Turbulent Protagonist, it’s a personality type characterised by thoughtfulness, empathy, idealism, and a drive to understand and help others. It’s the personality type Yihan identified with, and why she explains she was so interested in studying international relations.

“I am keen to understand the world better. Studying IR systematically could help me to empathise different roles in the world and analyse the international issues from a theoretical and professional lens to connect myself to the outside world. I hope to make the world peaceful.”

States and the people within them are rational actors. Game theory provides a valuable lens through which to view and analyse how these actors may behave in a range of contexts, ranging from trade and international forums, through to the most severe of circumstances, war and international crime. Yihan particularly enjoyed POLS2125 Game Theory and the teaching of Dr Shawn Trier.

“This course inspired me a lot since this was my first time being introduced the game theory. It enables me to analyse social issues and political phenomena based on the logic of games, understanding human being’s behaviours, including collective action failures, bargaining, elections, war, and so on. At the beginning, I have to admit that the workload was fairly heavy for me since we were required to do the in-class group assignments and to submit when the lessons ended. However, I recognised how beneficial the course arrangement was because I built my thinking from the lens of game theory sooner than I expected. I actually immersed myself in the knowledge. This new way of thinking helped me to further understand the world.”

Coming to ANU and to Canberra, Yihan found a welcoming community environment, with lecturers, tutors, peers and accommodation staff all contributing to a feeling of warmth and connectedness every day. That strong feeling of community continued even when the pandemic arrived. Living in UniLodge, Residential Advisors would check in regularly to make sure residents felt looked after and to organise essentials.

“I lived at the Unilodge for the whole three years. I still remember that the receptionist was very warm-hearted in my first day arriving in Canberra. I appreciated this experience of living here as I always felt that I was being supported.”

That same sense of connectedness and community went far beyond the campus, with Yihan praising the pace and character of life in Canberra. It’s a place where people know each other, where there’s time and opportunities to connect with others and to connect with yourself.

“As a student coming from overseas to study at ANU and Canberra, I would 100% recommend my younger relatives or friends to make the same decision of studying here. Appreciate everything at the ANU. Not every university can put this much effort into students’ well-being and take care about each one of us. I am not advertising; I really love ANU and Canberra and I never felt regretful – even just one minute – about my decision to spend my beautiful three years here.”

Yihan is graduating from ANU with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Economic studies, and looks forward to pursuing both a Masters degree and a career in international consulting in the future.