Higher education to some may seem like a necessity to get a job or a way to figure out a future career. The United States higher education system may seem like a scam - placing young people who are trying to start their lives in debt. It costs a fortune to go to school.

But take a step back and think about how amazing it is that our world has institutions solely in place for the spread of knowledge. I had my own epiphany when I was sitting in my Anthropology class. People from all different majors, minors, ages, and walks of life came together to learn. We were discussing "ethnocide," or the killing of a people's culture. One girl raised her hand and went into depth about the oppression of Native American culture in the 1800s. I was astounded - why did she know all this? Before I got to thinking she was a super genius, she clarified that she was a history major who was focusing a major research paper on this topic. While one student may be learning about Native American history and culture, another could be studying the science of how the human body functions, another could slaving over an analysis of the Baroque music period, and another could be learning about the inter-workings of the stock market. School has humbled me in the sense that there is so much to learn in so many different respects, and sadly, I will never learn all of it. I want to, though. If you look at a list of majors at my University, you will scroll for an impressive amount of time. Each one of those majors requires a series of classes that usually last around 4 years to complete. That is one major! Imagine picking a different one, you would learn so much about something else. These thousands of classes are then taught by professionals who have focused their life on your course of study. It seems crazy that all these highly educated and knowledgeable professors are all gathered together to share what they know...or to learn more! In my research lab my director knows everything - all the science and technology behind everything we do - it seems impossible, but my lab director knows from years of dedication and study.

I want to try many different classes offered...spoken word, peace studies, creative writing, political science, film...but I don't have enough time. A University education is a paradox of highs and lows: it requires effort and is excruciatingly costly, but the value is in the people you meet and the things you learn.