I am an American with a BA from New York University focused on Middle Eastern history. During my studies I received a scholarship which gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Shanghai, China and Jerusalem, Israel. My extraordinary time in these amazing countries greatly influenced my desire to pursue the study of developing economies. Since completing my degree, I have worked in the education sector at international schools in China and Iraq. In addition to this, I have also spent some time volunteering in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 organizing and participating in the removal of rubble from educational centers in an effort to allow children to return to normal schooling. My interest in MESCI stems from the very practical nature of its classes and the skills it will lend to its graduates, as I hope to pursue a career researching the effects of education on developing economies.