I recently defended my Ph.D., and it was a night filled with memories and emotions. I couldn't help but reflect on my educational journey, the teachers who played a significant role in it, and the valuable lessons I learned along the way. As I look back, I feel immense gratitude to all my teachers—those who stood by me, those who believed in me, those who may have disagreed and moved on, and even those who may have cared less. Each one of them mattered, and their influence on my education journey was profound. This experience has reinforced the importance of education. It reminds us that we can never know everything and that there is always something new to learn from everyone, regardless of their background or experiences. It emphasizes that each person's lived experiences matter and contribute to our collective knowledge. Furthermore, I've come to understand that including another person's knowledge alongside our own doesn't diminish our knowledge; instead, it strengthens it. This sense of humility, honor, and gratitude is something I carry with me as I move forward with my doctoral degree completed. In the end, I'm humbled by the entire process, honored to have reached this milestone, and deeply grateful for the support and guidance I've received.
