Liberal Education: The Heart Of Bishop’s University
In today’s world, education is much more than knowledge-gaining in a specialized field; it is about developing the ability to think critically, adapt, and engage with the world in a meaningful way. Liberal education institutions emphasize a broad, well-rounded curriculum that aims to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communications skills across disciplines. Through its curriculum, small class sizes, and extracurriculars, Bishop’s University fosters a close-knit learning community that exemplifies a liberal education.
A Broad, Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Bishop’s University offers 106 different programs spread out across twenty-five departments. With the option to take electives outside your program, you can explore what interests and inspires you. I am a business student with a marketing concentration and minors in Sports Studies and Communication and Digital Culture. Studying across three departments has exposed me to a range of subjects, teaching styles, personalities, and testing methods. In the future, I would like to work for the arketing department of a professional sports team. The combination of my three different fields of study has afforded me a well-rounded education tailored to my own needs.
Less Students, More Connections
The best part about Bishop’s University is that it is such a small school. With a student body of approximately 3000 students, class sizes rarely exceed a hundred students. In fact, the average size of the classes I have attended tends to be about forty students. Thanks to small classes, I’ve worked with the same people more than once, helping me discover who I collaborate best with. I’ve also made friends in class I likely wouldn’t have met in a lecture of 200. Small classes not only allow us to be closer to one other, they also fosters greater student-teacher interaction. This creates an exceptionally personalized experience for students, as they feel listened to and cared for.
Community Involvement: A Core Pillar Of Bishop’s University
Community involvement is one of the core values shared by students at Bishop’s University. With over 100 on-campus clubs to join, you are always encouraged to get involved on a daily basis. Community engagement also plays a big role at Bishop’s. A great example of that is a club named Big Buddies, where university students pair up with children of the elementary level and play various games on weekends, providing children with reliable role models, new friendships, and lasting memories. There is also the Bishop’s Charity Fashion Show, where every participant commits to community aid and donates $100 to the Lennoxville District Community Aid Association. For the past two years, I have been a model in the fashion show and can say that it is one of the best experiences I have had in my time at Bishop’s. Through the Fashion Show, I had the opportunity to meet new people, help those in need, and sharpen my sense of responsibility. And this year’s Charity Fashion Show raised $37,000!
The Product Of A Liberal Educational System
As a student, I firmly believe that a liberal educational system is an amazing way to study. I’ll graduate with the knowledge for my dream job, lifelong friendships, and meaningful involvement in extracurriculars and community initiatives. This is what Bishop’s University is all about: embodying the essence of liberal education. I truly believe this experience has led me to grow as an individual, and I will leave a better person than I was walking in.
