Recommendation Letter for Zixuan Wang for Dual Degree Program in Applied Economics and Social and Economic Policy

Dear admissions committee,

I am writing to highly recommend Zixuan Wang for the Dual Degree - MSc in Applied Economics (CUHK) and MS in Social and Economic Policy (Northwestern University) program. In my capacity as an Associate Professor and Vice President of the Rural Revitalization Research Institute at the Institute for Economics and Social Research, Jinan University, I have had the pleasure of teaching and working closely with Zixuan.

Zixuan excelled in my Resource and Environmental Economics course, earning outstanding grades. She actively engaged in class discussions, demonstrating a solid understanding of micro and macroeconomics fundamentals and an ability to think independently. Furthermore, I was particularly impressed by Zixuan's inquisitive and proactive approach to learning.

Following her completion of the Resource and Environmental Economics course, Zixuan embarked on writing a research paper. In her paper, she utilized thermal inversion days as an instrumental variable to estimate the effect of fine particulate matter pollution on the death rates of COVID-19. Throughout the process, Zixuan showcased exceptional data collection skills, a solid foundation in econometrics, and proficiency in data analysis software. She possesses remarkable problem-solving abilities and is receptive to feedback. When I suggested she learn GIS, she independently sought out online resources and successfully incorporated GIS into her research paper, including creating distribution maps and calculating the straight-line distance from various cities to Wuhan as an independent variable. Her meticulous attention to detail and formatting in her paper is also commendable.

Zixuan consistently demonstrates a passion for poverty alleviation and rural revitalization issues. She actively participates in lectures organized by the Rural Revitalization Research Institute. At my recommendation, she read and analyzed 'Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty' by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo, engaging in insightful discussions with me. Zixuan provided a unique perspective on poverty in rural China, highlighting the suitability and unsuitability of certain analyses in the book to China's specific circumstances. Her analysis of the historical shift in household responsibility systems left a lasting impression on me.

As my research assistant and teaching assistant, Zixuan has been invaluable in supporting my research and teaching endeavors. As a research assistant, she not only assists in data collection, cleaning, and preprocessing, but also contributes to literature review and synthesis. As a teaching assistant, she aids in curriculum development and slide creation, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of my teaching. Throughout her time as a research and teaching assistant, Zixuan has consistently demonstrated a rigorous academic attitude and exceptional talent.

Zixuan possesses a resilient character and has worked diligently throughout her undergraduate studies. I am delighted to witness her steady academic growth since her switch in majors. I understand the challenges involved in overcoming adversity, and I commend her proactive efforts to adjust her learning methods and seek guidance from teachers and peers. Her perseverance has resulted in outstanding academic achievements.

Based on Zixuan's exceptional academic performance, research capabilities, and dedication to her studies, I wholeheartedly recommend her for admission to the Dual Degree - MSc in Applied Economics (CUHK) and MS in Social and Economic Policy (Northwestern University) program. I am confident that she will contribute significantly to the program and excel in her studies.

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information or have any questions regarding Zixuan's qualifications. Thank you for considering her application.

Sincerely, [Your Name] Associate Professor Vice President of Rural Revitalization Research Institute Institute for Economics and Social Research Jinan University