Penn Abroad Ambassador Jackson Lopiano

Program:

• PGRI: Penn Global Documentary Institute (PGDI)

• PGS: Becoming Zimbabwe

Ask me about...

• Living and working abroad with a group/research team 24/7 for 3 weeks.

• Preparing for, traveling to, and navigating a new country and continent.

• Best practices for field work and talking with locals in rural areas and those who are leaders in their communities.

My experience abroad...

The insights I gained from the PGDI program in Uganda and South Africa were instrumental in shaping my approach to understanding how economic decisions are influenced by cultural, social, and psychological factors. Working with individuals and communities across the African continent allowed me to explore how community values and historical contexts influence economic behaviors, a core aspect of behavioral economics. These direct observations have enhanced my ability to document and interpret complex human behaviors—an essential skill in both academic research and practical business applications. This experience has also prepared me for a career where I aim to apply behavioral economic principles to improve company management and operational efficiency. The skills in qualitative research and empathetic engagement developed through the PGDI program will be pivotal as I seek to implement innovative management strategies that consider the nuanced motivations behind a diverse array of employee and consumer behaviors.

During my PGS program to South Africa, I had the incredible opportunity to see drastically diverse parts of a single nation from many different perspectives. Beyond the already diverse city of Johannesburg, my class and I traveled to the Zimbabwean border and were able to further see the impact of migration out of Zimbabwe into South Africa and speak with those who crossed. This experience allowed me to further the research methodologies I learned in classes at Penn and bring to life the history I have read about only in textbooks.

Other highlights...

• Playing with lions, zebras, lemurs, and more in Uganda.

• Abseiling down a 360 foot waterfall.

• Being invited into the homes and schools of locals to learn about their lives and document their stories.

• Sailing to the source of the Nile River.

• Traveling with a diverse group of students and faculty at Penn.