I've decided to enroll as a full-time student while still working part-time on the side and travelling (of course, I can't give that up, but this means I'll be working in my hotel room all of next week). Maybe I am crazy, but after spending months of wallowing in my self-pity, I've decided to finally get out and try to change things. This involves finally completing a master's degree. I can't explain it, this has been something that I have wanted to do for a long, long time. A dream you could say. I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
Thankfully I have found an online master's programme that I can fit around my schedule (and my travels!). I am really intimidated by some of the other students, not because they are unfriendly, on the contrary, but because it seems like they know so much compared to me. I feel like I have years of reading to catch up on in order to reach their level of knowledge.
I'll leave you with a few pictures of the city I'll be staying in next week. Any guesses as to where I'm going?
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| Along the river. Author of photo: Den Nation. |
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| Panoramic view of the city. Author of photo: Den Nation. |
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| For anybody who has been to this city, this picture is a dead giveaway. Author of photo: Den Nation. |
Note: This is one of my favourite places in France and this was where I was almost sent to by my home university on my Erasmus year. At the last minute, the placement fell threw and I was sent to Bordeaux instead. In my last year at university in the UK, I met a French girl from this city who remains my friend to this day (one of my few French friends). I always wonder how my life would have turned out had I been sent here.
I can't guess the city! I guess the French authorities will take my French passport then. Oh well, it expired this summer anyway.
RépondreSupprimerGood for you for the master's program! I took some classes a few years ago at Ottawa U but unfortunately, I didn't complete the degree (long story short: I had to start from zero, French degree not recognized, and I was bored taking 101 classes). That plus education is expensive in Canada.
Oh, don't worry, hardly anybody knows this city. I will reveal its identity on my blog soon.
SupprimerThanks a lot for your encouragement. I remember your posts about university life in Canada. I just couldn't believe that they made you take French tests! Yes, this master is very expensive, but I have always wanted to have a master - it has always been a dream of mine, I can't explain it.
Congrats for the master's programme. What do you mean online? is it "par correspondance"? do you have to be physically in class once in a while? at least for the group projects? I wonder how classes are in France.
RépondreSupprimerNo, I don't have to attend classes and I don't even have to visit the university that is running the master. It is 100% online, run through blackboard. No, there are no group projects. The university running the master is based in the UK so all the classes are in English, although there are non-native English speakers taking the master as well!
SupprimerHope you enjoy the classes. I was the oldest in my Master class, during the entrance interview the professor actually asked me how I would fit into the class since there would be age gap between me and other students. That hit me real hard but I went through it.
RépondreSupprimerI'm in England completing a second master's and I have a flat on campus. The first day, I kept being asked "Are you a student here, ma'am?" which cracked me up every time:)))
SupprimerI'm completing an online master's programme that is based in the UK. I completed my undergrad in the UK as well.
SupprimerThe good thing about being an online student is that the programme is geared for us "oldies". The teachers are understanding about the fact that we have other responsibilities.
I'm really curious as to your reasons for doing a master in the UK. I loved my time there and I miss it so much sometimes. I thought about going back to the same place I completed my BA and on hindsight I think I should have, but the online programme is what works the best for me.
My guess would be Orleans... or perhaps Tours.. guess I broke the rules guessing twice. Wow I said guess a lot in that sentence :)
RépondreSupprimerHope the Masters goes well.
Nope, but I will reveal the mystery place soon enough on my blog.
SupprimerI'm really hoping that I can get through this. It's hard to manage a busy life, coursework and working on the side all at the same time.
Good luck! What is your masters in??
RépondreSupprimerI might as well just come out and say it, MA Translation. Thanks for your well wishes.
SupprimerGood luck and congratulations for taking life by the horns! Woo hoo! It's so easy to wallow in self-pity but it's invigorating to break out of it and do something about it!
RépondreSupprimerBravo to you!!!
Well, I have still major doubts about this master as it's not specialised enough for me. But anyway, my dream has always been to get a master in my field and I'm not getting any younger... (birthday approaching tomorrow!).
SupprimerWhat I really need is to boost my self-confidence. It is really hard to stay positive in France and I feel that if I could say that I earned an MA that I would feel better about myself. That's the theory anyways.
You did mention anything about starting a Masters program. That's so exciting! I'm happy for you...getting out there and taking charge to get what you want. Congrats!
RépondreSupprimerThanks, Michele, that's what I try to tell myself. I'm not really keeping up, but I'm doing the best I can considering I'm doing a bit of work on the side. It bothers me a bit, but I need time to myself and to sleep well so I don't mind if I don't do extraordinarily well. I need my beauty sleep and time for my family and friends.
Supprimeroops...*didn't mention :)
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