I Live in a Van Down by Duke University

It would be nice. A middle-class family might think it would be nice to have an in-ground swimming pool. A millionaire might think it would be nice to have a yacht. The billionaire, a private jet. Someone, somewhere might think it would be nice to have food to feed her family tonight. Someone, somewhere might think it would be nice to live in a van in order to afford to go to a wonderful school. I could begin satisfying my desires and buying comforts, but I’ve learned to appreciate what little I have instead of longing for what I do not.

via www.salon.com

I saw this posted by my friend and colleague Brad Kozlek and found it a wonderful read. Its a great story of how one student decided education was worth more than an iPod, heat, and the debt it takes to get it.

2 thoughts on “I Live in a Van Down by Duke University

  1. In my undergrad days at PSU, I actually knew a guy who lived in his VW Bus in the parking lot of the then Pollock Library (now just Pollock Building where the Digital Commons is located as you know). He showered at the White Building gym and since Pollock was a 24-hour library, he’d sleep in a chair upstairs on really frigid nights. He didn’t run into any trouble with the law to my knowledge. I guess he paid for his premium parking spot at least so they looked the other way. 🙂

  2. In my grad days, I knew a guy who lived in our office for a year and another who lived in one of the telescope domes on the top of Davey Lab for the summer. I suspect those get cold in the winter…

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