As the first person in my family to attend college, I realized how privileged my life has been and how much higher education could make a difference to me and my family. Being excited, I embarked on a journey to improving writing, communication and critical thinking, and exploring innovative ideas for personal development and social values. This remarkable experience inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. My goal is to develop a better understanding of research and teaching, thus building a skill set to fulfill my aspiration while serving in the academic field.
This idea of pursuing a Ph.D. first stemmed from my undergraduate education in Guilin University of Technology, China. I gained basic skills of mathematics, English, and computer techniques; most importantly, I became interested in the field of urban planning after working in the land-use planning institute in Guilin. I learned how to use planning software (e.g., MapGIS,
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Then, working as the director of the construction office at three different planning and construction bureaus in China, I was in charge of three major roads (~four miles), 15 affordable housing apartments, and one plaza planning and construction management projects. Immersed in the construction projects that shape the built environment, I became more inclined to seek better transportation planning initiatives and how these facilities actually upgrade the accessibility to work, shopping and entertainment. These accomplishments really nourished my curiosity to explore sustainable experience abroad. Meanwhile, I served as an English volunteer teacher online after work, and opened my own school to serve the local community. These services have benefited around 10,000 people online and offline. The initial combination of my work and volunteer experiences has affirmed my choice of transportation planning within the education