Although I graduated as an undergraduate several years ago, the experiences and learning
environment were starkly contrasted against my high school memories. In university, I discovered that I could learn a variety of subjects, and learn how my life and development had been affected. Sociology was an unknown field to me, but I was fascinated to learn about the interaction and development of social groups. Initially, I had no interest in history due to the rote-memorization attitude in high school, but learning different personal histories and how much the past has and will continue to effect us all, I decided to I wanted to focus on it.

After graduation, I obtained my TEFL teaching certificate and worked in a American school in Dalian, China. I began working with Chinese students aged twelve to sixteen who wanted to transition into American style education, often with an intent to go to a Western university.

Teaching and tutoring for the past 4 years in China have greatly expanded my worldview of what is important. Students who felt like pawns in their parents' plans became interested in succeeding and started forming their own goals. Students who had always felt like failures and were simply attending the American school as a last-ditch effort, became interested and motivated in succeeding in their own way. Shy and nervous students became outspoken and sought me after class to debate a point, or to question my answers. They began to reach out of their pre-set roles decided by their families, and started adapting and questioning both what they had known previously, and what we were showing them.

After a wonderful 4 years, I decided to return to Oregon, my home, but I want to continue my own education even as I continue to help others. I still greatly enjoy working with others as they learn communication skills and gain confidence as they become more fluent. I have also begun focusing on history as an important field for helping students understand their communities and social groups. I hope that with both of these focuses I can help new students become accomplished and excited learners.