Shao Chenhan is one of just seven annual full-award applicants to be accepted into the prestigious Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She graduated from Government and International Relations programme(currently Globalisation and Development ) in 2020.

Shao Chenhan came to UIC, aimed an internationalized study environment and liberal education. It was the link that led her to explore numerous opportunities at UIC, such as overseas summers projects, international student conferences, international university exchange programs, and internships.

Helen Shao Chenhan(right 4 in the rear row) in summer school at Lille Catholic University in France in July 2017 

Helen Shao Chenhan(right 4 in the front row) in International Exchange program at North Michigan University in the USA

Shao Chenhan stated her interested in social and economic development and public policy.

'When I was doing my undergraduate graduation research project (FYP), I chose Huitong Village next to UIC as the research object. Through the combination of first-hand data collected on site and literature analysis, I have completed the article "The Impact of UIC's Campus on the Socioeconomic Changes of its Neighboring Huitong Village During 2017-2019", surperveised by Dr. Edoardo Monaco.'

At the time of our conversation Shao Chenhan is working at the Blanco Research Center in Louisiana, USA.

She joined the research center after graduating from Duke University. She is working on research projects including the social benefits of coastal restoration, the economic prospects of water governance industry development, and offshore wind energy development and governance.

Helen Shao Chenhan at Duke University 

Confronting public health crisis, changing dynamics of international relations, and continuous adjustment of the domestic and international job markets, I am grateful for intensive academic training and diversified communication opportunities in UIC, which improved my language ability, built psychological resilience, broadened boundaries of mindsets and reserved strengthen for future challenges and opportunities.

Looking ahead to the future, Shao Chenhan expect students to break boundaries between academic disciplines, chase their inner strengthen and have career paths that suit themselves. Shao Chenhan wishes every UIC student could fully utilize resources in and out of university and set the goal of life to navigate their own life path.