※ There is a 1,000 word limit.
My thoughts: hmmm this is one broad-as-hell topic. Whatever, I guess I'll just have fun writing one broad-as-hell response.
Remember, my name is Fred Paik
As I have already stated, my name is Fred Paik. My last name is noticeably Asian, but my first name is a variant of the German name “Frederick,” which I’m told, means elf or peaceful ruler. Does this imply that I am a descendent of a peaceful German ruler and like to eat bratwurst and Toastbrot? Hardly, but my name does imply divergence between my heritage and my current life.
I was born in rural Korea, but I only have faint memories of my childhood there, which includes excrement cars sucking out our biological waste with a hose every Wednesday, collecting tadpoles at nearby streams, and watching English instructional videos at school. I can sum up what I learned in one phrase: “excuse me.” After a whole year of watching videos, that was the only phrase I had learned. When I moved to America in second grade, I was effectively mute. Had a real teacher taught me, I could have known how to say phrases such as “may I use the restroom?” or at least say “bathroom.” Since I did not, I had to say “shhhhh” and charade as if I were standing behind a stall in order to communicate to my new American teacher that I really had to use the restroom. Everyone in the class laughed. I hated school and dreamt becoming a superman so I can beat up my classmates.
I believe in equal opportunity in education. I believe children should receive equal education regardless of where they are born. This, however, is not the case. I know many native English speakers who teach in Seoul, but not a single person who teaches anywhere else. Do children in rural Korea have the same opportunity to learn English compared to the urban kids? I highly doubt it. I read in multiple periodicals that proficiency in English is either required or heavily favored by nearly all major employers in Korea, which effectively discriminates against children in rural areas from obtaining jobs they desire. This is social injustice, which is why I support Talk, and why I welcome the opportunity to teach in rural Korea. Children in rural areas deserve more than an hour of instructional video every other day.
Throughout my life, I worked various jobs. I taught English and music to underprivileged kids at Mongolia without pay. I was not rich; in fact, I was destitute, but it was the most wonderful experience of my life – a job that fed me purpose than money. After 6 months of Mongolia, I traveled to China, to help a friend volunteering at an orphanage. These experiences have molded me, and gave me a vision – to work against social injustices involving education of children.
Someday, my dream is to work for UNICEF as a teacher. I cannot apply yet because I lack master’s degree, but I am planning to enroll in a graduate program, possibly in Korea after spending a year or two for TALK.
I have much love for Korea – the culture, the people and the cherry blossoms during spring. That is why I studied history with emphasis on Korea (I wrote my thesis on American missionaries in Korea), and I have worked with UNDP/GEF Wetlands project and Ministry of Environment on editing and writing various booklets and publications. I have excellent command of the English language, and in addition to having experienced teaching in classrooms with 150 students, I have also tutored college students in English composition at a local College. Up until last year, I have taught Sunday school at my church. I know what to expect, and I am passionate about teaching in Korea.
Thank you for reading my essay, and I hope you’ll remember my name. It's Fred Paik.
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Not the best of my work, but I wanted to share it because I thought it was somewhat witty. The ending needs more work but oh well, I turned it in already.
wow.
ReplyDeletethe name contradiction is so creative. wish i'd have thought of that.
thank you ^^
ReplyDelete