I had the immense privilege of receiving funding from the World Research Assistantship Program (WRAP) to explore new research perspectives in France. Over the summer, I conducted business-related research in the Finance Department of HEC Paris, collaborating with Professor Johan Hombert on his main project concerning the corporate bylaws of French startups. My work was supervised by my faculty advisor, Sylvain Catherine, Assistant Professor of Finance at Wharton.
During the 8-week period of my research, I employed natural language processing tools to extract financial information on the ownership and shareholder structures of firms established in France over the past two decades. This involved designing and implementing deterministic algorithms using the R programming language. The tasks assigned to me by Professor Hombert were highly technical, requiring advanced knowledge of algorithms and programming. This opportunity challenged me to self-learn and apply new concepts in computer science. Additionally, understanding finance terminology and concepts was crucial to deciphering the content of the legal documents released by French startups over the last 20 years. This experience broadened the knowledge I had gained from my Wharton classes, and I am eager to build on this in the upcoming academic year.
Beyond expanding my knowledge, the exposure to the rigorous research environment within HEC’s finance department was invaluable. I had the chance to meet incredibly talented researchers, research assistants, and PhD students with diverse areas of expertise across the business and finance spectrum. They hailed from different parts of the world, offering varied perspectives on academia, the experience of working on long-term research projects, and current prominent fields of study. With HEC’s finance department being one of the most prestigious in Europe, I gained a deeper understanding of the finance industry’s needs in France, Europe, and beyond. Committing to tasks and meeting daily and weekly deadlines set by Professor Hombert, all within a research space conducive to learning, was a highly formative experience.
Moreover, I had the opportunity to attend lectures, seminars, and speaker events hosted at HEC, featuring researchers from renowned institutions like MIT, Stanford, and others. These events facilitated dynamic discussions about the implications of their research. I also attended lunches and social events hosted by the department, which allowed me to connect with HEC professors and learn from their experiences and expertise.
Beyond exploring Paris at an industrial level, it was incredible to experience the city’s beauty and vibrant culture. With visitors from around the globe attending the Olympic Games, being in the city during this time made my experience even more special and fulfilling. From enjoying a morning coffee in a bistro to watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, there was never a shortage of things to do or see.
My summer in Paris was a transformative experience—a milestone in my life for which I am deeply grateful to WRAP.