When Ashish Shrestha landed in the US as a Nepali student, he didn’t have a five-year plan. Or even a one-year plan.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life,” he admits. “Business? Economics? Something else entirely?”
That’s why the liberal arts system in the US became his unexpected lifesaver.
🎨 What Even Is Liberal Arts?
Think of it like an academic buffet. Instead of locking into a major on Day 1, you get to sample everything:
📖 Philosophy
🧠 Psychology
📊 Economics
🔬 Hard sciences
“You spend two years exploring before choosing a major,” Ashish explains. “For someone like me, who had no clue what I wanted, it was perfect.”
🌱 Why It Worked for Him
Ashish knew he liked business somehow but didn’t know where to focus. Accounting? Marketing? Finance?
“I wasn’t ready to commit. Liberal arts gave me time to figure it out without the pressure.”
It also taught him how to think critically, adapt fast, and connect dots across different subjects—skills that turned out to be game-changers in his 25-year career.
💡 Ashish’s Advice for Students
Not sure what you want to do? That’s normal.
“If you’re confused, don’t panic. Explore. Test things out. Your major doesn’t lock in your future anyway”
The key is to stay curious and open—your path will reveal itself.