How did you first become interested in economics?
I've always been interested in people and societies, and that's what economics is all about - it's a people-centric social science that aims to improve welfare and living standards. I knew from the first day I studied it at high school that it was for me.
Why did you choose to study at the School of Economics at Nottingham?
Well, I did my homework. First of all, there was the setting. Nottingham is a vibrant city - not too big and not too small, which is perfect for a student - and University Park must be one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.
Then there was reputation. The University of Nottingham is one of the top targets for graduate employers in the UK, and the school is consistently ranked in the top 10 economics schools in the country.
Finally, the school always ranks extremely highly in research output for behavioural economics - usually first or second in the world. Most schools don't even have modules in this area.
What are your fondest memories of your time at the school?
I have so many. They were the best years of my life.
The first few weeks were surreal, as it was the first time I'd lived away from home, but I soon became so accustomed to life at Nottingham that it felt like a second home.
I remember my exchange programme in Australia, the summer school at the Ningbo campus in China, the debates with the teaching committee as part of my duties as a course rep, the activities we organised with the Hellenic-Cypriot societies... Above all, though, I remember the people I met from all over the world.
What advice would you give to someone considering or about to start a course at the school?
Go for it! You're about to embark on a journey that could change your life.
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
I'm following an academic path. After leaving Nottingham I completed my Masters in Economics at Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and then attended University Pompeu Fabra, also in Barcelona, as a visiting PhD student for a semester. I am now a Research Assistant at the Center for Economic and Social Research in California.
What do you enjoy most about that?
I've dreamed of conducting my own research ever since my first classes at Nottingham, and now it's a reality.
Have your experiences at the school helped you?
Actually, Nottingham has been the defining factor. It's why I'm where I am now - not just because of its academic reputation but because it was where I first encountered behavioural and experimental economics, which is the focus of my PhD.
Behavioural economics fulfilled my interest in psychology, and I was also lucky enough to be taught by some of the field's most passionate pioneers - Professor Simon Gaechter, for example. It captivated me like no other area of the discipline.
Are you still in touch with your fellow alumni and, if so, how do you stay in contact?
Of course. The main means of contact is Facebook, which is the easiest and fastest way to learn about everyone's news and to send quick messages to one another, but I've also visited the homes of a few of my fellow graduates - and they've visited mine. It's great to see how everyone has been getting on with their lives.
Why is staying in touch important to you?
It's not just about networking. It's about keeping up with your friends' news from all over the world. It's funny how when most people go back to their respective countries they embark on a lifestyle very different to the one they had at university.
Have you been back to the school since you graduated?
My girlfriend works in Nottingham, so I visit often. I always make a quick stop at my favourite campus. Every time it feels like I’m back home.