History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity. ~Dexter Perkins
So I may have mentioned it, or probably haven't but have been thinking it over so several weeks about the idea of getting my Ph.D. This is just in it's elementary stages now but seeing the state of the world as it is and seeing I'm the person I am, I feel this profession would be the best possible thing for me. Ever since I was a child I remember loving history. My friends were running around Gettysburg complaining of how boring it was; I would be stopped in front of every sign and poster set up, reading and retaining the information. I was fascinated by history, and still am. I loved watching re-enactors and learning about the past.
During breaks in college I would drive up and just walk around the battlegrounds and speak to the actors. I'd go to museums in Baltimore and learn all I could about the history of the places I was visiting. For me history wasn't about things that happened, and that the past is the past, but events that have most certainly shaped our lives. History was about everyday people doing extraordinary things. I've always thought the most interesting question would be "What if you were born in a different era, a different time?" For me if I was born earlier would I still have been adopted, or even been from Korea? Would the friends I have been in America or in Ireland and Europe?
Basically history is a compilation of memories. We make history all the time everyday. And so with that in mind I see no better time to consider pursuing a Ph.D in history. For example, the North Korean crisis is directly correlated to how failed the American troops were in the Korean war when it came to the education and history of Korea. they performed so many faux pas that I'm sometimes surprised they managed to save the southern part of the peninsula.
History is so important to culture and that's what I'd like to study during my time in a graduate program. How culture and nationalism have effected our modern world. At the G-20 meeting this past year our then president George W. was snubbed by every world leader. One, maybe because they had to go to the bathroom and didn't have time for formalities. However, most likely it was because of America's policies towards the rest of the world. Overseas Americans have a reputation of being ignorant and shall I suggest, unrefined when it comes to interacting with other cultures (actually we're ignorant when it comes to interacting with members from different social stratification in the U.S. as well) and everyone mentions it. Reading guide books isn't enough when you're planning a visit, depending on what you want to get out of the trip. You need first hand accounts and really learn about a country to get a full experience.
Coming to Korea I thought I knew what I needed to know about the country. As it turns out I was in culture shock for a good six months. Most of it had to do with my American values and the other half with the idea of identity. Had I studied up on my history more I would have probably had a better insight on what Koreans value, why they act the way they do and what I could have done to help myself.
As it turns out I'm preparing for a Thailand trip and have already started reading up for it. It's a bit difficult seeing we don't have a lot of materials in English so proper online resources will have to do. I hope that when I'm in Thailand I can just appreciate, not understand. I'd like to know where they've been to see how they live at this point in time.
I'll keep everyone updated on the career choice as it's a huge step financally and mentally (lots of thinking) but I'm excited. Althought right now I'm really excited about a rice and cheese omelet.
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