Studying English at Queens College changed my perception of daily life and understanding of how to live a meaningful one. Reading and analyzing works of literature allowed me to stray outside of the bubble I had grown up in. In my town in Long Island, 20 minute drive from QC in average traffic, Success for a guy like me had a rather clear definition: $100,000+ a year with a 401K plan, a tanned wife with well-done highlights, your boyz ( the Z is mandatory and all, or at least the majority, of them should have 6-packs), a car that shines like a diamond in the desert, and don’t forget to make sure the priest at church knows your name to take care of that whole Soul situation. Freshman year at QC my ideals were all of the above.
I am writing this from Central African Republic where I work for Doctors Without Borders as a Logistician in an isolated village. We are operating a pediatric hospital, since vicious conflict in 2014-2015 left the country without basic public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and police. It is a mentally and physically taxing lifestyle, yet there is nothing I would rather be doing right now. Since graduating Queens College I have been in the humanitarian field either abroad or stateside. I attribute my drastic change in values to a message I gathered from reading, lectures, and discussions with fellow students that I believe was captured by the Irish poet by W.B. Yeats when he said, “In dreams begin responsibilities.” Literature opened my mind and allowed me to redefine my parameters of success. In the background right now a group of men and women are chanting in tones brought up from some pocket of their throats that I did not know existed before coming here. I am able to understand that as a type of currency due to a message gathered from books. The shiny car can wait.
I really enjoyed reading this response because of how Shane took value from an English education at QC. Most people responded about how the technical aspects of the English degree have helped them in their careers, but Shane responded with how a background in literature has helped him change his perspective. This response resounds with me so much because I truly believe that reading has the power to open your eyes to new and different ways of thinking. I’ve traveled to places and times throughout the world in books that I never would have been able to physically. I’ve also learned that it’s okay that I dropped out of the rat race long ago and that I don’t need that shiny brand name diploma or six figure car. There are always things to learn in life, no matter how much you think you know, and I truly believe that studying English has broadened my thoughts and skills in ways any other field would not be able to. A student of mine described it perfectly to me once: With English, you can study anything – science, math, history, art – but if you study one of those individually, you’re trapped in that area and can’t jump around.
I agree with Jay, I really like how the shift of the value of education occurred. I think it is safe that everyone upon entering college wants to gear towards that “american dream” that idealizes what it means to be successful. I also like to travel and the only language that seems to be a bit universal is English. You can find it everywhere and almost everyone in the world in different countries will understand you or at least something there is to be said. I think the dream and thinking of what it means to be successful changes and evolve over the time in school. Based on what we learn and how we perceive success through knowledge changes. I know it did for me because I too, once believed having a 100K salary will make me successful with a nice car, now I find more pleasure in receiving a smile or a positive comment of thankfulness.