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Transition from young person to functioning adults

Blogger 莱尔德recently throug hher comments on a couple of my blog articles raised    the interesting  and usefu lquestion which is the title of this blog, namely the best way to  educate a person, male or female, formal education or real world experience. Traditionally, the answer for majority  of the world and population is “formal schooling first, then enter the real world and work until  one retires”. However, formal schooling (from 6-26 if graduate study is involved) for 20 years  is a very long time.   Furthermore, all theory and no practice may not the best approach. Finally, gender difference  and considerations are another set of factors. Thus at least for those who have the time and money,  we have custom such as,

1.    Junior year abroad

2.    Work experience during summer vacations

3.    A couple years of real world work experience before graduate school  (e.g.,Harvard Business School requires work experience as part of admission requirements)

4.    Female only colleges such as the famous “seven sisters” colleges in the Northeast  of the US  ( Wellesley, Radcliffe, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Vassar, Barnald, and Byrn mawr).

Now let me say a few word on each of these point (based on my American experience):

·        I am definitely in favor of some real world work experience between college and graduate school  not only just for financial reasons but it is a process of maturation. One appreciates graduate  school far  more if there are some interruption between UG and Graduate education.

·        It used to be among the well-to-do that extensive (European) travel is part of college education.   Chinese saying“Travel a thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books” is based on the same  reasoning.

·        Sexual revolution of the 60s-70s and continuous gender equality movement caused  a   decline in women-only colleges. The idea is that with equality women no longer need   the  environment and protection of female-only college to be educated. Thus we see, for example ,    Radcliffe being merged into Harvard. Some all-female colleges, such as Vassar, going co-ed in order to survive in  recent   years. But the idea that certain groups of people (female or “late bloomer”) need a nurturing and    protected environment to grow during college years remains valid.  Thus, small colleges  as opposed to universities such as Swarthmore, Williams, Wellesley, and Mills still  have their place and will survive.

·        Earning a living and learn to manage money is an important part of growing up. Money you earn from  your own sweat and labor takes on different meaning and respect from money  your parents lavish on  you.

Finally, selection of a college and learning to survive and prosper in the real world depends on the person.   There is no “one size fits all” approach to this important transition in life.    But the above discussions provide some background for consideration by parents and students.