Tag: writing

IEDP, IEDP Alumni

IEDP Alumni Spotlight: Jesús “Louie” Zúñiga, Strategic Growth Manager at Vanguard Charitable

For this month’s IEDP Alumni Spotlight, I am excited to introduce you to IEDP alum, Jesús “Louie” Zúñiga. I first learned about Louie from an IEDP friend, who shared that they had a great experience connecting with Louie. And then when our Program Manager, Lauren shared that he had single-handedly organized the university-wide Problem-Solver Symposium during his time in the program, I knew Louie would … Continue reading IEDP Alumni Spotlight: Jesús “Louie” Zúñiga, Strategic Growth Manager at Vanguard Charitable

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP 24-25, IEDP Life, IEDP Spotlight

Meet Lushen Zhang: 2nd Year IEDP Student, Proseminar TA, Penn First Plus Graduate Coordinator

Last semester, Dr. Ghaffar-Kucher organized a “2nd Years: Ask Me Anything” panel for first year IEDP students. During the panel, I was excited to meet second-year IEDP student, Lushen Zhang, and learn more about her unique experience at GSE. Since then, she has been a wonderful support as a Teaching Assistant for our IEDP Proseminar course this semester. Hearing from Lushen about her experience was … Continue reading Meet Lushen Zhang: 2nd Year IEDP Student, Proseminar TA, Penn First Plus Graduate Coordinator

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP 25-26, IEDP Life

Amane Tsuchimoto on Navigating Life as a Full-Time IEDP Graduate Student and Father of a Three-Year-Old Daughter

This month, I am thrilled to introduce you to my friend and fellow IEDP student, Amane Tsuchimoto. At the start of the academic year, I connected with Amane over our shared interest in higher education, and eventually, I had the privilege to get to know him (and his lovely wife, Sayuri and adorable daughter, Waka) even more during our group technical proposal project last semester. … Continue reading Amane Tsuchimoto on Navigating Life as a Full-Time IEDP Graduate Student and Father of a Three-Year-Old Daughter

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP Alumni, IEDP Life

IEDP Alumni Spotlight: Athena Louise Lao, Senior Program Manager at Ted-Ed

This month, I am excited to kick off the IEDP Alumni Spotlight series. In this series, you will get to hear directly from IEDP alums about their journey at Penn GSE, their adventures since graduating, and a few pieces of advice for current students.  Without further ado, let me introduce you to Athena Louise Lao, who graduated from the IEDP in 2017. Following graduation, she … Continue reading IEDP Alumni Spotlight: Athena Louise Lao, Senior Program Manager at Ted-Ed

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP 25-26, IEDP Life

Top 10 Tips for Navigating the Graduate School Application Process

Happy New Year! As the IEDP priority application deadline of February 1 quickly approaches (although rolling admissions remain open as space permits), I wanted to share ten tips for navigating the application process. For first-gen applicants, international applicants, and those from other marginalized communities, the process of applying for graduate school can be incredibly daunting. Being first-gen myself, I can vividly remember my own sleepless … Continue reading Top 10 Tips for Navigating the Graduate School Application Process

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP 25-26, IEDP Spotlight

From Blantyre, Malawi to the IEDP: Juston Vizyalona’s Journey in International Educational Development

This week, I am excited to introduce you to my friend and IEDP student, Juston Vizyalona. Originally from the city of Blantyre in Southern Malawi, Juston brings over a decade of experience in international educational development and most recently, joined the IEDP this year on a prestigious scholarship. Throughout the fall semester, I have learned so much from Juston and hope you do too through … Continue reading From Blantyre, Malawi to the IEDP: Juston Vizyalona’s Journey in International Educational Development

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
Asia, IEDP, IEDP 24-25

Stretching, Relationship-building, and Adventure: Joy Kim on her UNICEF Internship in Istanbul, Turkey

Recently, I sat down with IEDP second year student, Joy Kim to learn more about her internship experience as the Technical Intern for the Early Childhood Education and Care team with the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) in Istanbul, Turkey this past summer. This was a particularly special interview, as Joy was one of the first students I had the opportunity … Continue reading Stretching, Relationship-building, and Adventure: Joy Kim on her UNICEF Internship in Istanbul, Turkey

Unknown's avatartheIEDP1 Comment
IEDP, IEDP 25-26

Introducing the 2025-2026 IEDP Cohort & Greetings from the Program Graduate Assistants

Hello everyone! My name is Anny, a first year IEDP student and one of the five graduate assistants for the program. Throughout this year, you will be frequently hearing my voice, alongside the voices of many guests, in this blog.  Today, I am absolutely thrilled to introduce you to …drum roll, please… the 2025-2026 IEDP cohort. We are tied to be the largest cohort in … Continue reading Introducing the 2025-2026 IEDP Cohort & Greetings from the Program Graduate Assistants

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment
IEDP, IEDP 24-25, IEDP Life

Farewell, IEDP Blog!

The spring semester is over, all assignments are written and graded, the 2nd years, including a few from my cohort, have already graduated. Our last semester was filled with firsts and lasts, and this photo dump will take you on a little memory tour through our spring semester over Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl, CIES, concerts, half-marathons, Easter, in-class presentations, the spring gala, work sessions, … Continue reading Farewell, IEDP Blog!

Unknown's avatartheIEDPLeave a comment