abhikavi

My grandfather lost two brothers to scarlet fever, but some of his grandchildren are anti-vaxxers. It's shocking how fast we forget.

I knew a couple guys who swam competitively during high school who kept their legs shaved. I don't know if it was the whole team or not, or what they did about other body hair.

How did your parents react?

If my kid was arrested for peacefully protesting, I'd be proud of them. Worried, scared, but proud.

I think a lot of students just don't know about opportunities in other countries. It might feel intimidating to move to Europe when you've never even left your state before. It would also feel scary to move to a country where you don't speak the language. There might also be concerns that your degree won't be taken as seriously if it's not from an American university (I don't think that's usually true, but it is a fear).

There's also the high upfront cost-- if you're a student with $0, and your parents have a grand total of $300 in their checking account, it would feel (or be) impossible just to get the $800 ticket to Germany. However, if you take the scholarship & loans you get in the US, you don't have to pay anything out of pocket upfront.

I only know one millionaire, my step uncle. He's infamous for doing things like driving an hour out of his way to avoid $1.10 in tolls. He and his wife both drive beater cars, although he does have several hundred thousands' worth of racing motorcycles.