Sunday, October 14, 2007

University Days




After my gap year in the USA, I took up a place at Bristol University to read French. I had a single room in a hall a busride out of town and for my second year decided to move to a more central location. I studied French and perhaps was one of the last generation of students who chose to specialise in a subject just because I liked it. Today there seems a lot more focus on where qualifications will lead and certainly if I was seriously considering a career using languages, I would have to become a specialist in at least two or combine it with another subject such as law or business.



As a language student, I spent my 3rd year abroad in France and Switzerland and this perhaps consolidated my love of travel and willingness to move when opportunities arose later in life. I had to overcome bureaucratic red tape, obtain work permits etc and having safely navigated that a few times, felt equipped to tackle it again when necessary.



My own children are now just entering the university phase. Competition is certainly intense and the whole process of getting into a good university seems to start a lot earlier than it did for my generation.

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