I’m Jia — a senior at USC studying International Relations & Global Business, a program that lets me take classes in both Dornsife College (where I dive into political science, sustainability policy, and development economics) and Marshall School of Business (where I build my finance and management toolkit). I transferred from GWU and also spent a semester at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, so my college journey has been truly global.

Hometown

Shanghai, China

Major(s)

International Relations & Global Business

Describe your college experience

On campus, I’m actively involved with the Global Policy Institute, where I get to engage with real-world policy challenges, and Delta Phi Epsilon (DPE) , USC’s professional foreign service fraternity — it’s been an amazing community of people who care about international affairs, and we regularly hear from experts in government, NGOs, and finance. Beyond the academics and professional groups, I’ve loved the cultural side of USC: the mix of students from all over the world, the conversations that start in class and continue over coffee, and the feeling that everyone is building something meaningful.

Tip for future students

Before coming to USC, look up some clubs or student organizations that match your interests — there are so many, from professional fraternities to cultural groups to random hobby clubs. And don’t be afraid to make friends early. You might feel a little lost at first, but eventually you’ll find your right group.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been on China’s foreign policy. The professor is incredibly supportive and approachable — I learned so much about foreign policy strategy and current affairs related to China. I also made great friends in that class, and now I’m actually doing research for the professor, which has been a highlight of my time at USC.

Career goals

I hope to work at the intersection of public policy, international relations, and project management or supply chain for international commerce. I’m fascinated by how goods, information, and decisions move across borders — and how policy shapes that movement.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Hanging out with friends, checking out events hosted by USC (sometimes there are free film screenings at the USC theater), or exploring little coffee shops and boutiques in the art district near USC ​/​ DTLA.

High school or secondary school

North London Collegiate School Jeju, South Korea

Previous college

The George Washington University, Nanyang Technological University (Study Abroad Program)