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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.

Number of Students

US States & Territories not shown
1 89

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

Afghanistan2
Albania1
Argentina6
Armenia1
Australia20
Austria6
Azerbaijan5
Bangladesh5
Barbados1
Belarus1
Belgium4
Brazil14
Bulgaria2
Cameroon3
Canada20
Cape Verde1
Chile9
China86
Colombia19
Costa Rica1
Denmark3
Dominican Republic1
Ecuador1
Egypt6
Eritrea1
Estonia1
Ethiopia2
Finland2
France17
Georgia2
Germany25
Ghana9
Greece3
Grenada1
Hong Kong8
Hungary3
India89
Indonesia20
Iran, Islamic Republic of7
Iraq1
Ireland2
Israel23
Italy8
Japan33
Jordan3
Kazakhstan5
Kenya7
Korea, Republic of30
Lebanon3
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya1
Madagascar1
Malawi1
Malaysia4
Mauritius2
Mexico20
Morocco3
Nepal4
Netherlands2
New Zealand7
Nicaragua1
Nigeria12
Norway2
Pakistan15
Palestinian Territory, Occupied1
Panama1
Paraguay1
Peru8
Philippines10
Poland7
Portugal2
Russian Federation5
Rwanda1
Saudi Arabia8
Sierra Leone2
Singapore10
Slovakia2
South Africa3
Spain12
Sri Lanka1
Sudan2
Sweden2
Switzerland3
Syrian Arab Republic1
Taiwan7
Tanzania, United Republic of1
Thailand8
Trinidad and Tobago1
Turkey2
Uganda1
Ukraine5
United Arab Emirates7
United Kingdom25
Uzbekistan3
Venezuela2
Viet Nam2
Zimbabwe1

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 headshot

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 headshot

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.”

Headshot of Henrique Leite MPA/ID 2026

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 headshot

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 headshot

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.”

Headshot of Sunny Jiang MPP 2026

Sunny Jiang MPP 2026

China

“I am driven to empower underserved communities through innovative and collaborative policies.”

Zuka Alavidze MC/MPA Mason 2025 headshot

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 headshot

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 headshot

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.”

Headshot of Nitin Ranjan MPP 2026

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 headshot

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.”

Headshot of Tzur Goldin MPP 2026

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 headshot

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 headshot

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 headshot

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.”

Our students represent a diversity of nationalities. Explore other ways in which Harvard Kennedy School is a diverse community.