Student Worksship Essay Sample

Palm Beach Atlantic University's Workship program provided me with an incredible experience that paralleled the prototype of liberal learning which John Henry Newman presents in his work “The Idea of a University. Newman writes, “We attain to heaven by using this world well, though it is to pass away; we perfect our nature, not by undoing it, but by adding to it what is more than nature, and directing it towards aims higher than its own.” Newman, in this sentence, defines the goal of a true liberal arts education. He emphasizes the importance of learning without limitations and of learning actively in addition to contemplatively. Workship, presents an opportunity for students to do both, learn actively and learn without the restrictions of fields and majors. Participating in
In this situation, we had the chance to improve both our acting skills, and to grow in our ability to communicate with and interact with children and other actors. I was privileged to participate in a workship project that did pertain towards my major, however, I was astounded by the efficiency and pleasure with which those who were not in the field of theater, performed these tasks as well. One of my companions, a nursing major, found joy in merely interacting with the children who stopped by our table. Although we were both in the same situation, while I was learning to better portray a character, she was learning to better interact with children. This parallels Newman's claim that in a liberal arts education we should learn for learning's sake, and not be restricted by the limitations of what is “only applicable to our majors.” A nursing major can learn through a theater workship opportunity, just as a theater major can learn through working with children. It is up to the student to determine what they glean form the situation into which they are