Zenning it out in 2012
January 10, 2012
10 days into 2012, and already, New Year’s Eve feels like a long time ago. These first 10 days of the year are probably rather indicative of what the rest of year will shape to be: a year full of surprises, changes, personal challenges that will require me to find my inner balance. In the past 18 months or so,…
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LSE/Columbia SIPA Dual Degree MPA
December 30, 2011
I've been receiving emails regarding the GPPN Dual Degree program between the LSE and Columbia SIPA that I am pursuing. In the interest of sharing information, here's some key considerations...
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How SIPA Takes on Exam Stress
December 15, 2011
Oh SIPA. You never cease to amaze me. I have been so involved with my life in New York and the happenings at Columbia that I haven’t written much about these really amazing past few months. It’s finals time and stress is in the air, but what really impresses me is how my SIPA colleagues manage to handle this stress…
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Africa Gathering DC
November 11, 2011
Had an amazing time leaving NYC for a bit to attend Africa Gathering in DC. Unlike other typical African conferences, this was literally a gathering of ideas from entrepreneurs ranging from film, music, to solar power, agriculture investment, to youth voting promotion, women’s empowerment. Each speaker discussed their ideas for 20 minutes and it was a packed day full of…
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Life at Columbia SIPA
October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween! Somehow, November is upon us, the first snow of the year came and went, yet I had not written much about my time thus far at Columbia SIPA. Life has been busy, but in a positive and fulfilling way. Columbia is a magical place. I feel myself growing all the time. Everything I thought I wanted out of…
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America! New York City! New Beginnings!
September 6, 2011
The last few weeks have been a crazy blur. I had my leaving drinks the night before I left London. I went back to the Midwest for 10 days to catch up with family and friends. Even though I have been living in the developed world for the past year, coming back to America is still a culture shock. 10…
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British vs. American-Battle of the Grades
August 12, 2011
I received my intermediate transcript from the LSE today, and on the back, there was a grading scale that translated into the A/B/C system for the general course (study abroad). I am not sure how I didn’t know this throughout this entire year, though I’m sure it was buried somewhere deep in the LSE website. Knowing this would have alleviated…
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London Summer
August 9, 2011
Since I am transitioning from a UK system to the US, my summer was cut short to just under 8 weeks. In which, I took up an internship at a social investment fund here in London. This is the 2nd time I have spent summer in London, and I remember just how much I love it. Sure the constant 60…
Read MoreLSE MPA Books
July 8, 2011
GV 478: Political Science and Public Policy Shepsle and Bonchek: Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior, and Institutions. EC 440: Micro and Macro Economics (for Public Policy) Varian: Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach. 5th Edition. Frank: Microeconomics and Behavior. 8th Edition. Mankiew: Macroeconomics. 6th Edition. EC455: Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis Stock and Watson: Introduction to Econometrics. 2nd Edition. DV441: Development Policy…
Read MoreLSE MPA: the Good Stuff
June 24, 2011
So, it occurred to me that I may have been a bit harsh on the LSE. I blame it on my Asian upbringing where I demand improvement even when things are already really good. Tiger Mom in the making, anyone? (I just started reading Amy Chua’s book: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. But that’s another post for another day.)…
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