Pathos

I have encountered many firsts: paying rent, opening a bank account, watching the snow fall in January and amongst other things, the American collegiate experience. Twenty years in a tiny unblemished meritocratic society where your grades and background determine the way people and society judge you have made me value the importance of hard work. However, it didn’t take long before I was jaded and stifled by the rigid education system, for schools across the country taught a limited number of subjects in predetermined permutations. Despite my enthusiasm for learning, I was always felled by mediocre grades that put scholarships out of reach and thus, my coming to the U.S. was fortuitous by nature, mainly due to a well-timed sale of a house by my grandmother, who decided that an education was the best thing money could buy.

The liberal arts focus and flexibility in American universities appealed to me; education is supposed to expand your horizons, not create boundaries through regulations. Thus far, the writing classes have been thoroughly enjoyable, as they encourage reflection and illustrate that life is a multitude of experiences waiting to be uncovered. It’s not about a fixed set of answers; it’s about unearthing fresh perspectives and gaining renewed insights. I’ve also noticed how much more aware Americans are of global issues, and their willingness to share their opinions give rise to healthy communal debate. Coming from a society where the apathy of youth and paucity of general knowledge is widely known, I relish discussions that seemed to delve more on relevant issues and less on frivolous ones. When I was younger, I’d never believe I’d embark on this journey of immersion. It compels me to think independently, at the same time never forgetting the values my family instilled in me, responsibly managing my newfound freedom, and most importantly – enabling me to evolve into my own person, every step of the way.