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!

Another Language Challenge

I’ve been participating in a new language challenge this month (as you may recall, I was participating in the 30 Day Speaking Challenge back in July). This challenge is focused more on writing, and really just interacting with the language everyday. It is the Language Diary Challenge.

In it, I write my thoughts about languages and language learning and just life in general. I’ve been writing my entries on my old personal blog, and you can find them here 🙂

Overdue Weekly Update – 9 August 2020

It is Monday morn—-er….. evening, so here is an update of my progress for the last week (I went away this weekend, so I took a bit of a break from everything!)

Reading is, well, going. Watch out tomorrow for a new post on my plans for that. I finished one novel, but I don’t quite think it fits in the program, it was more of a guilty pleasure. But I continue to read The Know It All, and have also started, The Mother Tongue, by Bill Bryson – which I intend to finish in four days……

Languages are the hot thing this month! I started learning Greek last week. For those of you who have lost track, that’s language number four, and the first one in a long time that I am starting from scratch – think I can reach A1 by the end of the month? Yeah, me neither. My French course is just about finished, and I dare say I can think in French again! And even understand French people finally! I’m also just about finished with my online courses in Applied Linguistics (where we studied the speech patterns of Margaret Thatcher and Donald Trump!) and Teaching English Online. I have also decided to read 4-5 English/Language Arts books this month. Wish me luck!

News/Politics/Economics are all happening. Yep. I spend almost an hour each morning reading two 5-minute newsletters (it’s all those links to extra articles that get you!) I did, however score 5 out of 5 on the newletter’s weekly quiz, which proves I not only ready the articles, but retained them for a whole week! I also learned some prime tips from my TED Talks on how to care for house plants!

As for Travel, I visited some new cities in my own state this weekend – that counts, right?! They have “mask police” there!

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.

Alternatives to Work Experience

So, for those of you who have ever tried to change careers, you will understand how difficult it is to break into a new field.  I’m in that precarious place where I’m too far out of college to apply any of my relevant studies to a new career but also have acquired no relevant job experience in the meantime.

Alas, in the spirit of the Alternative Graduate Program, I have actually made a list of useful skills gained via my unconventional jobs and also via a section often overlooked on a CV – hobbies.

So, having worked mainly on cruise ships, with children, and in restaurants, my job skills include such classics as:

• Customer Service
• Multitasking
• Working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Teamwork
• Quick thinking and Improvising using limited resources
• Giving clear, concise instructions
• Administrative and Database Tasks
• Organizational skills
• Ability to work within many cultures
• Planning and scheduling activities and events

I think those are some pretty useful skills to break into numerous fields in a customer service or event coordinating role.

Don’t forget to include that most of my jobs I stayed at for over five years or multiple seasons in a row – that’s loyalty and dedication!

Now let’s look at what hobbies can say about you…

My Hobbies

• Cooking – following instructions, improvising on the fly, creating unique pieces for the customer
• Board Gaming – competitive drive, critical thinking, strategizing numerous moves in advance, negotiating, and in the case of my favorite game, teamwork – working together to reach a common goal
• Ballroom Dancing – sociability (no one wants to work with a meanie!), teamwork, ability to lead or follow someone’s lead
• Hiking – drive to push oneself to limits often outside of one’s comfort zone, conquering literal and metaphoric mountains, appreciation for nature and health (so I won’t take as many sick days!)
• Travel – ability to see a situation from multiple perspectives, how to get a point across when you may not share the same language (or even if you do, how to explain something technical in layman’s terms), deductive skills from deducing signs in foreign languages, actually speaking other languages, budgeting, how to book several parts of a trip, navigation, how foreign markets operate comparatively

So, as you can see, I would actually be a very knowledgeable employee to an employer willing to think outside the box with me.

Couple this with my Alternative Graduate Program, the numerous computer science and business classes I’m taking online, and hopefully by the end of this program I will have successfully transitioned into a career!

Task #11: Blogging

Start a blog, create a basic posting schedule, and stick with it for the entire year. You can get a free blog at WordPress.org. One tip: don’t try to write every day. Set a weekly or bi-weekly schedule for a while, and if you’re still enjoying it after three months, pick up the pace.

Cost: $0.

What do you think this is?!?!

I also have two other blogs.  My personal blog, which I update sporadically and don’t wish to include here right now, and my travel blog ABC Travel Eye – which I tried to update more frequently by scheduling posts in advance.

This blog will be my new main focus, but I will still work on the other two, especially my travel blog.

My Cost: $0, plus a lot of hours!

Can I Graduate?

First off, kudos to any of you who immediately started singing the Third Eye Blind song in your head upon seeing this title!

But that’s not what this is about.  This is about my journey towards obtaining an Alternative Graduate Degree.

Now, you are asking “What is an Alternative Graduate Degree?”  Well it’s not really a degree, but a self-guided program designed to give one all the worldly knowledge of a graduate program, but in half the time and at a fraction of the cost.

I first read about it in Chris Guillebeau’s book, The Art of Non-Conformity – which I had picked up at the library after yet another fight with my mom over my lack of desire for a normal career or life (neither of which I have had for over five years now).

You can check out the link to Chris’s blogpost about his program, but I intend to modify it a bit to further my interests and make it work more towards my long term goals (I have a few! ish!)

I would like to chronicle my journey through the program – from planning my course of action (ha, course! see what I did there?), to successfully completing each line item in the program.  What I need is a following to hold me accountable.  That’s where you all come in.  I’ve always done well in school, but without any deadlines or rewards at the end, I’ll probably forget/slack-off/give up on most things.

I’m giving my-self until Labor Day to officially start (that’s when most schools start, right?!) and get into a habit of learning again.  From then I will have one year to set and meet the goals of the program.

What do you say?  Can I “Graduate”?  (Again?)
Scroll down to check out my progress!