Aaron Kurschner
Norwich is unique because every course I have taken is full of veterans, like myself, who tend to have valuable and unique life experiences.
Q: “Tell us about yourself.”
I served as an enlisted sailor for over a decade in the US Navy as a Master at Arms. I was fortunate to meet my wife, Annelize, a native of South Africa, while stationed overseas in Bahrain. We have two daughters together: Briseis and Petra. I enjoy reading and learning new things, exploring new areas, meeting new people, and hiking in the mountains. I am a social studies teacher for an American curriculum international school in Chongqing, China. I currently teach AP Human Geography, AP US Government, US History, World History, and Global Studies. I have been in China for the past year and will be here for at least one more before heading off to explore another international location.”
Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”
A: “I didn't want to get a degree in education in case I someday decided to go a different route in my career. The Global Affairs coursework has been incredibly relevant and beneficial for my career as a social studies teacher, greatly expanding my content knowledge and enabling me to challenge my high school students further to help ensure they will be successful academically in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world.”
Q: “What are your future professional plans?”
A: “I enjoy teaching too much to leave, and I love being in the international school environment. I value sharing the world with my children and opening their eyes to the many positive realities of the world while preparing them for the negative ones, too. If I ever leave education, I would like to stay working in a career that will enable me to continue working internationally, so I have thought about the Foreign Service.”
Q: “Why did you choose Norwich?”
A: “I chose Norwich after seeing that it was so veteran-friendly and after looking at the required coursework for the Global Affairs program, which is so relevant to my career as a social studies teacher. Norwich is unique because every course I have taken is full of veterans, like myself, who tend to have valuable and unique life experiences.”
Q: “Did you have any uncertainties with choosing an online program?”
A: “For me, a traditional on-campus degree is totally unrealistic, considering I live overseas in a location that doesn't offer a program I am interested in. As a full-time teacher, husband, and father, the flexibility afforded by the online program allows me the ability to continue with my education.”
Q: “Prior to beginning your courses, what were some of your expectations for an online degree program?”
A: “I had taken some online classes during my undergrad studies, so I had a fairly good idea of what to expect. However, the workload between undergrad and graduate studies is significantly different.”
Q: “What is one piece of advice you would give to future students enrolling in one of Norwich's online programs?”
A: “Stay ahead in the reading. Try to get a head start early and stay at least a week or so ahead. Make certain you are organized.”
Q: “How do you plan to use your degree in your career?”
A: “A master's degree is good for at least a $10,000 pay bump in most school districts I am aware of. I could also use it to transition into another career, perhaps in foreign service or intelligence analysis.”
Q: “What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting your degree?”
A: “The coursework was intimidating initially. Being able to research and write some of the long research papers was something that I was unsure I could do, but I have much more experience and confidence in my abilities. Several professors gave really great feedback along the way, which helped immensely.”
Q: “Please tell us about a time when you could put the knowledge you gained in the classroom to work immediately at your job.”
A: “I use the knowledge I gained in the classroom every day. I can more comprehensively and confidently explain events from history and their significance and relevance to my students, which makes me a far better teacher with a much greater depth of knowledge to pull from.”
Q: “What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?”
A: “It's military affiliation and support for veterans. I am proud to be a part of Norwich.”
