HYU GSIS challenges us to think deeper, to write better, and to be confident in our ideas. Having mentors who believe in you changes everything. It makes you want to go further

Ines Amrouche, Ph.D. Candidate at HYU GSIS Korean Studies Program

I found meaning in understanding how nations evolve within an ever-changing global order

"When I first came to Korea, it was almost by chance. I wasn't supposed to study here, let alone start a Ph.D. But somehow, everything aligned. I realized that researching, questioning, and trying to understand the world was what made the most sense for me," says Ines Amrouche, a Ph.D. student at Hanyang University's Graduate School of International Studies, following the Korean Studies program.

Originally from a business background, Amrouche's academic path took an unexpected turn when she first visited Korea for a semester. What began as an exchange became a long-term commitment, first to a master's degree in Korean Studies, and then to a doctoral journey that merges Korean Studies with international and geopolitical analysis.

From Chance to Purpose

Ines approaches geopolitics with curiosity, seeking to understand how nations position themselves in a complex global landscape.

"Korea is a fascinating place to study power, not because it dominates, but because it endures. It's not a great power, yet it manages to maintain its own influence and relevance in the global order," she explains.

Her passion lies in understanding how nations adapt, align, and evolve as the international balance of power shifts. Through her doctoral work, she hopes to contribute to a broader understanding of how alliances form, how middle powers position themselves, and how the architecture of global order transforms.

"I want my research to help people see the logic behind global change, not as chaos, but as patterns of adaptation," she says.

Research Grounded in Curiosity

At Hanyang GSIS, Amrouche's work spans several interconnected themes. She has authored and co-authored research on the Eurasian Economic Union, structural leverage, and South Korea's energy vulnerability, and has contributed a book chapter on international organizations.

"I'm using these years to build the foundation for a larger project. Eventually, I want to write a book on Korea's evolution, how it built its own path, and how it continues to redefine its place in the world," she says.

Mentors Who Inspire

Ines credits much of her intellectual growth to the mentorship she's received at Hanyang.

"Professor Lee Yaechan (Chair of the Korean Studies Program within GSIS) was the first to give me a chance. Working as his research assistant, I learned what it truly means to be a scholar: disciplined, curious, and committed. But what stands out most is how he creates an environment where students feel intellectually stimulated. We regularly meet as a group to exchange ideas, discuss our ongoing research, and push each other to write more. He doesn't just guide us, he cultivates a culture of curiosity and collaboration," she reflects.

Another turning point came with Professor Eom Guho (Professor Emeritus), who advised her first submitted article, which she wrote together with two fellow students.

"Professor Eom's insights shaped how I approach research. His way of thinking pushed me to go further, to be more critical and more ambitious."

Building a Future of Knowledge and Curiosity

Looking ahead, Amrouche hopes to become a professor and researcher, continuing to write and inspire others as her mentors inspired her.

"Knowledge is the only asset that never depreciates," she says. "When you share it, its value doesn't diminish, it multiplies. That's what I want to dedicate my life to."

Her guiding purpose:

"To keep questioning, to keep learning, and to help others see how nations, like people, are constantly evolving. If my work can make someone curious enough to look at the world differently, then I've done something worthwhile."

Hanyang as a Space for Growth

Reflecting on her experience, Ines highlights how Hanyang's professors have made the university a place of constant inspiration.

"The professors here are genuinely invested in their students. They challenge us to think deeper, to write better, and to be confident in our ideas. Having mentors who believe in you changes everything. It makes you want to go further."

As she continues her doctoral journey, Amrouche sees Korea not only as a case study but as a lens, a space from which to observe how the world is changing, and how individuals, like nations, can find purpose in transformation.