BA in Economics
Concentrations
Jaewon Park, 2026
Degree: BA in Economics
Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Future plans: Jaewon plans to pursue a PhD in economics after graduation.
For Jaewon, the opportunity to pursue a U.S. education through Mason Korea was especially meaningful. Small, discussion-oriented classes allowed him to build strong relationships with faculty and deepen his understanding of economics in a collaborative setting. He spent his final year on the Fairfax campus, where a small faculty-student ratio encouraged active engagement and mentorship, alongside a community of friends he had studied with in Songdo.
“We supported each other through challenging courses, explored new places around campus and Washington, D.C., and celebrated our progress along the way. Those shared experiences made me feel truly part of the George Mason community and will stay with me long after graduation.”
From student to independent researcher: The course "ECON 495: Honors Thesis in Economics" with Professor Jason Dunick challenged Jaewon to think and act as an independent researcher rather than a student. Throughout the course, he learned how to communicate complex ideas effectively—not only through writing and presentations, but also during regular project meetings with his supervisor—and discovered that research often generates more questions than answers, and that curiosity is the driving force of good scholarship. This experience deepened his passion for economics and gave him the confidence to pursue research at the graduate level.
Motivated by a deepened interest in empirical and technical economics, and a desire to further develop as a researcher capable of producing meaningful work in the field, Jaewon plans to pursue a PhD in economics after graduation.
Advice to future Patriots: “Never be a passive learner. Take initiative, explore different opportunities, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—it’s where real growth happens. Whether in academics, research, or career pursuits, consistent effort always leads to meaningful results. Even when things feel uncertain, trust the process and keep pushing forward; your hard work will eventually be rewarded.”