It’s easy to forget what connects us as humans in our busy lives. We’re increasingly realising just how important mental health is, especially in education and workplaces. One powerful example comes from a recent pilot project in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, where doctors have started prescribing free museum visits to support mental well-being. It might sound surprising at first, but it makes perfect sense—art, beauty, and culture help us feel more grounded and connected.
This should also make us stop and think about how we structure education today, especially in higher education.
Why the Humanities Matter to All of Us
Philosophy, religion, ethics, literature, and art are not just “extra” subjects; but essential. They help us explore meaning, ask important questions, build empathy, and develop critical thinking skills. When these subjects are absent from education, we are not merely eliminating content—we are also removing the opportunity to think deeply, feel profoundly, and connect with others.
Unfortunately, the Humanities often get treated as something separate from more “practical” subjects like Business, Medicine, Psychology, or STEM. But actually, these fields need the Humanities more than ever.
- Business leaders need cultural awareness, empathy, and ethics—not just profit models.
- Psychologists benefit from understanding spiritual beliefs and cultural backgrounds when working with real people.
- Medical professionals gain so much from learning to listen, reflect, and see the whole person—not just the symptoms.
- Scientists and engineers must be guided by ethical thinking, especially in areas like AI, environment, and technology.
Real Learning Happens in the Real World
When I used to teach the Asian belief module in the Religion department in the UK, I had the opportunity to work with some incredibly thoughtful colleagues. One of them believed in helping future teachers learn by immersing themselves in the traditions they were studying. That meant taking students out of the classroom—visiting places of worship, engaging with customs, talking to communities. These trips weren’t just educational; they were transformative. Students came back more thoughtful, more open, and more respectful of the diversity around them.
Later, during my PhD work with CESNUR and through academic conferences with ATINER, I continued to experience how powerful these cultural encounters can be. Seeing art, hearing new perspectives, stepping into unfamiliar traditions—it changes you. It stays with you. It also reminds you that the world is much bigger, richer, and more beautiful than a screen or a lecture hall can capture.
We Need to Rethink What “Learning” Looks Like
It worries me that so many universities are moving toward more online learning, more remote delivery, and more closed-off environments. Of course, technology has its place—but we should be careful not to trade presence for convenience. Students and lecturers need space to breathe, to connect, to explore the world together. Learning should happen not only between walls, but out there—in galleries, temples, parks, and shared conversations.
And let’s not forget: these experiences also support mental health. The World Economic Forum has shown that workplace stress and anxiety cost billions globally each year. Their Healthy Workforces initiative makes it clear—wellbeing is not a luxury. It’s essential for a functioning society.
So why don’t we apply this to universities too?
Education Should Nourish the Whole Person
If we want to prepare students for the real world—not just to get jobs but to live meaningful lives—then we need to bring the Humanities back to the centre. Let’s support field trips, cultural exchange, storytelling, deep thinking, and human connection. Let’s stop reducing education to checklists and assignments, and remember that learning is also about becoming.
We already know that arts and culture heal. Let’s make them part of how we teach, lead, and live.
