The speaker, while exploring Boston, shares an urban legend about tourists "grabbing" the foot of the John Harvard statue. He then introduces himself and his plans to visit Harvard University, which he views as an internationally recognized institution. He expresses his desire to explore its facilities and discusses the city's change in vibe from Boston to Cambridge.
Upon reaching Harvard, he compares the campus to the setting of "Monsters University" and notes that the university, founded in 1636, is the oldest school of higher learning in the USA. He mentions that Harvard is part of the Ivy League and has educated many influential figures, including U.S. presidents and successful entrepreneurs.
However, he also highlights the high cost of studying at Harvard, noting that less than 15% of applicants are accepted each year and that even accepted students often struggle to afford the tuition. He provides data showing that the average graduate from Harvard earns around $60,000 per year.
The speaker argues that the university a student attends does not guarantee success, and that individual effort, talent, and actions will ultimately determine one's future. He discusses the financial burden that many students face due to loans taken out for tuition, suggesting that students should focus on their own efforts and avoid excessive debt.
He concludes by emphasizing that success depends on hard work and effort, regardless of the prestige of the institution one attends. He hopes his experiences at Harvard will encourage viewers to question conventional wisdom about college and success, and to strive for their goals without excessive debt.
1. The speaker visits the statue of John Harvard in Boston, Massachusetts, where tourists often touch his foot as a mischievous tradition.
2. The city is known for its lobster, baseball fanaticism, and as the home of prestigious universities, including Harvard.
3. The speaker arrived in Boston for business and is using their free time to explore the city and its famous universities.
4. The speaker is in the city of colleges, which includes schools located in neighboring Cambridge.
5. Despite being close to Boston, Cambridge has a different vibe, feeling smaller and more trendy.
6. The speaker is visiting Harvard facilities, describing them as impressive and accessible to visitors.
7. The speaker mentions the story of Billy, who put a lot of effort into his exam and dreamed of studying at Harvard.
8. Harvard is the oldest school of higher learning in the USA, founded in 1636, when the USA was not yet an independent country.
9. Harvard is considered one of the best universities globally, with the highest educational level according to many evaluations. It is a member of the Ivy League.
10. Many famous people, including U.S. presidents, businessmen, actors, and entrepreneurs, have studied at Harvard.
11. Admission to Harvard is highly competitive, with less than 15 percent of applicants being accepted each year.
12. Attending Harvard is expensive, with tuition costs of approximately $50,000 per year.
13. The average salary of Harvard graduates is about $60,000 per year.
14. The speaker emphasizes that attending a prestigious university does not guarantee success, and that effort, talent, and personal actions are key determinants of success.
15. The speaker warns of the high cost of student loans for Harvard, stating that graduates may not earn enough to cover their debt for a decade after graduation.
16. The speaker concludes by advising viewers to focus on their own effort and abilities, rather than the prestige of the schools they attend.