Cherry Zin Oo, recipient of the 2025 WERA Visiting Researcher Award at the University of Hamburg and IEA, shares her reflections on the academic visit. This prestigious award – jointly offered by WERA, IEA, and the University of Hamburg – offers scholars the opportunity to advance their research projects while benefiting from expert support at the host institution.
Reflection on My Research Visit to IEA Hamburg and the University of Hamburg
My two-month WERA Visiting Researcher journey at IEA Hamburg and the University of Hamburg has been one of the most uplifting experiences in both my academic and personal life. Working across two institutions gave me the unique opportunity to shape multiple projects and learn from experts in the field.
Before my arrival, Ingrid and Rolf assisted me with accommodation arrangements and welcomed me warmly. During my stay, I have had amazing mentors from IEA, Rolf and Nurullah, and the University of Hamburg, Ingrid, Irina, Birger, and Thorsten, who guided me in reframing my research ideas, provided feedback, helped me access MEZ data, and invited me to participate in academic and social events. Their support made me feel included, respected, and fully integrated into their academic communities.
During my stay, I had a chance to work on three research projects under the thoughtful guidance, clear structure, and encouragement of my mentors:
1. Do Findings from a single country generalise internationally? This study uses PIRLS 2011, 2016 and 2021 data to examine whether relationships observed in a single country replicate across countries and assessment cycles.
2. Teacher Gender in Primary Education: Trends and Consequences for Student Learning. This project explores how teacher gender and teacher-student gender alignment affect student outcomes in mathematics, science, and reading.
3. Factors Influencing English Writing Competence Among Multilingual Secondary Students. Using MEZ longitudinal data, this study investigates how students’ general language proficiency, affective-motivational factors, and demographic backgrounds contribute to English writing competence among multilingual learners in Germany.
Beyond research, living in Hamburg greatly enhanced my personal experience. I learned to navigate daily life without speaking German, found humour in my struggles with train announcements, and gradually became comfortable in a new cultural environment. I enjoyed exploring the city and nearby cities, including Lüneburg, Lübeck, Schwerin Castle, Berlin, and even Paris. These trips made my journey more memorable.
As I reflect on these two months, I feel deeply grateful, inspired, and motivated. This visit strengthened my research capabilities, expanded my professional network, and opened doors for future academic collaboration. More importantly, it reminded me why I enjoy research and why international cooperation is so essential for personal and academic growth.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone at IEA Hamburg and the University of Hamburg for their warm welcome, ongoing support, and generous guidance during my visit. I am especially grateful to Dr Rolf Strietholt and Dr Nurullah at IEA, as well as Prof. Ingrid Gogolin, Dr Irina, Dr Birger, and Dr Thorsten at the University of Hamburg. Their mentorship has significantly influenced my projects and enriched my overall experience.
This two-month journey added a meaningful joy to my professional and personal life.
-Dr Cherry Zin Oo
