As I was just about to close my eyes and tune in to my Spotify playlist, ready to embark on my 5 day trip to college visits, a young adult sitting next to me on the plane asked if I was in high school or college. I told him about my high school and even explained to him about deciding between UC Berkeley and the business school in Wash U St Louis, with confidence and pride. After bragging just a little, I asked him back the same question.
“Neither,” he said with a slight regret lingering on his face.
“I almost went to college.” He added, releasing a sigh.
“Oh.” I replied, at a loss of words. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked or said anything.
“I work at the railroad. I couldn’t get a job and go to college at the same time, so I just decided to get a full time job.”
Growing up in a middle class family, where paying for college was never an issue, I used to be so naive that I would think attending college is just a natural order of things. I am so ashamed that I was ignorant for so long. I was confined in a bubble, consumed with college rankings, prestige, comparison, and competition. In my current high school, all international students come from the same socioeconomic background and all attend world-class universities such as Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT, just to name a few. Being infused with prestige and rankings all my life, it was like destined for me to go to a prestigious college. This was the first time I was exposed to and interacted with people around the same age as me having financial hindrance to pursue their dreams. As a result, my heart sank when I heard his words. I truly realized how privileged and fortunate I am.
He too, has dreams and passions. He wants to become well known in the music industry. He said if Shawn Mendes can make it in 5 years, so can he. He promised that he will work hard and continue to take piano and singing classes, while taking up his railroad job. Like many people, and probably you as you are reading this, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at his unrealistic and implausible dream.
But as he continued to tell me his dreams, I can sense his grit and determination. I am beginning to believe in him. I believe that one can be successful through hard work and believing in oneself.
At this moment, my concern and worry about going to a public university (UC Berkeley) versus a private university (Wash U) became so so trivial. Not only am I very fortunate to attend college in the first place, but also the fact that I do not need to worry about tuition or financial aid packages when choosing a college. But most importantly, I believe that everyone should deserve equal access to education and not let money be an impediment to educational development. Humbling myself allow me to see the needs of the greater community.
My high school has a strong emphasis on diversity, but I never truly experienced it, probably because we all come from similar backgrounds. But after my short but inspiring conversation with the person next to me on the plane, Andrew, I truly understood the importance of diversity. It is through diversity that you can gain insight to the outer world, the different needs of society, and eventually make a difference. As we depart, he said to me “I wonder what college looks like.” Although it breaks my heart to hear this, I know that he will be successful one day.
Looking back at my college journey at this very moment, before my admitted college visits, I acquired a new way of thinking : there is much more in this world that matters besides college rankings.
No matter where I end up, the difference is so little because I know that I will make an impact one day. I have a conviction to help the less privileged to acquire the same opportunities. At the end of the day, it shouldn’t matter which college you go to, be it public or private, or if you even go to college. It is about hard work, attitude, perspective on life, and determination to achieve success, however you define it. For me, success is utilizing my education, perhaps a business approach, to make a difference in the world. I am extremely thankful to be able to receive an education.
I let go of the prestige of college, you should too.
Thank you for making me realize how fortunate I am to be able to pursue my passions. Don’t stop believing in yourself. Public or private, it no longer matters. :)
