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Quest for Adventure Leads Financial Engineering Student to China

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Josephine de Lara

WorldQuant University student Josephine de Lara embraces adventure. She moved from the Philippines to China in 2024 seeking career growth and international exposure.

“The move has given me the opportunity to develop professionally, experience a different culture, and broaden my perspective through living and working abroad,” she says.

Josephine, who speaks Tagalog, English, Mandarin and Spanish, previously worked in retail and restaurant management as a store supervisor in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. She now works in business operations and sourcing in Shanghai.

She discovered WorldQuant University while researching online for a flexible, high-quality quantitative finance degree. She enrolled in the Master of Science in Financial Engineering program at WorldQuant University in April 2026 and is on track to graduate in 2028.

“What I like most about WorldQuant University is its flexibility, global learning community, and high-quality curriculum,” Josephine says. “The program provides practical knowledge and skills directly relevant to today’s finance and data-driven industries.”

She says the program’s structure also fits her work schedule perfectly.

“I enrolled because it allows me to pursue a master’s degree while working full time, helping me develop my skills in finance, data science, and quantitative analysis to support my long-term career goals,” she says.

After graduation, Josephine plans to become a financial engineer and future leader, combining technical expertise, business acumen, and quantitative analysis to create value in the global financial industry.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures and cuisines, staying active through fitness, and continuous learning.

“I believe personal growth comes from both education and real-world experiences,” she says. “Living abroad has enabled me to meet people from diverse backgrounds and gain fresh perspectives.”

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Josephine de Lara
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