Wandering and Wondering

So. I officially graduated again on 10th of January this year, a Masters this time round.
Looking back, much has been bumpy, even more have been blessings.
Someone once asked me "Why did I choose to do my masters?"
I said it was for experience, learn a different culture, increase my knowledge.
But I say that with doubts rising within me. Because honestly, I don't know why I wanted to do my Masters.
I just wanted to do it. And I get it's a privilege to get to do something you want to do.
Nevertheless, I find it largely challenging to describe the tangible benefits of taking this Masters. I've learn a lot, sometimes I think more than I bargain for. But I can't put a tangible worth on these lessons.
Thus, I find that a little troubling. Though a friend said that he wouldn't worry about me not being able to bring extra knowledge to the table, unless I'm a waitress, haha

So, was it worth it? My tendency for future-orientation makes me a person who is constantly trying to question something's worth, trust me, I'm working on it.
I must admit that there are times when I doubt whether taking this step was worth all the change that had happened. I do wonder about other possible paths.

Yet, at the end of all that wondering, I find it hard to be on the other possible paths. Whether it is a case of sunk cost fallacy, self-bias justification or protecting the ego, a small part of me felt this had to happen.
From the beginning where there were various obstacles in my application, to changes in relationships, to facing parts I try to forget, discovering parts I never knew and feeling like a new me yet still the same old me leaves me feeling absolutely surreal.

Ultimately if I really had to answer the question of worth, I would say 'Yes, it was' and smother it with tons of 'it depends' and a smidgen of strong conviction that I actually believe what I say is true.
A lot of people are starting to question the worth of getting degrees and papers that may not even reflect our true self, and question whether education institutions are even relevant to prepare the world for what reality has to show
I've always been a strong supported of education, partially influenced by my grandmother. And while it used to be defined narrowly by achievements and 'A's", in the recent years it had shifted to a perception of mastery.
I have not been an apprentice, so I don't know exactly how the learning process is to start low and slowly progress. I can agree though that it is significantly more practical that a pure college education.

Perhaps a tertiary education is as much the skills as the learning environment. To be put in the vicinity of opportunities to pursue knowledge may sometimes be all we need to actually learn something, if anything.
To a certain extent, I can see how tertiary education may be more suitable for some more than others. But call it conformity, peer pressure or the beauty of human relationships. Being around those who seek knowledge really does give an impact on your own pursuant of knowledge.
Again, it's not the "A's" or distinctions or first classes, it's knowledge of living as a better person.
Throughout my one year in UK, I've met so many different people in various situations simply because I'm pursuing my Masters degree.
People who teach me about Pancake Day, the experience of picking berries, celebrating Easter with eat-chocolate-whole day.
People who have done great things, start their own rebel business, commit themselves to social innovation, planning Christmas dinners.
I don't think any item on that list would look relevant on a career CV, but I think it's got a darn good place on my life CV if that is even sensible. Being a Masters student in UK gave me the passport to both study as a "typical" student and also the access to other life experiences I may not have gotten.

Those that ultimately shape me as a person. And this is my personal reminder should I ever decide to question the worth of my decisions, because honestly, worth itself may not be the most quantifiable term. So, if you have what it takes, and you can honestly give it a shot with an education overseas. Take that passport, and journey into different life experiences. Do it because you believe in it, and not especially because here is one extra blog post that encourage you. Think about what you can do with your passport, literally and metaphorically.

They say not all those who wander are lost, I think not all those who wonder are lost too. 

To my year of wandering and wondering, to my temporary home, UK, cheers!

and Hello, Malaysia, for more wandering and wondering.