Note: I didn't study journalism in college so this is mostly for my own interests. I call it my "independent research".

Higher Education

By: Jessi K. Axe

Being an undergraduate in the state of Florida requires a lot of time spent outside due to our very favorable weather. Spring Break could be every week and, yes, we all have tans. However, we also spend a great deal of time in all-night study sessions for finals, group projects, and senior thesis papers that will decide our futures. We have our fair share of fun but we also work hard to get all we can out of our universities. There is also a culture in Florida that surrounds our state schools that, while begging us to ridicule our rivals mercilessly, at the same time unites us as a community and a state. But, without proper funding, many students who contribute greatly to the celebrated culture will be unable to attend college and some will face great personal and economic hardships in order to finish their degrees.

Currently, there have been extensive discussions about financial education reform in an effort to balance national and state budgets. On the national level some of the cuts will be directed towards higher education taking away the ability to access Pell Grants during summer sessions and increasing tuition cost across the nation. Most state universities require students to take a certain number of credit hours during the summer terms. The University of Florida included. A good portion of students and their families who are already financially burdened by the weak global economy and have accrued tuition and living debt will not be able to afford taking out personal or federal loans and will not be able to pay out of their own pockets. Many heavily burdened students have part-time jobs that take away from critical study time or work during the summers through paid internships in order to pay tuition, but without federal and state aide, it’s not enough. In the State of Florida alone the Governor has proposed cutting $340 million from college and university education and research but will not cut from Florida Bright Futures, a state wide scholarship program for outstanding students.

But then what about the job market for those about to graduate? Even if a student were to excel academically there are no guarantees that there is a job waiting for them so they can pay off their student loan debts. Some post grads are turning to public service jobs like Teach for America or the Peace Corps in order to gain experience, travel, defer payments on their loans, and avoid the agonizing search for a job. Maybe some intentions aren’t as noble as they seem but it still raises global awareness for developing nations so it can’t be too bad, right?

Some of these questions are better left answered by the people it most affects like my friends Ravi and Kaitlyn. Their stories are not so different from a lot of students. They’re facing the abyss that is the U. S. job market and looking for alternatives if their initial goal cannot come to fruition, while also making plans to pay off their loans.

First, I and my husband met up with Ravi who is a first generation American. We met as anyone in South Florida would meet their friend, at the beach. Ravi presently lives back home with his mom and tutors in the heavy sciences while he is waiting to hear back from several dental schools he’s applied to. Before graduating from UF in 2010, Ravi was in the application process for the Peace Corps. His plans included two years of service then on to dental school but due to some family circumstances he denied his service and decided to move back home and started applying to grad schools.

After waiting about twenty minutes on the warm sand I receive a call and its Ravi saying that parking is a nightmare so it will be a couple more minutes. Twenty more minutes later and we see Ravi absentmindedly strolling towards the surf and looking in the opposite direction I told him we would be. Ravi is what you describe to other people as “that friend”. You know the one who is always doing something regrettably silly but is sharply intelligent and has some redeemable qualities. He is also very “American” as he describes himself compared to the rest of his family. His use of the word “dude” is as versatile as it is extensive.

Being a recent college graduate and facing an uncertain future, I wondered what his biggest challenges have been coming home after graduation. As he is standing in front of us wearing bright yellow gym shorts, which he intends to swim in, he contemplates the last year and what my question might be driving at. Referring to the change in geography and social atmosphere he replies, “You realize when you enter the general population that it’s not the same thing…I appreciate what UF gave me because I am way ahead of the curve…” and as he trailed off in this stark vein you could literally feel the warmth radiated by his initially jovial manner wane away, and a much more serious, almost resigned expression noticeably wax over his face.

When I bring up the job market and grad school he becomes gradually flustered but manages to keep a kind smile on his face. “I’m going to keep applying if I don’t get in this time.” He pauses then in one breath says “Like, damn it! I did four years at UF, I prepped for the Peace Corps…I just might not be able to do a ‘plan b’.” But then in another breath resumes his optimism by saying “What I’m doing here [tutoring] is a good thing. I’m helping students. I’m good at teaching and I want to keep doing it in some capacity.”

His future plans involve starting a private practice where he can also perform dental work for children in developing countries and promote public health. But most of all he wants to be able to take care of his family and eventually his future wife. “I’ve matured more this year because of what I’ve had to go through in this process. But I didn’t think I was going to be here.”

I first met Kaitlyn at her current job as a leasing specialist. For the last four years Kaitlyn has worked several jobs; waitressing, working in retail, and also giving art lessons. Her major is Graphic Design which she calls a “broad major, like economics.” Her ideal plan involves attending Notre Dame for her Master’s degree then becoming a creative director. But she also has a “plan b”. “…I’m trying to be realistic…and maybe I’ll get a job here in Gainesville and work for this company, so working in the office has been a good starting off point. But I’m hoping people will always pay for creativity.”

Her manner is typical of a young woman who grew up near the beach. She is easy going and has no trouble chatting with someone she doesn’t know very well. She is well spoken and reminds me of someone that should be on television. As we sat outside the coffee shop that evening I noticed that everyone surrounding us was either a student or a teacher. Living in Gainesville as a post graduate has desensitized me to how many people rely on our education system because I’m surrounded by it. Nearly everyone in Gainesville relies on the University in some way or another. And people are becoming more and more concerned with where we are headed. Kaitlyn adequately describes the current fears of students by adding, “Scholarships have decreased and tuition has increased so that’s my biggest concern…I’m already having a tough time taking 12 [credits] and working 30 hours a week. It’s just exhausting.”

The sun had gone down and the wind was picking up its pace. Kaitlyn and I were starting to feel a bit chilly so we were both glad the interview had reached its end. But before we parted ways I had to ask her if she had any advice for incoming freshmen being that she is a student well adapted to university life, and she replied in a cautious but calm tone, “Stay on top of all their changes because a lot of things go unnoticed. Communication [between students] is crucial.”

Education at all ages plays a vital role in our nation’s success. Scholarships and Grants create motivation and opportunity for students and reward them for their hard work. A system that rewards merit and intellectual accomplishment will benefit generations of young people trying to thrive in this country. Decreasing scholarships and funding for research programs will limit a student’s access to higher education, and we will find ourselves behind in innovation and productivity against countries that believe education is one of their vital resources. But the good news is that we can still turn things around, eventually.

After thoughts on arrival and subsequent journeying- The flight was long but in retrospect went by very quickly like everything else seems to be going. It has been more than two weeks and it feels like we have done so much. Zambians are the friendliest people I have ever met. (sorry Southerners) Everyone is constantly smiling and greeting one another. Our first week was not short of greetings in the three major languages: Bemba, Nyanja, and Kikaonde. My fellow trainees are some of the most interesting and loveable people. In short I am in love with my intake and we all get along swimmingly. So no worries on the making friends front. The Peace Corps is a special group of people and we thrive on the camaraderie. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing group of people. We play football all the time when we aren’t in class and when it isn’t pouring or so humid outside we can’t breathe. You would think during the rainy season some cool weather would come in once and a while. The weather here sometimes makes me want to peel my skin off. And I am from Florida! The language I am learning is Kikaonde which is spoken in the North Western Province of Zambia. Our group has come to calling ourselves the NWA ( the North Western Alliance). We wear bicycle gloves to show our allegiance. The LIFE Program is a lot more than I thought it would be. We have a wide range of projects we can work on from school clubs to tree nursery. I am excited to be posted and see what my community wants and is willing to work on with me. Life here really is not bad. I live in a clay and mud hut with a grass roof and I sleep sort of soundly. By night I study with my head lamp inside my mosquito net covered mattress that is laid skillfully on the floor. In between studying I text Scott to see how his day is starting off. The time difference does not see to be an issue. My host mother’s name is Ba Rona Tembo or as I call her “bamaama”. I have three siblings- Joshua, Cayonmbo, and Combe. They are very well mannered and love all my little gadgets. Joshua giggled with glee over my camera. (Pictures will be posted soon.) Last Sunday on my short wave radio we listened to the BBC and heard some 1930’s Latin music. I am loving Africa but I do find myself thinking frequently of home. So let me know how you are. Love you guys.

So lately I have not been able to get rid of this neck pain I got about a week ago. I have been stretching and yes, cracking my neck whenever I can but nothing is working.

I told this to my Pap today when we were taking my brother to the eye doctor and he said that it's probably stress. He said that sometimes our brain has the ability to shut out the things we don't want to confront but it will show itself at some point. He said aches and pains come from the build up of stress that accumulates when we don't address our worries.

My biggest worry is Zambia. I leave in a week and a half and I have been trying to save my worries for the plane. I feel I can endure a little bit more pain until I can freak out on the aircraft. (Silently of course, I don't want to be arrested.) I just do not want to confront what I fear most, just yet.

I have four weeks left before I venture to Africa. At this present time I have not really thought about what my reaction will be to leaving everything I know behind me.

The Peace Corps is the job I want. For me it is my dream job. I am excited and terrified at the same time. But I think this would not be worth anything if it did not frighten me to the point of wanting to piss myself.

As of now I am spending as much time with family, friends, and Scott as I can. The only reasonable thing I feel I can do is take everyday as it comes. This includes being in Zambia as well. Flexibility will be my only ally in the coming months.

My job is with the LIFE (Linking Income, Food, and the Environment) Program. I am told by some volunteers already serving in Zambia that this program is grade "A". I will get to work with children and teachers as well as farmers and environmentalists. Possibilities for learning seem endless, almost as if two years is not enough.

For now I have nothing of interest to talk about. My mind is all over the place. Life is just exciting right now.