Meet the REAL Team

Bernhard Streitwieser (PhD, Columbia University) is Associate Professor of International Education and International Affairs, Director of the International Education Program, and UNESCO Co-Chair in International Education for Development. His research focuses on access and integration of refugees and migrants into higher education, and the internationalization of higher education. He is the founding director of REAL.

Jihae Cha (EdD, Teachers College, Columbia University) is an Assistant Professor of International Education at The George Washington University. Her research interests examine the intersection of education quality, sense of belonging, gender, and psychosocial well-being, and the ways in which they influence students’ academic motivation, persistence, and transition in forced displacement caused by armed conflicts and natural disasters. 

Ariela Asllani is an undergraduate student studying Economics and Public Health. Her research interests and experience focus on the Balkans migration crises and the need to edify the human rights of refugees and IDPs. She is committed to mitigating the barriers to education and health equity experienced by immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups on the move. As the daughter of Albanian political refugees, Ariela has a keen understanding of the socioeconomic impact of government corruption and uses her experiences to inform, advocate, and organize. 

Sara Cohn is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Education. She came to GW to continue her education and professional growth within the field of Education in Emergencies. Her research interests are related to elevating the voices of communities and students of all ages who have experienced crises. Specifically, she is interested in the use of intergenerational rhetoric to create sustainable education programs in post-conflict settings. In 2023, she served as a GW UNESCO Fellow in 2023 at the Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in Hamburg Germany. Sara currently works as a Graduate Assistant with the GW School of Business serving as an instructor for 1001 &1002 courses and directly advising undergraduate student organizations.

Olivia Dunn is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Education, with a focus in Education in Emergencies and Education Policy. She currently serves as one of the Co-Webmasters for REAL and the Treasurer for GW’s International Education Association. Her research interests center on the role of identity and belonging in education for refugees and IDPs. Olivia currently works as a Deputy Finance Director for a Congressional Campaign, actively recognizing and learning about the intersection between education, finance, and policy.

Jacqui Hatch is acquiring a Master’s degree in International Education, with an interest in Education in Emergencies. She currently serves as the Lab’s Leader and co-president for GWU’s the International Education Association. She also serves on boards such as Women’s Global Education Project and Washington English Center. She has spent extensive time in South East Asia teaching English and working with internally displaced populations. Jacqui currently works as a Policy Analyst at the Institute of International Education, focusing on exchange visa sponsorship.

Amina Iman is an undergraduate student studying International Affairs and Arabic Studies. Her research interests and experience include analyzation of minority student achievement in K-12 education systems and advocacy for equitable access to educational resources. Fluent in five languages, Amina is keen on using her skillset to respond to humanitarian needs stretching from Central Europe to South Asia. She is adept at developing policy solutions for disadvantaged groups through her work in Fairfax County Public Schools and looks forward to continued educational advancement efforts. 

Emily Zanieski is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in International Education. Their research interests and experience focuses on refugee education in the Middle East and North Africa, and Social-Emotional Learning. Having studied Arabic and traveling to Morocco, Emily’s goal following their Master’s degree is to work with learners of all ages in the region. Currently, Emily is completing an internship in Palestine with Tomorrow’s Youth Organization, an American-based NGO committed towards supporting refugees and disadvantaged communities in Nablus. At TYO, Emily teaches 2nd grade English, womens’ English classes, and is actively involved in the organization’s Women’s Empowerment Program.