In this blog post, I will focus on my interest in geography and my career plan to become a teacher.
Motivation for Pursuing This Field
I once traveled to Yeosu along the Jeolla Line. Passing through Daejeon, I was struck by the memory of the endless plains and the long stretch of the Seomjin River. Later, while studying Korean geography, I learned that these were the Nonsan Plain and the Ha-an Terrace. I found it fascinating that such vast landscapes could be captured within a small map, and I was also drawn to the idea that, with just a map, one could look down on the world as if it were scaled down.
That’s why geography class—which my friends didn’t find particularly interesting—was a joyful time for me. It felt like an adventure, and I felt as though I were traveling the vast world without even moving. As I became fascinated by geography, I realized that, as the foundation of human habitation, it serves as the basis for understanding other disciplines. Since people’s cultures and historical backgrounds are often rooted in geographical factors, I came to believe that geography is an essential field of study. However, I find it regrettable that public awareness of its importance does not match its significance. My goal is to educate children about the importance of geography, teach it in an accessible way, and guide them so that it serves as a solid foundation for their studies in other disciplines.
Academic Plan and Goals
Once I enter university, I first want to gain a variety of experiences. In particular, I plan to travel extensively; while traveling abroad is appealing, I’d prefer to explore the Republic of Korea—the country where I live—in depth first. I believe that anyone studying geography should have a deep understanding of the land they inhabit, and experiencing firsthand the knowledge gained from books will greatly benefit my academic studies.
In addition to my major in geography, I intend to systematically study the humanities as a whole. By integrating these studies with geography, I believe it will be much easier to remember and understand history and cultural history. Through interdisciplinary learning, I will strive to understand not only geography but also broader academic fields. Furthermore, to gain a basic understanding of GIS, which has been actively discussed recently, I will not neglect my computer studies and will work to create materials that support my geography classes using computers. Outside of my major studies, I plan to meet diverse people through club activities to develop my interpersonal skills and, whenever possible, discuss education extensively with friends who also aspire to become teachers.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduating from college, I aim to become a teacher as soon as possible. I will prepare for the teacher certification exam to enter the teaching profession, and once I become a teacher, I plan to constantly research how to convey knowledge more effectively to children and how to spark their interest. I consider it my calling to lay a solid academic foundation that will serve as a basis for students as they study other humanities, and to help them grow by developing and encouraging each student’s individual aptitudes. I will devote as much time and attention as possible to this.
Personally, I hope to visit excellent schools in developed countries whenever possible to observe how geography education is conducted. Based on these experiences, I want to provide higher-quality lessons to my students, and I believe that proper education will serve as a foundation for the children who will become the talents of the future.
Self-Introduction
When I was in school, I exchanged letters with a friend in Australia, and the fact that people lived not only in my country but also in other places sometimes felt like a fantasy. Since I couldn’t go to Australia myself, I would often look at a world map to see where Australia was, and whenever I looked at a world map or a globe, I found it fascinating that people actually lived in all those places. My interest in the earth naturally grew, and that interest turned into a deep affection.
During the summer vacation of my first year of high school, while participating in a rural volunteer program with a youth group, I stepped barefoot on the soil and was deeply moved by the vitality of the earth; that memory remains vivid to this day.
The earth possesses vitality in and of itself, and it is all the more precious because it is the foundation upon which we stand and live. It was this deep affection for the earth that led me to dream of becoming a geography teacher, and I aspire to be a teacher who not only imparts geographical knowledge to children but also helps them realize the preciousness of the earth.
