Teach for America vs. Peace Corps

I would teach. Plain and simple. I've always enjoyed working with kids, and I could see myself becoming a college professor or teaching in some form at some point in my career. I think I would get a lot out of either one. The Peace Corps would probably be a great experience. After spending a semester in Spain, I would relish the opportunity to travel more and develop an even better understanding of other peoples, in addition to spreading American culture to others. After spending time abroad, I realized that many foreigners don't really understand American culture and I would love to be able to share the American life with others.

But Teach for America stresses educational equality and impacting kids. That to me is far more valuable. In low-income communities throughout the U.S., there are schools that can't afford the means to provide a solid education for students. Every child has the right to a good education, and if I can help just a few more children receive the education they deserve, I would be satisfied. Granted, I wouldn't be a certified teacher and wouldn't be as experienced as other might be, but I really think I could make a difference and provide something special to these kids.

Robert D. Kaplan

We need to be more aware of the future. In Robert Kaplan's article, he brings to light several points that people need to understand. Too often, Americans think inside of a bubble, rarely worrying about life outside of their little town, let alone their country. But the fact of the matter is that the future of global relations is in jeopardy. People who have never been to Africa have no idea of how the world really is. I've been to Morocco and rode a camel through the Sahara Desert. I saw young kids walking through the desert trying to sell me things. These kids never had a chance at a childhood. I can easily relate to Kaplan's personal thoughts. I've been there too. I've seen it. The conflicts that countries in Africa and in Asia face every day are ones that us snug Americans could never even begin to fathom.

There are also the environmental concerns, which Americans are starting to get a glimpse of through global warming. But sustainability isn't stressed enough, and even the people who know a problem exists still leave their computers on all night, leave the bathroom light on during the day, and take 30-minute showers.

It's scary to think of what our world could be like in 20 years. We need to better take care of the environment, ourselves, and each other.