In about a week, I will be leaving San Francisco. This place has been my home for the past 14 years and as much as I feel the excitement of moving to Hong Kong to start a new journey of continuing my education, some part of me feel very heavy. This feeling brings a lot of memory of my first moved from Indonesia to America. I just graduated from high school at that time and I was so open to new things, but still in the U.S I did experience my first culture shock. I am not as young as before but somehow I realize that I will face another culture shock in Hong Kong. Although I believe it won't be as bad as my first culture shock when I was only a teenager. Tonight, as I walked around my neighborhood and spend the time with my parents, I feel very sad knowing that I will leave them soon. Not just my parents but most of my other family members in the U.S. Moving to a new place is never been an easy thing to do but often times there's a sacrifice that comes in order to follow your calling or perhaps it is more appropriate to say: your dreams.
When I was an undergraduate student, I laughed at my friends who wanted to pursue a PhD because for me it is a very long years of studying and I just couldn't wait to get out of school. Now, here I am about to pursue my doctorate degree in the field that I never planned it before. My childhood dreams to be an architect was somewhat fulfilled when I worked as a design director, but career path can change and interestingly I feel stronger about the calling as an "Educator". I don't understand it either why it takes me so long to actually find this career path? I can only reason to myself that for some people career path is not always linear and that happens to me. One of the American value that I embrace is the openness for change and non-discrimination of age in learning. Perhaps for Asian standard, I would be considered late to pursue a doctorate degree at this age. I always tell myself that it is better late than never, so pursuing dreams shouldn't be confine by age, race, gender, or even financial capacity.
I am thankful for such opportunity to enter the academic world again and learn formally about the field that I am passionate about: Early Childhood Education. I hope to combine ECE with Architecture through learning how "Environment can be the Third Teacher". Despite all of these heavy feelings that I have to be away from my family members and friends that I love; the city, the food and the culture in San Francisco that I already feel so familiar and fond with, I can only strengthen my weak heart at this moment and be reminded of a higher goal. I don't want to live just for myself or my family, I do want to live to benefit others as well and this is the price that I have to pay. I think it is not that expensive considering some people may not even get such opportunity or blessings. I should not complain and just work hard that hopefully all the tears and hard-work will get pay off.
When I was an undergraduate student, I laughed at my friends who wanted to pursue a PhD because for me it is a very long years of studying and I just couldn't wait to get out of school. Now, here I am about to pursue my doctorate degree in the field that I never planned it before. My childhood dreams to be an architect was somewhat fulfilled when I worked as a design director, but career path can change and interestingly I feel stronger about the calling as an "Educator". I don't understand it either why it takes me so long to actually find this career path? I can only reason to myself that for some people career path is not always linear and that happens to me. One of the American value that I embrace is the openness for change and non-discrimination of age in learning. Perhaps for Asian standard, I would be considered late to pursue a doctorate degree at this age. I always tell myself that it is better late than never, so pursuing dreams shouldn't be confine by age, race, gender, or even financial capacity.
I am thankful for such opportunity to enter the academic world again and learn formally about the field that I am passionate about: Early Childhood Education. I hope to combine ECE with Architecture through learning how "Environment can be the Third Teacher". Despite all of these heavy feelings that I have to be away from my family members and friends that I love; the city, the food and the culture in San Francisco that I already feel so familiar and fond with, I can only strengthen my weak heart at this moment and be reminded of a higher goal. I don't want to live just for myself or my family, I do want to live to benefit others as well and this is the price that I have to pay. I think it is not that expensive considering some people may not even get such opportunity or blessings. I should not complain and just work hard that hopefully all the tears and hard-work will get pay off.
 Irving street in SF, where I walk around to work, jogging, church, and do many other activities daily…. |  |
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