While I knew that a summer spent working at the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris would present me with a host of unique opportunities, I think my time here has actually exceeded my lofty expectations. From the people I have had a chance to meet and work with to the exciting projects I have collaborated on and contributed to, this position could not have offered a better opportunity for personal and professional growth. Plus, I would just be deceitful if I didn’t mention that Paris is a pretty interesting place to spend a summer exploring a wide array of unique experiences. Unfortunately, my three months here are rapidly approaching their conclusion. While I’m certainly sad to go, it does present a good opportunity to reflect on all the things I’ve done this summer.
As mentioned in my previous entry, I ended up working on two separate projects during my time at IIEP. I summarized the first project involving teacher careers in my first blog, so check back if you’ve forgotten what that entailed. I’ve continued working on this project throughout the summer (and will continue for a while longer in the fall with a short-term consultancy!), but with an expanded role than what I previously discussed. Initially, I mainly contributed smaller documents on the periphery of the project (briefs, author bios and short summarized snippets). As the summer progressed though, I became more and more integrated into the team by writing, editing, and collaborating on the final, multi-chapter synthesis. Collaboration sessions for this work proved one of my favorite parts of the internship, as three of us would sit and discuss the drafts of chapters and look at what they lacked and where we wanted them to go. It gave me incredible insight into the writing and editing process and a better understanding of the long road to publishing such a complex document. I cannot wait to see the finished product by the end of the year!
For my other project focus, it actually changed from the teachers of refugees study that I had intended to contribute to initially. Already with a full team working on that, it seemed better that I contribute to the development of an annual report highlighting all the projects IIEP is doing in conjunction with the EU’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments. This allowed me to gain a broad overview of the work the Institute is doing towards conflict and disaster risk reduction to include regional workshops, in-country trainings, distance courses, and more. I talked to half a dozen people who have worked in three countries (Burkina Faso, Jordan, and Kenya) for the program about their roles and contributions. While contributing to an important document, I also had a chance to broaden my network at IIEP and get a better understanding of bigger picture planning strategies.
Luckily, IIEP also offers numerous other opportunities for connection and collaboration. Once a month, the Research and Development team hosts “Research Monday”, where an intern or junior member of the team gets the chance to present a short presentation on some topic that interests them or that they have researched previously. For July, I presented a paper on the privatization of the education system in Haiti, which I had written a group paper for previously and has special personal interest. While the presentation itself went well, the follow-on conversation was even better as several people in the Institute have worked with Haitian education either presently or in the past. Their insight to something I have thought about so much was a truly unique and special opportunity for me.
Once again though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few of the outside activities that living in Paris for a summer can offer. In case you’ve completely blocked out the sporting world for the last couple of months, the U.S. Women’s National Team successfully defended their World Cup title this summer. I got to go to two games, including the epic quarterfinal match against France in Paris. That turned out to be a pretty good night to be an American living in France! Other highlights include Bastille Day celebrations, picnics near the Eiffel Tower, river cruises with visiting friends from GW, and side adventures to Copenhagen and the Normandy coast. With the Tour de France coming to town tomorrow and a short jaunt to the French Alps planned before I go, I do not think I could have asked for a better summer.
In closing, I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have participated in this program. While I will not miss the 104 stairs I walk every day to come or go from my apartment (yes, I counted them), nor will I complain to once again live somewhere with air conditioning or a clothes dryer, I will always look back fondly on my three months in Paris. I and all of the Fellows appreciate your continued interest in our work and experiences, and I hope you’ll continue reading this blog over the next several weeks as everyone reflects on their own growth and adventures from the summer. Au revoir… à la prochaine!
Dave Childress is a Master’s candidate in International Education with a focus on education in development and a special interest in education in emergencies.