Lu Dong

Rethinking my future

A year ago, I thought I knew exactly where I was headed. My plan was clear: finish my degree, become a financial analyst, and hopefully contribute to the growing field of sustainable finance.

Then I joined the IMESS program at UCL. I didn’t expect how much that decision would shift my perspective, not just on finance, but on what it means to make an impact.

At first, it was subtle. A lecture here, a reading there, a group discussion that went deeper than numbers on a spreadsheet. I began to see how economy intersects with policy, how economic tools shape real lives.

The turning point came during an information session with a UCL alumna, who had taken a leap, moved across continents, and carved out a career in international business and diplomacy. Around the same time, I met a BBC journalist at the SSEES Careers Fair who advised, “You don’t have to wait until graduation to start contributing — start now. Write, research, get involved.”

That evening, I began searching for internships beyond the usual paths. A few months later, I found myself in Cape Town, interning at a local NGO focused on human rights and socio-economic development.

My goal now is no longer just to “work in finance”, it’s to work at the intersection of economics, policy, and social justice. I want to use the skills I’ve built, in analysis, research, communication, to contribute to something larger than myself.

Looking back, applying to UCL was one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. I didn’t know it then, but what I signed up for was much more than a degree, it was an invitation to rethink, to grow, and to imagine a future beyond what I thought possible. I haven’t just developed academically; I now have the vision and courage to explore a different path.

Funding my Master’s

I discovered the IMESS scholarship while browsing the UCL website. The scholarship covered my tuition for both years.

As an international student and the first in my family to study abroad, receiving the IMESS award lifted a huge financial burden. It has allowed me to focus fully on academics without constant money stress. I’ve been able to explore research, internships, and course-related field trip—opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Moving to London

London is a global city with incredible universities, but what really drew me in was its cultural richness, diversity, and the sense that something exciting is always just around the corner. I didn’t just want an academic education; I wanted personal growth and experience life in full colour.

When I first arrived, I remember stepping out of the station near my accommodation and being hit by the sheer energy of the city — the constant movement, the layers of history, the blend of old and new. It was a little overwhelming at first, but very quickly, I found myself loving that energy.

In just one week, you might hear five different languages on your walk to class, try food from three continents, and have a debate about international affairs over coffee with classmates who’ve lived very different lives from your own. That kind of exposure teaches you things no textbook ever could.

Find out more about International Master’s in Economy, State and Society

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