I had a somewhat similar trajectory, except fifty years earlier. After bouncing around a couple of colleges before earning an associates arts degree from a community college in Colorado I was acccepted into the Peace Corps in a country that had just changed its name from British Honduras to Belize. After 2-1/2 years, I returned the U.S. and finished both my bachelors and masters degrees in Agricultural Economics. Now, all these years later, I'm back in Belize enjoying my place on the Belize River in Cayo.
I wish kids could get grants to travel, because I do agree the educational experience isn't what it used to be. For the poorest of the poor, which I was when I attended college, I funded my education with a grants and competitive scholastic awards - scholarships I had to compete for each year, in order to re-up. Going to college changed my life, though I may have been a decade or so before you, but had I had the option to travel first I definitely would have and I think it would've shaped my educational path in a different way.
If you’re familiar with Catherine Austin Fitts, she recommends to her clients’ children that they adapt their post-secondary education to their purpose and needs. It could be a combination of classes, YouTube, podcasts, travel, and co-op. Another interesting perspective. All to say that education is not an “either-or.” There are many combinations possible.
Then the trick is to get potential employers to recognize that… if a job is what one is seeking.
Being of the firm belief that universities and colleges exist to separate you from your money, whilst indoctrinating you into accepting a life of work drudgery, a customized education may open the student’s eyes to other ways of earning a living…
I'm not familiar with Catherine Austin Fitted as of yet but will certainly check her out. Thanks for the reco Joanne. I agree, the trick is to get employers to recognize an alternative mode of education as equally valuable
Great article! Shared on Facebook. Although I enjoyed working on my degrees, it was more about the joy of learning and less about real-world application. I used the US GI Bill to pay for it, and worked full-time while going to college. My travels were much more enlightening.
Encouraging enrolment at a University outside the US might provide the best of both worlds ...
I had a somewhat similar trajectory, except fifty years earlier. After bouncing around a couple of colleges before earning an associates arts degree from a community college in Colorado I was acccepted into the Peace Corps in a country that had just changed its name from British Honduras to Belize. After 2-1/2 years, I returned the U.S. and finished both my bachelors and masters degrees in Agricultural Economics. Now, all these years later, I'm back in Belize enjoying my place on the Belize River in Cayo.
What an awesome and interesting life path JD
I wish kids could get grants to travel, because I do agree the educational experience isn't what it used to be. For the poorest of the poor, which I was when I attended college, I funded my education with a grants and competitive scholastic awards - scholarships I had to compete for each year, in order to re-up. Going to college changed my life, though I may have been a decade or so before you, but had I had the option to travel first I definitely would have and I think it would've shaped my educational path in a different way.
Travel grants sound like a great idea!
If you’re familiar with Catherine Austin Fitts, she recommends to her clients’ children that they adapt their post-secondary education to their purpose and needs. It could be a combination of classes, YouTube, podcasts, travel, and co-op. Another interesting perspective. All to say that education is not an “either-or.” There are many combinations possible.
Then the trick is to get potential employers to recognize that… if a job is what one is seeking.
Being of the firm belief that universities and colleges exist to separate you from your money, whilst indoctrinating you into accepting a life of work drudgery, a customized education may open the student’s eyes to other ways of earning a living…
I'm not familiar with Catherine Austin Fitted as of yet but will certainly check her out. Thanks for the reco Joanne. I agree, the trick is to get employers to recognize an alternative mode of education as equally valuable
Great article! Shared on Facebook. Although I enjoyed working on my degrees, it was more about the joy of learning and less about real-world application. I used the US GI Bill to pay for it, and worked full-time while going to college. My travels were much more enlightening.