Harvard Kennedy School is one of the University’s most international schools, welcoming students from around the globe each year. The map below shows the countries of citizenship of our current degree program students who hail from outside of the United States.
59%
Over the years, roughly half of the Kennedy School’s student population comes from outside the United States.
96
Our current students represent 96 countries and territories, not including the United States.
Country of Citizenship | Number of Students |
Afghanistan | 2 |
Albania | 1 |
Argentina | 6 |
Armenia | 1 |
Australia | 20 |
Austria | 6 |
Azerbaijan | 5 |
Bangladesh | 5 |
Barbados | 1 |
Belarus | 1 |
Belgium | 4 |
Brazil | 14 |
Bulgaria | 2 |
Cameroon | 3 |
Canada | 20 |
Cape Verde | 1 |
Chile | 9 |
China | 86 |
Colombia | 19 |
Costa Rica | 1 |
Denmark | 3 |
Dominican Republic | 1 |
Ecuador | 1 |
Egypt | 6 |
Eritrea | 1 |
Estonia | 1 |
Ethiopia | 2 |
Finland | 2 |
France | 17 |
Georgia | 2 |
Germany | 25 |
Ghana | 9 |
Greece | 3 |
Grenada | 1 |
Hong Kong | 8 |
Hungary | 3 |
India | 89 |
Indonesia | 20 |
Iran, Islamic Republic of | 7 |
Iraq | 1 |
Ireland | 2 |
Israel | 23 |
Italy | 8 |
Japan | 33 |
Jordan | 3 |
Kazakhstan | 5 |
Kenya | 7 |
Korea, Republic of | 30 |
Lebanon | 3 |
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya | 1 |
Madagascar | 1 |
Malawi | 1 |
Malaysia | 4 |
Mauritius | 2 |
Mexico | 20 |
Morocco | 3 |
Nepal | 4 |
Netherlands | 2 |
New Zealand | 7 |
Nicaragua | 1 |
Nigeria | 12 |
Norway | 2 |
Pakistan | 15 |
Palestinian Territory, Occupied | 1 |
Panama | 1 |
Paraguay | 1 |
Peru | 8 |
Philippines | 10 |
Poland | 7 |
Portugal | 2 |
Russian Federation | 5 |
Rwanda | 1 |
Saudi Arabia | 8 |
Sierra Leone | 2 |
Singapore | 10 |
Slovakia | 2 |
South Africa | 3 |
Spain | 12 |
Sri Lanka | 1 |
Sudan | 2 |
Sweden | 2 |
Switzerland | 3 |
Syrian Arab Republic | 1 |
Taiwan | 7 |
Tanzania, United Republic of | 1 |
Thailand | 8 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 1 |
Turkey | 2 |
Uganda | 1 |
Ukraine | 5 |
United Arab Emirates | 7 |
United Kingdom | 25 |
Uzbekistan | 3 |
Venezuela | 2 |
Viet Nam | 2 |
Zimbabwe | 1 |
Students with multiple citizenships are listed and counted once for each citizenship.
What is your why?
Our students come to Harvard Kennedy School from around the world to become public leaders and policymakers addressing global and local issues that are urgent and complex.
We asked them: What is your Why? What impact do they want to have in the world? Which public problem do they want to tackle—and what or who inspired them to address that problem?
Here’s what they shared.
Waheed Ahmad MC/MPA Mason 2025
Afghanistan
“The loss of Afghanistan’s democracy filled me with rage and despair. I’m at HKS to reflect on this major policy failure and learn how we can collectively improve human security and well-being in fragile and conflict-affected states and regions.”
Nalini Agarwal MPP 2025
Australia
“I am passionate about reducing inequality by empowering underserved communities. I believe our fiscal and monetary policy institutions can leverage data more effectively and be better managed to achieve this.”
Henrique Leite MPA/ID 2026
Brazil
“My aim is to invest in climate action to curb climate change, the biggest problem of our generation.”
Marcelle Momha MC/MPA Mason 2025
Cameroon
“As a woman, engineer and policymaker, my mission is to contribute to a world where emerging technologies, especially AI, empower communities and contribute to peace and development in Africa.”
Pablo Eguiguren MPA/ID 2025
Chile
“I want to work hard so that Chile can once again be a model of economic growth and development, where progress truly improves the lives of all Chileans.”
Sunny Jiang MPP 2026
China
“I am driven to empower underserved communities through innovative and collaborative policies.”
Zuka Alavidze MC/MPA Mason 2025
Georgia
“Witnessing politically driven injustices all my life, my motivation for change grew. I’m here at HKS to find ways for Georgian people, who deserve a fairer, more prosperous future.”
Felix Lindenberg MPP 2025
Germany
“I have been frustrated by the political polarization of the climate change debate. To engage more people to support climate policies, I want to bridge gaps and make the topic more accessible.”
Kofi Bempong MPA 2026
Ghana
“My career mission is to bridge private sector leadership with policy influence and social impact to drive equitable economic development in countries like Ghana. At HKS, I am gaining the tools and building the network to advance this mission effectively.”
Nitin Ranjan MPP 2026
India
“I want to address the persistent caste and social justice issues in India, to untangle systemic inequalities and promote equity.”
Nathania Silalahi MPP 2025
Indonesia
“I am committed to building equity, particularly in my home country of Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region. I want to contribute to the design and delivery of policies in education, labor, and social protection to make sure that opportunities and resources reach underserved communities.”
Tzur Goldin MPP 2026
Israel
“My goal is to establish an international policy research center that focuses on business, international trade, strategic international affairs, and national security to shift Israel from a 'start-up nation' to a 'policy nation.'”
Dalia Aita MPP 2026
Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory
“Growing up in a Rafah refugee camp, I experienced firsthand how displacement fundamentally shapes lives and opportunities. My goal is to reshape refugee development policy by combining economic expertise with private sector innovation, and public sector reach, transforming how we approach solutions for displaced populations.”
Naara Cancino Díaz MPA/ID-MBA 2027
Peru
“I want to contribute to financing climate change projects in developing countries and my region by responsibly and strategically allocating resources. By fostering collaboration between government and private sector actors, I seek to bridge the climate finance gap in the areas that need it most.”
Nho Minh Dinh MPP 2026
Viet Nam
“I believe in the power of diplomacy, exchange of cultures, education, and disciplines in bridging differences and achieving prosperity together.”