Sarthak Vij Drives Change for International Students at Johns Hopkins

Published July 29, 2024

Sarthak Vij, a 24-year-old resident of Washington D.C., is pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Economics at Johns Hopkins University to drive meaningful change and inspire reforms, particularly for AAP’s international students.

Vij’s academic journey is rooted in a deep interest in the intersection of economics, finance, and industrial organization, with a particular focus on antitrust, competition, and financial damage estimation. This interest and his professional experience consulting for healthcare and banking sectors led him to choose Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs for his graduate studies.

“Johns Hopkins stood out with its approach towards the master’s program, emphasizing quantitative skills and providing unparalleled academic support,” Vij said. “In just six months, I’ve developed a strong understanding and use of tools like STATA, Python, SAS, and R.”

The expertise of faculty members like Dr. Prakash Loungani, a former Chief of Policy Communication at the IMF, and Dr. Brandon Restrepo, a research economist at the USDA and former White House Economic Advisor, bolsters the quality of education at Johns Hopkins.

“When you have such firepower in your professors, the academic experience and professional exposure are destined to be spectacular,” Vij said.

The location also played a crucial role in Vij’s decision. Living in Washington, D.C., he is at the heart of economic research and policymaking.

“Being close to the Capitol Building and top economic research institutions has given me opportunities like attending the Bar Association’s Antitrust Spring Summit,” he explained.

For Vij, Johns Hopkins is more than just a brand name; it represents a long history of research and resources.

“The support systems here, such as VMock, Handshake, and Case Coach, speak volumes about the university’s efforts to ensure students are given the platform to rise and shine,” he said.

Beyond academics, Vij passionately advocates for reforms to support international students at Johns Hopkins better. Drawing from his experience at Penn State University, where he was involved in international student orientations, he recognized the challenges new international students face in adapting to cultural and social differences in the U.S.

“I felt that we, as a diverse and inclusive university, could do better,” Vij said.

He presented his ideas to the student services team and worked with them to organize and coordinate a revamped orientation program for international students.

“The team is doing all the heavy lifting, but we are looking at a new orientation program that helps international students fit in with the culture of Hopkins and the U.S., like PB & J,” he added.

As Vij continues his studies, he remains committed to making a difference both within and beyond the academic sphere, driven by his passion for economics and a desire to inspire change.