True? 12% of Harvard Business Grad Failing to Repay Their Loans.

So I hear. That's what the wonderful EduBubble recently wrote about. What's worse? Those who went to other business schools (as mentioned in the original article that EduBubble cites)! Also, only 27% of Kaplan students are making their loan payments.

When you think about that paltry percentage and the recent story I wrote, it's beyond cringe worthy.

Biggest Fear: Dying In Some Urine Drenched Old Folks Home

When working on the topic of death, in this case suicidal thoughts expressed by student loan debtors, it seems inevitable that my own thoughts have turned to imagining my own mortality.

While I do not share the thoughts of those who, sadly, have felt suicidal because of their debt (in one case, as readers will see, a man did decide to take his own life), I certainly am facing a huge fear: dying as an indentured educated servant.

When I was quite young my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke that left her unable to speak for the next 8 years of her life. She lost the ability to move her right arm, and lived in nursing homes the rest of her life. At the end of her life, she wound up in a nursing home that smelled of urine and dirty laundry. Once we arrived in her room, I was terrified by the fact that her roommate, who had short, blueish-gray hair, was covered in urine. Or so it seemed.

That is what I fear the most. Winding up in some despicable nursing home that smells of urine, alone, and still owing interest to the bastards.

Research On Suicide: More Testimonials Needed

I am researching student loan debt and a debtor's suicidal thoughts. A few people have offered to share testimonials about their thoughts on suicide with me. However, I would like to gather more stories. I realize that it's not easy to discuss, but your stories are what makes the student lending crisis matter. Collectively, we are creating public discourse from the perspective of the debtor, and that's critical.

I urge you to share your story with me (ccrynjohannsen AT gmail.com).

Quick Post: Personal Take On My Time In South Korea

Many of my readers encouraged me to start a blog about my experiences in South Korea. So, if you're interested you can read my latest piece entitled, "Thanksgiving And War ."

Suicide

I am sending another draft to the New England Journal of Higher Education, and hope they will be interested in this next piece on suicide (they recently published an article I wrote about student loan debtors with health problems). They are a great crew of individuals, and I'm glad that we're forging a positive, working relationship.

I've written a lot about suicide, and have a sad story to share about a father who recently told me that if it weren't for his daughters - who are also indentured educated servants - he'd kill himself. I got pretty choked up by his confession.

In any event, if you are willing to share your story about being suicidal because of your student loan debt, please send me an email (ccrynjohannsen AT gmail.com). Also, if you know of someone who committed suicide as a result of their student loan debt, I'd like to hear your story. All people will remain anonymous.

It is a bleak subject, but it is one that needs to be discussed.

On that rather dark note, I do wish each and everyone of you a happy Thanksgiving. I didn't think we'd be having turkey, but we're getting two from an army base in Seoul. So enjoy this day.