YES Stories

 “When kids are given dry, clinical manuals, they tune out. But storytelling has the power to engage them in ways current instruction doesn’t.”

Experiences in the American public school system & the Philippine private school system contributed to her interest in comparative international ed.

Paola’s experiences pushed her to think beyond the classroom—what is the meaning of education, and what does it mean for society at large?

“What I love about Ed. Studies is its practicality and all the room it opens for innovation.”

Now a senior in Saybrook, Diego seeks to make visible the stories of low-income, international students attending Yale.

Adam’s experience at the National Coalition on School Diversity opened his eyes to the intersections between education policy, law, and civil rights.

“When I arrived at Yale, I realized this was a field of study I could pursue. And I’m so happy I did! Now, this is what I hope to do in life!”

For Hiroko Kawase (she/her), education is more than just a field of study—it’s a tool for creating belonging. 

“Before, there were no faces to the numbers … But I got to know the kids on a personal level, which gave meaning to the texts I read in class.”

EDST alumna Sayda Martinez-Alvarado was selected as a Rhodes Scholar for the 2025 cohort.