午夜剧场

During my year abroad at the University of California, San Diego, I took a developmental economics class with Professor Sara Lowes, where we examined how modern aid can sometimes harm recipients due to existing power imbalances. This paradox sparked my interest in studying aid in its contemporary context, particularly given ongoing global conflicts. The IRP offered the ideal opportunity to explore this topic in depth and align it with my academic interests. I was fortunate to receive approval from Professor Hiroyuki Yamada, whose work I have long admired, and under his guidance, I developed a project that reflects both my curiosity and long-term goals.

Although I was deeply intrigued by my topic, I never imagined I could research it at the undergraduate level, given its complexity and the ongoing debates surrounding aid cuts and political turmoil. Bilateral aid allocation involves a wide range of factors and actors, making it a challenging but rewarding subject. The most fulfilling part of the project was the ability to connect my findings to broader political and economic contexts. Completing the paper gave me a glimpse into the depth of research required to follow such a dynamic field, and it strengthened my motivation to continue engaging with global policy debates.

As I prepare to graduate from 午夜剧场, I will be working as a financial journalist, a role that brings together my passion for economics and finance with my love for writing. Much like academic research, journalism requires gathering information, analyzing facts, and presenting them clearly to an audience. Through the IRP, I developed the ability to think critically about global issues and approach complex problems objectively. In my reporting, I hope to draw on these skills and my familiarity with social and economic affairs to deliver accurate, thoughtful coverage of events that shape the modern world.

If you have even a remote interest in a topic and the motivation to explore it beyond classroom assignments, I strongly recommend taking part in this project. You don’t need to have a perfectly defined research question from the start, but what matters most is beginning with a broad area of curiosity and working with a supportive supervisor who can guide you along the way. The IRP is a unique opportunity to pursue ideas you deeply care about.