Topic 3: Where Choices Lead

In regards to being in PAS, it was not entirely my choice. The opportunity costs of getting me to PAS mainly apply to my parents. Of course, the obvious cost was the actual price of the tuition fee. However, other costs include time and effort. My parents have worked very hard and very long to get me to this school, and also, it took a lot of effort to raise me. However, I believe that they saw this school, or any other such schools, as a means for me to succeed in future, which may in turn be an investment, because my success determines how much I can support them in the future. Moreover, they probably wanted the best for their children because parents like to see their efforts come to best results. If I had control over whether or not I would have came to this school at all, I would say that it was a good idea. Although PAS is not the best of schools, it is undeniable that by being here, I have a lot more opportunities and gain a lot more globalized knowledge compared to where I would be if I had gone to a Taiwanese local school. Moreover, although this is not a perfect school, I can always take a lesson out of everything that goes wrong, or right, in our school. I believe that the most obvious result is my ability in english and critical reading. As opposed to the Taiwanese system,  which emphasizes a lot on memorization, the American system is more ‘liberal’ in the sense that it is not necessary to memorize everything, but that the most important thing is to apply concepts and develop individual thinking capacity. However, comparing PAS to other similar international or american schools, perhaps other schools can provide with the same benefits. Nevertheless, I believe that PAS was a good option for me, because I learn how to deal with people and events in a very limited environment, and in a school so abundant on academics and extracurricular activities, I believe that this provides me with more opportunities. Even so, I must admit that even with such benefits, there are also future problems and the growing competition in the “real world,” so like most investments, a profit is not guaranteed.