GLI Fellow Profiles
Sangjin Ju
The Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea
Having worked in the financial industry for 14 years, I saw many of my projects involve more and more multinational financing parties with a greater variety of financial instruments. Even though I enjoyed adapting myself to this challenging and exciting change, I always felt thirsty for a more fundamental education opportunity. I was lucky to find the GLI program offered at UCSD that satisfied all of my needs. Firstly, there are a variety of people: managers, directors, executives from central or local governments, public agencies, and private companies. It was a great experience to see and learn how people think and approach an issue in different ways, and how each of us can be helped and become more perfect by others. I think this is one of the greatest assets I can take back to my workplace.
Secondly, it is the GLI program itself. The U.S. Government and Politics course with Professor Glenn Smith was very useful for me in understanding the historical background of the U.S.’ current political system, which helped me see the society in a more comprehensive way. I had the great opportunity to study with graduate students in IR/PS graduate courses taught by world renowned professors. Moreover, getting to know many talented young graduate students and how hard they study was a great pleasure.
The people, communication skills and knowledge earned here were reinforced and enriched by the surroundings in San Diego. I am sure that what I experienced and learned here will help me see farther, think more wisely and arrive at better solutions.
Mana Takagaki
Gakushuin University, Japan
I am currently a Master's degree student at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, Japan majoring in political science. It is interesting studying at IR/PS and getting to know people from many different countries and backgrounds. At GLI, I have taken the GLI course in Academic English, which I am especially thankful for as it has taught me how to write research papers in English and will help me in IR/PS graduate courses. Not only is taking classes a precious experience for me, but so is communicating with my classmates. I enjoyed the class "Conflict, Terrorism, and the Media" with Professor Hooper. It was interesting to hear his experience as a journalist. Currently, I am taking the class "Postwar Politics in Japan" with Professor Krauss. His lectures are interesting and the class is a good forum to learn about Japanese politics from the point of view of other countries’ people. For example, I didn't know that the Japanese election campaign is unusual in comparison to other countries.
GLI’s Winter Social and Fall Dinner were good opportunities to make friends and meet the MAS-IA students, professionals enrolled in the degree program. In addition, I was able to talk with professors at the Fall Dinner. At first I was nervous if I could stick their classes or would be able to participate in the class because of my limited English, but by talking with the professor, I became less anxious and felt encouraged to be in the classes! I want to use the knowledge and English skills I acquire here for my studies back at Gakushuin University and towards my future career.
Javier Torremocha
Entrepreneur, Spain
After 16 years of working experience in the financial industry (namely Lehman Brothers and UBS) and an educational background that includes a dual degree in Law and Business Administration and an MBA from INSEAD, I felt a need to go back to school. Finding a long-term, not finance-focused program in a top-tier University on the West Coast was not an easy task. I have always had a special interest for international relations and politics (already half way through my third degree in Political Science). The variety of courses, flexibility to choose and structure of the GLI program offered at IR/PS definitely fulfilled all my expectations. On top of the GLI offering, you add the unparallel surrounding of a city like San Diego (weather, golf, beaches, food, people, light, culture) there is no other place in the world that can match such a combination. Paraphrasing Brian Adam’s song “Summer of 69,” I can honestly say that was the best year of my life!
The quality of the program could not be totally compelling without an outstanding faculty and a very friendly staff. I was very impressed, not only by the academic background of most faculty, but above all, by their in-the-field experience, where theory comes into practice and lectures are complemented by real life experiences.
All in all, the GLI program has helped me round my experience, allowed me to better understand the Asia-Pacific culture--the GLI program has allowed me to enrich myself as a person.
Hui (Susie) Li
MPIA '12, China
Currently I am in the MPIA program and will graduate in June 2012. I am also the appointed president of the Chinese Language Film Society for the 2011-2012 academic year.
I was part of the GLI Future Global Leaders (FGL) program in the summer of 2009. During that time, we had the opportunity to take a couple of great classes concerning economics and globalization. We also enjoyed the chance to talk to renowned professors, specifically about China issues and Sino-US relations. In addition, we were able to visit local attractions, such as Pacific Beach and SeaWorld. We even visited the county government of San Diego and QUALCOMM.
My experience in the program was significant in my personal improvement, both academically and professionally. I especially enjoyed the China related classes which aroused my interest in this program as well as the trip to the beach, which helped me fall in love with San Diego. Thanks to the program, I befriended Dana Tucker, GLI Program Coordinator, and Nathalie Lim, IR/PS Admissions Assistant Director who offered me advice and help about life and studying at UCSD. I was able to meet with Nathalie in Shanghai long after the GLI FGL program when she was visiting to promote IR/PS programs and gather former GLI participants together.
My decision to apply for the MPIA program at UCSD was largely influenced by my participation in the FGL program. At the same time, I was attracted to the intensive MPIA program because of its comprehensive course design and great reputation. I believe both the FGL and MPIA programs will help me with my future career development.
Hao Tan
MPIA '11, China
As a Telecommunication student in Shanghai, I always wondered how to combine my industry knowledge and working in business. My experience at GLI gave me insight on fundamental international management concepts, the opportunity to visit companies, such as Qualcomm, and to meet IR/PS graduates working in diverse industries. Through the GLI program, I was able to equip myself and change successfully from a student in engineering to business. Therefore, I decided to apply for UCSD IR/PS MPIA program right after I completed my undergraduate studies in 2009.
Currently I am studying in the MPIA Program in the International Management track focusing on China. Courses, such as Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Strategy & Negotiation and Operation Management have given me the knowledge and experience I need to work with business corporations. My experience from participating in GLI’s Future Global Leaders program, in the diverse community of IR/PS and as teaching assistant in the UCSD Chinese Studies program, has helped me a lot to understand people well and will benefit me for future work in the Pacific area.
Takeshi Uematsu
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
METI has sent many professionals to IR/PS because of its Pacific-centered curriculum. The faculty are excellent and the opportunities, such as GLI’s professional tours, gave me the change to exchange ideas with government officers and industry experts.
Kari Han Hwang
Korea Western Power Company, Korea
Energetic discussion among students in every class encouraged me to study harder. I had valuable chances to negotiate with great graduate students and cooperate with them closely for team projects. In spite of former experiences working with foreign business people, GLI helped me to improve my skills for better communication. I was also able to experience a global management environment by meeting various students from many countries and studying advanced theories. UCSD was a truly valuable experience for me to start global life.
Shawn Covell
Qualcomm, USA
As a vice president in a Fortune 500 company, I highly recommend the MAS-IA program to anyone seeking to enhance their professional skill set. The courses are rigorous and use real world examples to hone students' analytic and problem solving abilities. The work is relevant and interesting, the professors engaging, the staff always helpful and my classmates some of the best in their fields.
Jou-Hyun P
ark
International Business Coordinator
Small Business Corporation, Korea
Academic fundamentals, practicality and networking are the three things a working professional should look for when looking for an academic program. Strategically positioned within in the larger framework of IR/PS at UCSD, the Global Leadership Institute (GLI) not only gives you these three elements, but also the opportunity to benefit from the thriving international academic community that is IR/PS.
As a fellow at GLI, I was able to add specific business-oriented skills to my English, experience the challenges of a full-fledged Master's course, and at the same time meet and network with some of the most interesting and accomplished people. A very hands-on study tour to the business and policy hubs of the US was another attractive benefit of studying at GLI.
With a career in a government organization which requires both business knowledge and a certain political savvy, I knew GLI was the place to hone my skills, and I feel I have accomplished just that. And maybe then some, because as they say in Korea: "In the end, all you have left is the people you have met." Well, coming away from GLI I have with me a host of wonderful new acquaintances, and on top of that, a lasting learning experience. I could not be more satisfied.
