Curiosity That Sparked a Year-Long Research Journey
What began as a simple classroom curiosity evolved into a year-long research commitment. “My article examines whether government subsidies actually help independent farmers, as they claim to,” Nhu explains. “I was fascinated by the idea of understanding how economic policies affect communities - especially in emerging markets like Vietnam, where my research was based.”
Inspired by discussions in her Economics class, she set out to discover whether subsidies truly supported small-scale farmers or inadvertently widened the gap between them and large corporations.
A Determined Path to Publication
The journey to publication was anything but straightforward. After completing her initial research independently, Nhu submitted her paper to the Open Journal of Social Sciences - only to be rejected because she did not yet hold a university degree. Undeterred, she began reaching out to PhD candidates, seeking mentorship and collaboration.
“After many emails, one candidate responded with interest,” she recalls. “With their guidance, I refined my methodology and rewrote my entire economic analysis section to meet academic standards. It was grueling but deeply rewarding.”
Her persistence paid off - the paper was officially published on November 17th.
Insightful Discoveries and Surprising Findings
One of the most striking findings from the research was how subsidies, despite being designed to support farmers, often failed to reach independent producers. “I discovered that the qualifications for subsidies tend to favour large corporations with the scale and administrative capacity to apply,” Nhu notes. “This means that many independent farmers, the ones these policies are supposed to help, are often excluded.”
This revelation reshaped her understanding of policy design and deepened her interest in inclusive economic reform.
Lessons in Resilience and Academic Growth
Contributing to an international academic journal as a Grade 12 student was, understandably, an intimidating experience. “At first, I felt out of my depth,” she admits. “But instead of letting that stop me, I treated it as a challenge. I studied academic research papers, learned how to justify every argument, and ensured my analysis was data-driven.”
Through this experience, she developed a strong appreciation for the iterative, collaborative nature of academic writing. “It made university-level work feel more attainable,” she says. “Now I know what it means to be truly committed to a piece of research.”
Balancing School and Scholarly Pursuits
Balancing the demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) alongside a publication-worthy research project required exceptional organisation. “I relied on a strict calendar system and prioritised tasks based on importance,” she explains. “During school terms, I focused on coursework, and I used holidays to catch up on research.”
Looking Ahead: A Future in Economics and Policy Research
The experience has strengthened her resolve to pursue Economics at university, with long-term ambitions to earn a PhD. “I want to work on projects that connect fieldwork with economic modelling - where every graph tells a story about real people,” she says. “Ultimately, I hope to contribute to more inclusive and effective policymaking.”
Words of Advice for Aspiring Researchers
For other students interested in academic writing, Nhu offers simple but powerful advice:
“Let your curiosity lead the way. Start with something that interests you in class and explore it further. Don’t be afraid to seek feedback from teachers or peers - and never let inexperience hold you back. You don’t need to be an expert to start researching; the process itself is what teaches you.”
A Remarkable Achievement
Nhu’s publication stands as an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to her perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to learning. Her success not only highlights the academic calibre of EIS students but also serves as an inspiration to others who aspire to turn their ideas into meaningful research.
