Princeton Plans for an Early Year Abroad
Planned for academic year 2009-10, Princeton University will be offering incoming freshman a chance to travel abroad and engage in social work for a year. This would give many students a chance to mature, see the world, and offer service to the globe’s needy. Long overdue, as far as I’m concerned.
(After Barack’s speech in Philadelphia on Tuesday, I’m inspired to be frank even if that means exposing some weaknesses in myself.)
It isnt difficult to find ills in this world and it isn’t uncommon to be feel disappointed, even ashamed by our less than wholehearted efforts to allay the aches of society. This feeling pervades all of us who have, to some extent, enjoyed privilege in our lives, to be where we are today. But in today’s dog-eat-dog world, many of us find it difficult to risk the opportunities of now, and the hard work we’ve devoted to earn those opportunities, to return the benefits that society has offered us (or our families). Many of us find sanctuary by telling ourselves that we will give back when we’ve accomplished our goals, and made our marks, professionally and otherwise. And despite our most lofty hopes and idealistic intentions, we are wrangled back to reality with mortgages, college savings for the kids, and the funeral for the in-laws. Fiscal life simply doesn’t end at 40. The ills of society then become the burden of our children and our children’s children; forever dismissed and ignored for the next generation to address.
Princeton’s response to this dilemma should be a clarion call to our government. Countries around the world already impose mandatory civic duty, where citizens have the option of military or civil service. The United States would certainly benefit from such a imposition and the startup cost would be negligible. Our armed forces would receive a much needed boost, as they are suffering from the worst recruiting rates in decades; and organizations like Teach for America, AmeriCorp and Peace Corp. already provide the infrastructure for widespread civil service.
Introducing this program, Princeton is sending a strong message to the students of posterity. It assures them that social service and charity do not conflict with the ability to flourish academically and professionally. And more importantly, it reminds them that the talents of the world’s best and brightest should not be limited to Fortune 500 companies.
