Jaewon Park, a junior majoring in economics at Mason Korea, recently co-authored a research paper titled "Implications of Demanding Private Education Expenditure on Low Fertility Rate in South Korea," which has been selected for publication by the Consilience Humanities Association, with Park as the lead author. He also holds the position of economics major representative for the 2024 academic year.
Park began his research last fall while enrolled in ECON 496: Economics of Sustainable Development, taught by Mason Korea economics professor Moon Joon Kim. Reflecting on the process, Park said, "Working on this research paper was challenging, but my faculty advisor Dr. Moon Joon Kim played a key role in helping develop my thesis." Upon completing the course, Park collaborated with co-author Dr. Jinwoo Park, Director of English Season1 Research Center, who proofread the paper.
"When I was in elementary school, there were typically around 30 students in each class, but nowadays, there are no more than 12 students in each class," Park explained. "This prompted me to explore South Korea’s low fertility rate issue and its correlation with private education expenditure. Our research revealed a negative correlation, indicating that increased spending on private education correlates with a decrease in the fertility rate."
Beyond his academic pursuits, Park is actively engaged in campus life, serving as a Resident Advisor, member of Student Government, student ambassador at the Career Development Center, and student intern at the University Life Office.
Explaining his decision to major in economics, Park emphasized its versatility. "I chose economics because it can be applied to diverse fields," he said. "At George Mason University, the economics curriculum covers a wide range of topics, from Airline Economics to Health Economics. Personally, I'm drawn to data analysis and environmental sciences, which are integrated into economics courses."
Addressing prospective economics students, Park dispelled misconceptions about the discipline's mathematical rigor. "I used to find economics daunting too," he admitted. "But there are options available. If you prefer to avoid mathematical or statistical theories, you can explore the Philosophy, Politics, and Economy (PPE) concentration within the economics program. Studying economics deepens your understanding of the world, human behavior, and decision-making processes. If economics aligns with your interests, don't hesitate to pursue it."