University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Wed Aug 20, 2014 3:59 pm

... Okay, maybe not ruined but tainted and postponed for several years.

So I've come to a conclusion ... I hate America and I hate being an American. I don't hate Americans though.
Post #2 has been replaced with my update log. Let's see how my journey to find a loophole goes.

So this is going to be more of a rant concerning some recent discoveries that affect my current life plan. Yup, I'm a young adult who thinks his life is even more ruined than it already was. I'm officially at the pinnacle of my quarter life crisis! If you don't want to hear the rantings of a young person confused about life, feel free to leave. But I am wishing for some advice and guidance from those more wiser than I as well as any engineers that can offer some clarification.

For those of you who are less interested in reading the next post, here is a general overview of my problems (the full version is in post #2):






Morel of the story ... I'm fucked off! And feel rather cheated and a victem of a money-hungry country.

So any advice people?
I'm basically graduating with a degree that might not help me get a job in a country where I want it. It will also not really be the degree I was expecting. Electrical Engineering is wonderful but the education I am receiving is super shit and not at all what I was thinking I was paying for. It truly is, more or less, paying for a sheet of paper. I paid to learn things, things that I can't learn simply by reading a textbook; not to just listen to people talk and get a paper that says I am qualified to do something that I really don't know how to do.
In addition to this, I really can't seem to study abroad like I really really want to. I want to do this to get some things out of my life that I currently cannot: a taste of a sweet ass education, immersed in a cool culture, a chance to see what I want.

So that's it from a young guy going through his quarter-life crisis who was hoping to have a very awesome and unique experience but now can't because of the stupid rules placed on him by his government (as well as his sub-level education that isn't at all what he was expecting).
Last edited by BranBTAT on Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:54 am, edited 3 times in total.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:00 pm

Current Conclusion: I go to a university ran by a bunch of dick-headed cunt nuggets who seem to be sadistic about preventing me from getting a better education. Bristol is going above their duties to make my issues easier.

I have the go ahead from my university academic department and I am working with my Deans and advisers at Bristol and several other universities to find courses that will transfer back to my US school. Still a hold up with how the study abroad depart at my university will decide.

Funding department cannot give aid to a foreign university (well the US gov't can't, if I had other aid, it would be fine) and if I want to attend one not on their approved list, I must find another US university that does allow it.

Maybe found a loophole. The study abroad department has in the past written up consortium agreements with other universities. I have contacted Bristol and they are more than willing to help. They also think my university and gov't are being "stupid" about my funding issues and that "it really sucks." They want to try and cut a deal with my university though.

Study abroad office is rejecting negotiation with Bristol as they "do not create agreements for individual requests." Bristol University wishes me the best of luck but will try to continue to help. Study abroad will consider creating a consortium with another US university, however, only part of my current funding can be used and I might lose $5,550/yr in scholarship money. To be decided by the funding department.

"We are really busy right now. Lots of people keep walking in here and the phones are ringing non-stop. We will have to get back to you next week." -- (Very unprofession) Funding department. Consortium agreement postponed till next week.

Study abroad department wishes to evaluate my reasons and expectations for study abroad. Instead of Bristol or another England school. They suggest Ulm in Germany or a school in Fiji. "Study abroad applicants must be open-minded, willing for unexpected adventures, and ready for hardships." Going to Ulm requires I learn German and I am limited to a very strict curriculum of classes (none of which will help me graduate). No idea about Fiji and don't care; I love your overpriced water, but I don't want to live there for 6 months.

My general assumptions from the study abroad department are "Study abroad is for cultural diversity and students seeking an eye-opening, worldly experience. Ideal applicants do not have expectations to choose a university." (indirect quote) An eye-opening and cultural experience is certainly something I'd like, but that's not the sole of what I want. I want to go to a university that offers a taste of the education I wished I had gotten. In addition to this, one that will benefit me in my academics and future career. Having education from Bristol (or any foreign school but really from a highly ranked one) would be great for employment. As well as this, I have various other desires and expectations from my experience abroad. Study abroad doesn't care that I want to get a better education for a few months and really learn a lot and benefit from it and as a person. They want me to have cultural awareness in some super foreign land; the more difficult it is for me, the better. England I guess doesn't offer enough of that. I must go learn a foreign language and attend a school offering no classes I need or live on some remote island it seems. (If you are from Fiji or some other remote island *cough*Tony2*cough*, I'm sure you are wonderful people and everything is awesome. I just don't personally want to live there; visit sure.)

My university pulls an insulting gesture on me "I see you are doing lot's of research, that is very good for someone wanting to go independently." <sarcasm>Yay, horray for me, going independently</sarcasm>... Oh wait, you don't allow me to go independently. Anyone else think that was a dick move? They've been beating me up all week and choose that as their one good gesture?

Bristol University is being very understanding in the matter and are appalled at my university's response to my problem.

More waiting.
Last edited by BranBTAT on Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:31 am, edited 4 times in total.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby mcsproot » Thu Aug 21, 2014 3:44 am

I can't say from experience, but some companies may be willing to put you through University on the understanding you will work for them for X years. I know that the merchant shipping companies do this, but that is mostly due to the education of the cadets. Their learning REQUIRES time at sea during their years at college, and thus they need backing from a shipping company.

EDIT: As an aside, have you considered any universities in other parts of the UK (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)? You can thank the London Government for the high tuition costs in England itself, due to them raising the maximum fee to £9,000.
23 year old guy from the UK.

Send me a private message on the board if you want to add me to your MSN, Yahoo, or anything else.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Thu Aug 21, 2014 4:39 am

I have considered the fist motion and am looking I to it.
Even for Scottish and Irish universities, the fees are outrageuius. Directly yo the university isn't super expensive bit its the mark up that the required third party companies add to it. None of the universities I'm looking at actually hit the £9,000.

The companies also limit me in what I can take. Most of them only all art, language, business classes to be taken, even if that university offers classes in engineering. Seems study abroad (at least what I am interested in) is catered more towards things that will stimulate the US economy and bring about cultural understanding and connection; someone wanting to improve their high-tech degree isn't important.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby NemesisPrime » Thu Aug 21, 2014 4:47 am

Dude, I'm so sorry man *hugs tightly*

Ironically this does touch on what I had planned as well with Psychology, getting my BA then moving to the UK though I would also go for a Masters in Business Admin.

I wish I could be of help to you but sadly with every country it's not a one-size-fits-all thing though I do agree I prefer hands-on to theory I mean sure that's nice and all but if I can't apply the knowledge in any useful way then what was the point?
Everyone speaks in multiple languages...But gag talk is universal and a sock in your mouth is the perfect translator!

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Thu Aug 21, 2014 4:56 am

Especially for something for engineering, experience is key.
My school (and most universities I have seen) push getting an internship while in school. Firstly it improves my chance of getting a real but more important, engineering (even electrical) has so many subfields, some of which aren't even covered at all by my university, and they want me to get expirence in several so that when I do finish school, I have some idea what path I want to take.

As for theory vs practice, my professors are very much on the same page as me. Some are proud of my university and they are usually the ones that do awesome research. But most of them, and the experienced ones, all say that the education I am getting isn't very good and that without actual practice and real-world study, it doesn't help much. The theory is an overly simplifed abstraction of reality and I and my professors are in agreemej about the importance of a better education. While UK school want give me a full defree with experience, I can have a few months worth and learn in a way that I am better suited and one that I thought I would get when I started university in the us.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:08 am

1. You might take a 500 level directed study at your US univ, consisting of the courses you plan on taking at England.
2. Your plans don't look far enough in the future. Unless your are an EU citizen, you will have to secure an annual work permit to get a job in the EU. The employer must certify you have special talents not available to them in the local job market.
Good luck.
BTW, is the country you hate so much the one that is providing you with the $10,000?
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:14 am

Oh hia tony! Fancy seeing you here.
No directed studies for me I'm afraid.
I know that I can't just move to Europe and be like 'okay hire me!' I do know that it is a lot work and still pretty difficult. I have taken that into consideration and its been on my schedule to start inquiring about abaliable optiins. Still shouldn't prevent me from studying for a few months.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby drawscore » Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:45 pm

"Illigitimi non tatum carborundum." (Don't let the bastards wear you down.)

Drawscore

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Thu Aug 21, 2014 2:01 pm

BranBTAT wrote:Oh hia tony! Fancy seeing you here.
No directed studies for me I'm afraid.
I know that I can't just move to Europe and be like 'okay hire me!' I do know that it is a lot work and still pretty difficult. I have taken that into consideration and its been on my schedule to start inquiring about abaliable optiins. Still shouldn't prevent me from studying for a few months.


Hi Bran -
Always keep studying and learning (and reading my stories of course). Your investment between your ears is one no one can tax, steal or compromise.
The test for an EU work permit is you have to have some ability to the employer not available to them locally. Keep that in mind as you move to your degrees. Try and anticipate employers' future demands in specialized areas and tune your skills to match the anticipated need.

Feel free to PM me if I can help.

Aloha
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Thu Aug 21, 2014 2:14 pm

tony2 wrote:Hi Bran -
Always keep studying and learning (and reading my stories of course). Your investment between your ears is one no one can tax, steal or compromise.
The test for an EU work permit is you have to have some ability to the employer not available to them locally. Keep that in mind as you move to your degrees. Try and anticipate employers' future demands in specialized areas and tune your skills to match the anticipated need.

Feel free to PM me if I can help.

Aloha


Constant learning is something my professors are always talking about, especially for engineering as the field changes a lot with new technologies. With that being said, my university is apparently in the dark ages when it comes to electrical engineering education. The things we learn are very old technologies and only once have we talked about something that came after the 80s (and that was just as aside of "hey, something way better exists these days"). The English system seems to be more up to date and cutting edge. It seems most professors at my uni really dislike the stuff they have to teach and agree it's not what we should be learning.

Even outside of uni though, I plan on keeping up and knowledgeable on things. Firstly it keeps me modern and employable but I also find all this stuff super cool.

As for having a specialized skill, that will be very difficult with my university education alone. Nothing taught is specialized or unique and it's all old technologies. I guess my skill might be vintage radio design but that's about it. Nothing new and upcoming (or even not so new) is covered here. Outside of classes and unrelated to any course work, I am trying to independently learn various things. Skills that my degree doesn't give me in the US but that I feel are important to my being an actual engineer.


And ugh ... I've never actually read any of your stories >.< Not fully. :O

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Thu Aug 21, 2014 2:19 pm

drawscore wrote:"Illigitimi non tatum carborundum." (Don't let the bastards wear you down.)

Drawscore


Excellent quote. I am trying not to. I am doing a lot of research into this matter to try and find a loophole to convince to allow something new. There has been a few student sponsored programs over the many years but I guess they were better ninjas than I am. I am in contact with various departments at my school, various schools and companies in my country, and various school abroad; trying to find some way I can get them to play nicely. Doing a lot of research on what has worked for other universities. None of that is working though, I'm now appealing directly to the greedy third-party it seems I must use to see if they will cut out some of the costs for me by letting me be rogue and remove all the added extras that I don't want or need.

Some how that seems to be mean nothing to them. I figured they'd be happy and proud of me for doing all of this independent research and really pushing for getting something that not only will help me, but future students wanting to do the same. All my hardwork and dedication though seems to be falling on cold shoulders from my university. Though England seems to recognize my determination.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:49 am

Bran-- Try Gonzaga University in Spokane. it's a private Jesuit University and has been very flexible and well respected.
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:52 am

tony2 wrote:Bran-- Try Gonzaga University in Spokane. it's a private Jesuit University and has been very flexible and well respected.

Try what? Try to study there instead instead of Bristol?

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:14 am

Instead of where you are now. I understand they have a very good engineering dept and a very high job placement for its grads.
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:23 am

That tuition is insane and not at all affordable for me. Plus I'd have to get housing which I currently do not as I live with my parents. I barely can afford my current university at 15,000$. I would also be losing 5,500$/yr from state provided aid I receive.

It is also too late for me to transfer schools. They have requirements where x-credits must come from their university and I am almost done with my total credits. Bristol wouldn't be a transfer, just one term abroad. Consider it a temporary transfer for a few months where I then return to my original university so that's fine. I basically have one term of transfer credits available; ie, credits I can take anywhere and not mess up with the required number of hours I have to take at my graduating university.

My university has no transfer agreement with that university and I doubt they would be willing to cut a deal with them as they seem very much set in not changing. It would also be financially impossible. I am already in debt by 30,000$.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:38 am

At least you checked. Thanks for the followup. Good luck will work out for you - believe it.
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:43 am

I certainly need a lot of luck.
I'm currently reflecting on my life to date and my future prospects. I am certainly not happy, possibly even regretful. But life isn't static and is full of various branches. It's too late to change what has happened, I just have to work my ass off a lot to get back on the branch I want.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby xtc » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:16 am

Just an off-chance.
Esso seem open to various ideas and seem to have money to employ on worthy causes. Have you tried approaching them or Exxon or BP?
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:25 am

xtc wrote:Just an off-chance.
Esso seem open to various ideas and seem to have money to employ on worthy causes. Have you tried approaching them or Exxon or BP?


I have not yet tried, but it is something that I am working towards. Thanks for the help though.
Ive got to be doing way more work to make this happen than other people do. My uni wants to help people who want to learn a foreign language but for someone who is showing great dedication and independence, they just push away and prohibit me. Gah. At least all the english schools i have talked with are on my side and feel for me.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:09 am

Perhaps go back to them and tell them you want to learn a very foreign language spoken by natives which is why you chose England (grin).
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby truly_trussed » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:33 pm

xtc wrote:Just an off-chance.
Esso seem open to various ideas and seem to have money to employ on worthy causes. Have you tried approaching them or Exxon or BP?


Actually xtc, Esso and Exxon are one and the same. Exxon is the U.S. marketing brand and it's Esso in the rest of the world. Corporate name is ExxonMobil, the company behind the tiger in your tank.

In the U.S. prior to 1973 the gasoline brands were Esso, Enco and Humble depending on what state you were in. Canada had Imperial Esso dealers. After that they switched to the Exxon brand and the company acquired Mobil Oil a few years ago.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:49 pm

They all harken back to the breakup of the Standard Oil Monopoly which for general info was followed by the Monopoly breakup of the Bell Telephone monopoly. (Gaad, I must be ancient --- I remember both of them!).
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:53 pm

Wikipedia says Standard Oil broke up in 1911 .... how old are you O_O

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:57 pm

They had a second monopoly on filling stations that was hit with anti-trust and had to break up --- I believe it was in the early 70's. Many became ESSO (grin). I'm getting closer to the centennial, but still a bit to go....
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:35 pm

Update on the future of job outlook.
Seems the UK was nice enough to produce a list of jobs that are in short supply ( https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... pril14.pdf ) and one of my interests just happens to be on there :D Embedded communications and integrated circuit design. Sadly my university doesn't have classes in either or anything even related BUT they are some I am considering at Bristol that do offer them. I've also started independent education and practice in both so maybe I'll have a nice portfolio soon. And I have a two research projects to complete before I graduate so that might help too.

With regards to my funding issues, Bristol University has now decided to petition the third-party company that my school works with to lower their cost for me. Hopefully they will have better success working with them than working with my university.

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:08 pm

Thanks for the updates Bran. I have no doubt you will overcome these little frustrations in your path as you move through life. Believe in yourself and your ability, but also believe that you will never be faced with problems you haven't been given the tools to overcome. PM if questions anytime.
Aloha
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:10 pm

I do have a question! ... Why did you pick the avatar that you did?
I will admit, a pirate roleplay has crossed my mind before. :3

Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby tony2 » Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:50 am

Fair question:
First, a person who can't laugh at himself usually has a herself making up the difference....

Anyway, Having been an attorney for 33 years as well as a few other things, I have always loved attorney jokes (not a feeling shared by many of my peers though).
I am afraid that more than a few of my peers deserve that logo for real. Using Jack Rackham's battle flag was just a quiet giggle to myself --- until now anyway (grin).

Some of my TUG experiences in the past have also made me feel somewhat captured by pirates myself. (double grin).
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.


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Re: University Rant; ie, how my life dreams have been ruined

Postby BranBTAT » Sun Aug 24, 2014 4:15 pm

Guys ... I found a grey hair! O_O

Okay, maybe not (at least I hope not) but real-life is stressful. Hopefully it cools down when I get my life in a place (philosophically, not per se physically) I am happy with.