With an eye to teaching, I chose college courses which would give me a broad background knowledge in history. Of all the subjects I studied in high school, history was the one that caught my interest, thanks in large part to stellar teachers who helped me see beyond facts and events to cyclical patterns of human behaviour. The rise and fall of empires and civilizations might vary in timelines, but followed the same inevitable paths to extinction. Any historical concentration which might be helpful to my teaching career was explored. Added to that was a smattering of courses in economics, politics and English. Graduation came four years later with an Honours BA and the hope of acceptance at the teachers’ college nearby.