I-Tzu Lin
MPP'27
Hometown: Taiwan
Why did you choose McCourt? I chose McCourt because it offers a rare combination of strong academic training, real-world policy engagement, and access to exceptional resources in Washington, DC. The faculty bring deep expertise and practical experience, and the events and programs are consistently meaningful and relevant to current policy challenges. Together, these opportunities make McCourt an environment where students can learn rigorously while staying closely connected to real policy work.
What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt? I entered McCourt directly after my undergraduate studies and was fortunate to gain experience through several internships across different sectors. These experiences helped me explore both professional and academic paths and, more importantly, develop a clearer understanding of my own interests and strengths. They played a significant role in shaping how I approach policy questions and in clarifying the direction I hope to pursue moving forward.
What has been the best part of your experience so far? The best part of my experience so far has been how seamlessly classroom learning connects with real-world policy engagement. Topics discussed in class often come up again in events, panels, and conversations outside the classroom, which makes learning feel immediate and practical. That constant reinforcement has helped me better understand how policy analysis translates into real discussions and decision-making.
What internships have you had so far during your time at McCourt?
- Summer internship at TSMC, in an AI development role
- Teaching Assistant for a hedge fund course
- Teaching Assistant for an AI product course
- Teaching Assistant for a course on work-life balance
What is your research focus? For my thesis research project, I am studying why AI adoption varies across U.S. businesses and how state conditions, such as tech workforce and infrastructure, shape that adoption.
Student organization involvement while at McCourt: I am involved with the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
Undergraduate University, degree, and major: Duke Kunshan University, Political Economy with Public Policy track
Hobbies/ Interests: Gender policy, education policy, and religious studies.
Reach out to me about: Moving to DC from abroad, entering McCourt directly from undergrad, balancing internships, coursework, and self-discovery, interests in gender, education, and religion