University of Reading

A True Story of a Notable South Korean Student at University of Reading

In 2016, Kim Min-jae, a 19-year-old South Korean student from a small town in Jeollanam-do, arrived at University of Reading with a clear vision: to bridge theoretical economics and real-world policy challenges in emerging economies. Coming from a family with limited English proficiency, Kim faced significant initial hurdles—language barriers, unfamiliar academic structures, and the pressure of adapting to a new cultural environment. However, his determination was unwavering. He joined the university’s International Student Support Service immediately, where he spent 200+ hours weekly on language practice and academic mentoring.

Kim’s academic journey was defined by relentless effort. He achieved a first-class honors degree in Economics (2019) with a specialization in international finance, consistently ranking in the top 5% of his cohort. During his studies, he developed a groundbreaking research project on financial resilience in developing economies, which he presented at the University of Reading’s International Conference on Economics in 2018. His work caught the attention of Professor David Smith, a leading expert in global economics at Reading, who became his academic mentor.

The turning point came in 2019 when Kim’s research on the impact of digital banking on economic stability in Southeast Asia was selected for the University of Reading’s Undergraduate Research Prize—the first South Korean student to win this award in the program’s history. This recognition led to his selection for the IMF Research Fellowship (2020), where he collaborated with global economists to design policy frameworks for emerging markets. His work directly influenced the IMF’s 2021 report on financial resilience in low-income countries.

Today, Kim Min-jae is a Senior Research Analyst at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he advises governments on economic stabilization strategies. His contributions have been cited by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, and he has been recognized by the UK Foreign Office as a “Role Model for International Students” in 2022.

Major Academic Achievements

• First-class Honors Degree in Economics (University of Reading, 2019): With a focus on financial innovation and economic resilience in developing economies.
• Publication in the Journal of Development Economics (2018): “Digital Banking and Economic Stability in Southeast Asia: A Policy Framework for Emerging Markets.”
• IMF Research Fellowship (2020): Awarded for exceptional contributions to the IMF’s global economic stability initiatives.
• University of Reading’s Undergraduate Research Prize (2019): The first South Korean student to win this award, highlighting his impact on real-world economic policy.
• Recognition by the UK Foreign Office (2022): Named a “Role Model for International Students” for his leadership in cross-cultural economic research and policy advocacy.