Dongfang (Sally) Wang graduated in 2019 with a double major in Biology and in Public Policy with a minor in Economics. She studied abroad one summer with Duke in Berlin.
On why she decided to do this program...
“I first got interested in the Duke in Berlin program through word of mouth. I applied because it had a wide spectrum of interesting curriculums offered in English. I was especially interested in the conflict and reconciliation of political ideologies in recent history. Since Berlin is a frontier city between the western and eastern block, I knew I’d be able to explore the political history of Europe through site visits and in-person conversations. It also helped that the two courses I took in Berlin met my Public Policy elective requirements.”
On how her skills or knowledge have changed thanks to the program...
“At the end of the program, students had to conduct a mini-independent study using multimedia and art to highlight East Berlin's resistance under restriction. I learned how to look for—and reach out to—experts and individuals of relevance. Through trial and error, I figured out how to ask the right questions during these interviews. Engaging with this project left me deeply touched by the interviewees’ resilience under repression. It encouraged me to reflect on how to be a responsible and engaging citizen in today's society.”
On what surprised her about the program, or turned out differently…
“While I knew that living in Berlin would provide me with a deeper understanding of Europe’s political history, I never imagined that the whole city would serve as my classroom! We learned European energy policy by talking with representatives of the Green Party of Germany. We discussed EU structures at a local beer garden. We learned about the legacy of the German Democratic Republic by visiting a commune aka, an income-sharing community. We heightened our historical understanding of events by touring museums. In essence, this immersive experience encouraged me to learn outside of the ivory tower and to collect diverse types of primary resources.”
On her greatest takeaway from the program...
“To really learn about what's going on in this world, both past and present. I now know that I have to step beyond books and talk to people to get a real understanding.”
On how this program will play into the rest of her undergraduate experience...
“This program counted towards my Public Policy elective requirements but more importantly, it introduced me to the world of the energy industry (one of the DIB courses was called “Economics of Green Germany”). Thanks to this newfound interest, the following summer I interned at a green technology think tank in the U.S. While there, I applied knowledge I’d learned from the green Germany course.”
On advice she has for other students considering this program...
“Explore as many places in Berlin as possible! And make sure to read about German history, as that’ll help you understand where today’s German society stems from.”
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