Education: A Privilege or A Right? by Claudia

Education: A Privilege or A Right? by Claudia - August 2018 Scholarship Essay

During my time at my undergraduate institution, I was able to have international experiences that helped with paving my career path and peaking my interests. I went to Chile as part of a global field study course to learn about the 2008 student protests that demanded reform of the education system following Pinochet’s military dictatorship policies. These protests were sparked as a result of the history of subsidized private schools which created a disparity between the rich and poor students and their accessibility to education and its resources. Speaking first hand to Chilean students, I learned that education is an issue that crosses beyond marginalized lines and affected all students of varying socioeconomic levels. The following year I studied abroad for a semester in Cape Town, South Africa. It was here I came face to face with actual student protests, which were against raised university tuition and institutionalized racism. Wealth disparity is extremely prevalent, in part due to the history of Apartheid. This history has created consequences for Black students in modern South Africa whose families could not previously accumulate wealth due to racial laws. While in Cape Town, I volunteered at an after-school program in a township, home to majority Black and Coloured populations, and I witnessed a student kicked out of the class session by the director because his family was late on their payment to the program.
Education, across the globe, is seen as a privilege, rather than what it should be — a right. It is easily accessible for those with the monetary resources, but what happens to the other millions of students who do not the same access? Upon entering university, I believed the purpose of my degree was to get a good job that would provide a comfortable lifestyle. As students preparing for the next step, we are told by everyone — parents, teachers, and even cross-cultural societies — that an education would pave the way to finding a job and buying a house. However, at the end of my time at university, I realized, and I hope others have realized, the true purpose of our degrees was to put forth into the world the education and experiences we had in a positive manner. We should all want to evoke a positive change for others; members of our community and those across the ocean who we have never met. No matter our degree programs, we as university students and college graduates should promote accessible education across the globe. Education is not only an opportunity, but it is the sustainability of a nation. Without educated students, there would be no politically engaged citizenry, there would be no economic development, there would be no knowledge of health-related issues, and the list goes on. It is the foundation of our international system that keeps our degrees meaningful. The student with the MBA and the student with the BFA have a lot in common — globalization. My podcast would be focused on the importance of global educational development.
I have decided to pursue a Master’s in International Education at New York University to focus on global educational development with a concentration in peace and conflict studies. I will be taking courses such as International Ethics: Rights and Responsibilities, Sociology of Education in Developing Areas, and Comparative Politics, Education, and Conflict; just to name a few. As well, I will have the opportunity to study abroad and intern abroad in countries such as Ghana and Argentina to learn more about educational accessibility. With this new insight from my experiences, I will remind people the impact of globalization and the importance of education as a right. The platform of my education podcast would be to inform and inspire others to also use their education to make education accessible for every student.