Why go to university?

                                                                                            Moti Nissani, USA (1947- )

I. Literal Comprehension

Context: This essay is written by a contemporary American writer, Moti Nissani.

Going to university might be a stressful situation in our life when we have family responsibilities and job. We cannot work and earn. Instead, we have to pay for our education and living expenses. We will have to put an extra effort. But there are many advantages of going to university. First, one may get lucrative job and promotion, and improve one’s income and social status by getting a university degree. Second, a person with knowledge is protected from many troubles in life and will not be cheated. He can handle even difficult situations rationally. Third, a knowledgeable person generally enjoys better health than anyone else in the society because he can avoid many risks for his health. Fourth, he knows the values of exercise for the mind as well as for the body. He keeps his mind healthy and fit by reading regularly. Fifth, a learned man is respected in any kind of society. A person with all other qualities is not regarded so highly until he is educated. Sixth, university education also makes a person inquisitive and curious. Then, knowledge becomes its own reward. Seventh, one can widen one’s social horizons by making new friends and sharing new experiences at the university. A university provides an alternative setting for satisfying our needs for companionship, personal growth, and friendship. Education also increases our freedom. It makes us less dogmatic about our own beliefs, and more tolerant about the beliefs of others. The knowledge about the universe is worth having. Finally, only educated people can help democracy develop. They can judge the policy makers and their policies while preventing the leaders from misusing their power for their own interest.

II. Interpretation

This essay might be trying to tell us that only education has made human beings different from the animals. Therefore, we must try to be educated by going to university. Otherwise, we will have no right to call ourselves the wisest creature on earth. We should also get university education to lead a happy, civilized and meaningful life.  

III. Critical Thinking

Even though I agree with the writer for his appreciation and strong support for the university education, I don’t think it’s possible for us in Nepal to get knowledge just for the sake of knowledge. Mostly, we are job-oriented. We want to get a high-paying job after the graduation. But there is no guarantee for the better job and higher income after the university education unless we have somebody in power. I also don’t believe that scholars are more respected than rich businessmen or politicians in Nepal. In fact, an educated person is miserable if he doesn’t have a good base of parental property.

I            IV .  Assimilation

Education helps us, directly or indirectly, to lead a quality life. Education also readies people for good practice of democracy. Actually, democracy cannot sustain unless the people are educated because they are easily misled by the cunning leaders. Therefore, now I know why democracy has not been so fruitful in Nepal.