The Path

Chinese style dinner. Eat until you're full, then you eat some more!

It’s that time of the year again. The temperature is dropping, the sun is setting earlier and, most noticeably, the recruiters have come to campus. The PowerPoint’s are the same, each HR VP makes the same pitch and the multitude of alumni now working for the company gush about how great their experience has been. Each company claims to be searching for the same thing: motivated, intelligent and adaptable people to join them as they expand to every corner of the globe. But are they truly searching for the best available talent? Or are they simply looking for someone who has the most boxes checked off a pre-determined algorithmic list? Are we valuing the most creative and innovative in society, or the ones who have stuck closest to the path mapped out for them by the ones who sit comfortably on top?

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China: Reprised

Some of my Chinese classmates. Really cool people!

It’s been a transitional two weeks here in Beijing.  While the buildings and streets remain consistent within my environment, the cast of characters in my life have changed completely.  I haven’t really had an opportunity thus far to step back and gather my thoughts on my experiences these past few days, but I do feel that a reflective writing session on the current situation is appropriate.  So read on to find out more about my thoughts on the past couple weeks.

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The Education Bubble

Are institutions like this overvalued?

We dispelled a number of myths in the past decade.  Technology companies were supposed to usher in a new economy – until we learned users don’t correlate with revenue.  Iraq was supposed to house weapons of mass destruction and terrorists – until our military found nothing there once we wiped out an entire government.  Homes were supposed to be safe assets and obtainable for everyone – until the sub-prime mortgage crisis hit.  The next lie we are about to come to terms with is both scary and personal for many of us.  We have been told by society that a college education is both critical and essential for a secure and successful future.  But if current trends continue, we will soon find that this is a lie and that a college education structured in its present format will harm and inhibit students far more than it will benefit them.  We will discuss the reasons below.

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China Capstone

One of the many trips to Olympic Green.

Since I’ve returned from Beijing, I’ve gotten a lot of questions asking “how was China?”  While I would love to share my thoughts on this manner, I realize that most conversations only leave room for a “great” or “different, but cool” type of response without going into details.  So consider this post to be an explanation of why my answers are brief, but even more so, I hope this post motivates more individuals to consider spending lengthy periods of time overseas in hope that their perspective and experiences will expand.  Read on for my thoughts on studying abroad!

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Winter Break in China

One of the last warm days of the year...

It’s finally over.  From a universal perspective, 2010 has passed and 2011 has begun.  And from a personal viewpoint, my semester in China rests on the cusp of completion.  There hasn’t been a post in the last few weeks since I haven’t experienced any groundbreaking situations; every new revelation is subtle and intangible.  But as we complete the most significant week of each year, I figured I’d share my experience and observations during this celebratory period, followed by general realizations.

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Stereotypes

Cougars are ballers all over the world!

I dislike stereotypes.  Stereotypes tend be used as an excuse to passively judge and label people without exerting an effort into getting to know and understand them on an intimate and personal level.  Granted, I understand the practicality and utilization of stereotypes, it’s essentially impossible to develop a strong relationship with every person you meet.  Thus, stereotypes provide shortcuts into generalizing and labeling individuals, allowing us to move on to other issues or matters which inhabit our lives.

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The Other Side

A couple of my Uncle's and I

It’s difficult to believe that it’s been nearly a month since I’ve last posted thoughts related to my current experience in China. It’s taken a couple months, but I think I’m firmly in a position of social and environmental comprehension. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been as eager to share my observations and perspectives; nothing really feels outlandish or remarkable anymore, everything related to a previous experience is old, and everything new is brushed off as just another peculiarity of China.

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