Begin my learning journey

Learning Journey

You need to improve your English writing and expression! It is common feedback I received from my learning journey during my Master of International Development. As an international student, I wonder how much I need to know and how much do I need to learn English. Many times, I received this feedback. I felt like I am not good enough and I felt discouraged in my learning journey. During my Master program, sometimes I felt like the more I learn, the more I do not or need to know more. Development discourse, for example, I considered myself a good practitioner in a field because I have over seven years of experience at the grassroots level. Also, I communicated in English with my western colleagues.

However, when I started to learn about theories of development, ‘whose frame a theory?’. I wonder what direction I will choose either continue to promote ‘Western Modernity’ or stop getting involved in promoting ‘the west concept’ as I am studying in the western education system. This experience generates enormous self-doubt and uncertainty in my learning journey. Together with the feedback, ‘You need to improve your English writing and expression’.

After I discussed with my course coordinator, who came from the global south, I have learned that my background and experience in development is valuable because it tells me that English is an excellent tool for me as a development practitioner. So, I can communicate with people from the global north (funders, advisor, etc.) and represent the idea and experience to support development work. Likewise, reflective practice opens my mind and eyes that the learning process takes time, patience and courage. Thus, to bring me peace in mind, I need reflective practice in my international learning journey.