APerez_NYU

from a distance

Things seem to appear in a new light when you see them from a distance. I know that's not a revelation - but this past week it hit me again.

I spent the past couple of days exploring a new country with people I've known all my life. As we were driving through a beautiful (and small) country I kept thinking... what would my life be like if I had been born here instead of back home? After living in big cities all my life, could I move to a small town where life follows a different rhythm?

We talked about it (there was no radio reception in the car ninety percent of the time), and we discovered that none of us could leave the life we know and move there. Granted, it would be fun to do it for a couple of months - as a detox from our harried lifestyle - but forever?? It also got me to think about elearning... just how important and relevant is it?

How would course design be affected when you only have a couple of computers in an internet cafe? When the only uplink is via a phone line? When you never went past grade school? How do you pinpoint the WIIFM when basic needs haven't been met? Do more years of school make you a better person... or just one that has read more? Am I really getting something out of pursuing another degree? Will this make me happy?

None of these have answers... but they kept me very entertained.

It was a fantastic trip and it's great to be back home.

namaste,

posted by ap @ 6:00 PM