On the day of the Inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, a call has been made to individuals worldwide to seek their humanity. President Barack Hussein Obama and his young family will have many things to get used to in their new home. As president in a time of economic recession, war, and on the end cusp of a worldwide anti-American sentiment, this one man has seemingly changed the course of history. In his words, "Change will not come by waiting for some other person...We are the ones we've been waiting for."
I am a first year student, attending University in the province of Ontario, Canada. How does this historic day relate to the creation of a blog about Transitions in the Ontario university system? My personal experience to-date has been less than exceptional, with an unexpected strike (quite possibly in connection with current world economic order) forcing me to re-think my path, and change universities half-way through. I could certainly have given up hope, allowed myself to sink into the dissolution that my situation has no possibility for change. I could easily have quit, but I haven't because I am still hopeful. I still believe in numerous possibilities through education that so excited me when I began this journey. I want to share my experience with those just beginning to make the decisions that affect their post-secondary educationm, so that they will be prepared to succeed.
Like the Obamas, students face a variety of new challenges and a huge adjustment period in the transition to university. In our world, citizens face an even wider array of challenges to their livelihood, their optimism, and their humanity. Barack Obama, now in the centre of a challenging world should be inspiration to us all. There are two questions we, as new and soon-to-be members of the community of post-secondary education constantly ask ourselves: Can we fulfill our dreams, and can we make a difference in the world? To both of these questions, the answer so fitting for the day is "YES WE CAN!"
