In an impressive display of teamwork and economic acumen, SSIS Grade 12 students Jiahn L and Chaelynn S recently secured first place in the IE University Economic Policy Dilemma Simulation Challenge. Their achievement not only highlights their skills but also comes with a $1,500 cash prize. The challenge, held in November 2024, involved navigating complex economic policies related to extreme situations such as the pandemic and fluctuating oil prices. Participants were tasked with determining the most appropriate policy responses, with scoring categories focused on GDP, risk, debt, and popularity. “This challenge was closely related to what we learned in our macroeconomics class,” said Jiahn. “We based our strategies on that knowledge and supplemented it with additional research. It was a great opportunity to demonstrate our understanding of economics and business.”
After submitting their work in November, the duo received the exciting news of their win in January. “We didn’t expect to win cash; it was a surprise when we found out we were in first place,” Chaelynn explained. “Realizing we would receive $1,500 was incredibly thrilling.” The recognition was even more significant given the competition they faced. “The students who placed second and third were from mainland America,” Jiahn noted. “It felt amazing to be Asian students in China and still achieve first place.” Both students are interested in majoring in economics at university, making the challenge a perfect fit for their aspirations.
Reflecting on their experience, Jiahn shared a valuable lesson: “We learned that many macroeconomic policies don’t always function as theories suggest. For instance, while monetary policy is often seen as more flexible, we found that it, too, requires time and a series of actions to impact the economy.”
For students considering similar challenges, Chaelynn offered some encouraging advice: “Just give it a go and see what happens. Don’t focus solely on winning; if you try your best, you might be surprised by the outcome.”
