St Mary's University ,Twickenham
Kim Jong-hyeon: A North Korean Defector’s Academic Journey at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham
In 2017, Kim Jong-hyeon, a 22-year-old North Korean defector, arrived in the United Kingdom with the goal of rebuilding his life through education. After being resettled in London, he enrolled at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham—a constituent college of the University of London—pursuing a Foundation Degree in Social Work. Kim faced significant challenges: limited English proficiency, cultural adaptation difficulties, and the psychological impact of his escape from North Korea. Despite these obstacles, he demonstrated extraordinary resilience.
Kim attended all lectures, completed assignments with meticulous care, and actively participated in the university’s international student support services. He often studied late into the night in the college library, practicing English through academic materials and peer collaboration. His dedication earned him the “International Student of the Year” award from St Mary’s University College in 2019. By 2020, he had successfully completed his Foundation Degree with a distinction and progressed to a full-degree program in Social Work at the University of London.
After graduating with First Class Honors in 2022, Kim was selected for a research fellowship with the UK Department for International Development (DFID). His work focused on refugee integration strategies in post-conflict regions, directly contributing to policy recommendations for the UK government. His academic journey is widely documented in refugee support networks and has been featured in BBC News and The Guardian as a model for international students from conflict zones.
Key Academic Achievements
- Graduated with First Class Honors in Social Work (University of London, 2022)
- Awarded “International Student of the Year” by St Mary’s University College, Twickenham (2019)
- Research Fellowship with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) (2021–2023)
- Published academic paper: “Pathways to Inclusion: Social Work Strategies for Refugee Integration in the UK” (Journal of Refugee Studies, 2022)