I went back to school

For 19 years, I said I would never go back to school.

Then I discovered a Harvard University program designed for working professionals who wanted to pursue a complete graduate degree while maintaining the flexibility required by careers and families.

Returning to the classroom became one of the best decisions I have ever made. Pursuing a Master’s in International Relations from Harvard University through Harvard Extension School renewed my interest in global affairs and connected me with outstanding classmates around the world.

Faculty members including John Paul Rollert, Thomas Ponniah, Ariane Liazos, Gloria Ayee, and Mona Sue Weissmark challenged me to examine ideas more carefully and understand international issues from perspectives beyond my own.

Going back to school as an adult felt different from studying when I was younger. Professional experience gave the material more context, while the academic demands revealed how much I still had to learn. Balancing work, life, and coursework was difficult, but the difficulty made the achievement more meaningful.

The experience reinforced that education does not belong to one stage of life. Curiosity can return after years away from a classroom. A single course can reopen an interest that responsibilities pushed aside, and a flexible pathway can make an ambitious goal possible.

Thank you to Dean Nancy Coleman for visiting DFW, Jill Felicio for developing a strong alumni network, and Ariel Gamiño for his leadership as Extension School president and as a fellow Texan.

If you are considering returning to school, do not assume the opportunity has passed. You may discover that the timing you once considered late is exactly when the experience can matter most.