Final Exam – Did I Pass?!?!?

So I gave myself a few extra days to the end of the year and program (you know, to finish out the week). So, the question, once again is… Did I graduate?

Well, I suppose you first must decide what kind of grade I need to graduate? I don’t need 100%, right? According to my calculations, I passed with a 96% – thanks to my overachieving in foreign languages making up for my slacking elsewhere. But does this defeat the purpose of the well-rounded program? Maybe.

The One-Year, Self-Directed, Alternative Graduate School Experience By Jenna C (Updated 2020)	Did I complete It?	Percent Completed
Subscribe to Economist Espresso app and read the 7 articles it gives 6 days a week. Subscribe to The Morning Brew for free and read daily.	Pretty Much	65%
Memorize the names of every country, world capital, currency, and current president/prime minister in the world.	NO	35%
Visit three new countries, on at least two separate continents, including one in Africa. (If unable to Travel due to current situations, try one or some of these alternatives: https://alternativegraduate.wordpress.com/2020/07/30/alternatives-to-travel/ The key is to learn about other peoples and ways of life.)	YES – Croatia, Malta, Morocco	100%
Read the basic texts of the major world religions: the Torah, the New Testament, the Koran, and the teachings of Buddha. And one of the following books from Karen Armstrong: A History of God, The Battle for God, or the Great Transformation OR The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained. Visit a church, a mosque, a synagogue, and a temple and talk to the priest, rabbi, iman, and monk.	Partially – Read some of Torah and Quran and some other religious books	30%
Complete the tree on DuoLingo for a language (or in my case, 3) and supplement it with a podcast at least twice a week. Spend 30 minutes to 1 hour each day on learning your target language (you can use free resources or pay for classes in-person/online).	YES – and then some!	300%
Loan money to an entrepreneur through Kiva.org and arrange to visit him or her while you’re abroad.	YES	100%
Acquire at least three one new skills during your year. Suggestions: Tango, Sailing, Computer Programming, Social Media Marketing, Data Analysis, Copywriting, Sign Language. The key is not to become an expert in any of them, but to become functionally proficient.	YES – Data Analysis and SQL	100%
Read at least 30 10 non-fiction books, 10 5 classic novels, and 10 5 modern literary works.	NO – I didn’t read enough Classics 21 NF / 1 CL / 6 ML	85%
Do Yoga at home at least twice a week and go dancing or hiking at least twice a month. (Became Less important in new program. You decide if you need it or not!)	N/A	–
Record and post yourself giving a speech. Use the critiques to improve it and record it again. Sign up for the “30 Day Speaking Challenge” to record yourself speaking in the language of your choice on various topics. Peer/Self-feedback.	YES	100%
Update my readers on this blog at least once a week with my progress. Post to my Travel blog at least once a month with new material.	YES – I created another daily blog	100%
Set your home page to http://wikipedia.org/random. Over the next year, every time you open your browser, you’ll see a different, random Wikipedia page. Read it. Watch/listen to at least 3 TED Talks a week.	I maybe did about 1 a week…	35%
Learn to write by listening to the Grammar Girl podcast and reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Dreyer’s English	YES	100%
Instead of reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, read  The Know It All by A.J. Jacobs, a good summary.	YES – at the last minute!	100%
	Did I Graduate??	96%

What I really learned is what I do and don’t want to learn and do with my life.

Things I’m excited to learn about: Languages and Linguistics, Foreign Cultures and Traditions, Food!, Analyzing Numbers, How I can Help People, History (to some extent), Maritime Law, Comedy, Other Religions (despite not finishing reading any of it!)

Things that don’t interest meet: Art, Sports of pretty much any kind, rote memorization of anything, Biology, Classic Literature (while I like the idea of it, I can’t get into the prose – though I do still love Shakespeare!), Health

I also learned that I do better with actual classes or syllabi than free learning (where I get overwhelmed with To-Do lists and never actually do them.)

Next Steps: As fun as all this has been, I am currently in the process of doing a “Mini Masters” online from an actual University. In this modern age of online courses, it is quite possible to get actual degrees for lower costs and in shorter time than traditionally. I will also try to read many of the books I didn’t get around to last year, and try to complete this reading challenge! And I will of course continue in my language studies (adding in a bit of Arabic and Norwegian this year!)

I thank anyone who has followed me through this journey! I still have a few more posts to update my last few tasks!

Reading Update

It’s only five weeks until I should finish the new and condensed alternative Graduate Program – eek! Looking back, I have found that while I have recently had plenty of time to work on the program, and reading, and languages, I have struggled to stay motivated. Most days I don’t even start working until after lunch. I usually reserve reading for before bed – but more often than not I fall asleep only a few pages in!

As such, I am condensing my last few weeks of reading into just one book per category. I originally intended for November to be about Science and December about business, but now at the end of November, a few days before Thanksgiving, I am still (appropriately) finishing one of my Travel and Food books from October. At this rate, I need to finish one book a week! So…

For the remainder of the year, I will focus on finishing up books I’ve previously started:

• On the Noodle Road – I am almost finished with this book, it it was well worth the read!
• The Know-It-All – The main pillar of the entire Alternative Graduate Program, I must finish this book before “graduation”. It should be doable since I am already halfway through it.
• Lingo – I started this book back during my Language Arts month, and intended to carry it over into my Travel month, but have not been as productive as I originally hoped. Still, I’d like to finish it!
• Outliers – I began this book years ago, and a few passages stuck with me, though at this point I will need to start form the beginning again.
• Notes From An Apocalypse – This. Just all of this. The most appropriate book I can think of to end 2020. A book filled with pandemics and monster storms, and perhaps a glimmer of hope.
• Protocol / Algorithms to Live By / Doughnut Economics – One of these, or the entire Trifecta, will carry me into the new year! Diplomacy and Decision Making are two areas I could really work on in my life. And I am curious to see what advice economists have for recovering from the current state of affairs. Bonus, I found a Dutch version of Doughnut Economics for extra credit.

Speaking of books in other languages, it seems I will not have time this year for reading some French classics as I had hoped. But, have no fear, next year I would like to finally read Le Compte de Monte Cristo – an undertaking that, looking at the chapter list, will likely take the entire year!

It’s good to set goals early. And perfectly fine to adjust them as you progress (as I have frequently done). Keeping my goals simple and reasonable and less overwhelming than lofty ambition (though I frequently suffer that as well!)

Studies-by-the-Numbers

Since I restarted this Alternative Graduate project, I have found that despite having all the free time in the world (courtesy of COVID-19), I actually have very little free time.

I have spent 8 of the past 10 months without work. Three of those months I spent helping my father through chemotherapy and radiation treatments for throat cancer. Another two of those months I spent babysitting my niece and assisting my pregnant sister, who was still working throughout the pandemic and her pregnancy. I’ve spent an average of two hours a day preparing meals for my family and at least another hour or so a day in various of their activities (be it radiation therapy, vet appointments, or cheerleading practice). However, none of this shows on my CV.

In the time I have had in between, I’ve been studying various languages, new technological programs and skills, applying for jobs all over the place, maintaining three blogs, and reading as many books as I can before I fall asleep each night. All this, in hopes of finding a job within an industry that is still operating effectively through the pandemic and eventually finding my way back overseas – which has been my dream since childhood.

So how can I show these endeavours to prospective job recruiters?

To do just that, I have created a spreadsheet in which I log my hours of study and “work”, and then created automatically updating charts to display the data.

Since June, I have logged:

• 250 hours studying four languages (French, Dutch, Italian, and Greek)
• 71 hours in online / MOOC courses on Human Resources, Data Analytics, Digital Communication, Supply Chain Management, and Applied Linguistics & TESOL (earning a total of 12 certificates)
• 34 hours blogging across three different blogs (this learning blog, my Travel blog, and my new Language Diary blog), not counting the numerous posts I’ve made in various social media groups
• 70 hours reading over 20 Non-Fiction and Fiction books on various subjects, as well as religious texts in order to better understand people of other backgrounds
• 72 hours searching for and applying to 36 jobs, of which only 2 asked me to interview, and none of which hired me (yet!)

Somehow, this still only accounts for 20% of my time. The rest has been spent taking care of others, and assisting them to better their lives as well.

I guess all of this is just to prove that perhaps not all knowledge and skills can be found on a CV. I also like to think it shows off a bit of my data writing skills 😉

Merits of Self Education

“[Noah Webster] held himself superior to Benjamin Franklin because he was a Yale man while Franklin was self educated.”

Bill Bryson, The Mother Tongue

See, self-education worked out pretty well for Ben Franklin! Hopefully it will for me too!

Another Way to Travel from Home

As I’ve mentioned, Travel was really the main tenant of the original Alternative Graduate program, and the reason I was so attracted to the program in the first place.

But it’s not about the kind of travel that involves a race to check off all the world’s museums and attractions the fastest. It’s about learning to see the world from a different perspective. It’s about the kind of travel that opens your mind to new ideas, new ways of seeing old problems, alternative solutions.

Though, as I mentioned in my previous post, travel is not something so readily attainable anymore (and indeed never was for many people around the world). I’ve posted previously about alternatives to travel, including reading, podcasts and even learning foreign cuisine, but I have just discovered perhaps one of the best ways to bring the real education of travel into your home: Pindrop.

Pindrop is a new podcast from the ever innovative makers of TED Talks. TED Talks already brought great innovators from around the world to your ear pods, but now they bring you great innovations from around the world- interesting and unique solutions to problems that are becoming more prevalent in many places in our world.

If you follow my blog regularly, it make seem like I’m paid to promote TED (I wish!) but I really did just find that this podcast does the same thing I do when I am able to travel – think “huh, now that’s an interesting way of doing that. I never would have though of that!” And that, to me, is the goal of travel. Shouldn’t we all just try to understand each other a bit better so that we can hopefully one day understand how to protect our people, our resources, and our planet?

Reading Update #6

Once again I am pressed to read as many books as I need to in order to finish this program. I keep finding more and more books I want to read! However, I think I have found a way to make it more manageable. Each month will focus on a different subject*!

Foe August, since I started learning Greek and am also taking Teaching English classes online, I am focusing on Language Arts Books from my list. There are five, including the requisite Bird by Bird, so I still need to read about one book every four days to finish.

September will focus on religion, including the three major religious texts (not gonna lie, there may be a bit of skimming involved to finish this one in time!)

October will be my favorite month, focusing on Travel, History, and Food related features.

November will attempt to cover a wide variety of Science and Technology.

Finally, in December I will end with a few Business, Psychology, and Self-Improvement type books to empower me for the new year.

Oh yeah, and somewhere in there I’ll find some time to read fiction!

*I determined the subjects based on the tags used in my library’s online catalogue on OverDrive, where I will check-out the eBooks (since real libraries are still closed).

Don’t forget to check out my ever evolving reading lists!

Alternatives to Travel

One of the original pillars of this program was TRAVEL.  However, travel is a bit difficult in this COVID-19 world we live in (especially if you are American).  Since this course is all about alternatives, try one or all of these alternatives to get a bit of the same effect.  (Though it still doesn’t quite feed the soul the way traveling does!)

• Travel reading (check out this reading challenge!)
• Join a language group (live or online) or get a pen pal in another country
• Watch reality TV or series from a different country (Netflix has some great international choices! They also have two newer and awesome travel-related shows: The Final Table and Down to Earth – two great shows that fit right in with the ideals of this program.)
• Watch the news from another country
• Sign up for this subscription service to get snacks from around the world (one of my favorite souvenirs when I travel). It will broaden your horizons and your tastebuds! (I’m just waiting for my Netherlands box so I can get all my favorite Dutch treats that I’ve been missing!)

Let’s Try Again – Back to School

So after being furloughed indefinitely in the Pandemic, I have spent the past two months studying three languages and taking various online courses to learn important business skills. Then I realized, that without even really noticing, I was continuing my idea of “The Alternative Graduate”!

(I even bought some school supplies the other day! )

So I thought, why not start documenting my journey again for all of you?

If there is one important thing I have learned over the last two months, it is HOW to learn. Somedays, I think I spend more time studying this than I do actually learning an applicable skill. I’ve also learned a lot about technological and other advances in the modern workplace (which is a great thing when University is almost 15 years behind you and you’ve spent the last eight years at sea without high-speed internet!)

So what I have done, is re-written and condensed, modernized and made more obtainable the original program. Bonus: All of it can be done for free from your own home!

First a note on the things I removed…

Travel: I know this was THE main tenant of the original program, however I took it out as it is not very realistic during the current pandemic times. Travel is already ingrained in my life, and I still managed to add some new countries to my list pre-pandemic – so you will see update posts on those later!

Fitness: This is not something I feel is really part of education. I am also working under the assumption that most adults already have an established fitness routine (however intense or relaxed it is) so, you do you. Personally, I am a big fan of the “7-minute Workout”, but I also enjoy a good Zumba or Yoga class now and then.

Now, without further adieu, the modernized and simplified…

10 Step Alternative Graduate Program

1. General Knowledge: Read The Know-It-All, by AJ Jacobs. The place to start.
2. General Knowledge: Develop this habit – Watch or listen to one TED Talk every day (this is easily done by subscribing to the TED Talks Daily podcast, alternatively you could create a playlist based on your interests on Youtube or in the TED Talk App). This replaces the “random Wikipedia page” part of the original program.
3. Language Arts / Grammar: I will still read Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott (unless someone can recommend a newer and fun book covering grammar?) You can also still sign up for the Grammar Girl Podcast, but I’m trying to keep things manageable. Listening to the occasional episode is a good idea though!
4. Language Arts / Foreign Language: Learn a foreign language – obviously I kept this one!  You can use all kinds of free resources online: Youtube (I recommend Easy Languages), DuoLingo, Podcasts, HelloTalk, or this site’s “Beginner” lessons to get started (especially those more fond of the textbook method).
   The idea is to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour each day on your target language.
5. Language Arts / Speaking: The original program had you sign up for a speaking club. I think there are many ways to practice now, you can even do it via Skype or Zoom! Combine two tasks, sign up for speaking in your Foreign Language – you can do it with a site like iTalki or sign up for this 30 Day Speaking Challenge. Either way, technology is the way of the future, we need to embrace it.
6. Language Arts / Reading: Yep, that’s still an important part!  But I shortened it.  Choose 10 Non-Fiction Books, 5 Classic Novels, and 5 Modern Classics. Try to vary it to cover a range of topics. You could also use your reading to replace the “travel” tenant of the program by reading travelogues and books about other cultures. I’ll share my updated list in a later post.
7. Religion: Read the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an. Yep, I still kept this part because I still think it is extremely important in understanding the cultures of today. To further your appreciation and understanding, read one of the following books from Karen Armstrong: A History of God, The Battle for God, or the Great Transformation. It will really put your readings into perspective. Also check out The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, if you’re still a bit confused.
8. Business / Economics: The original program suggested buying a subscription to The Economist and reading it religiously. I prefer the hip and free e-news, The Morning Brew. Plus, they deliver it right to your inbox daily so you have no excuse not to read it! If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can test your economics skills on the stock market. I like Robinhood, it’s completely free to trade, though you do still need real money to buy the stocks!
9. Business / Technology: Take an online course in Computer Programming, Data Analytics, or Digital Marketing. No seriously, almost every job these days requires at least one of these skills. You can take free online courses on a number of platforms, including FutureLearn and EdX.
10. Other Skills: Learn one other new skill. You can take free online courses as mentioned above, or if available, in-person courses (these may cost money). It can be something marketable like Marketing or Copywriting, or something to round you out, like Photography or Piano or Tango.

Extra Credit: Check out these free online courses to build other useful professional skills. I’ve already completed one full program, and they are currently giving you a free certificate (normally you have to pay extra for the actual proof that you completed it!)

 

For those of you still confused as to what I am talking about, please refer back to my original posts and reasons for starting this blog.

For those of you wondering, I am hoping to finish by the New Year (it is currently July). But really, should we ever stop learning?!

#FAIL: Overdue

Labor Day has come and gone.

This post is a few weeks overdue but has come to show my failure at the whole task.

I like to say life got in the way, but really I just don’t think I’m disciplined enough to stick with such a rigorous program.  Plus, it’s not exactly easy when you work 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a place with no reliable internet.  That’s right folks, I went back to sea.

Despite not finishing the designed program, I realized that just my life, as it is, teaches me new things all the time.

• I did manage to read a few more books, whose summaries I will post eventually. I also watched a number of movies in other languages
• I also learned that my French is actually pretty good – according to actual French people – when I don’t confuse it with my Dutch or Spanish.
• I can still finish my Computer Science course by the end of the year, but I dropped all the others.
• I learned how to drive a lifeboat and successfully parallel parked for the first time in my life – do those count as new skills?
• I have a few posts still in drafts which I will get posted (and probably backdate)
• News, Economics, and current events come at you from all sides anymore.  You do not need to read a periodical anymore, everything is just out there when you open any device.  Just be sure you trust your sources.  It’s especially easy when traveling to get all sorts of outside views on current events!
• Most employers no longer search for “well-rounded” candidates, as this program was intended to make me.  They want experts at something, with something extra special to offer.  I’m still not sure I’m good at this, but I am back to being gainfully employed, so that’s a win.

Things I will continue to do in my own time…

• Read Non-Fiction – I’ve found that I actually quite enjoy these but noticed that it’s mostly travel writing and self-help books I relate to
• Travel – this is something I will never stop.  I still plan to visit Africa when the time is right, particularly South Africa and Morocco.  I also hear Madagascar is nice.  I’ve been to plenty of places in Asia, but would love to explore central Asia more – I hear many of the ‘-istan’s are nice.  I trust that this will all come in due time.  At least, during this program, I made my way into Eastern Europe finally and completed my first completely solo trip!  Both wins in my book!
• Learn – I still heavily believe in lifelong learning, but maybe it doesn’t have to be so structured.  An online class here or there is nice. You also learn new skills as you progress through your career.  Evening meeting friends with different interests help you to learn about something new!  I still want to use my travels to learn and/or help though.  I’m also still working on my Dutch and French Languages.  Good thing I go to Belgium in a few weeks!
• Blog – I will still try to update this blog occasionally, but my blogging efforts will mainly be dedicated to my ABC Travel Blog.

New and Improved Class Schedule!

Ok, so the holidays are over and many students around the northern hemisphere are going back to school.  I too am trying to get back in the swing of this self imposed program.  So, to avoid the endless abyss that the internet can become when you try to do many things at once, I’ve created a new “class schedule”, if you will, to actually accomplish things in my day.

As you can see, this is quite time consuming (fortunately I currently have a lot of time!)  I’ve made little boxes to represent 30 minute time blocks (for when I can’t dedicate a full hour in one go).  UPDATE: I’ve since gotten a small dry erase board to keep track of my daily tasks.

I even took the liberty of later adding 30 minutes of job hunting time and 30 minutes “personal time” to say, do my nails or something (need to look good for those potential employers!)

In total:

• 2 hours of online coursework (I’m currently enrolled in 4 online courses),
• 1 hour of blogging (between this and my travel blog),
• 1 hour of reading (my non-fiction and classics novels),
• 30 minutes on DuoLingo + 30 minutes towards other language tasks,
• 30 minutes to read the Economist,
• 30 minutes of exercise,
• 30 minutes of job hunting and CV writing,
• 30 minutes of personal time
  TOTAL = 7 hours a day. 

I am fairly successful at this when my parents aren’t home, having to sacrifice some of my bigger tasks when they are to do household things.

For now, I am setting a timer on my phone to make sure I dedicate exactly the allotted amount of time to everything….. 3 minutes until my blogging time runs out…. stay tuned for more info on my modified language learning plan and my online courses!