Choice is the foundation stone of a liberal arts education. Choice to study varied subjects and courses from diverse fields is what makes a liberal arts education stand out from other modes of education. Students get involved in their education right from the beginning trying to select what they will study and how they will study. This gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility to shape their own future. Making choices from the available set instills confidence in students and builds their decision making capabilities.

This interdisciplinary nature of liberal arts pushes students to think about subjects from different perspectives and helps free their minds. Critical thinking, clarity of thought and the ability to communicate effectively are all woven in the fabric of liberal education.

A two-way interactive exchange between teachers and students is at the heart of the pedagogy of a liberal arts education. It’s not a mere transmission of ideas from the teacher to the students in form of lectures but a democratized learning experience. Students are pushed and probed to think critically and use their analytical skills to solve problems and resolve issues presented to them by their teachers. These kinds of positive nudges coax students to think hard and boost their confidence.

A liberal arts education exposes students to a range of disciplines that gives them breadth of knowledge as opposed to any traditional degree that trains them only in one stream. This develops the student holistically. Owing to this breadth that students encounter during their liberal education, it prepares them for a wide range of career options. Employers recognize their softer and adaptable skills in addition to the technical and professional skills. The interdisciplinary framework helps in finding connections between seemingly disparate fields which leads to improved decision making.

Having a strong foundation, exposure to multiple disciplines and depth in one’s chosen field is the essence of a liberal arts education. Studying about global ecosystems, their cultural, political and social diversity and understanding the realities of the world makes students better global citizens.

As such, a liberal arts education offers a platform that prepares students for a lifetime of civic engagement, learning, and employment and leadership roles that will help shape the world.