Class of 2012 Student Profiles

Joon Oh Park , 2012, Korea

On the diversity of the school: The diversity of the Fletcher community was simply overwhelming to me when I first arrived on campus. In a matter of hours I was able to meet lawyers, human rights activists, diplomats, journalists, management consultants, and bankers from literally all over the world.  I have truly come to appreciate the small talks over coffee I have with my peers who come from such diverse backgrounds. Whether it’s the US policy towards North Korea or the latest news on Wall Street, I have come to realize that what I learn outside of the classroom is as enriching as what I learn from the inside.

On the international life I see for myself after Fletcher: I have lived in Senegal, Belgium, Korea, and three different cities in the US. It was quite natural for me to question why we see disparities in development, and why some places succeed in reducing the gap with the more developed, and why others fail. I plan on using my experience at Fletcher to find answers to these questions. After Fletcher, I'd like to pursue a career in which I can improve the lives of those living in less fortunate countries where vulnerability to disasters, lack of education, and poor leadership impedes economic development. My career aspirations lie in making this change, helping impotent governments set up goals, consulting on how to achieve them, and ultimately impacting the lives of the people.