Education Is Not For Sale

Education should be free and equal for everybody.

Many universities in the U.S. cost us International Students over $32,000 per year. (The costs are roughly triple the cost paid by local students.) That said, in order to achieve a four-year Bachelor’s degree, I would have to pay approximately $128, 000, which without any financial aid or support from my parent seems just as possible as the U.S. shutting down its military. Even if I select the lowest cost option possible — community college, to get a higher education in the States, I’m still charged $263 per unit, while California residents are charged only $46 per unit. I have to pay 5.7 times more the price simply because I am not from California. It is more fair than a baby being born in Gaza, I guess.

The costs for receiving higher educations in the U.S. should have prevented many people from coming to the U.S to study. But it shouldn’t. Children from a wealthy family are already incredibly privileged, and the opportunity to get an education is more precious and imperative for a poor family.

Why should the place that we were born into, something we have no control over, determine if we can get educated?

A friend of mine has a rich family and was able to study in the U.S. But after a few months she told me she could not stand life in America.

I was stunned and said ”We should switch place.”

As far as I know, she skipped most of the classes and never graduated from high school. She still managed to get accepted by what many people believe, the second-best university in the state of Florida. USF. I have to say, she is lucky, but only in a certain light. All the accessibilities in her life made everything come too easy for her, it causes her disabilities in what she believes she can do. In the sight of that, I consider myself very lucky.

As the obstacles I encountered made me stronger, the short of money did not disable me from trying what I can to achieve what I want; it gave me, quite the contrary, strength, to face difficulties in life. It did not stop people like me who have a dream to give up. It opened doors for me.

Because I have a poor family, I would try extra hard to get what I want.

Because I have a poor family, I would not give up easily.

Because I have a poor family, I know to be grateful for what I have.

Because I have a poor family, I always give a hand to people who’s also in need.

Because I have a poor family, I always give things I couldn’t do a second try. Third, fourth…

Because I have a poor family, I never let go of any opportunities to learn and to grow.

Because I have a poor family, does not mean I am inferior to anybody else.

But because I have a poor family, I could not go to school in the U.S.

I don’t know how could I afford the cost for my education.

But I am here, never to give up learning.