"Imagine the audacity of naming a serious institution of higher learning The New School_in 1919. Consider the genius of it now: the relentless and public imperative built in to that name, charging all future leaders, faculty, and students to challenge the status quo every day of every year, for nearly a century thus far. As the decades since its founding have brought a range and speed of transformation to the world unprecedented in human history, The New School has remained a fountainhead of social change, artistic daring, intellectual freedom, and educational innovation."
"The New School is a legendary, progressive university comprising eight schools bound by a common, unusual intent: to prepare and inspire its 9,400 undergraduate and graduate students to bring actual, positive change to the world. "
"...bold, progressive, kinetic, urban, engaged..."
"Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, provides an exceptional undergraduate experience for students for whom the traditional template of the ivory tower is too far removed from the issues and intrigues of the world at large. "
Just a few quotes I pulled from the website... Check out the history of the school at http://www.newschool.edu/history.html ... I found it extremely intriguing to realize just how this University has impacted our society, our global community through-out the last 89 years. I highly recommend this educational facility to anyone who has ever felt out of place, 'different' or has had a seemingly unusual life so far. For me, not only does this school sit on par with my belief in social responsibility... but it may even make an exception for my lack of secondary education/SAT scores.
For anyone that doesn't know... Due to the fact that I have been ill for majority of my life, in and out of hospital.... I had to drop out of high school in Grade 9. It has definitely been a rough journey but as any strong woman would say, I do not regret my experience; it has, infact, made me who I am today. I have gone through years of trying to regain that part of me... I have tried multiple government resources, such as obtaining an "Adult Graduation" or using programs such as Surrey Connect to obtain a high school diploma online. However, this hasn't worked so far.
In May, 2008 I enrolled in Kwantlen Polytechnic University as a "Mature Student" and although Kwantlen isn't an internationally recognized University... it is a first step to a real education. For those of you who don't know what a "Mature Student" is... it is a person who is over a certain age (in this case, 19) who does not have the recommended/required educational background. In my case, I had to write an entrance exam to determine what level I was at intellectually (aka... english test?). Fortunately for me, I have focused much of my life on developing my writing and my intellect and was able to enroll straight into University-level courses without needing upgrading.
I have always felt strongly about liberal/alternative education. Due to my past, I have been left with a desire to change. I see our education system in North America (although different in the USA and Canada, they are very similar) as a flawed system. They do have amazing programs for those students who lack ambition or determination, or have particular learning disabilities - However! They lack programs for students who wish to exceed expectations. This, in turn, leaves our gifted students wanting more. They often become bored and drop out to find another source of entertainment or to find a 'real' challenge. Sometimes, this is simply a job. Other times, unfortunately, it is drugs, alcohol or risky sex. With brutal honesty, I would like to state that I have experienced both.
Back to the point... The New School.
Since being introduced to this school merely two weeks ago (by Erica J. Weiss, Owner of Factor8 Productions - www.factor8productions.com), I have been researching it's history, credentials and offerings. The program that has stood out to me, is that of the self-designed Liberal Arts program offered by the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts. Please click the link for complete details on this degree: http://www.newschool.edu/lang/subpage.aspx?id=572
At this time, I am in the process of creating my proposal. Here is the hardcore (or nerdcore) proposal; a list for those of you who give a shit.
Focus? Human Rights in South Asia & the Middle East
A combination of Technical Skills and Intellectual Knowledge:
Technical Skills [Photography, Film Production, Journalism/Creative Writing]
Intellectual Knowledge [History, Political Science, Sociology, Pyschology & More]
Why? As I have said earlier, I feel a strong passion for social responsibility. I have spent my life determining how I can make a difference; where does my talent lay? Well, here is what I have found. I am an artist... a photographer, a writer. My skills lay with my art. My passion, however, lies with making a difference and more specifically, making a difference in human rights. Not only that, but I enjoy 'telling the story'. I want to be on the front lines... documenting the wars, the human-rights rallys, the passion that the people bring. This is where I am suppose to be... and to get there? I will gladly risk my life.
As I like to think ahead, I imagine I will narrow my focus to Queer/Gender rights in South Asia and the Middle East, most likely in time for my Masters Degree. A few facts for your interest...
Did you know...
That other than Thailand (which is almost common knowledge), IRAN has the most sex changes per year than ANY OTHER COUNTRY... and has since 1979! ... And we thought WE were progressive....
There are still 20+ countries in ASIA alone that have laws against homosexuality.
...more to come! but gotta run... Later!!! Enjoy.
"The New School is a legendary, progressive university comprising eight schools bound by a common, unusual intent: to prepare and inspire its 9,400 undergraduate and graduate students to bring actual, positive change to the world. "
"...bold, progressive, kinetic, urban, engaged..."
"Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, provides an exceptional undergraduate experience for students for whom the traditional template of the ivory tower is too far removed from the issues and intrigues of the world at large. "
Just a few quotes I pulled from the website... Check out the history of the school at http://www.newschool.edu/history.html ... I found it extremely intriguing to realize just how this University has impacted our society, our global community through-out the last 89 years. I highly recommend this educational facility to anyone who has ever felt out of place, 'different' or has had a seemingly unusual life so far. For me, not only does this school sit on par with my belief in social responsibility... but it may even make an exception for my lack of secondary education/SAT scores.
For anyone that doesn't know... Due to the fact that I have been ill for majority of my life, in and out of hospital.... I had to drop out of high school in Grade 9. It has definitely been a rough journey but as any strong woman would say, I do not regret my experience; it has, infact, made me who I am today. I have gone through years of trying to regain that part of me... I have tried multiple government resources, such as obtaining an "Adult Graduation" or using programs such as Surrey Connect to obtain a high school diploma online. However, this hasn't worked so far.
In May, 2008 I enrolled in Kwantlen Polytechnic University as a "Mature Student" and although Kwantlen isn't an internationally recognized University... it is a first step to a real education. For those of you who don't know what a "Mature Student" is... it is a person who is over a certain age (in this case, 19) who does not have the recommended/required educational background. In my case, I had to write an entrance exam to determine what level I was at intellectually (aka... english test?). Fortunately for me, I have focused much of my life on developing my writing and my intellect and was able to enroll straight into University-level courses without needing upgrading.
I have always felt strongly about liberal/alternative education. Due to my past, I have been left with a desire to change. I see our education system in North America (although different in the USA and Canada, they are very similar) as a flawed system. They do have amazing programs for those students who lack ambition or determination, or have particular learning disabilities - However! They lack programs for students who wish to exceed expectations. This, in turn, leaves our gifted students wanting more. They often become bored and drop out to find another source of entertainment or to find a 'real' challenge. Sometimes, this is simply a job. Other times, unfortunately, it is drugs, alcohol or risky sex. With brutal honesty, I would like to state that I have experienced both.
Back to the point... The New School.
Since being introduced to this school merely two weeks ago (by Erica J. Weiss, Owner of Factor8 Productions - www.factor8productions.com), I have been researching it's history, credentials and offerings. The program that has stood out to me, is that of the self-designed Liberal Arts program offered by the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts. Please click the link for complete details on this degree: http://www.newschool.edu/lang/subpage.aspx?id=572
At this time, I am in the process of creating my proposal. Here is the hardcore (or nerdcore) proposal; a list for those of you who give a shit.
Focus? Human Rights in South Asia & the Middle East
A combination of Technical Skills and Intellectual Knowledge:
Technical Skills [Photography, Film Production, Journalism/Creative Writing]
Intellectual Knowledge [History, Political Science, Sociology, Pyschology & More]
Why? As I have said earlier, I feel a strong passion for social responsibility. I have spent my life determining how I can make a difference; where does my talent lay? Well, here is what I have found. I am an artist... a photographer, a writer. My skills lay with my art. My passion, however, lies with making a difference and more specifically, making a difference in human rights. Not only that, but I enjoy 'telling the story'. I want to be on the front lines... documenting the wars, the human-rights rallys, the passion that the people bring. This is where I am suppose to be... and to get there? I will gladly risk my life.
As I like to think ahead, I imagine I will narrow my focus to Queer/Gender rights in South Asia and the Middle East, most likely in time for my Masters Degree. A few facts for your interest...
Did you know...
That other than Thailand (which is almost common knowledge), IRAN has the most sex changes per year than ANY OTHER COUNTRY... and has since 1979! ... And we thought WE were progressive....
There are still 20+ countries in ASIA alone that have laws against homosexuality.
...more to come! but gotta run... Later!!! Enjoy.