Adaption of Illiterate Immigrants to Modern Countries: Ethiopian Assimilation in Israel
Dr. Yarden Fanta-Vagenshtein is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, department of human development and psychology. In 1985 when she emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel, she did not know how to read or write. In 2005, she completed her Ph.D. in education, becoming the first Ethiopian woman to earn a doctorate in Israel.
Dr. Fanta-Vagenshtein was a teaching fellow at Tel Aviv’s School of Education, Science and Technology (2002-2007); presented key Israeli educational and political issues to world leaders as Emissary for the State of Israel, the Jewish Agency for Israel (1997-2005); and served on the board of directors overseeing Israel’s Community Centers for the Ministry of Education (1994- 2000). Dr. Fanta-Vagenshtein’s field of research examines how illiterate immigrants’ adapt to modern societies, specifically Ethiopian assimilation in Israel.
Contact: Fantavya@gse.harvard.edu