From a Small Ohio Town to the Global Energy Stage: A DKU Graduate’s Story

Margaret Shoop grew up in a small town in Ohio, USA, where few people ever considered studying abroad in China. Yet it was this very ‘unusual’ decision that brought her to Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and set her on a transformative journey of growth and discovery.

Why China? Why DKU?

When I decided to apply for iMEP, many people around me asked: “Why China?”
My answer never wavered—I aspired to become an environmental policy researcher with a truly global vision, and DKU provided me with this one-of-a-kind platform.

Before applying, I had completed my undergraduate studies in the U.S., which helped me recognize the similarities between DKU’s teaching style and American universities. DKU’s teaching style was very similar to that of U.S. universities—emphasizing critical thinking, classroom interaction, and group work. But for me, the most valuable part of my experience went beyond academics: it was the authentic Chinese life I experienced outside the classroom.

At DKU, I was more than just a student—I was truly living in China. I shared meals with my Chinese classmates in the cafeteria, listening to their funny stories about how, as undergrads, they had to eat quickly to grab food before it was gone. During holidays, I traveled to more than twenty cities across China, including Yanbian and Yangshuo—places most foreigners would rarely get to see on a short visit.
These experiences gave me an understanding of Chinese society far beyond what books or media could ever provide.

Snapshot from traveling in Yangshuo

This cross-cultural growth shaped not only my travels, but also my studies and everyday interactions. I once joined classmates and professors in a dialogue on China–U.S. energy cooperation, where I directly engaged with front-line experts in the field. That experience made me realize that environmental challenges are never faced by one country alone—they demand global cooperation and dialogue among multiple stakeholders.

During the same trip, I also went to a French bakery with Professor Coraline, who shared her experiences of living in China as a French academic. Without DKU, I might never have had such meaningful interactions with professors and peers from around the world.

Group photo at the China–U.S. energy cooperation event (fourth from the left)

Academic Growth:

A Global Vision Pieced Together Like a Puzzle

Studying in iMEP felt like putting together a giant puzzle of global environmental policy. Each course provided a different ‘piece’: policy analysis, economic principles, scientific foundations… “I really like doing puzzles. So the fact that environmental policy is like a puzzle, I think, is what really draws me to it that like there is a solution, but how do you get to that solution? I really like that.”

The curriculum was comprehensive—covering everything from policy-making processes to environmental economic models, and the scientific basis of climate change. It showed me that real environmental policy is never just theory, but something grounded in knowledge from many different fields. On top of that, DKU brought together professors from around the world, each an expert in their field.

Group photo at a DKU Running Club event

“I would say that my favorite course that I took while I was at DKU was probably Energy and Emerging Economies. And that was actually by a visiting professor from Duke, Professor Jonathan. So that was a really interesting course just to see a different perspective, a different teaching style, definitely more like business school, where there’s very little lecture, it’s mostly just bringing in industry professionals and having conversations with people and pitching a product at the very end. But it was a very interesting course.”

The professor who influenced me the most was my advisor, Professor Wu Meng He. He was not only my thesis supervisor but also the teacher I took the most classes with. Throughout my thesis process, he gave me tremendous support and encouragement. Although my thesis topic — Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)—was not his primary research area, he always listened, offered guidance, and encouraged me to pursue my own direction.

Graduation photo with Professor Wu Meng He at Duke University

As part of this process, I challenged myself to learn a brand-new skill: building an economic optimization model in Python. To do so, I taught myself Pyomo. At first, I knew almost nothing about programming, but in a Duke University course called Electric Power Industry Operations and Market Mechanisms, I had the chance to practice Pyomo under my professor’s guidance. That course became a kind of intensive training ground for my thesis research, greatly boosting both my skills and my confidence.

Eventually, I built a complete model and applied it in my thesis. This challenge not only strengthened my research skills but also taught me that academic writing is a process of deep reflection. I enjoyed gathering information, piecing it together, identifying gaps, and finding ways to fill them. “And I really enjoyed the process of writing, the process of collecting all the information from everywhere, figuring out how all the pieces fit together and synthesizing it, but also where there were some gaps still, and how I could fill those gaps. Just that general research process was really enjoyable for me and the writing was also really enjoyable. So that in itself was also kind of a light bulb moment. This sense of achievement has made me consider pursuing a PhD in the future, especially in energy policy.”

Looking back on iMEP, I realized more than ever that environmental policy is inherently interdisciplinary. My background in marine science, political science, and linguistics—though seemingly unrelated—enabled me to approach complex issues from scientific, policy, and cultural perspectives.

At DKU:

Taking the First Step Toward My Career

At DKU, I not only grew academically but also gained greater clarity about my career path. The university provided valuable career resources: interview workshops, elevator-pitch training, and one-on-one counseling to refine my résumé and cover letters. For example, I learned to reframe ‘completed project’ as ‘led a cross-cultural team to successfully deliver a research project,’ which made my experience sound far more professional.

Eventually, I joined an international energy consulting company headquartered in Norway. During the interview, I realized that what impressed the interviewers most was not my technical background or grades, but the experiences I had at DKU. “Everyone is a good writer. Everyone passed the exam that they had, but not everyone has had more interpersonal experiences to set them apart or can have cross-cultural communication and collaboration. So, yeah, I think everyone passed that like a technical bar, but then what sets me apart is my experience at DKU.”

Internship photo at an American energy company

My colleagues came from Norway, India, China, and many other places—so every day was a cross-cultural exchange. And my two years at DKU were exactly when I truly “learned how to communicate.” Classroom discussions, dorm conversations, and travel encounters across China all shaped my understanding of different cultures, languages, and ways of life.

When I shared my DKU experiences in the interview—from biking in Yangshuo to exploring Korean-Chinese culture in Yanbian—the interviewers truly connected with my stories. They told me, ‘You adapt quickly and are willing to step out of your comfort zone.’ And that was exactly one of the most valuable abilities I gained at DKU.

Margaret Shoop and classmates traveling in Changbai Mountain

Words for Future iMEP Students

To future iMEPers preparing for job hunting, I want to say: “Don’t focus only on whether you meet the skill requirements—that’s just the starting point. What truly makes you stand out are your experiences, your worldview, and how you turn them into problem-solving abilities. DKU provides the perfect platform to cultivate these qualities.”

Of course, I understand many students feel uncertain after graduation. I once thought I would work in government, but later found a better fit in the private sector. So, I encourage everyone to stay open-minded—don’t limit yourself too early in career choices.

Margaret Shoop under the city wall of the Forbidden City

As for myself, I may pursue a PhD in energy policy one day. But for now, I want to gain practical experience first—to see how theory is applied in the real world. I believe that only by understanding real-life challenges can we propose valuable solutions.

Finally, to students still on campus: Cherish your time at DKU. Don’t just focus on classes and papers—go out, meet people, explore. What truly shapes you is often not classroom knowledge, but those seemingly “insignificant” experiences. One day, those experiences may be what set you apart.