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Ok maybe i am naive or just plain stupid. But here is the situation.

I am 21 and completed my masters. Anyway one of my friends on another forum opened up a thread to congragulate me. I also landed a 6 month internship with ICTSD and got a place in geneva. I dont own it but definitely and finally my own place after a long time. So to wish me the best she opened a thread.

Anyway after a couple of days someone opens a thread wondering how i got a masters at 21. I explain how i got it.

Did the IB - http://www.ibo.org - got one year exempt from my BA (due to good grades) turning it into a 3 year program.

My sister got the same deal in the US and most good unis in the US do the same. NYU, Haverford, Sworthmore, Boston, etc. I know these unis because me or my sister got accepted to them.

Anyway some masters in Europe are 1 year, instead of 2 years. Like in the UK. So 4 years and i get a Masters and i am 21.

3 years in an American BA and 1 year in a Swiss uni masters.

Anyway the problem is that this woman accuses of me of lying and saying it is impossible for me to cover a masters by the age of 21 in the European system. She says it requires a total of 5 to 7 years. Which is true. But i guess i got lucky and did it all in 4.

Most of my friends she is jealous, but i dont understand how someone could feel like that. Just feeling a bit down and confused....can anybody explain the actions of this woman.

In the UK, the system is the same - a Bachelor degree is 3 years, sometimes 4 years but a Masters is usually one year. One calendar year, though, rather than 3 terms (or semesters).

All I can say is take no notice of this person. You're right - maybe they're jealous, as you've obviously done very well for yourself. But maybe they're just looking for a fight with someone today and they've decided it's you they're going to fight with. We all know that people can be strange on the internet because the medium of communication is rather unnatural. Maybe wires of communication have been confused?

But anyway - you know the truth about things and that's all that matters, eh?

Cheer up. Can you help it if you're a genius?

People are stupid, you are not one of them, perhaps she is. Do not listen to those who might or are stupid, thier opinions and "so called facts" will do nothing but drown you in argument. Realize that it is not her jelousy that brings this argument but rather her ignorance to the fact it CAN be done.

People are stupid.

Congratulations Fas !
You have achieved much, and deserve to be both happy and proud. A college degree is perhapse one of the most important accomplishments a person can achieve. A Masters is truly admirable. I found this little story on my hard drive. I thought it was appropriate to share with you.

Try not to worry about any comment that would take away from your day in the sun. Always remember to count your friends, not your detractors, and the scale will ever be tipped in your favor.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.
I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.

I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery.

I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.

1) You have to laugh and find humor every day.

2) You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

3) There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change.

4) Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She

challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be !


REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage

Well Fas, you could always turn this to your advantage by transforming this into a "get rich quick" scheme. You know, something like "How to get YOUR Masters by age 21." The curious can discover how you did it...it'll just cost them some money to find out how.

Seriously, this woman's nay-saying doesn't take away what you've achieved. Don't overly concern yourself with convincing her of the truth...it is likely that no matter what you do, she wouldn't believe you anyway. Rest on your laurels, smile and say "whatever."

Congrats for all of your hard work paying off. Reward yourself by getting a .50 caliber Desert Eagle.

Fas, when people protest so uncategorically in that manner it's a safe bet there's an unspoken subtext that applies to themselves, values they have or individuals they've known. Ignore 'em. If they want to learn, they'll accept what you've done in time. If they don't, they'll move on, and probably find other lessons to learn. Meanwhile, it shouldn't annoy you one bit. Let them keep their own problem. Don't make it yours.

And congratulations.

Fas,
That is awesome, congratulations!

Regarding the one issue, I am guessing this woman might be a grad student herself... Academics are notoriously insecure and prone to jealousy... often assuming that when somebody does better than them, that it is through nefarious means. I have been subject to this sort of treatment myself.... As everyone else has said.. just ignore it... it is simple, spiteful, pettiness.

@Scayde... that is a wonderful piece.. thank you for sharing it

Originally posted by RandomThug
People are stupid, you are not one of them, perhaps she is. Do not listen to those who might or are stupid, thier opinions and "so called facts" will do nothing but drown you in argument. Realize that it is not her jelousy that brings this argument but rather her ignorance to the fact it CAN be done.

People are stupid.

Thug basically wrote my opinion on those type of people. We get a similar group of those people down here since we can go to Uni at a much younger age in Australia. The oversea's students kick up a fuss on that matter, but we never worry about them and neither should you. This is your chance to shine, hope you live a very rich and superficial life

My sentiments exactly, Thug and Tammy...

...just like those ignorant fools here in Thailand who think that only "whites" can teach good English...

...anyway congratulations, COMMrade! Time to reap the fruits of your labor...

...by getting yourself a job and get more labor.

As to this lady's comment regarding your accomplishment, I can't help but recall what the High COMM would always say...
"Don't hate me just because I'm beautiful!"

It doesn't matter what she thinks. If you get the chance you can wave the piece of paper in her face.

Congrats CM.

Don't worry about that girl, she probably secretly wants you!

I knew i would get some kickass replies here. And of course some spam...robhin tsk...tsk...not every girl wants to get into my pants

But thanks alot. It was just weird, i have never seen this before. I guess i have been lucky in my masters enivornment and my undergraduate as well. My friends or the people i studied with have always been supportive.

In the masters - a group of 30 - we were all supportive of each other. Someone was treated unfairly (happened once by a prof) we stood by her. Some didnt think it was unfair but we acted as a group and they stuck with us.

There was no competition, no jealousy in our group...i guess i have been lucky. Second of all i dont see how you can get upset with the mere fact that someone you dont even know does better than you....just plain stupid in my eyes.

Anyway guys thanks alot. I know i can count you guys for some good advice.

Congrats, Fas. I think I understand the amount of work and dedication that went into your diploma, so don't let someone ruin that. If in doubt, read my .sig. Made wonders for my paranoid mindset