Much of this inspiration has been the result of discovering comparative literature here at the University of Oregon. Until I found this discipline, I had always felt trapped in academia, confined to institutional practices with no room to grow. After searching out many different academic paths, I still was not content with committing myself to any one major, as there had always been too many avenues to explore, and entirely too much knowledge I wanted to squeeze into a four-year program. Feeling content with the choice I have finally made, I find a freedom in comparative literature, which allows each individual an opportunity to embark on her or his own academic journey. These individual explorations lead to the discovery that all of our paths eventually compose and partake of the greater circle of knowledge.
Comparative literature is really the most dynamic field of study in the university today.
The field of comparative literature seems daunting simply by its name. Granted, comparative literature is something else, but it is a greater and more exciting something else. I encounter the difficulty of articulating this every time I announce my recent transition to the comparative literature major. What comparative literature offers, and what attract people to it, are questions. Questions are central to unravelling the mysteries of culture and the self.