Before studying at BNU, I lived in China for 2 years and earned a bit of experience in a non-profit organization. That is where I began to develop an interest in development and poverty reduction. BNU’s Contemporary Development of China Master's program offered exactly what I was looking for and was the best opportunity to advance knowledge in this field. The Master program is interdisciplinary and challenging and the faculty is welcoming and approachable. All that is complemented with the very different backgrounds and views on subjects of my fellow students. In conclusion, being a BNU graduate student it is indeed a valuable and an once-in-a-lifetime experience.