Sook Yan Siew shares her experiences as a PhD in Economics student at CERGE-EI and her role as an international student ambassador at Charles University. Looking ahead, she is considering a future in academia while also running her own NGO. She believes this path will allow her to balance her passion for long-term theoretical research with short-term practical work.
Can you describe your academic journey so far?
I completed my secondary education in Malaysia, followed by a bachelor’s degree in South Korea, which included an exchange semester in Hong Kong, and then a master’s degree in Japan – all on full scholarships. In addition to my studies, I have worked in all of these countries, as well as in China and Timor-Leste.
What motivated you to pursue a PhD in economics?
I hold degrees focused on development economics and policy, and I have worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors on projects fostering community and economic development. In my work, I constantly researched and self-studied in order to deliver projects effectively. However, I reached a point where I felt I had hit a bottleneck and needed more structured and guided education. Moreover, I realized that because my previous education was not rooted in core economics, I lacked the foundational knowledge required to fully understand economic dynamics and mechanisms. In addition, I am keen to build a career in academia, and I needed proper training and thorough preparation for that. Therefore, pursuing an economics PhD program that combines structured coursework and independent research with teaching duties seemed the most suitable path for me.
How did you learn about CERGE-EI and the opportunity to study economics in Prague?
I first learned about CERGE-EI through Inomics – a website listing study and employment opportunities in economics – recommended to me by a senior member of my previous research lab (currently studying in Dresden). I received an offer letter less than two weeks after applying, and within a month I already found myself landing in Prague.
What led you to study economics in Europe?
As I moved across different Asian countries, my perspective broadened significantly. Having experienced and learned from various Asian educational systems, I felt I had reached a point where I wanted to look beyond Asia. Europe seemed a good choice, as it is home to many leading scholars in economics who I believed could provide valuable guidance for my independent research. Within months of arriving at CERGE-EI, I had already met scholars whose names I had read in textbooks, as well as a Nobel laureate – it was even better than I had imagined.
How would you describe your experience as a student at CERGE-EI so far, after the first year of the PhD program?
My background has been primarily in applied knowledge and work, so the highly theoretical first-year coursework felt very challenging at first (on top of having to adapt to a new life on a continent with people and customs so different from what I was used to). However, with the support of study groups, my understanding has noticeably improved.
Soon we will have our first-year qualifying exam, and although I still have some gaps to address – particularly in areas I did not fully grasp earlier – I feel far more confident about taking the exam now than when I first started the program. I really have to thank my supportive group of friends for that.
As CERGE-EI requires first-year students to fulfill administrative assistantships, you chose to become a student ambassador at Charles University. What does this position involve?
In general, CU ambassadors assist the CU student recruitment coordinators and the International Student Community Manager with international student recruitment and community-building activities. This includes brainstorming and participating in study fairs, online webinars, community events, and more.
There are currently three teams – offline events, online events, and PR – spread across three Charles University campuses in Prague, Hradec Králové, and Plzeň. I have officially been part of the Prague offline events team since last spring semester. Besides current students, alumni ambassadors are also actively involved in these activities.
What events for international students have you participated in?
I joined several events. The first was a general meeting where we discussed the direction of the CU Ambassador program for the second half of the year. Later, I took part in one of the International středa, mezinárodní Wednesday events – the Carnival Night edition, or Masopust (a vibrant pre-Lenten celebration with parades, costumes, music, food, and drink). During the Study in Prague fair earlier this year, I participated as one of the international student representatives, speaking to over 20 study counselors from high schools around the world. Since CERGE-EI did not offer an undergraduate program at that time, most questions I received were about my life in general and my views on education quality and career prospects in the Czech Republic, Prague, and Charles University. We also had an Ambassadors team-building activity: a hike combined with a guided tour of Sapa, where we learned about the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic. And last but not least, I joined the Queer Bazaar & End-of-Semester Celebration.
On which activities would you like to focus as a CU ambassador?
Based on my experiences so far, my plan is to help integrate students into Charles University’s international community by promoting CU Ambassador events to my peers – specifically by posting posters around the CERGE-EI building.
What lies ahead for international students at Charles University?
Unlike in some other countries I studied in (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Malaysia), there is no single unified university campus at Charles University. Because of this, international students often connect mainly within their faculties but less so across faculties. The International Student Community Manager is working to change this, and CU ambassadors are helping to make it happen.
The current plan is to make Kampus Hybernská the go-to hangout spot for international students in Prague, and to use the International středa, mezinárodní Wednesday event platform to bring students together. The aim is to “internationalize the locals and integrate the foreigners.” I hope that with the ambassadors’ hard work this dream can come true, as I really enjoy spending time with students from different years and majors. It is refreshing to get a change of perspective and to learn new things directly from people who specialize in them – a truly credible source!
What are your future plans? You still have several years in the PhD program at CERGE-EI, but do you already have a vision for after that?
I aspire to work in academia while also running my own NGO. I believe this path will allow me to balance my interest in long-term theoretical research with short-term practical work. At the same time, it would give me the opportunity to teach students while contributing to the wider community – in a targeted and measurable way.
