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Fizzah Malik

Fizzah Malik from Lahore is a Master’s student of Economics (Behavioral Economics track). A Tilburg University scholarship enables her to study here.

 

"I want to work on my dream of giving as many Pakistani children as possible the opportunity to go to school.”

How did you come to study at Tilburg University?

I completed my Bachelor of Economics & Mathematics in Pakistan. I always had to combine my studies with work to be able to make a living. An Economics professor in Lahore pointed out the possibility to study in Tilburg. Thanks to a scholarship funded by Tilburg University alumni, I can now fully concentrate on my Economics Master.

Why did you chose the Behavioral Economics track?

Behavioral Economics interested me because it is about the why of economic behavior. For too long, economists have assumed that people are rational, maximizing creatures. But it isn’t so simple. I am now writing a thesis on generosity and the financial aid policies of states. In experiments, I ask test subjects to choose whether they want to give away € 10. In this way, I want to find out how charities can collect more money. It seems we like to give generously in the event of a natural disaster. I want to know how you can stimulate people to give more for long-term causes like education.

What do you think of your program?

The level and the pace are high. I like that. I’m a bit of a math junkie and like my brain to buzz. What I think is great, too, is the mix of nationalities from the different continents. It challenges me to formulate my arguments well and to look at things from different perspectives. It releases you from your bubble. I also learn many new, useful skills here, for instance, how to conduct research. It did take me some time to get used to the calm, green campus. I’m so used to noise that I actually need it to be able to concentrate.

What drives you?

I hope to earn a PhD one day. After that, I definitely want to become a teacher. I love teaching. You can give someone something that will be very valuable to that person for the rest of his or her life. And I want to work on my dream to give as many Pakistani children as possible the opportunity to go to school, for example, via an education program set up by the government or an aid organization. So that other people may have the same opportunity that I have had. Studying here is an enormous privilege for someone like me.