Bonsoir!

So I've gotten to thinking today about education in general, and the radically distinct differences between something akin to the type of program that I am currently on and university experiences in the United States. While many will claim that it does not matter where one completes their undergraduate degree, because of the assumption that their graduate degree, provided they are set to attain one, will provide them all the opportunity they could need, I would beg to differ. I used to believe that, mostly as compensation because I am surrounded by a pool of friends that are incredibly smart, talented, and motivated students and people. Yet somehow, in the last week, I've come to see the previous statement as entirely dysfunctional.

The distinct difference in the undergraduate experience, from the graduate experience, is just that: the experience. The top US colleges, and I am going to be very picky when say that and limit it pretty narrowly to the Ivies and a small handful of others, including a few liberal arts colleges, along with Duke and Stanford, are an entirely different experience than most others. The difference in the academics is not that large-many of the same classes and subjects are taught, and often the same textbooks are used. The distinction, then, for these schools, comes in two different places. First, these schools have the ability to hire the best of professors to teach their students, and to be in place for further research and undergraduate study. While they often get grief for not being easily accessible to the undergraduate population, I would argue that that is not as relevant as it is proclaimed to be.

The second is the student body. These top colleges have their pick of students, all vying for their spot at any school that will take them. That affords admissions departments the ability to choose whomever they feel fit, which creates often bright, motivated, and very interesting students who want to work in whatever subject they choose because they want to. It's vastly different when students are in their classrooms and have the distinct desire to be there, to do the work, to contribute to the environment that their educational opportunities present.

This summer program is one such idea. This is a radically different educational experience. This is a group that is talented, motivated, and brilliant-they are dedicated to their work and interested in doing what is best for their education because it is truly what they want. The Ivy League really isn't just about name as I'm realizing...it's instead about groups of students who really want to be there, to be present, to live in the moment and drink in the privilege and ability they have to stand in front of some of the greatest professors with assertive opinions and an open mind.

That's all for now, mostly because I'm exhausted.

Au revoir!