Vivica Xiong graduated from the MEd in Comparative and Global Studies in Education and Development (CGSED) in 2013. CERC is glad that she keeps in touch. Here she shares aspects of her current work and its links to the MEd programme.

I finished my MEd while working full-time at the Institute of International Education (IIE), and my job involved intensive travel. But I still remember the excitement of the classes and the intellectual conversations, and I much enjoyed the comparisons!

Soon after completing my studies, I secured a job in international education and development with the United Board. This body supports higher education institutions across Asia through capacity building in whole-person education.

Vivica Xiong (seated, 5th from right), organised a teaching workshop in Hong Kong entitled “Whole Person Education in Asia” for a team of university lecturers from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam. She sees it as an example of CGSED in action!

The CGSED course provided a solid training in analysis and conceptualization. I learned how to develop “big pictures” when navigating among education systems. I learned that “life is complex” in education, and that we should not look only at one side.

I learned to be humble and not to impose,  especially when working in less-developed countries. And I learned always to remain curious.

With the many tools and perspectives from the programme, I am more confident to tackle the challenges in international education. My sincere thanks to the teachers and classmates in the CGSED programme!