weather cooperates. Second, the Cheonggyecheon Stream, where the energy of the city meets nature in the most soothing way. A short walk along the stream is genuinely rejuvenating to the soul. My third and perhaps most beloved spot is Yeonnamdong,  which I consider to be the hub of charming, over-the-top cafés. My personal favorite is Café Layered. From the beautifully curated interior design to the earl grey cake paired with coffee, it is an experience I simply cannot put into words. Please head or run there when you get the chance… you will not regret it!

5. Recommendations for life in Korea

My mum always shares these words with me, “However far a stream flows  it must never forget its source.” In the same way, my  biggest piece of advice to you is that no matter where you go, not just Korea, is to adapt, but never lose yourself in the process.

Learning Korean, even at a basic level, makes a remarkable difference in daily life and opens doors to warmer, richer interactions with people around you. At the same time, do not be discouraged when things feel difficult at first. Adjustment takes time, and that is normal. 

Do not isolate yourself. Even if you are introverted, try to build a small, genuine circle of people and it makes a world of difference in your overall experience. That said, I am not suggesting you force connections; authentic relationships develop naturally. Learn also to be comfortable in your own company. Eat alone sometimes. Go to the cinema by yourself. Walk through a neighborhood without a plan. There is a quiet kind of confidence that only grows when you are willing to show up for yourself, and that is a learning curve worth embracing.

     6. Most memorable experience

Since I am currently in my second semester, my most memorable experience so far was the International Relations major dinner in the fall semester last year. It was a rare opportunity to interact with my professors, classmates and seniors outside the classroom setting. What surprised me most was sharing a drink(or two ) with our professors in such a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Back home, that kind of informal closeness between students and faculty is almost unimaginable. It was a culture shock in the very best sense of the phrase and serves as a reminder that academia does not have to be intimidating. It can also be warm, human, and genuinely connective.

     7. Advice for prospective students

Do not be afraid of change. Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming at first, but it is also one of the most profound opportunities for personal growth you will ever encounter.

There will be difficult days  and some harder than you anticipate. But there will also be deeply rewarding ones that remind you exactly why you came. Try to find a balance between studying hard and actually experiencing life in Korea. Both matter, and neither should come at the complete expense of the other.

 Most importantly, take things one step at a time. You do not need to have everything figured out before you arrive, and you do not need to have it all figured out once you are here either. Trust the process, and be patient with yourself. You got this!

      8. Message to Sogang GSIS

I am forever grateful to Sogang GSIS for providing me with this extraordinary opportunity. Every day here is a learning experience. I do not take for granted the privilege of being in a place  where students from vastly different backgrounds come together, challenge one another, and experience life together. It s an honor and I would recommend this experience to anyone out there. From the regular lectures to the special lectures, I feel genuinely transformed and I have no doubt that by the time I complete my studies, I will be a very different person from who I was when I first arrived.

This experience is not just about education. It is about becoming. And I am grateful, from the deepest part of me, to be part of it!