Peace by Piece

Many people are confused when they hear about the University for Peace.  They may wonder, "What happens up there?"  It sounds mystical and brings to mind images of hippies and tree huggers convening in some kind of utopia.  I can assure you, we are enrolled in graduate school and as you know from me, are kept quite busy with our studies.  That being said, some of the most important learning does not take place in a classroom. We are 180 students from over 50 countries.  It sounds interesting, no?  A lot of fun, right?  Yes, it is but it is also a perfect place for misunderstandings and conflict.  We are essentially practicing peace in a microcosm of the world.  Globalization is as real as it's going to get.  Our economies are all tied together and so is how we manage our daily lives, not only because of our economic effect on others, but also our environmental impact on our global home.  In order to reduce some of the injustices of the world caused by globalization, w

Spring break.  Florida.  It's not your typical college student Florida beach spring break but it's just what I needed.  My first real foray into society since beginning my graduate school career has landed me with my family for a relaxing vacation at my parents condo.  There are many reasons why I am lucky.  While my parents generosity has made the list for quite some time, my family's patience and unconditional love are ranking high.  In discussion with my friends at school it was conferred that we might need to tone it down upon re-entry to general society but this trip quickly proved the point. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  In graduate school we are bombarded with it and then asked to examine it, go deeper and virtually live in a world of continual testing and theorizing.  At first, it was tiring at times but lately I have come to cherish Saturday morning breakfasts at the market where groups of students gather to off-handedly discuss government policies, education,