By Rodrigue Lembvem

Rodigue Lembvem stands with a microphone in his hand while presenting during an event in Africa
Rodrigue Lembvem attended graduate school fairs, information sessions, alumni events, and government agencies to provide more information about Harvard Kennedy School's master's programs during a trip to Africa.

Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Rod Lembvem frequently travels to recruit prospective students from all over the world. Most recently, he wrapped up an exciting trip across Africa to connect with prospective students who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree. Together with Associate Director of the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) Program Sarah Olia, he hosted and attended many events. Learn more about where Rod met with students, what he learned, and advice he would give to prospective students when applying to HKS.

 

Why Africa? Why Now?

Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and promising leaders, who contemplate how to address the global challenges facing mankind—climate change, food insecurity, humanitarian crises, and so on. The idea behind this recruitment trip came from my desire to connect with the incredible talent across the continent and to highlight scholarship opportunities specifically for African students, such as the Kistefos African Public Service Fellowship for students from Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania

Where I Went

Over three action-packed weeks, I visited six countries, including:

  • South Africa
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Ghana
  • Nigeria
  • Egypt

Events I Attended

I was fortunate to be able to participate in a variety of events. 

  • Graduate School Fairs: These were part of the EducationUSA Sub-Saharan Africa Circuit. EducationUSA is an arm of the U.S. State Department which promotes higher education opportunities in the U.S.
  • College Visits: I connected with students at several universities who are considering their next steps in higher education.
  • HKS Information Sessions: In collaboration with local alumni, we held sessions highlighting HKS master's programs, the admissions process, and financial aid options.
  • Government Agency Visits: I met with staff at the South African Reserve Bank and Treasury, as well as the Nigerian Central Bank, where HKS alumni have used their education to do impactful work.
  • Alumni Mixers: In Lagos and Abuja, I had the chance to connect with HKS alumni who are mentoring young professionals and prospective HKS students.

Rod Lembvem and Sarah Olia pose with HKS alumni at a Harvard Kennedy School Information Session in Nigeria. Here, they answered questions and spoke about their experiences.

Thoughtful Questions I Received

Among the highlights of the trip were the thoughtful questions I received. There were so many good questions, but some of the themes revolved around the following:

  • How does HKS keep its curriculum relevant to fast-changing global challenges like technology, climate change, and social justice?
  • How can applicants with a public sector background best strengthen their application to be competitive at HKS, given the emphasis on public policy, service, and impact?
  • What financial aid is available, and how can international students best position themselves for it?

My Favorite Part of the Trip

Connecting with HKS alumni was by far my favorite part. Hearing their stories—both from their time at HKS and what they’ve accomplished since—was incredibly inspiring. What stood out even more was their passion for recruiting the next cohorts of HKS students. Alumni played a huge role at every stop on the trip, from organizing events to sharing their journeys. Their commitment to fostering leadership in Africa and supporting future HKS cohorts shows just how strong and global our community is.

Rodrigue Lembvem talking to alumni
“Alumni played a huge role at every stop on the trip, from organizing events to sharing their journeys. Their commitment to fostering leadership in Africa and supporting future HKS cohorts shows just how strong and global our community is.”
Rodrigue Lembvem

Missed the Events? Here’s What to Do.

If you couldn’t connect with us during this trip, don’t worry! Here’s how you can still do so.

  • Check out our website. Our admissions site has detailed information on programs, deadlines, the application process, and financial aid.
  • Attend an information session. Whether virtually or on-campus, you can learn more about our master’s programs and ask our team questions.
  • Reach out to alumni. HKS alumni are eager to share their experiences. You can easily connect with them via LinkedIn.
  • Start early. The application process can feel like a lot to manage, so give yourself plenty of time. Whether it’s crafting your essays, gathering recommendations, or applying for external funding, early preparation is key.

I feel genuinely grateful for the opportunity to have traveled around Africa and connected with some incredible prospective students and alumni. This trip was just the start of what we hope becomes a sustainable footprint in the continent of Africa.

Want to read more about this trip? Read Sarah Olia’s reflections.
Read about Sarah’s experience
Read Next Post
View All Blog Posts