Finding My Future Through History
The TCR Concord Review History Camp is a patient mentor that guided me to think and write as a historian. Through the camp, I learned not only skills in historical writing, but also about the significance and distinct nature of history as a discipline.
At first, I did not expect myself to major in history, but in economics. After studying economics thoroughly during the whole 10th grade, I soon realized that I was not able to fully understand how the world works without diving deep into history. Among all the subjects, only history can provide me with a lens that could illustrate the ever-changing nature of all human experience. Everything around me must have its own past, and history could explain the story behind, assisting me in finding the significance under the surface. Amazed by the significance of studies in history, I decided to switch my intended major to history.
The TCR Concord Review History Camp offered me a precious opportunity to fully immerse myself in history through lectures, 1 on 1 conferences, and discussions. Unlike standardized courses in school, the TCR Camp allows me to explore aviation history, the topic in history that I am most interested in. My research focused on the development of Airbus in the Cold War era. Although it is not the most widely studied field in history, the TCR Camp coaches, especially Mr. Burell, guided me to engage with sources of all kinds, including magazines, government reports, and research essays, etc. By analyzing the complex relationships between the Western countries in the background of the 1970s, I came to the conclusion that Airbus rose by using ingenious tactics, technological advantages, and government subsidies to increase Airbus’ prevalence in the aviation market and obtained up to nearly half of the market share with Boeing. This project studies how Airbus’s rise shaped the global aviation industry and provides historical insights on competition, globalization, and policy of the industry today.
During the research process, TCR coaches patiently supervised my essay and offered detailed suggestions for my arguments and writing. When I was analyzing the rise of Airbus, I particularly remembered a question that Mr. Burell asked me: What is the purpose of including these arguments and information? Whenever I’m confused, this question inspires me to perceive my essay through the lens of a reader, so I can convey my arguments more effectively. The Camp coaches also helped me improve my writing, whether it is a logical mistake, awkward phrasing, or distorted structure.
At the beginning of the camp, I questioned the significance of history; by the end, I seemed to understand its true meaning: history is a teacher that patiently teaches humanity, even if humanity can not stop repeating its mistakes, history offers us the lessons again and again.
Just like an airliner relies on its wings to ascend for its next journey, the TCR Concord Review History Camp gave me the wings I needed to take flight—lifting me into the skies of historical inquiry, and toward a future I hadn’t imagined when I first stepped in.
From Ximeng W. (Simon. W)
Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, SH