Growing up, we are taught that life has a certain plan. We go to school, then college, work, then marriage, kids, work some more, retirement, death. We are taught that we have to go to college to make the rest of life work, to make a difference. But, that's not true.

Allison, Allie for short, is 19 years old. Ordinarily, you would picture a 19 year old experiencing their first year of college. And that's what Allie planned to do all her life. Since 8th grade, she knew she was going to go to art school in California. But, when senior year of high school came around, she knew that just wasn't what she was meant to do. So she took another path.

She joined YWAM (youth with a mission) and went to Australia for 6 months. The first 3 or so months were called the lecture phase, where all she did was learn about God and the Bible. Next, she spent 6 weeks in Hong Kong teaching elementary school students, singing, and giving presentations to high schools.

When I talked to her, she told me about this life changing experience. She told me that there were people in this organization who had been involved for 20+ years. Many of them did not have a college education.

Now, Allie is returning to Australia for another year. This time as an intern for YWAM. She doesn't know whether or not she will go to school later, but for right now she's making a difference. Without a college education, she is doing what she wants to do and making a difference in other people's lives.

College isn't for everyone. Sometimes not going is the better path. It's different for every person, but society has taught us that we have to go and that's just not true.