A Geografia onde você menos espera: o relato de uma experiência de se descobrir geógrafo

Abstract

This work aims to present an academic memoir that reflects the author's journey throughout their Geography degree at the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), a path that spanned nearly nine years until the achievement of their diploma. The memoir seeks to narrate and analyze the challenges and lessons learned during this journey, highlighting how each experience contributed to their academic and professional development. The introduction contextualizes the concept of an academic memoir, emphasizing its importance as a tool for reflecting on the educational journey. Next, the text recounts the author's experiences from early education, covering their time in preschool, elementary, and high school, and how these periods influenced their worldview and interest in knowledge. Upon entering the Geography degree program—which was not initially their first choice—the author encountered a new academic and personal reality. Despite the inherent challenges of the course, the university experience brought significant learning opportunities, strengthening their resilience and broadening their understanding of Geography’s role in society. However, the journey was not linear, and difficult moments arose, particularly in the final stretch of the course, when health issues and the impacts of the pandemic posed additional obstacles. Despite these difficulties, the undergraduate experience was a period of growth and maturity, solidifying their calling to teaching. Upon completing this stage, the author reaffirms their commitment to working as a Geography teacher, eager to enter the classroom and contribute to the education of future students. Thus, this memoir not only narrates an academic journey but also reflects on the role of perseverance, adaptation to adversity, and passion for teaching in shaping a professional identity.