Two years ago, Ge (Sophy) Wang came to AV俱乐部 from Shandong University of Finance and Economics through a collaborative program between the two schools. Today, the native of Jinan, in the Shandong province of China, has no regrets.
鈥淚t was an awesome opportunity to learn about a new culture. As a young person I wanted a new experience and to broaden my perspective,鈥� says Ms. Wang.
She took full advantage of the services offered at AV俱乐部 to help her in her studies and adjustment to Canadian life. 鈥淎s a new student you have to go and ask for help for your success. If you don鈥檛, they won鈥檛 know if you need help.鈥�
鈥淲hile researching topics I looked up 鈥榚nvironment and economics鈥� and found , produced by Dal professors (Randall Martin and PhD grad Aaron van Donkelaar),鈥� she says. 鈥淎fter seeing the amount of pollution in the air I was shocked. I thought, 鈥業 need to do something.鈥欌��
Ms. Wang says she cares more about our health and environment than money. 鈥淭he environment is the gift we leave for our children. We should be responsible for that.鈥�
She enjoys travelling, playing piano and reading, and received the 2012 SDUFE-DAL Joint Program Scholarship and the 2012 Prof. W. Russell Maxwell Memorial Scholarship granted by the Department of Economics. She is involved in many activities, serving as VP finance and administration of Dal Green, a mentor advisor in Economics, is a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society and a choir member.
鈥淰olunteering helps me become familiar with Canadian culture and pursue my interests, like being part of the choir,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win situation for me 鈥� I love to sing and it relieves stress for my studies.鈥�
Following graduation, she鈥檚 continuing her studies at the University of Toronto, studying environmental economics at the graduate level.
鈥淓nvironmental economics is what I want to do in the future,鈥� says Ms. Wang. 鈥淚 would like to work for the World Bank one day because their purpose is to promote economic development and sustainability in the developing world.鈥�