Pronouns: She/Her
Home Country: China
Field of Study: MA in Global Development Economics
Rosa (Yuxin) He, from Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, is expected to complete her master’s in Global Development Economics in January 2025. We sat down with Rosa to take a deep dive into her journey and give her advice to fellow GRS students in this exclusive Q&A session.
What initially drew you to this field? How did your experiences (academic or professional) solidify your passion for this area of study?
“At first it was really just because I took an intermediate microeconomics class in undergrad, which was fascinating, because I never realized how humans’ behavior and mathematical models can be combined in such a beautiful way. And then the more I learned, the more it felt like this is the path that I wanted to go down. What always pains me is the general unfairness everywhere, like one has to suffer because of one’s gender/ sexuality/ race/ place of birth/ ethnicity. Economics shows me a different perspective to understand it and address it—it provides me a path where I can utilize my passion and actually make some difference. “
What is one thing you believe is crucial for academic/professional success but is overlooked by many?
“Grad school is a lot, and it can be even harder when you are all alone in a foreign city. It’s not only the school one needs to worry about, but also social life, mental health, financial issues, finding apartments, and everything else. Getting to meet my friends who are always supportive is definitely one of the best things that has happened to me since I moved here. There’s no way I can do this without their love and support.”
What are some opportunities and resources at BU that you’ve utilized and would recommend others to leverage during their time at BU that will benefit them in the future too?
“Definitely the opportunity to attend BU’s very intriguing conferences hosting many known names within their field. I would have never expected to have the chance to meet Daron Acemoğlu, and even speak with Rohini Pande. So don’t forget to check our event list—most of the conferences are open for all departments. (However I’d like to shoutout the conferences hosted by Pardee and Questrom)”
How did graduate school at BU prepare you for professional life?
“First of all, working as a Research Assistant and Teaching Fellow definitely provides me with invaluable, hands-on experience. It allows me to develop critical skills in research, status, analysis, and teaching. Besides that, my role in the Graduate Economists Association has also equipped me with skills of communication, organization, and an ability to create a comfortable environment within a multicultural group.”
Could you share a strategy or a technique you implemented that helps you achieve an efficient work life balance during graduate school?
“I think the time blocking technique is quite effective to me. It helps me to allocate specific periods for coursework, personal activities, and any other things that I need to deal with. It helps me maintain a healthy balance. Additionally, setting clear boundaries for work hours, and making time for regular breaks are also important to manage stress.”
Did you have a mentor, professor, or colleague who significantly impacted your success? How did their guidance shape your path?
“I have definitely benefited a lot from my professors and my cohorts. I feel safe to say that for a lot of us, our department feels almost like a second home. Our program coordinator Karen Rodi, will always try her best to listen and help us no matter if it’s personal or academic. Also our program director Hsueh-Ling Huynh,who has helped me so many times. He is very brilliant and I have definitely learned a lot from every conversation with him.”
A supportive network is crucial for success. How did you build your support network during your studies or professional life? What advice do you have for other students in building theirs?
“I think building a supportive network involves actively participating in department events, engaging with peers and seeking out mentorship opportunities. At the Econ department we have the Graduate Economists Association where we hold social lunches every month and sometimes we would do coffee hours or host some special events for festivals, for people to meet and engage with the cohort. What I will recommend for other students is putting yourself out there. Meeting new people can be scary sometimes, and you definitely don’t have to if it makes you feel uncomfortable, but sometimes maybe you just need a little bit of push and then you realize there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
What were some of the research or internship opportunities you experienced while at BU that helped shape your future career?
“During my time at BU I participated in several projects including water access and livelihoods of tribal populations in India, which provided me hands-on experience and deepened my understanding of development economics.”
What would you say to people who are currently in their graduate school journey?
“Focus on your goals while remaining adaptable to new opportunities. Embrace the challenges, and use them as opportunities for growth.”
About the Author:
Doğa Sevgi
Marketing & Communication Assistant, GRS
Bachelor of Science, Psychology