Sustainable Economic Development Latin America China

Sustainable Economic Development in Latin America and China

My language skills—near-native in French, advanced intermediate in Spanish, and several years of study in German and Chinese—mirror my dedication to economic development, especially in Latin America and China. I am keen to focus my career on researching sustainable economic development in the Developing World, using the advanced degree I aim to earn in your program to work as a development professional, mainly with NGOs.

I have lived and studied globally. At 12, I visited relatives in Hong Kong, exploring the city independently for two months. At 17, I spent a year in France, enhancing my French language skills. I have traveled extensively across Europe and lived in London, UK, for a year, working as a professional chef. My travels to Mexico and Cuba, where I stayed with local families, allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and improve my Spanish. I learned about the rise of drug cartels and their ties to unemployment and corruption in Mexico. I am particularly interested in studying NAFTA's impact on unemployment, especially in border cities like Juarez, and its connection to the drug war. In Cuba, I stayed with a family of professionals living in a one-room apartment, gaining insight into the dual-currency system and its societal effects.

My husband is Chinese, and we married in Northern China. During my youth, I completed my education in a French Immersion program, which enabled my admission to the French Public University system at 17. Studying in France, I experienced the joy and dignity of the French people, while also observing the economic challenges posed by French Socialism, such as strikes by students and public workers. As a Canadian familiar with diversity, I was troubled by the xenophobia in French society, especially regarding immigrant workers. I have worked in London, Montreal, Aix-en-Provence, San Francisco, and Vancouver, and traveled to eighteen European countries and two Asian nations. I managed operations in French-speaking Quebec for three years, with most of my friends and colleagues hailing from Asia.

In 2008, I traveled to China for my wedding. Touring Beijing with my fiancé, I noticed the large cracks and repairs on new office buildings, learning about the prevalent corruption in China's construction sector, where funds meant for materials are often misappropriated. I witnessed the environmental damage caused by rapid economic growth in China and am eager to research the generation gap and differing financial behaviors across age groups. China is becoming a central focus of my professional interests, particularly its role in developing poorer countries worldwide.

I am particularly interested in studying "slow capital" trends, like those of the Acumen Fund. I believe that reliance on charity is unsustainable, and I aspire to contribute by facilitating low-cost loans for viable small businesses, focusing on this model for development in impoverished areas such as Central America, where I have closely studied poverty. Charging a nominal fee for items like mosquito nets can be more effective than charity, despite appearing greedy to donors from developed countries.

I am deeply engaged in studying labor developments in China. My husband, who is Chinese, is my study partner, and we are enjoying living our lives immersed in Chinese culture, primarily in Mandarin. I avidly read about companies like Foxconn and Honda and their labor rights issues, as China transitions away from being the world's sweatshop amid rising labor standards. Though this change is gradual, it is exciting.

My experience as a banking executive has honed my soft skills, including effective communication, public speaking, and meeting facilitation. I frequently use de-escalation techniques to manage challenging situations. I have a strong sense of team dynamics and address teamwork issues promptly; my team consistently ranks among the country's top performers, partly due to my enthusiasm for leadership and helping others grow. I love learning and aiding others in their learning, which brings me great joy. Since 2003, I have also cared for my elderly grandparents, learning about the costs of care and aging. My grandparents, like many of their generation, were debt-averse and saved diligently for retirement. I wonder how future Canadian generations will cope with current debt levels and low savings rates.

I aim to dedicate myself to studying demographic issues, gender, diversity in economics, job outsourcing, and unemployment, among other topics. I hope to contribute to both academic and societal understanding in these areas. My independent nature may lead me to a future as a freelance writer, particularly for radio, or as a community organizer, similar to the early career of the American president. My candidacy for your program is bolstered by my volunteer experience. In addition to leading United Way campaigns annually, I have participated in various events promoting local arts and cultural services, such as soup kitchens and clothing drives for the homeless. I have held formal volunteer roles with two social advocacy organizations: Project Genesis in Montreal and the XXXX Aids Centre in Vancouver.

Since age fifteen, I have worked to fund my education and expenses, holding jobs in coffee shops, grocery stores, as a private tutor, and as a chef, before becoming a bank manager at HSBC Bank, where I have been for the past decade. My work experience has instilled perseverance, stamina, and the ability to meet deadlines while managing a heavy workload and competing demands. I have consistently excelled in each role due to my responsibility, hard work, quick learning, and strong leadership. I have been rapidly promoted in every position because of my top performance.

Sustainable Economic Development in Latin America China