Are you discontent with the American education system? Do you constantly skip classes and lectures and feel like you’re not actually learning anything? Do you feel stuck in the same routine everyday and wish you could experience something new and exciting and different? Well, Minerva University may be the place for you.
When I graduated highschool, I knew I didn’t want to go to a normal university in my home country of Australia. I had lived in the same tiny country town my entire life and I needed to travel, see the world and experience something completely different. As I spent time looking into opportunities that could allow me to do that, I stumbled upon Minerva.
I was immediately intrigued. It had been ranked the number one most innovative university in the world; focused on providing students with practical skills that could be used in the real-world. They did this through small, seminar-based classes where every student participates in discussions rather than listening to lectures. There were no exams, but rather research-based assignments, many of which require students to go out into the city to get the information they need. Best of all, they emphasised the importance of global learning through their global rotation program and international student cohort. Students from over 100 different countries immersed themselves in the culture of six very different cities around the world where they lived and studied during their degree: San Francisco (USA), Seoul (South Korea), Berlin (Germany), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Taipei (Taiwan) and Hyderabad (India).
After initially doing some more research and finding talented Youtubers who had documented their Minerva experience (most notably is viral study blogger, Unjaded Jade), I felt confident that this was where I wanted to be. I began work on my application which consisted of three parts.
The first part was a general application like you would fill out for any university. The second part is a series of challenges which aim to test your IQ level, as well as your aptitude in general fields such as mathematics and english. The final part gives a place to show your academic achievements and accomplishments, which can include anything from being captain of your local soccer team to speaking at international events! Finally, in December, I received my acceptance letter and began the exciting wait for university to start the following August.
I started my journey in San Francisco, where I lived downtown for 8 months. This was my first time leaving home and the US was a big culture shock for me. Luckily, there were 120 other freshmen with me who were experiencing the exact same thing. We spent our first year taking part in online classes, exploring the city and taking part in Civic Projects. These projects are partnerships with companies in the city, which allow students to apply what they’re learning in class to a more professional environment.
During the summer, I went back to Australia to complete an internship and save money for my next semester which was in Seoul! As someone who loves Korean cinema (Bong Joon-Ho is my idol), I was very excited to spend four months in South Korea and learn about the language and culture. And of course eat lots of Korean BBQ! During my time in Seoul, I studied in the cutest cafes, wore a traditional hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace and completed an internship at a kpop company called ‘Singing Beetle’!
After some personal circumstances at the end of the first semester, I decided I wanted to travel alone for the next four months. So, I quickly stopped by Berlin to catch up with my Minerva friends who were spending their semester there and then travelled to London to spend two months living with my best friend from highschool. For the rest of the semester, I spent time in Argentina, Uruguay, USA and finally China, where I am planning to spend the rest of my summer vacation as an au pair. The beauty of Minerva’s online classes is that they can be taken from anywhere in the world! Students who need to be away from their class for any reason (e.g. financial, visa, mental health) can do so without worrying about missing out on academics!
From here, I will travel back to Argentina to spend eight months in Buenos Aires. After that is still unknown! Taipei and Hyderabad are still on the list but Minerva has recently added Tokyo as a rotation city, thanks to a generous grant from the Nippon Foundation. Although I’ve only finished my second-year, this university experience has already been unforgettable. I’ve made friends from countries I’d never even heard of, learned languages from each city and taken classes that have truly changed the way I see the world around me.
So, if you’re feeling discouraged after college admissions or you’re dissatisfied with your current university, don’t forget that there are plenty of alternative options out there. Maybe Minerva University isn’t for you, but there is always something that will give you exactly what you need! I hope you’ll find it soon.
