Teaching, Admission Essay Example

One cannot overestimate the role life experiences play in shaping people. As someone who was born and grew up in a homogenous society like Georgia, moving to U.S. as a young adult was an eye-opening experience. The two elements of American society that influenced me most were diversity and freedom of speech. I have always been inquisitive but after coming to America, I developed a new found love for knowledge which may also be the reason why I have come to view diversity as a key contributor to the economic progress of the society. I soon realized I do not only enjoy learning but also teaching others. I have also developed strong communication and social skills, due to frequent cross-cultural interactions in the U.S. In short, the love for knowledge and a desire to make positive contributions towards increasing the profile of minority cultural groups have been the major factors behind my decision to pursue a graduate degree in teaching.

When I came to the U.S, I was fluent in English and Russian but I soon realized that one of the languages that will gain greater profile not only in the U.S. but on global scale will be Spanish. Thus, I started learning Spanish and even pursued my undergraduate degree in Spanish Language and Literature. I also discovered during the process that language is a window into a culture and there is no more effective way of understanding other cultures than learning the language of the locals. My career ambitions include teaching languages including Spanish and English because interactions among cultures have been increasing due to globalization and those with strong language skills will be at a competitive advantage in the 21^st century.

I have personally benefitted a lot from exposure to cultural diversity and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds has helped me recognize my own biases and stereotypes and become more objective thinker. I have also developed greater appreciation for other cultures and I believe cultural diversity is one of the most effective strategies to promoting global peace. I have a learnt a lot in this country and becoming a teacher is my way of expressing gratitude to this country by educating the current and future generations.

Becoming a teacher with an emphasis on languages such as English and Spanish will also open opportunities for me in other countries and provide me with greater learning opportunities. I take continuous education seriously and cannot think of a career that doesn’t only secure my future but also allows me to make difference in the world as well as continuously acquire new knowledge and experiences. I am also a mother and a wife and want to set examples for my children through my academic endeavors that learning is a lifetime process.

It is not enough to choose a major one will both enjoy and do well in but also important to choose the right institution where one will encounter an optimal learning environment. My research has convinced me that Monmouth University is the best fit to my needs because it takes a practical approach to learning, providing students with several opportunities to interact with field experts and leaders. The university has a strong track record of producing education leaders and I am confident I will be able to follow in their footsteps.