My aspiration for academia began during my undergraduate years at Korea University in South Korea. In the early years, I wasn’t particularly focused on academics. Like many students in East Asia, I had studied intensively up to the point of university admission, after which I shifted my attention to extracurricular activities. My GPA at that time reflected this lack of academic focus.

A turning point came when I took a course in organizational theory. His use of the Socratic method, posing thoughtful questions and genuinely engaging with student responses, shifted my perspective. Compared to the more lecture-driven teaching I was used to, his approach felt both challenging and energizing. That class sparked my initial interest in academic inquiry and made me appreciate the impact of good teaching—something I now strive to carry forward in my own classes.

Since then, my academic path has taken directions I hadn’t anticipated. I initially gravitated toward qualitative research but now work primarily with quantitative methods. I never imagined pursuing a PhD in Singapore or writing professionally in English. These unexpected turns have broadened my perspective and shaped how I approach my work.

Like many, I’ve had moments of uncertainty, especially moving through my studies without any gap years, and navigating a field that, while slow-moving in some ways, is still shaped by rapid global shifts. But in those moments, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who offered support and guidance. I still fondly remember a coffee chat with Professor Puk as I approached graduation. That conversation introduced me to the work of CFPR and sparked my interest, eventually guiding me toward the opportunity to join Professor Puk’s team. Witnessing CFPR’s 8th anniversary in 2022, along with the founding of the Population Association of Singapore, I came to appreciate that academia can also foster a sense of community that is both familial and collegial. My aspirations have continued to grow alongside CFPR’s vision and work, supported by the meaningful connections accumulated within this vibrant academic network.

Now based in Hong Kong, I see academic life less as a destination and more as an ongoing process. I once joked with a colleague that our work revolves around “supervision, revision, and vision,” a continuous cycle of learning from feedback, guiding students, and refining long-term goals. Whenever I find myself overly focused on short-term outcomes, I will remind myself of the importance of maintaining this balance and not losing any.

And of course, what’s also needed along the way is a good, not necessarily long, but meaningful break. Our eyes get tired from constantly staring at screens, and for me, spending time in nature is a refreshing escape. I enjoy hiking, trekking, and walking in the park. I look back on my years in Singapore with appreciation, especially for the abundant greenery that I could see from my office at CFPR. The lush green spaces and the warmth of the people made those years especially meaningful, and I still consider Singapore a second home.

-Dr. Dahye Kim, Assistant Professor, Sociology at Hong Kong Baptist University, Former CFPR Postdoctoral Fellow, #HumansofCFPR