"In confronting the "complex specificness" of a particular teacher's experience with a particular group of students, I presented a means to think realistically an concretely about broader problems of cross-cultural adjustment, home-school relationships, and the like. This is not a claim to see the world in a grain of sand, but a characteristically qualitative acknowledgment that small aspects of experience, conveyed in sufficient depth and detail, can speak to large issues." (p. 10)
Thomas H. Schram
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
I am leaving academia...
Sorry this sounded so abrupt and I haven't been updating you all, whoever you are, my dear audience. But I have withdrawn from my PhD programme two weeks ago. The dissonance is too great that I cannot ignore anymore that whatever I am studying right now is not what I want to spend my time, energy, effort, and youth (if I still have some of it left) professing now or later. I enjoy researching what I am researching as a good academic exercise and what I research interests me, but I am not ready to explore it into the depth required for the PhD level and not really wanting to be an expert of Patriotism or Nationalistic Education.
The PhD programme has always been very instrumental to me. I am doing it because I want to write a book, to pick up the skills of writing. The past two years has taught me that this is not a strong enough reason to give me motivation to keep carrying on when the going gets tough. I am not willing to be chronically depressed to pick up the skills of writing. Circumstances have changed and doing the PhD is no longer favourable for me. This is the main reason why I am withdrawing. I've tried my best to hang on to it for another year, though already last year, I had that sense that I wanted to quit. But holding on another year has only reconfirmed that cutting my losses now is better than later.
I appreciate how welcoming the community of scholars have been to me and all the kind help I have received over my many years working in the university and the larger community researching citizenship education. I actually am sad to leave NIE, where I have called home since 2010. It is rare in today's world to find a young person like me staying in a job for so long. Besides my loyalty and comfort, this happened because of the many people I have met here who nurtured me, gave me many opportunities, and helped me developed my interest and skills in research and writing. I always tell people that I can do my work anywhere, but I come to my office to work because all my friends are here. I have seen many friends come and go since I came here in 2010 and I thank each one who has made my stay here in NIE bearable and beautiful. :)
I don't know where I am headed to next and will probably be spending some time figuring that out. But I hope to stay in touch with you. I wish you all the best too!
The PhD programme has always been very instrumental to me. I am doing it because I want to write a book, to pick up the skills of writing. The past two years has taught me that this is not a strong enough reason to give me motivation to keep carrying on when the going gets tough. I am not willing to be chronically depressed to pick up the skills of writing. Circumstances have changed and doing the PhD is no longer favourable for me. This is the main reason why I am withdrawing. I've tried my best to hang on to it for another year, though already last year, I had that sense that I wanted to quit. But holding on another year has only reconfirmed that cutting my losses now is better than later.
I appreciate how welcoming the community of scholars have been to me and all the kind help I have received over my many years working in the university and the larger community researching citizenship education. I actually am sad to leave NIE, where I have called home since 2010. It is rare in today's world to find a young person like me staying in a job for so long. Besides my loyalty and comfort, this happened because of the many people I have met here who nurtured me, gave me many opportunities, and helped me developed my interest and skills in research and writing. I always tell people that I can do my work anywhere, but I come to my office to work because all my friends are here. I have seen many friends come and go since I came here in 2010 and I thank each one who has made my stay here in NIE bearable and beautiful. :)
I don't know where I am headed to next and will probably be spending some time figuring that out. But I hope to stay in touch with you. I wish you all the best too!
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