I was born and raised in Vietnam in the late 1990s and early 2000s. During my childhood, Vietnam’s economy was in a transitioning process, moving from a centralized economy to one that was more market-oriented. As an adult, I moved to the US; I saw with my own eyes how much a life can change simply by moving to a wealthier nation. It’s fascinating to me that whether you’re rich or poor depends, in large part, on what country you were born in. This realization ignited my interest in studying economics, as I want to learn about the root causes of the disparities between developing and developed countries and how a low-income country could move away from poverty and transform into a more developed nation.
At San Diego State University (SDSU), I earned my bachelor’s degree in economics. During my time studying economics there, besides learning about economics in general, I also realized the structural differences in the economies of developing countries like Vietnam and developed countries like the US, including the differences in the proportion of agricultural or informal jobs, the level of development of the financial sector, and government structure, etc. I also realized how challenging it is for low and middle-income countries to promote and boost economic growth, given different institutional and government structures. These realizations deepened my passion for understanding applied and development economics.
As a student, I worked as a research assistant for one of my economics professors, Ron Shadbegian. With his encouragement, I enrolled in SDSU’s master’s in economics to continue pursuing my interest in the field. By understanding more about economics and having more experience in research assistance, at the end of the program, my enthusiasm for economics and research only grew stronger.
This background naturally led me to the decision to apply for a pre-doctoral program. Such a program would allow me to gain more in-depth experience with economic research design. It would also offer opportunities to work and connect with experienced faculty, which is crucial for my future PhD application. Fortunately, I was offered a position as a Research Assistant (RA) at Notre Dame’s Building Inclusive Growth (BIG Lab). Working at the BIG Lab has given me extensive exposure to development economics. I am deeply inspired by the poverty alleviation initiatives and impactful projects I have been involved in. These projects emphasize on development issues and focus on exploring ways to enhance economic growth in low and middle-income countries. This aligns perfectly with my original interests from childhood and early adulthood.
Working at BIG Lab has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to learn and understand the meticulous process of conducting high-quality research related to development. I have also had the opportunity to participate in seminars led by both faculty and PhD students. This provides me with exposure to a wealth of research ideas and a glimpse into the grad school environment. This journey has been profoundly fulfilling, and I am grateful for every step that has brought me here.