Jialu Zhao

After completing my undergraduate degree, I began a two-year research stint at universities in Irvine and Beijing, concentrating on parent-child shared reading in EFL settings and comparative studies between Arab and Chinese education systems. My belief in the power of education to change the world has guided my career path. During my time at Beijing Normal University, I delved into the Arab Education Development Research Program, revealing inequalities and disparities in inclusion within the region, which further fueled my passion for exploring the complex relationship between educational policies, cultural contexts, and social structures. Witnessing the stark differences in gender and socioeconomic status reinforced my determination to aim to reduce inequality through education.

This experience inspired me to choose Stanford’s ICE/IEPA program in anticipation of deepening my understanding of international comparative education through comprehensive research. Stanford’s ICE program, with its unique blend of theoretical grounding and empirical research, perfectly matched my aspirations to deepen my expertise in comparative education analysis. My previous research experiences, particularly in analyzing how educational content impacts gender representation and learning outcomes, solidified my resolve to continue related studies during my time in the ICE program.

I was pleasantly surprised by the small class sizes at Stanford and the opportunity to interact deeply with peers from diverse backgrounds, which greatly enriched my learning experience. In class, we discussed international testing and different educational policies, and the voices of different countries added diversity to our discussions. In addition, the guidance of professors and experts allowed me to delve into the issue of gender inequality in science textbooks from China and the United States. The close faculty-student relationship at Stanford provided great support for my academic exploration, and I was fortunate enough to participate in several top academic conferences in the field of education, which provided me with valuable opportunities to share my research findings with a wider range of scholars.

In the course of my studies in the ICE program, I not only accumulated a wealth of academic knowledge but also developed a global perspective on education. This experience greatly strengthened my belief that education can change the world and inspired me to serve others and impact the world through education. After graduation, I chose to join an international high school in Irvine as the Academic Dean. Here, I am not only responsible for developing and overseeing the academic program but more importantly, promoting an innovative model of international education. Through this model, I hope to help students develop a global perspective and become future influencers on the global stage. My work is challenging but also passionate, and every day is spent working towards the goal of making education more inclusive and forward-thinking.

At the same time, I founded a non-governmental organization called Triple-I Foundation, which was inspired by Stanford's education on cross-cultural and social responsibility. We are dedicated to providing a safe space for groups in need to express themselves freely, drive positive global change, aim to reduce social inequality, and promote diversity through education and community interaction. My studies at Stanford gave me a deep understanding of the power of education and the possibility of driving social change, which is why I founded this organization. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire positive change on a global scale, keep the flame of love burning in everyone’s heart, inspire individual potential, and move society forward. By collaborating with organizations in different countries, including partners in regions such as Africa and China, we promote our ideas and practices globally and strive to decrease educational inequity and social justice.

I am very grateful to my past self, who traveled across the ocean to Stanford with dreams and courage to begin this unforgettable journey. After this exciting year, I have become stronger and more ready to meet the challenges ahead. Most importantly, I will always be ready to use the knowledge and experience I have gained in the ICE program to make a difference and contribute to creating a better world.