He backpacks AND is good with kids? What a guy! by Brian

He backpacks AND is good with kids? What a guy! by Brian - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

I am returning to university to become a world history teacher in secondary schools with aspirations to teach in international schools abroad.
I was attending university for a degree I was not passionate about, then decided to instead travel the world rather than continue that. In the 2 years since leaving university, I have solo backpacked to 13 countries and had a myriad of jobs: selling/installing solar panels, fundraising/canvassing for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), recruitment and teaching English as a summer camp counselor in Germany and Italy. The fundraising and selling solar panels jobs have been the most useful for establishing a solid communications foundation. Yet, my favorite has been working with children.
While teaching at EFL (English as a Foreign Language) summer camps, I discovered my interest in working with children. I led English immersion programs and oversaw the wellbeing and care of children aged 6-16. I independently created teaching plans and class schedules, leading the programs for a different class of 12 children each week, while maintaining a fun and encouraging environment. I intend to work at a summer camp in Washington in 2024 as well. Throwing dodgeballs at kids’ heads and winning the pool game “Everyone Tries to Drown the Counselor” are my favorite summer activities. My personality and animated enthusiasm is perfect for working with children and teenagers, and I have a blast doing it. These experiences gave me a strong foundation to communicate with students, parents, and faculty from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Having first-hand experience of other cultures and ways of life from backpacking will be beneficial when I become a world history teacher. I will enthusiastically share what I know with students who may never have even left their home state. Sharing my experiences could completely change students’ views of the world and what is possible for them to achieve. A previous world history teacher had the same impact on me. Hearing about cultures and the world from a passionate teacher is much more useful than trying to expand one’s horizons from online blogs. Success in 5 years looks like a student telling me they have been impacted by what I have taught them.
I have taken a few years to pinpoint what career brings me the most satisfaction and joy to work in, then what specific paths I want to take. I understand what I want, my strengths and preferences, and what I need to do to achieve it. The jobs I have had have expanded my skillset to do the job of teaching. My life adventures and personality will make my classes enjoyable and give me stories to add excitement to my teaching subjects. Teaching is the right path for me and receiving an education from university is the next step to make it all happen.