Social Working 101 - Studying As A Working-Class Kid
Since last week I’m allowed to teach at university. Of course, this is a big honor for me. As for all who are given this chance. But for me - it’s just... a really big deal. And, I want to explain why:
1. I’ve grown up in a classic working-class family. My mother is a shoe shop assistant and my dad works as a taxi driver. I grew up in a tiny village. My brother and I are the first in the family who actually got the chance to study at university.
2. This comes along with the circumstances that accordingly, I did not grow up with certain authors, that I had no access to extra-curricular activities and didn't learn the academic language spoken at university (and much more basic stuff like good food at the end of the month, or regular visits at the dentist, or generally help with school homework).
3. Every time as a kid when I said that I would like to study someday, people (teachers, family, friends, ...) discouraged me. Even my parents usually commented on my thoughts with: "we will see".
4. No one was really on my side.
5. So every step that took me to university I went alone. And it was a long one - trust me.
6. Of course, I had to work.
7. At some point, I had three jobs next to the university. At that time I was proud to wear my dark circles. Ridiculous. It should be a lot easier.
8. In Germany at universities, one student out of ten comes from a working-class family. Three out of a hundred carry on to study on a master degree level. One out of three hundred is going to get a Ph.D.
That's why being able to teach is pretty scary. And fantastic. And an honor. And a lot of pressure. Of course, I want to prove the system wrong. And also I want to make it easier for all people with my background who are going to be in the same place after me. Without betraying myself and pretending I'm someone I'm obviously not.
I worked hard to be in this privileged position - a lot harder than others and a lot harder than I should have had been forced to. So. I might be an exception - but I will try my best that this does not stay that way.