From North Korea to a New Dream: Help Me Study at UChicago

From North Korea to the University of Chicago: Help Me Keep the Dream Alive

Hello, my name is Sunghyuk An. I was born in North Korea in 1995 and fled the country with my family in 2011, risking our lives to escape and eventually resettle in South Korea.

In North Korea, pursuing higher education was impossible for me. The government claims that college is free, but in reality, access to university requires bribes and connections—neither of which my family had. We were poor, and our political background was unfavorable. I had no choice but to give up on my dream of attending college.

At the time, my 17-year-old cousin joined the North Korean army hoping to escape poverty, but he died of malnutrition during training. I was terrified of being conscripted myself. With no other option, my family made the life-threatening decision to cross the North Korea–China border under the constant fear of being shot.

Before our escape, I was forced into hard labor at age 14 and lost part of my right middle finger in an accident. When I went to the hospital, I was told to buy my own medicine. That moment shattered my loyalty to the regime. Anger took its place.

After arriving in South Korea, I was finally able to dream again. I was accepted into the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, with a full scholarship.

With the support of generous donors and government programs, I was able to continue my studies and living expenses. I immersed myself in understanding inter-Korean relations and international affairs, which solidified my aspiration to become a scholar and policy expert.

Later, I was honored to be selected as a Fulbright Scholar, which brought me to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations at Syracuse University. I am now in my final semester.

In North Korea, I was taught that the United States was the enemy—imperialist and evil. But when I arrived here in 2023, I experienced something completely different. America was a land of freedom, opportunity, and compassion. For the first time in my life, I felt that even someone like me could dream and be supported in pursuing that dream.

In fall 2024, I applied to PhD programs in Political Science, hoping to study how authoritarian regimes like North Korea use information control and how exposure to external media can affect citizens’ loyalty to the regime. Unfortunately, I was not admitted to any of the programs I applied to.

But I have not given up. To strengthen my academic preparation and reapply more competitively, I have been accepted into a one-year master’s program at the University of Chicago’s Committee on International Relations (CIR). This prestigious program will allow me to sharpen my research skills, learn from world-renowned scholars, and build a strong foundation for reapplying to PhD programs. CIR is also well-known for its high PhD placement rate.

However, the tuition is approximately $76,000. The university has awarded me a $30,000 scholarship. I have also applied for additional scholarships for North Korean defectors through LiNK (Liberty in North Korea), a nonprofit organization that supports the rescue and resettlement of North Korean refugees, and the George W. Bush Institute, which runs a leadership development program for North Korean escapees. Each scholarship offers up to $10,000, and I am currently awaiting the results. I have also secured free housing through ENoK, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that supports North Korean defectors. ENoK provides not only a safe and welcoming living space but also basic meals, helping residents focus on their education and adjustment to life in the U.S. without worrying about daily living expenses.

-----

⭐️ Update as of May 15, 2025

I was recently informed that I was not selected as a recipient of LiNK's Bao Sei Scholarship this year. As a result, I have adjusted my campaign goal from $25,000 to $35,000 to reflect the additional need.

I remain deeply grateful to all of you who have supported me so far — your generosity means a great deal.

-----

That leaves me with a $35,000 gap I must fill to attend this program.

My parents are still struggling financially in South Korea. My father works as a day laborer, and my mother is a restaurant server. They are unable to contribute to my education.

Since coming to the U.S., I have also participated in several events to raise awareness about North Korean human rights. In October 2024, I spoke as a panelist at a trilateral dialogue hosted by the U.S. Department of State, where I testified about the reality of life in North Korea and called for stronger policy efforts to support its people.

Now, I want to contribute more—not just through testimony, but through rigorous research and policy development that can bring meaningful change to the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

Your support can turn this dream into reality.

Your generosity is not just helping me—it’s investing in a future where knowledge, truth, and freedom can reach even the most closed corners of the world.

If my story resonates with you, please consider donating and sharing this campaign.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sunghyuk An.

P.S. Because I don’t have a U.S. Social Security Number, a trusted friend, Sung Chun Lee, will temporarily receive the funds and deliver them to me.