Welcome back to Foramz, your go-to place for stories that speak truth, offer comfort, and sometimes, show us another way. In the last episode of student loans, we met Stewart- a dreamer with his heart set on Texas University. But like thousands of students choosing the so-called American Dream, Stewart found himself drowning before even setting sail. The tuition fee? $31,572. The weight is Unbearable. The future is unclear. But does that mean the dream of Stewart ends here? In the last episode, we met Stewart, a dreamer with his heart set on Texas University. But like thousands of students chasing the so-called American Dream, Stewart found himself drowning before even setting sail. The tuition? $31,572. The weight? Unbearable. The future? Unclear. But Today’s story is different. This is about what happens when the dream evolves and does not die. When you realize that success isn’t always tied to an expensive name tag, but rather, to strategy sanity and sustainability. In this story, we will explore how a dream can come true with changing environments. A dream can easily evolve through life’s problems and worries. This This is Formaz, and we are looking for moral solutions in he fast-paced world. The night that Stewart sat scrolling in silence, something in him shifted. The more he read about students choosing alternative routes, the routes that did not involve debt the size of a house mortgage more he wondered, Could he bring his dream to reality without burning down his present financial condition? So very diligently and with determination, he got to work. Not just on applications, but on research. He discovered that many successful professionals in the U.S. began at community colleges, paying a fraction of the cost and transferred later to finish their degrees at prestigious universities. He thought, why not spend the first two years close to home or in a smaller town, build his GPA, and then transfer to a top-tier university when it counts? The cost? Less than one-third of the full four-year degree. Tuition-Free or Low-Fee Nations Then Stewart looked overseas—but not to the U.S. Germany, Norway, and even certain Eastern European nations provide tuition-free education to foreign students, with English-language programs. Yes, it meant getting used to a new culture. But wasn’t that part of the dream as well? More significantly, it meant no debilitating debt and the opportunity to pursue what he wanted to study. Another surprised him: how online learning had progressed. No longer was it merely a backup, now some of the largest organizations (Google, Amazon, Meta) have begun accepting skills-based certification from platforms such as Coursera, edX, and even their scholars. He used to think, if it is what you can do that counts, why not acquire skills wisely and cheaply without depleting the nest egg of the house. What shifted most for Stewart wasn’t so much his educational path. It was his mindset. He no longer perceived the cost of a university as a reflection of his value. He knew that real success isn’t where you attend school—it’s what you choose to do with what you know. A Message to Students Everywhere If you’re hearing this feeling anxious, stuck, or embarrassed because you can’t afford your dream school, stop. Is there another way to the same destination? Because the chances are- yes, there is. And it could just save years of debt, stress, and regret. The world is changing. Education is changing. And your future isn’t on one single path. Just like Stewart, you can make smart choices and win differently. So choose skills and alternative ways rather than being burdened by the pressure of loans and debts. Educate yourself on ways to educate yourself. The statement might sound somewhat contradictory, but it is true. Students are unaware of the possible ways through which one can learn and make a fruitful career. The world is full of opportunities and varied ways of learning a skill. Hence, dive deep into the pool full of learning opportunities and find some ways that will give you favourable results. Results are not just in exams, but the results of a fruitful life. 2. Indulge in the course with active attention and focus 3. Ask for help whenever required 4. Learn as if you are learning for your career and not just to gain the certificate or pass the exam 5. Test yourself on concepts 6. Get the certificate or degree and apply wisely in the practical world. These were some alternative ways of how to rid yourself of the evil of student loans. If you are someone growing in student loans do not worry because you are not alone. Know that the universe has got a pth for you and that everything will eventually be fine. There are various career opportunities and in the end, you will end up with something that you love doing. If you feel drained or demotivated at any time, then Keep Reading Foramz.
Written by Mira
In the previous blog we witnessed how the problem of student loans is a growing problem in recent times. The instance of Stewart’s aspiration to pursue studies at Texas University was mentioned in the previous blog. Texas University seemed like a beaming light in his life until he was hit by reality like a truck. The more he contemplated the $31,572 fee, the more his chest felt heavy. He was not single in this instance. This is the plight of thousands of students dreaming of becoming millionaires and experiencing the American Dream expecting an improved quality of life. However, that is hardly the case. If you have high generational money then only it is possible to make it in foreign countries. At a recent event, one of the Canadian students made mention of the idea of studying overseas and how all things are pricier and make one feel lonely, disconnected, and way down deep in the belly of student loans.This proves that this is not just an imagined example of Stewart but rather an experience endured by students in overseas countries. Stewart’s aspiration to study at Texas University seemed like a beacon of hope in his life—until reality struck him like a tempest. The more he considered the $31,572 tuition, the more his chest weighed him down. He was not alone in this; his friends were also trapped in the same web of fear, weighed down by the burden of student debt hanging over their lives. Reality Strikes Hard The thrill of the university application later became restless nights for Stewart. He would stay up all day scouring sites for scholarships, grants, and part-time employment. However, each solution proved to be but a drop of water in a sea compared to the whopping fee of tuition as well as upkeep. His parents were eager to assist him but realized that this would prove burdensome to them expending the amount of money on schooling was like shooting in the dark. His peers even though financially better placed, were not also at ease. They had a concern nagging them that their parents’ massive investment in their studies would be a debt burden if they could not live up to the expectations of their academic course. His friends, though better off financially, weren’t happy either. They were afraid that their parents’ investment in their education would turn into a debt trap if they didn’t live up to expectations. The pressure of proving themselves oppressed them, and the aspiration of studying abroad became more stressful than thrilling. Mental Pressure Increases With passing days, the pressure began to set in for Stewart. His grades must be spotless, his extracurriculars, and his statement clear—because one rejection would cost him everything. The prospect of signing a huge student loan was horrifying. The tales of graduates working years to pay back their loans unsettled him. Would he be paying off debt for half his career? Would he ever be able to afford a home or have a family? The stress wasn’t monetary only—it was psychological, as well. His parents had always been his supporters, and he did not want to disappoint them. The burden of responsibilities and the ambiguity of the future started getting into his head. A Crossroads Moment One night, sitting by himself with his computer, Stewart read an article about students who had taken non-traditional routes—online schooling, community college transfers, or attending schools in countries where tuition was lower. It made him wonder: was there another option? Could he still be successful without being overwhelmed by debt? Stewart knew he had tough decisions ahead. Should he follow through with Texas University and risk financial burden? Or should he explore cheaper education routes? His path was just starting, but one thing was certain—student loans weren’t simply a matter of money; they defined the whole future of an individual’s life. This is Foramz, and in the following segment, we will discuss the decisions that Stewart makes and how they redefine the notion of success for him. Read more Foramz for your daily dose of moral support.