Global Changemakers: How Harvard Students Are Redefining International Development

At Harvard University, international development is not just an academic pursuit—it’s a hands-on, community-driven mission. At the Harvard Center for International Development (CID), students from around the world engage in transformative research, policy dialogue, and global fieldwork, equipping them to drive impact at scale. Whether through internships abroad, research assistantships, or global policy seminars, CID empowers students—especially international students at Harvard—to address the world’s most pressing development challenges.

This post highlights stories from graduating students across Harvard’s schools—featuring students in economics, public health, education, urban planning, and more—who have worked with CID to turn theory into action and ideas into change.

Driving Global Impact Through Real-World Experience

CID’s Global Internship Program offers Harvard students immersive opportunities to contribute to development initiatives around the world. For Matthew Haines Andrews, an Applied Mathematics major at Harvard College, interning in Malaysia with the Khazanah Research Institute opened his eyes to the power of localized development solutions. “CID gave me new frameworks and tools to think about inclusive growth,” he said.

Henry Weiland, another Harvard College student, used big data during his internship at the Bank of Thailand to explore the impact of group loans on farmer repayment behavior. “CID helped me shift my perception of development economics—from small-scale fieldwork to data-intensive, policy-relevant research.”

These experiences help students build the technical and analytical skills needed to create sustainable development strategies across diverse global contexts.

A Home for International Students at Harvard

Harvard’s international student body plays a central role in CID’s mission. From Nigeria to Peru, Cameroon to India, students bring unique perspectives and deep local knowledge to global development conversations.

Valeria Churango Zarate, a student in the HKS MPA/ID program from Peru, emphasized how CID supports long-term career goals: “Before Harvard, I was committed to strengthening the public sector in Peru. CID made that mission even clearer—through research, mentorship, and a strong sense of community.”

Marcelle Katy Ngo Momha, a HKS Mid-Career MPA student, brought visibility to African technology policy by organizing a CID speaker series on AI and data governance. “CID welcomed my vision and gave me the tools to elevate African voices in global tech discourse.”

These stories reflect CID’s role as a hub for international students at Harvard who are shaping policy and practice in their home countries—and beyond.

Connecting Policy, Practice, and People

CID offers unique access to leading voices in international development through policy seminars, roundtables, and student-led events. Jioni Tuck, from the Harvard School of Public Health, reflected on meeting H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly. “That experience gave me a deeper understanding of diplomacy and multilateral challenges,” she said.

During her time with CID, HKS MPA student Lili Vessereau engaged with CID Faculty Affiliate Anders Jensen on a research project in Ghana, studying how tax compliance is influenced by administrative design and citizen trust in government. "This experience was foundational in shaping my interest in fiscal policy as both a technical and political tool for development," she commented.

Across Harvard’s campuses, CID fosters cross-disciplinary engagement—from the Harvard Kennedy School to the Graduate School of Education, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard College. Students explore how development intersects with health equity, climate resilience, urban planning, and inclusive education.

Yvonne Chang, a student at the Graduate School of Education, put it succinctly: “CID helped me see that development isn’t just about top-down policy—it’s about co-creating solutions with communities.”

Student Leadership and Global Collaboration

Beyond research and coursework, CID students take on leadership roles in podcasts, policy events, and global forums. Maria Arogundade, from Nigeria, delivered the opening remarks at CID’s inaugural GEAR:UP event alongside African education ministers. “As a Nigerian student at Harvard, it was a moment of pride and purpose,” she said.

Giovanna Lia Toledo, from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, moderated CID panels and podcast episodes. “Through CID, I realized that my passion for urban planning could be a tool for global development.”

Joannes Paulus Yimbesalu moderated a high-level policy dialogue with Canada’s Ambassador to the UN. “It was more than a conversation—it was a moment of real-world diplomacy brought to campus,” he noted.

These stories underscore CID’s commitment to student leadership in international development—providing students with the platform to engage, lead, and collaborate on global solutions.

A Community Committed to Inclusive Growth

Throughout the year, students expressed a common theme: CID is more than a center—it’s a community of changemakers.

“CID has been my home at Harvard,” shared Tianyi (Kevin) Chen, a CID student ambassador. “Over four years, I saw my understanding of international development grow in depth and nuance. But most of all, I found people doing work that truly matters.”

From seminars on development finance and AI for public good, to research on climate economics and health systems strengthening, CID remains at the forefront of actionable, inclusive development work. For Harvard’s international student community, CID provides not only academic and professional development—but also a powerful sense of belonging and purpose.

As these students prepare to take their next steps, they carry with them not just knowledge, but a network—and a mission to create a more equitable world.