Journey matters most in education

Last Friday marked my sixth month anniversary of living abroad. Since August, I have been working in Hong Kong as an English teacher. Although I have spent much time reflecting on my life here, I have not really reflected on my experiences as a teacher. What motivated me to pursue such a position? Have I accomplished my goals to challenge my students and to help them to improve their English skills? What have I learned from being on the other side of the desk? And when I move on to pursue other opportunities, what will I take with me and what will I leave behind?

Initially, I came to Hong Kong with the desire to travel throughout Asia and discover things about the world beyond the ivy-clad gates of Princeton. Teaching was part of the package to get me here. Yet within a week of starting my job at City University, I realized that no matter where I was in the world, I would never stray far from my desire to help people.

Teaching English has proven harder than I thought it would be. Almost anyone can stand up in front of people and read from a book, but it takes hard work to motivate people and to teach them to believe in themselves. Always ready for a challenge, I tried many different teaching methods before discovering what worked for my students. My goal is to challenge them to become self-learners and to take responsibility for their education. There have been many frustrating times when I have wanted to throw my hands up and ask, "why don't you understand this?" At the same time, I have experienced moments when a student struggling with a concept finally achieves a breakthrough. Those moments make every minute worthwhile. My job has given me a new perspective on the teaching profession and has fueled my desire to be a life-long learner.

When I decided to become a teacher for a year, many people in my life expressed shock. "Why?" they questioned me. Now I can say that being a teacher has enlightened me in so many ways.

For the 17 years of my life that I was a student, I rarely thought about what it means to teach, to inspire and to shape young minds. I was fortunate to learn from some of the most talented educators in the world. Yet, sometimes I took that for granted. The tables have been turned, though, and my desk is now at the head of the class instead of within it. I can now truly appreciate all the preparation that is required to bring understanding into the classroom.

I have learned that sometimes it takes a huge effort to achieve a minor victory, but that small achievements can add up to something meaningful. The most important thing that I gained is an understanding of and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to education at all levels.

Now my thoughts have turned to my future. My desire to work in the public interest has grown stronger during the months I have spent abroad. My familiarity with the American education system as a student and with the British and Chinese education systems as a teacher has allowed me to compare the benefits and disadvantages of both systems. I believe that the best way to become a better student is to experience life as a teacher and vice versa.

As a teacher, I have realized that the road to achievement is often long and winding, and that there are often obstacles on the path of progress. Yet, as I remind my students, it is not the speed at which you reach your destination that is important. Rather, it is the quality of your journey that truly matters.

Bethany Aquilina is a teaching fellow at City University in Hong Kong through the Princeton-in-Asia program. A politics major at the University, she is from Buffalo, N.Y.