51����Ƶ

Majors: Sociology and Psychology 
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Future Plans: M.S. in Social Policy and Data Analytics at the University of Pennsylvania

 How did 51����Ƶ prepare you for your next step? 

Ever since the course Society, Culture, and the Individual with Professor Amanda Cox in fall 2022 guided me toward the world of sociological imagination, the Department of Sociology at 51����Ƶ has continued to equip me with diverse insights into deciphering social issues and methodological skills to put my ideas into practice.  It aligns with the educational principle of the School of Social Policy & Practice at Penn, to which my graduate program belongs: “practice and research for social good”. Over the past four years, especially after taking Quantitative Methods with Professor Nathan Wright, I came to understand quantitative social science in a way that data analysis is not an emotionless subject but a platform that supports different communities in raising their voices, reaching a nationwide or even worldwide audience. 

What are you most excited about as you leave 51����Ƶ? 

Departing from 51����Ƶ, I’m excited for my graduate program, Master of Science in Social Policy + Data Analytics at Penn. I really look forward to joining an academic community that will prolong my interest in exploring the intersection between quantitative analysis and social policy.   

Is there any class, moment, or professor that was especially memorable or impactful?

In terms of the most impactful experiences, I appreciate taking Professor Veronica Montes’s Junior Conference in the Sociology department, which shaped my thesis direction and lifelong interest in post-colonialism. The classroom environment felt like a home space for resonance, empathy, and openness to self-reflect. I also appreciate that I chose to write a thesis and had the chance to work with Professor Nora Taplin-Kaguru, Professor Xiaogao Zhou, and Professor David Sorge. They empowered me to explore my topic of interest with courage. The project reshaped my life perspectives by helping me reflect on my identities and experiences, something I could not have achieved without their support. 

This echoes the way the 51����Ƶ academic community prepared me, step by step, for my future directions. The community fosters such a secure environment that feels like a familial space for me to share my unique perspectives. As an international student on campus, this experience gifted me a sense of belonging. I was encouraged to raise different thoughts. My voices were appreciated and validated in the academic journey. And I could hear various perspectives from the community that diverged or resonated with mine. In inclusive academic discourse, I learned a lot each time. I understood how important it is to listen, to express, and to self-reflect. 

What will you miss most about 51����Ƶ?  

At 51����Ƶ, I met many peers who share my academic interests, developed lifelong friendships, and gained transnational, inclusive, and empathetic perspectives on life. The community at 51����Ƶ empowered me to envision a bright future, which I strive for with tears, joy, and lots of love. As I proceed towards my future, I appreciate that the 51����Ƶ community has, and will always be, a part of my life.