Farewell, Santiago

¡Bienvenida! Welcome back to the George Washington University UNESCO Fellows blog!

My name is Caroline Rakus-Wojciechowski. I am writing this blog post on my flight home. As I bid farewell to my UNESCO Fellowship with the Education Monitoring and Planning Unit in Santiago, Chile, I reflect on this remarkable journey. I can't help but feel a mix of emotions – a sense of melancholy at leaving behind a place that has become a second home and a profound gratitude for the invaluable experiences, both personally and professionally, that this opportunity has afforded me.

In my last post, I had just begun writing reports for Bolivia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay. Additionally, I had been recruited by the Regional Steering Committee within the Cultural Heritage Unit to contribute a comparative and international education theoretical framework and had been asked to assist the Education and Human Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean Region team in updating the online learning management website. Fast forward to today, and I am delighted to report that these assignments have been successfully completed. My research even took an unexpected turn as I used my findings to craft a proposal for the Comparative and International Education Society 2024 Conference, inspired by the content of one of my reports. 

The feedback I received was both insightful and gratifying. Little did I know that my work would contribute to the work of the Regional Bureau of Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (OREALC) in two ways. First, they aim to make the regional monitoring reports and evaluations more inclusive. By this, I mean ensuring that all countries in the region are represented equally by using more inclusive means of data collection. My findings can help officials and researchers hone in on the most nuanced issues that appear to be recurring and pressing in recent years and also provide a list of experts for the office to consult.

Secondly, my work will serve in a comparative context. OREALC had previously conducted a comprehensive survey of educational landscapes in each country, identifying key challenges and areas of intervention. My findings now provide a baseline for assessing the impact of interventions and changes within these countries. I hope my work can contribute to and guide the planning and execution of future interventions. I am elated to have made a meaningful contribution to OREALC's mission, and I am excited about the potential for future collaborations, especially as I contemplate pursuing either an Ed.D. or a Ph.D.

As my GW UNESCO Fellowship ends, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) and OREALC's Educational Monitoring and Planning Unit. This journey has been nothing short of transformative. This opportunity significantly influenced my decision to pursue graduate studies at GSEHD just two years ago. Since graduating from Harvard College in 2018, I have been actively engaged in UN-related initiatives at the civil society and independent levels. However, I also aspired to better understand the UN system from an internal perspective and contribute actively to its initiatives. With the conclusion of both my Fellowship and my M.A. degree, I am excited to pursue a career focused on monitoring and evaluating international education programs. The Fellowship has been an honor and a pivotal stepping stone towards realizing these aspirations.

Ski trip in the Andes

My journey with OREALC has been extraordinary, providing an immersive experience in UNESCO's mission and a space for substantial personal and professional growth. I was continually challenged, humbled, and deeply inspired by the experiences and the transformative changes I encountered. I was privileged to engage with remarkable individuals, foster lasting friendships, and establish a deep connection with this vibrant city. This experience has ignited a newfound confidence within me, coupled with a profound intellectual stimulation, urging me toward achieving my goals and positively impacting the world. I am confident that I will return to Santiago in the near future. 

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who accompanied me on this remarkable journey as a GW UNESCO Fellow. Before I conclude, though, let's not forget to explore the cultural and social aspects of my time in Chile. Here's a glimpse into the cultural events and places I enjoyed experiencing during my three months abroad!

Los que nos hacen humanos (Centro Cultural Palacio La Monedo)

Farellones (los Andes)