Erina Iwasaki: My dissertation is entitled “National Languages, Multilingual Education, and the ‘Militants’ for Change in Senegal.” It looks at self-proclaimed militants’ (strong advocates with a political connotation) lived experiences with national languages and education, the extent of their multi-generational work and network, and their influence in shaping the language-in-education policy landscape at what appears to be a moment of “critical juncture” with the adoption of a bilingual education policy within Senegal’s Ministry of National Education.
The most challenging aspect of my doctoral journey was when I transitioned from course work to the proposal and actual research stage. During course work, I very much enjoyed being in the community with assigned work. Once I transitioned to my own research, I had to restructure my time and find ways to remain in touch with peers and professors. It was harder when COVID-19 hit, because we were even more isolated from TC’s environment and community. However, these moments were also rewarding because I could delve deep into the topics of my choice. Another rewarding aspect of my time at TC is really being able to develop and find my researcher’s voice: to build my own conviction and be able to express it.
The best bit of advice I can give is to enjoy the ride! During my doctorate, another helpful piece of advice was to relish and enjoy every single minute of the journey. It is one of the last times you have dedicated time to really delve into readings, topics of your interest, write, and learn! Take advantage of every moment and the amazing faculty and your peers! The doctoral experience was truly a process of self-discovery for me.
For me, the word that sums up my time at TC is: Fulfilling
Sumita Ambasta: For my dissertation, I conducted an inquiry into Balinese ways of knowing, where they can be located, their modes of transmission within the community and the role schooling plays in this transmission. Through this inquiry, the dissertation interrogated the construction of identity in a Balinese village, and the relationship of identity to indigeneity in Bali.
One of the greatest challenges was the extent to which the pandemic changed our lives and all our plans, but I felt very supported by my advisors and faculty in working through this and completing my research. They gave me practical advice and helped me think of ways to strengthen my research process.
In terms of my advice to others, I cannot emphasize enough the value of talking to peers and learning from others’ experiences. This was one of the most rewarding aspects of a TC Education. It is one of the richest learning communities that one can belong to, in my opinion.
It’s difficult to choose just one word, but I would go with: Inclusive
Kazuaki Iwabuchi: For my dissertation, I examined how different actors interact and how the dynamics of these interactions produce certain policy outcomes. Particularly, I focused on Japan’s attempt to internationalize its secondary education using the International Baccalaureate. Through my research, I found that not only business actors but also powerful actors within the government (particularly executives) influenced the trajectory of these reforms.
The most challenging part of the journey for me was the living expenses in NY! Studying at TC was pure fun, however. Amazing faculty members, brilliant peers, and superb resources. Those aspects outweighed any challenges, that’s for sure.
I thought it would be best to finish my doctoral studies as soon as possible. But it was wrong. So, my advice is that If you consider an academic career, you don’t need to hurry so much. It would be better to publish at least one during your doctoral studies, which could serve as your calling card. Also, enhancing your network with other researchers is essential, particularly toward the end of your doctoral studies.
“Liberating” is the word I would use to describe my time at TC.
Manuel Cardoso: My dissertation “Policy evidence by design: How International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSA) influence repetition rates” is about how, when it comes to their influence on education policy, international tests like PISA work in mysterious ways. And it uncovers one of those unexpected paths…
Getting my doctorate while working full-time, and traveling around the world for my job, made it quite difficult for me to experience everything the TC community has to offer. But the precious time I had with fellow students, and with faculty, in classrooms or in other spaces, was very rewarding!
A practical tip for current and future students: take writing courses! Learn how to write papers for academic journals and a dissertation proposal. Surround yourself with others who write, to motivate each other. A second but just as important tip: Enjoy your time at TC! It may seem like a long process, but by the end, as tired as you will be, you may also regret, as I honestly did, that it was coming to an end. I did this after spending many years in the workforce, but no matter your age, it changes you. For the better, I think.
Just one word to describe my journey? Transformative!
Amlata Persaud: My dissertation was an exploration of collaboration in national early childhood development systems in Guyana and Jamaica. It explored policy-level collaboration as the art of working together to solve common problems and achieve shared goals, a complex endeavor that requires crossing institutional, sectoral and disciplinary divides. In my dissertation, I probe how collaborative action emerges across policy sectors and a deeper understanding of how joint work is supported across those different disciplinary and operational boundaries. I also seek to understand how collaboration between sectors and stakeholders can influence systemic outcomes. These questions of how collaboration emerges, how it unfolds, and what impact it has on outcomes are applied and developed through my case study of early childhood development systems. This is a field that is inherently multisectoral and that has long grappled with the imperative to collaborate and the challenges faced in so doing.
I loved my time at TC, especially when I was physically on campus. I found TC to be an incredibly supportive and nurturing environment, with excellent resources, interesting lectures and workshops, and opportunities to learn and connect everywhere. I enjoyed being a part of the community, engaging with my professors and peers, and living in and exploring New York City. The most challenging part of my doctoral journey came during my dissertation fieldwork and analysis. During this time, I also became a parent to two young children and juggled this new responsibility with work and academia. This experience in the latter stages of academia contrasted sharply with those in my earlier years of study at TC, and navigating the pandemic in later years added even more challenges, necessitating frequent hiatuses from the study. I became more acutely aware of what an intellectual luxury it is to have the time and space to read, reflect on and represent thoughts and ideas on an area of study that matters greatly to you. Becoming a parent also shifted my perspectives and deepened my understanding of some of the theoretical insights into the development of young children, as I myself navigated systems of care for their growth and development. It was also incredibly rewarding and re-centering to have these little ones in my life that reminded me to take a break and to enjoy time with the ones we love.
The advice I can share is to enjoy the journey – appreciate the time and opportunity to think deeply, and be part of an incredibly productive and inspirational community. Connect with your peers who are wonderful sources of knowledge and motivation. Share your ideas often and invite feedback – it not only helps you to clarify your own path but the more others know about what you are doing, the better able they are to support you in various ways. Keep a journal if you can – on the advice of a TC professor, I started a dissertation journal some years into my degree and it became a wonderful instructive and reflective resource throughout my academic journey.
In terms of my career plans, I am currently working as a Global Education Specialist at Childhood Education International, in the area of leadership and systems strengthening.
Lastly, one word I would use to describe my journey at TC is “fulfilling”!