My name is Jisu Shu. I am originally from South Korea, but I grew in a few different countries; fourteen years in Korea, four years in India, and eight years in Canada. I am a travel enthusiast, and I like to spend my leisure time snowboarding, swimming, hiking, and watching movies with my friends.
It was not until I entered university that I got interested in teaching. I thought about going into a Biology major because I loved learning about living organisms and how they function, and how they rely on one another to survive. So, I decided to enroll myself in Bachelor of Science at Trinity Western University (TWU) in 2012. But that summer, before the start of the fall semester, I became interested in the education program by an unexpected opportunity. After a semester in the Bachelor of Science program, I decided to switch into a Bachelor of Arts program with a concentration in Education. When I joined the education program, I had to choose two teachable subjects. I chose biology and physical education as my teachable subjects because I always enjoyed these two areas the most throughout my education. TWU provided education students with a series of practica, and I experienced six different classes from six different schools. But by the time I graduated from college, I had doubts about my abilities in becoming a teacher, and I also lost confidence in teaching. I think my status as an international student here in Canada had its effect too. After I graduated with a B.A. concentration in Education, I returned to my home country, South Korea. Fortunately, a private secondary school in Korea offered me a full-time teaching job. With two years of teaching experience in this secondary school, I regained my confidence in teaching and reclaimed my calling as a teacher. I realized that I love children and enjoy my life being around them. Exactly seven years after I became interested in education, I applied for the education program at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and as of right now, I am finishing up my first year of the Bachelor of Education program.
Exploring new countries and teaching in various locations have always been a big part of my life. There were times when I was challenged and overwhelmed by this lifestyle, but I grew into it and my position as a bilingual teacher. I would love to be able to travel around the world with the education I have and teach internationally. It takes one person to be a light in someone’s life. It takes one person to be a helping hand. It takes one person to change and challenge an unmotivated, broken life, and make it brand new. Teachers are those people. After I graduate, I will be a teacher, a counselor, and a friend to so many students. I will do my best to become that one person who brings light, change, and challenge to students.
Descriptive Pictures of My Journey
I have a fantastic childhood memory from South Korea. I think I was in Gr.4 or 5 when this picture was taken. Having a solid identity and cultural root helped me avoid all the confusion I could have had in my adolescence in other countries, Canada and India.
When I finished the first semester of grade 6, my family moved to Canada. And due to the difference in Korean and Canadian academic calendars, I skipped the rest of grade 6 and joined grade 7.
The summer of 2007, my family went on a road trip to the United States. It was 52 days long, and we were camping the entire time. We struggled the first few weeks because we’ve never camped before and also because we didn’t speak English very well. But it was an adventure! It was fun!
The summer of 2008, my family moved to India. I entered grade 9 that year.
The summer of 2012, I graduated from an international school in India.
After high school graduation, I came to Canada for a university education and I met some awesome friends!
After university graduation, I went back to Korea. Fortunately, I was offered a full-time teaching job at Dream School, a private secondary school in Korea. I taught Gr. 11 and 12 students for two full years.
And now, I’m here in Kamloops, finishing up my first year of the Bachelor of Education program at Thompson Rivers University!
Summary
Korea: 1995~2006
Canada: 2006~2008
India: 2008~2012
Canada: 2012 ~ 2017
Korea: 2017~2020
Canada: 2020~