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Comments

[Mati]

Saratica,

I always enjoy your blogs. I was in CR last year for a few months on an educational exchange. I couldn't imagine setting down roots there because of the slower pace -- while loving the pace. Where's Dr. Freud when you need him?I became friendly with several ex-pats and was fascinated by their courage in making the kind of life change that others envy. Your family is delightful. What a gift you are giving your boys in living abroad!

Best of luck while you navigate the waters of long-term decision making. I'll come see the geezer band when I visit my buddies in CR again.

Mati

[James]

I agree with your comment about the questionable worth of a college degree. I have been carrying on a discussion about this matter with my siblings who are making financial sacrifices so their kids can attend college.
Overall, the dispensation of college degrees is first and foremost a business here in the States. I hesitate to judge whether the motives of educators are strictly economical in all cases, but it is obvious to me that most of the recently degreed people I know can barely compose a grammatically correct paragraph or locate Costa Rica on a map. What kind of general education are people receiving when 9 out of ten graduates cannot name a single well known American writer from the 19th century?
Whatever my 14 year old decides to do later on when he reaches that age, I would like for him to have the option of college but I would not try to make him feel it was obligatory. There are so many other avenues not requiring a degree from which to choose . Why limit his choices?

[Saratica]

Hi Mati, thanks for your encouragement. If I can slow down, anyone can. At least once you are past 50... I keep forgetting I'm past 50. No matter: it's all good!

James, all well put. Those are exactly the questions and answers we've been coming up with. A friend pointed out that government loans are a part of the picture as well... our gov needs the money and these are big. There is no question our schools have been dumbed down. I was one of the ones who could not write a sentence grammatically correct when I graduated high school. Some would argue I still can't... I got accepted into a good college with my straight A's from H.S. and I couldn't locate anywhere but KY on a map! Pathetic. And all those subjects... what I use today and what I really need in life are reading, writing, 'rithmetic, typing and problem solving skills. Actually problem solving tops the list. They don't teach that ANYWHERE. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the topic. Most people can't even hear it, they look at me dumbfounded if I say it out loud. It's always nice to know you aren't the only one!