Yura Oh

Before coming to Stanford, I was a secondary school teacher in South Korea, teaching Korean language, ethics, and pedagogy. During this time, I also led school initiatives on EdTech, digital literacy, and citizenship education. I later worked as a Program Specialist at the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, supporting literacy projects for educationally marginalized groups, including refugee women in Jordan and inmates in Uruguay. At the same time, I organized the International Forum on Korea–Africa Education Cooperation to underscore the multilateral efforts to achieve the SDGs. These experiences sparked my curiosity about translating global education initiatives into local settings and inspired me to pursue graduate study in Global and Comparative Education.

I still remember the day I received my admission letter from Stanford GSE—I felt a flash of joy, but it was quickly overshadowed by sadness, knowing that financial challenges might keep me from this opportunity. I was nearly ready to give up and choose a more affordable option in the UK. But after exchanging emails with the GCE/IEPA program director, Dr. Christine Min Wotipka, I realized that Stanford was the best fit, offering both distinguished research guidance and a supportive community. Determined to make it possible, I reached out to my school’s alumni association, foundations, and local companies. Thankfully, a benefactor in my hometown who believed in my potential awarded me a scholarship, which made my dream a reality.

My year in the GCE/IEPA program has been more meaningful than I ever imagined—one of the defining chapters of my life and my proudest accomplishment.

One highlight was conducting the research I had long envisioned. My MA paper examined how UNESCO’s global citizenship education initiatives are reflected in Korea’s pre-service teacher education. Through the program seminar and guidance from GSE faculty, I was able to familiarize myself with every stage of the research process. With generous support from the GCE MA Fund, I presented my work at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Annual Conference, where I received valuable feedback from scholars.

Stanford GSE’s resources helped me bridge academia and practice. By pursuing a Partnership Research Certificate, I learned how Stanford collaborates with school districts in the Bay Area to advance educational equity. Applying this knowledge, I developed a research–practice partnership with a community-based organization in Korea. The year-long Partnership Research Seminar enabled me to publish a co-authored article based on my work in a peer-reviewed journal in Korea. This experience gave me both the fulfillment of making an academic contribution and renewed purpose as a researcher.

GSE’s cutting-edge curriculum opened my eyes to perspectives I had never engaged with before. Although I majored in education in Korea, I had limited exposure to topics such as higher education and gender/racial equity. To extend my learning beyond the classroom, I joined research labs on women in higher education and the disproportionality of Black students in San Francisco public schools. I also volunteered as a teacher at a Korean language school in Palo Alto, where I reflected on the responsibility of supporting immigrant newcomers. This commitment led me to share my story as a guest on the First Gen podcast and contribute to new communities beyond campus. 

The GCE/IEPA program opened new doors for me and gave me the confidence to walk through them. With the support of Stanford Seed, I will spend nine weeks in Kenya at the Sensei Institute of Technology as an Education Program & Partnership Executive. There, I will help expand vocational training opportunities for local youth by building local and global partnerships. Afterward, I will begin an internship at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, working in the Section of Global Citizenship and Peace Education. None of these opportunities would have been possible without my time in GCE/IEPA, and its powerful alumni network has guided me as I embark on the next step.

Beyond professional opportunities, what I cherish most are the lessons GCE/IEPA has given me. I do not see my academic journey at Stanford as my own “privilege,” but as the result of the dedication and support of everyone around me. This realization has made me more humble and deeply committed to giving back to society. Over the past year of my master’s studies, I met with 40 youth and teachers aspiring to study abroad, offering regular online mentoring sessions to share my experiences. My resolution to walk alongside others will never change.

Though it is hard to leave this wonderful community, I know it is time to embrace the new worlds that await me. Proud to be a GCE/IEPA alum and armed with my experience, I am more than ready to help create a better world through education.