Tianzhixi Yin is a first year graduate student in Temple University’s Dual Bachelor’s Master’s Degree (DBMD) Program, who plans to graduate in May 2012. Mathematics was his undergraduate major at Xiamen University in China and now he studies actuarial science in the Fox School of Business and Management.

“Temple’s DBMD program is very accommodating for students like me who wanted to change their major between undergraduate and graduate school,” says Tianzhixi. “Even if a student wants to switch majors post enrollment, Temple works closely with the student to make the change happen.”

In addition to the exceptional assistance from advisors at Temple and the $2,000 awarded each semester to qualified DBMD students, Tianzhixi also finds the program appealing because he can obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years rather than six. “By studying for one year less, DBMD students are several steps ahead of their peers and prepared to enter the work force early,” remarks Tianzhixi. “This accelerated program is especially appealing in today’s competitive job market.”

Socially, Tianzhixi has made a number of friends by living at the Triangle House Apartments, a popular residential area for international graduate students located on Temple’s main campus. “The International Affairs office also hosts events and field trips weekly to give international students opportunities to see Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.” While living in Philadelphia, Tianzhixi traveled to Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C., on weekend trips with friends.

Tianzhixi also joined the actuarial science and risk management student organization which gives him a chance to network with local experts in the field of actuarial science and meet American students with similar academic interests.

Tianzhixi’s plan is to find a job in the United States after he graduates with either an insurance company, an investment bank, or a consulting group for a few years and then return to China. This summer, Tianzhixi is eager to find an internship with an insurance company in China where he can utilize the actuarial science knowledge he has obtained at Temple University.