Featured Alumna - Nicole Wong, 08’ (8th Grade) 

When Nicole Wong began her education at Silicon Valley International School (INTL) in 1998, she entered a learning environment where global perspectives, language immersion, and cultural curiosity were all part of everyday life. Over the next ten years, from Pre-K through 8th Grade, those experiences quietly shaped how she would see the world, connect with others, and build a career at the intersection of analytics, operations, and technology.

After completing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme at INTL in 2008, Nicole continued her academic journey at International High School in San Francisco, further deepening her commitment to rigorous, globally minded education. She then moved to the East Coast to attend Smith College, earning her B.A., before heading to the University of Southern California for her M.S. in Marketing Analytics. Each step built on the foundation she developed early on: curiosity, adaptability, and comfort navigating diverse environments.

Today, Nicole works at Wayfair, where she focuses on using analytics and AI to improve product quality and support data-driven decision making. Since graduate school, she has built her career in operations and analytics, gravitating toward roles that combine data, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. For Nicole, the appeal lies in creating structure, improving efficiency, and seeing tangible impact through numbers, work that fits naturally within the fast-paced, global world of e-commerce.

Looking back, Nicole says one of the most meaningful aspects of her INTL experience was the cultural exposure she received at such a young age. Celebrating Galette des Rois, eagerly searching for the fève, participating in Kermesse, and sharing food from around the world during cultural days all felt fun and ordinary at the time. It wasn’t until later, when she met peers who hadn’t grown up surrounded by such diversity, that she realized how rare and special those experiences truly were. INTL normalized global awareness, openness, and inclusion, values that would stay with her long after graduation.

Nicole’s identity was profoundly shaped by her early immersion in Chinese language and culture. Nicole vividly remembers learning Chinese ribbon and fan dances, performing Chinese plays, and reciting poetry. As a Chinese American, these experiences helped her connect more deeply with her cultural roots. Learning not only the language but also the artistic traditions behind it allowed her to better understand her identity and feel confident moving between cultures. That sense of pride and belonging has remained an important part of who she is today.
Nicole credits INTL with sparking a lifelong interest in learning languages and understanding cultures. Over time, she realized that language is more than communication, it’s connection. Making an effort to speak someone’s language, even imperfectly, removes barriers and builds trust. It creates openness, vulnerability, and mutual respect. This mindset has shaped how she builds relationships, collaborates with colleagues, and approaches the world with curiosity and empathy.
In her current role, those skills are far from abstract. Nicole regularly uses Chinese in her day-to-day work while collaborating with teams in Asia. Being able to communicate directly helps projects move faster and makes conversations feel more natural, while also building trust across teams. Beyond language, her deep understanding of Asian cultural norms—how decisions are made, how feedback is shared, and how teams collaborate—allows her to anticipate challenges and work more smoothly with colleagues in Shanghai, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

One of the teachers who had a lasting impact on Nicole was Shinwhea Hsu, her Chinese teacher from 6th through 8th Grade. Known for her warmth and positivity, Ms. Hsu made learning engaging and joyful, weaving Chinese history and literature together with movies, music, and storytelling. Just as importantly, she introduced students to modern Chinese culture, which later made forming friendships and professional relationships feel natural and intuitive. Nicole says that influence continues to resonate in her life today.

At its core, Nicole believes INTL taught her how to understand someone else’s perspective, a skill she sees as invaluable. Learning another language meant learning another way of thinking, behaving, and seeing the world. That cultural fluency has enriched her travel experiences and strengthened her ability to collaborate across departments, countries, and time zones. It’s also something she recognizes many Americans never have the chance to develop early on.

Looking ahead, Nicole is excited by the rapid pace of technological change, particularly in AI and data-driven tools. As someone who loves improving systems and creating meaningful impact through insights, she sees enormous potential in how technology can transform the way people work and connect globally. She’s eager to keep learning, growing across cultures and markets, and contributing to innovations that bring people closer together. 

From cultural celebrations and language immersion at INTL to leading data-driven initiatives in global tech, Nicole Wong’s journey reflects the lasting power of an international education, one that doesn’t just prepare students for careers, but for a connected world.