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Your local library has just burned down. Every book was reduced to ash. And now, it’s up to you to establish a new one by donating the first three volumes from your personal collection.

What books do you choose?

Thankfully, this was just a hypothetical situation. It was, however, a real question faced by senior Cyle Ginsberg, an International Studies and Economics major, during a law school application.

“So, it's almost like, What are your three favorite books?” Ginsberg said. “But it's deeper than that. It's more nuanced. It's really asking, ‘What books do you love enough that you are also willing to give up, so that other people can read them?’ It wasn’t just about books. It was about what kind of world I want to help create. What kind of legacy do I want to leave?”

Ginsberg, who discussed this story on a recent episode of the , is also minoring in Philosophy and Law, Arabic, and Middle East, Jewish, and Islamic Studies.

Across campus, he’s involved in the Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society, and he’s the current president of the Men’s Glee Club. While at Miami, he’s also competed on the Mock Trial Team, interned at the campus Hillel, and participated in the Scholar Leader program.

But his path wasn’t always so clear cut.

After originally applying to Miami as a Political Science major, Ginsberg realized he was more interested in the people who live in different countries, rather than their governments, which is what inspired him to switch to International Studies, where his college career really began to flourish.

"Cyle has a constant desire to learn, and he has a passion to share his knowledge with others,” said Dilchoda Berdieva, associate professor and lead departmental advisor of International Studies. “He’s not afraid of challenges and approaches them with a positive attitude. He’s also intelligent, dedicated, curious, and determined."

Attending law school was always part of Ginsberg’s original plan. Even so, his journey has been just as much about embracing uncertainty as it’s been about seeking clarity.

“I’m going to enter the field of international law, and I want to have a global focus,” he said. “But I have no idea what I'm actually going to end up doing. And I’ve become more comfortable with that through conversations with friends and professors, especially those who’ve said it’s okay not to know exactly what’s going to happen.”

But that sense of exploration is also what makes the college experience so rewarding and meaningful. And Ginsberg’s story serves as a powerful example for those still searching for their purpose and direction.

Because college is not just about course projects or academic achievements, or even about crafting a perfect resume. It’s also about getting to know yourself, and about learning from failures along the way. And undertaking the law school application process isn’t required for this transformation to occur. But it probably helps.

“A lot of law school applications are about what makes you unique,” he said. “And I had a moment where I had to think, ‘Am I unique? Am I different from other people that get good grades or test scores and want to go to law school? What really sets me apart?’”

“But you don't have to be a superhero,” said Cyle. “You don't have to be famous. You don't have to have all these super impressive accolades. You just have to be yourself. Because we're all unique. That process has been difficult, but definitely beneficial outside of just wanting to go to law school. It’s forced me to really ask, ‘Who am I? Who have I become in undergrad?’ And I’m hopeful that my law school applications show that personal growth.”

This level of growth may not be built overnight, and neither is a new library.

But it is open to everyone who puts in the time and dedication. For Ginsberg, finding a path forward was about embracing college as a journey of personal growth and self-discovery, which also influenced the three books he chose.

Which, by the way, were “Harry the Dirty Dog” by Gene Zion because of it was a childhood favorite with strong themes of home, “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, a short story about the complexities of growth, and “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom, which offers perspective on life and mortality.

Each book wasn’t just a favorite read. They are also about what he values, what he hopes to contribute to the world, and about forging a foundation upon which to build a future – even if all the specific details aren’t all worked out just yet.