Mihnea Tănăsescu
I have always enjoyed having the space and time to really think about the issues that interest me deeply. COA cultivated that passion by giving it a very practical expression through small seminar classes, self-directed studies, and continuous mentorship. It prepared me very well for an academic life by giving me the basic training of dealing with primary sources and, above all, not being afraid to poke and prod and create new problems.
COA stands out due to the vibrancy of the intellectual community. The class material continued into lunch conversations and into evening debates. I am surely not alone in having felt the COA educational experience as a continuous one. This also taught me that the border between learning and ‘living in the real world’ is what you make of it. Being continuously passionate about what you do is a strength, and COA did a lot to make this practically true for me. It’s a place where ideas can live and indeed show themselves to be alive. Being part of an intellectual and ethical community like this is a real pleasure!