Nozomi Nakajima

Growing up in the Philippines and Japan, I developed an early interest in understanding social inequality at both the national and international levels. During my undergraduate studies at Yale University, I was introduced to seminal pieces in sociology and economics, many of which focused on the importance of education in reducing poverty. I was drawn to the field of education and gained teaching experience at a pre-school and kindergarten, as well as research and policy experience at the British Council (science education and research department) and at the Office of the Attorney General (child protection unit).

I came to Stanford’s IEAPA program in order to hone my research skills and develop a deeper understanding of education and international development. The MA paper was the highlight of the program, as it allowed me to pursue my research interests and apply the various quantitative methods I learned over the course of the year. Under the guidance of Professor Francisco Ramirez, I investigated the relationship between the extended family and children’s educational outcomes in Indonesia. I also enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of the Graduate School of Education, as it challenged me to critically examine education policies and practices through various academic disciplines. I benefitted tremendously from the close-knit community of the ICE/IEAPA program and appreciated that faculty members were invested in supporting my academic and career goals.

Upon graduation, I joined the World Bank to work on early childhood education projects in Indonesia. My graduate experience in the IEAPA program has directly led me to this new chapter in my life and I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I gained at Stanford to my new position.