As my last year of my undergraduate degree is quickly coming to a close I have often found myself questioning my post-secondary education choices.  I have always considered myself to be a very practical person and I’ve always prided myself on the fact that my practicality extends to my education as well.  It took me four years to go back to school after high school graduation, because I knew that I would be the most successful at school if I found something to study that I was truly passionate about.  After travelling around the world on and off for four years I discovered the field of international development.  It seemed like the perfect fit for me as I have always had a passion for social justice and helping others in need.

I began my schooling in a great program at Capilano University called Global Stewardship.  I learned more at Cap than I ever thought I could and the two years I spent there were some of the best of my life.  My education consisted of a lot of theory and history, but these were two categories that I needed to do a lot of catching up in.  When I transfered to UBC I continued along the path of taking courses with themes of theory and history which caused me to ask myself “what am I getting out of my education?” I realized that I had strayed from my practicality focused approach to life.  I began to question how all my general theories and history could really help me be a successful development worker.  What skills have I actually gained in my post secondary education?  These thoughts and questions led me to almost completely change my course schedule for my final year at UBC, in the quest to obtain real and tangible skills for my life and my future career.

I have no idea if the changes I made to my curriculum will have the desired effects I hope for, but I guess only time will tell.  I think all I really want is for my education to have helped me become a more productive and helpful citizen of the world.  I hope that in the end I will have at least achieved this.