Sharon
Sharon had always wanted to learn more about other cultures and what life was like in other countries. So, after she finished her undergraduate degree in English, she jumped at the opportunity to go to Africa and teach English with one of her friends. The experience, however, amplified her passion as well as her insecurities in interacting with other cultures. Sharon recognized her need for formal training, and was soon led to Biola’s School of Intercultural Studies.
“After I finished college, I moved to Africa and I taught English there. And I realized that I was totally unequipped, and so I decided to pursue a masters in TESOL. I needed to learn more about how to teach grammar, classroom management.”
Biola’s School of Intercultural Studies was the ideal place for a student like Sharon, someone who already had the heart and passion for the mission field, and someone who wholeheartedly sought a well-rounded education. The environment Biola provides is not only academically challenging, but one that incorporates what you learn into your everyday walk with Jesus Christ.
“I decided to choose Biola’s School of Intercultural Studies because they have great professors. I even heard about the professors when I was in Africa. And I know that it’s one of the best [schools] and especially in California… Also, Biola is really kind of known for their values and communicating values through teaching.”
These Christian values are upheld by the entire Biola community, and continually inspired by the expert faculty Biola has to offer. Because most of the faculty has served on the mission field themselves, they are able to bring real-life experiences to the classroom, and able to show students how to directly apply what they are learning each and every day.
“The school of intercultural studies has been just a great impact in my life through the professors as they have been investing their time and energy into me, into my classmates. Just, how we should study and how we should do our projects and papers for God’s kingdom and for His glory and how that should be our ministry. And just through our professors examples I’m just able to just really learn from them of how I could be a better teacher in the future, of how I need to put 110% in my teaching so I could do it for God’s glory.”
Today, Sharon is completing her first year studying TESOL at Biola. While she still has many papers and classes to go, she’s already excited about getting back out on the mission field and making a difference for the Kingdom. She’s come to understand that Biola is offering her more than an education and a degree; Biola is offering her the opportunity to impact the future.
“All the projects that I have to do for my program, I know that it’s a worthwhile investment because it’s really equipping me for the future. It’s helping me to just really to become a better teacher, to learn how to teach, and really to fall in love with what I’m doing so that I could teach and so that my students could fall in love with what they’re learning.”