01 Why DKU?
I was born and raised in Kunshan. When I learned that an international university had settled in the city where I grew up, I was full of curiosity and yearning for DKU. Choosing DKU means that I can enjoy the educational resources and academic atmosphere comparable to those of top international universities at my doorstep; I can choose major according to my interests and potential, and acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills in an interdisciplinary education model; I can also study and live with classmates from different countries and cultural backgrounds, expand my global vision and increase my cross-cultural communication skills, which is crucial for my future career development and enhancing my competitiveness in the era of globalization.
02 Impressive Research Experience
DKU’s academic inclusiveness is very strong. Professors will guide us to give full play to our creativity within the academic framework and organically combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
In the second semester of my junior year, a wave of “blind box fever” inspired my interest in behavioral economics research. I wanted to explore the psychological mechanism and its internal connection behind consumers’ “irrational” behavior of buying blind boxes, so I started my Signature Work. I knew very little about behavioral economics at the time, but I was fortunate to receive guidance from Professor Gergely Horvath and take the course Introduction to Behavioral Science, which gave me a systematic understanding of the human behavior mechanism, behavioral psychology theory, and experimental methodology. Behavioral economics is an interdisciplinary subject that integrates knowledge from different fields such as Psychology, Economics, and Sociology. It mainly studies the psychological process of people making decisions and its impact on the results of economic activities. Among them, behavioral experiments are one of the methods to test economic hypotheses and provide theoretical analysis.
Professor Horvath helped me gradually improve my research topic, combining theories such as Risk Preference and Anchoring-effect with consumer behavior, and patiently guided me to write programs and design blind box consumption experiments. Whenever I encountered difficulties, the professor almost “replied” to the email in seconds and patiently answered questions. He gave me many useful suggestions throughout the experimental process, data analysis, and paper revision. This study deeply studied the decision-making bias of blind box consumers from the perspective of behavioral economics, provided support for decision-making behavior under uncertain conditions and the economic principles behind blind box consumption, and laid a foundation for my future professional study and practice in economics.
Photo taken with Professor Horvath at graduation
03 Growth During 4-years Undergraduate
One of the biggest gains from my four years at DKU was the mastery of self-management. The seven-week curriculum of DKU accelerated the pace of learning. There were many required courses in the first and second years, and student work and club activities also made my life busier. In such a fast-paced environment, I kept exploring and gradually established a time management system that suited me.
I clearly remember that the first semester of my senior year was my busiest period. While applying for graduate school, I had to balance life, study and internship. I was interning in the transaction strategy department of KPMG at the time. This internship experience not only taught me professional skills, but also taught me how to deal with work pressure and stay efficient and focused in a fast-paced environment. During that time, I interned during the day and wrote application documents and homework at night. However, it was this challenge and busyness that allowed me to learn to balance different tasks and responsibilities and improve my organizational skills and time management skills.
In my study and life at DKU, I also met many like-minded classmates and friends. We support and encourage each other and grow together with each other. Their presence gives me unlimited courage and motivation and makes me believe that I can overcome difficulties and succeed.
Attending the Orientation Week while serving as a Dormitory Life Assistant
04 Why Love DKU?
DKU provides me with a platform to explore myself internally and meet the world externally. In terms of course content, the Common core courses cover Chinese history, global technology and challenges, and ethics, which not only allow me to have extensive exposure to humanities and scientific knowledge, but also stimulate my ability to introspect and global citizenship and guide me to plan my own future development. Here, I learned to learn quickly and think independently, to question and dare to question, and at the same time expand my knowledge horizons.
Secondly, the alumni network of DKU and Duke is spread all over the world, and the school development and alumni relations department often organizes various activities, providing opportunities to communicate with outstanding alumni from all fields of life. Through interaction with alumni, I can better understand industry trends, broaden my horizons, and listen to career planning advice. The alumni and seniors I have had the honor of meeting are very willing to share their work experience and wisdom, impart industry insights and career development advice. Communicating with them not only enriches my learning and growth, but also opens up broader avenues for my career choices.
The greatest help I have received at DKU comes from the professors and close friends I have met. The professors are willing to share their professional experience and academic insights with me to help me better plan my future. The faculty and seniors I have met are very helpful and have become an important pillar in my life. Whether it is academic problems or personal life troubles, they are willing to listen patiently and give me constructive suggestions, bringing me more wisdom, courage and growth.
05 Plans After Graduation
I plan to go to Oxford University’s Said Business School to pursue a master’s degree in Financial Economics after graduation. Said Business School combines innovation with teaching and research and is committed to cultivating responsible and entrepreneurial business leaders. I hope to continue interdisciplinary learning in this historic university, delve into financial economics analysis tools, and combine them with the economic principles and financial practices learned during undergraduate studies, constantly expand my thinking boundaries, and strive to become a cross-border “problem solver”.
06 Suggestions To Fellow Students
I hope everyone will make full use of DKU’s platform to discover themselves and explore the unknown. DKU provides a rich and diverse academic and cultural resources that allow us to freely explore our interests and stimulate our potential. Seize various opportunities such as academic research, club activities, and internships on and off campus, and you will definitely find your passion.
Secondly, you don’t need to be too purposeful, but enjoy the process of learning and living. Instead of being overly anxious about the results, it is better to focus on the fun of learning, the establishment of interpersonal relationships, and the experience of personal growth. The best results will come inadvertently.
Finally, please always be confident, sincere, and brave. The students who join DKU come from different backgrounds and cultures, and everyone has a unique development direction and goal. Believe in your abilities and values, and bravely show your talents and opinions. In an era of rapid development, we must not forget our original intentions, do things that are truly meaningful in the long run, and always maintain a sense of direction in life.
Translated and Edited by Zhenyu Tian, Class of 2027
