The best of the best! An Economics super expert with a humble and amiable Spirit.

Find out more about Ilona

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I have always excelled academically since elementary school, which developed my desire to teach others the very things I study. Understanding the materials taught in school fuels my passion, and for anything you are passionate about, there is a desire to share that passion with others. I believe Economics is valuable for life, and by teaching this knowledge to students, I hope to catalyze progress. Economics is a difficult subject to study, that is why I value the opportunity to help students overcome their difficulties. I am particularly delighted when students begin to appreciate the field because of our tutorial sessions.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I would regularly have students in Basic Economics, Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. These are core Economics subjects. Aside from these subjects, I am also fascinated by other branches of Economics such as International Economics, Econometrics, Labor Economics and Monetary Economics. Among these, Econometrics is the most difficult to teach.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  When I was in college, I had a professor who was very good at teaching. He was my professor in Labor Economics and Monetary Economics. He is inspiring because aside from being an expert, he was also very patient and approachable. I learn more when the class environment is more relaxed. That is also what I always try to achieve in teaching.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  As mentioned, the teacher must understand that students are human beings, not robots. We need to foster an environment that considers students' mental and emotional well-being. Expertise in the field is a must, but understanding the psychology of learning is a big plus.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  As an Economics student myself, I enrolled in two major subjects, in addition to the core subjects, in one semester. My teacher said in front of the class, "There are some who are brave enough to take 121 (Monetary Economics) and 171 (Labor Economics) in the same semester," and he was referring to me. I received grades of 1.25 and 1.75 for courses 121 and 171 respectively. The highest possible value is 1.0

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Econometrics can be difficult for students to understand. It requires a certain level of maturity and a deeper understanding of the world, while also relying heavily on Math and Statistics. When I teach Econometrics, I really have to vascillate between theory and practice.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Whether it's Basic Economics, Microeconomics or Macroeconomics, I love solving the Math part of the course and explaining the process to students. When I was a student, I found the Math part very challenging, that's why I feel a certain accomplishment when I can solve them more easily now. It excites me and makes me want to help unstuck more students from the difficulties of the Math in Economics.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  I am a Superprof because I help students overcome the mental and emotional challenges that school requirements especially in Mathematics and Economics, bring. Besides helping them develop into field experts, I also help them appreciate learning and make time for other important aspects of life.