My Journey From North Korea to Columbia University

On March 22nd, I received an email from Columbia University.

I logged on to check: had I been accepted? My heart was beating fast, and my hands were sweating. I clicked “view updates” and closed my eyes.

The first word that I saw when I opened my eyes was: “Welcome to SIPA” (the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University). Yes, I was accepted into my dream school. It was one of the most exciting and happy moments in my life. However, that happiness didn’t last long. Because I began to face reality – expensive tuition.

I never imagined that I would have this kind of opportunity in North Korea’s “eternal enemy”, the United States of America. Less than a decade ago, I was still brainwashed by the North Korean regime.

I was born and raised in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang. I was loyal to the regime, even after I had begun to have some doubts about the system. However, my belief and hope in the Kim regime completely vanished when many friends and their families were executed and sent to political prison camps.

I witnessed my best friend, who was so loyal to the regime, dragged away. I will never forget receiving a text message from her saying, “I don’t think I can come back to school.” Anger and resentment against the regime filled my body. I realized how desperate my country was in need of change.

About a year later, I escaped to South Korea and after that moved to the USA. I began volunteering behind the scenes for various North Korean causes, especially in the area of human rights violations. Then, working with different entities and organizations, I began engaging in strategically disseminating information to North Koreans. In the last three years, I started speaking out publicly to raise awareness of North Korean human rights violations. Most recently, I spoke at TEDx UCLA.

Through the last couple of years of activism, I learned the necessity of examining North Korea issues in a larger global context. When I first began my activism, the solution to the root of all the problems related to North Korea seemed to be simple: change the Kim regime. However, the more I experienced, the more I learned that it’s much more complicated. Therefore, I decided to go to school in America to have a deeper knowledge of international relations in order to tackle the North Korean issues effectively.

When I read the acceptance letter from Columbia University, I thought about how I have gone from helping behind the scenes, engaging in information dissemination and public speaking, and now having this opportunity to begin a new phase of activism for the freedom of North Koreans.

I’m going to study International Affairs at Columbia (concentrating on International Security Policy and International Finance and Economic Policy.) I hope this formal education will equip me with a deeper knowledge of North Korea issues - all with the goal of one day freeing North Koreans from the grips of a dictator and bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula, and furthermore, the regional area.

Only about a month left until classes start. However, I am in a dire financial situation where the progress of my ultimate mission may come to a screeching halt if I do not have the tuition: $70,113. I immediately applied for what scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities were available (such as the Bush Foundation, FSI, SIPA admissions and others). I’m even considering taking out loans, but the only option available for me is a high-interest rate loan.

I’m thankful for the amount that I’ve raised so far, but the reality is that it won’t cover my housing ($19,000 per year.) According to the Columbia school website, the total cost of one year of graduate school (tuition, room, and board) is $96,055. I will work part-time during school, but that will only cover so much.

I cannot continue my journey of freeing North Koreans without your help. When the time comes, I will “pay it forward” and pass on the same love and support that you have shown me.

I sincerely appreciate your consideration for supporting me in realizing my dream!

*If you wish to provide further support, please reach out to me at Pyonghattanite AT(@) protonmail.com

*Paypal(페이팔) https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pyonghattan