Why I'm Thankful for my Liberal Arts Degree...

"So, uh... what do you want to do with that?"

"What kind of job do you want to get?"

"What can you do with a degree in Global Studies?"

Yeah, yeah, yeah. If you had a liberal arts education, I'm sure that these questions are way too familiar. Maybe you've spent family holidays dreading when the question will pop up at the dinner table. Maybe you've spent some time coming up with an answer that sounds logical, purposeful and perhaps all-encompassing enough to avoid further questions. Maybe you've resorted to grad school.

I relate. I really do. With a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Global Studies and a concentration in Arabic and the Middle East and a focus on Wealth, Poverty and Development, I really don't have a clear career path set out before me. Too bad there's no such thing as a Global Studyarian. I'd be a prime candidate, I tell you.

And while it sounds like I'm bemoaning my education that gave me very few tangible skills and an extremely vague career path, I can tell you quite confidently that I loved my liberal arts education (LAE). And I'll tell you why...

I learned to read and to read well. I've read anthologies, research papers, novels, poetry and ethnographies. I've learned how to learn from a variety of sources-- not just text books. My classes explored documentaries, novels, TV shows, fiction and non fiction alike. No, not always the most "reliable" sources, but we were encouraged to figure out what we could learn from unlikely sources.

I had the freedom to explore my interests. Okay, so I understand that my specific LAE is not necessarily the norm... but I loved when it came time to pick new courses. Other than making sure that I got into the Arabic class I needed, I would sit and browse through all the courses. If one looked even mildly interesting, I'd write it down... and then when I was through, I'd figure out how to get into as many as possible. It was fabulous. I was excited for all my classes every semester. Only twice did they disappoint, but even then... hey, everyone has to take a class or two you didn't like, right?

I had time to learn a foreign language. So huge. I loved this. I took Arabic every semester I was in university. I was able to take Portuguese for a semester and no, it did not set me back on my graduation timeline. I'm grateful for that opportunity and I already miss the ease that existed in taking a foreign language.

I learned to look into a topic, find an argument and then make a point. Though I wrote plenty in high school and I have always enjoyed writing, my university education helped me come up with my own topics... form my own arguments and make my own points. I wasn't writing a paper on what my teacher wanted, rather I was structuring a paper on what I wanted. I learned to present information, not just in way that made sense to me, but in a way that others could follow well.

My education changed they way I think. I've learned to process the world apart from simple formulas or equations that should work, but rarely do. I've learned to see the world from an extremely interdisciplinary perspective. Our society's problems cannot be pinpointed to a single discipline. Poverty? Definitely more than economics at work there. Oppression? Whoops, more is needed than social justice. Lack of education? Yup, building schools won't fix it. This complex world was explored in and through my classes.

Oh, and... I was able to graduate in three years. Sure, I didn't do a double degree, I didn't get a minor and took some summer classes. But I was able to finish early! Enough said :)

The hardest part about not having a job or an occupation is not the free time. The problem is not not having things to do.

You see, there are many things that I can do and that I do do. I've been extremely involved with several non-profits here and my volunteer experience in Guelph will be enough to fill a resume by the time this year is up. I have cooked much, translated much, read much, slept much and have certainly found things to do. I have crocheted a scarf and I'm learning to knit. I've tried yoga and currently manage six Facebook pages. I've patched clothing, made homemade flour tortillas, have dreams of starting to garden and keep up with many blogs. I don't sit around with nothing to do. Sure, I have days where I do absolutely nothing, but that's not because there is nothing to do. I just chose not to do it.

The hardest part, then, is having nothing that must be done... No schedule that must remain fixed, no deadlines that cannot be moved and no appointments that must be kept. And with this, comes the assumption that my time is free... cheap... usable...shareable...and expendable. Since none of my commitments are pressing, they're rarely seen as true "commitments." Since my tasks are not jobs, other tasks can take their place.

That... that is the hardest part.

Restlessnes... Better When

I will feel better once I get my work permit.

I'll definitely feel less lonely once I make friends here.

We'll be happier once we're plugged into a church.

My thoughts wander along these thoughts and many other similar ones... consistently. I find that this is a well-trodden path. Definitely not the path least traveled. I know I'm stuck in a season of much waiting and have plenty of extra time, and I know that moving to a new country and new city takes many, many long months of transition, and I know that getting plugged into a church takes time and I know that not having a job is simply something I cannot change. I know all of these things. I know them full well.

And though having a job, making friends and getting connected to the local community are all good things and will all be welcomed blessings, they cannot be the things that bring me joy and purpose. My ultimate joy and purpose come from the Lord, not my occupation. My joy and purpose come from Jesus, not my (lack of) social connections. My joy and purpose come from God, not my church community. 

The New Year is a time of many goals and anticipation as we look ahead, but lately, I feel that's all that I've been doing. I've been waiting for each new milestone, as if that one will bring more contentment. In no way am I trying to discourage New Year Resolutions or the beautiful gift of making goals and looking forward, but for me, right now, in this time, I need to look here. 

I need to see the beautiful gifts that Jesus has given me right here. Right now. I must  smile with gratitude every time Lucas comes home and his simple presence makes me burst into laughter. I must enjoy our beautiful home and find the ways to bless our community today. I have to choose to be thankful for Skype, Facebook, What'sApp and every other service that allows me to communicate with my friends and family  that live thousands of miles away... instead of being bitter about the distance.

I still have New Year Resolutions, believe me, I do. I'm too much of a goal-setter to drop them altogether... but I'm certainly looking forward to loving this season instead of waiting it out, hoping it'll be over soon.