Swedish Universities are Free
Okay, the beginning of this entry may sound a bit like an advertisement, but when I discover that Swedish universities are free for everyone, no matter where in the world you are from, I feel a need to spread some information about it.
Anyone wanting to continue their formal eduction should seriously look into the university programmes offered by Swedish universities. Sweden spends a lot of their GDP on education, and has created a system of higher education that is FREE for everyone. Bachelors, Master, PhD, all free, and as far as I can tell they have some really great programmes. They even have a few programmes that are distanced-learning degree programs. I'm applying for one, it's a Masters in Adult Education and Global Change from Linkoping University. It's a two-year part time program that never requires me to actually go to Sweden, I could do it all from China, and it won't cost me a dollar. The focus of this degree is really great, it is focused on enhancing the learning environment in various settings (workplace, school, etc) and aiding in a process of creating unity among people from different cultural backgrounds. A lot of this is done within the realm of adult education. There are a few other online programmes you should look into if you, like me, would like to get a Masters degree but don't want to fork out the ridiculous tuition fees of US universities. In my searching, I found the following online degrees offered by Swedish universities (all free, though a couple of them may require you go to Sweden once or twice for a week or two): Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Social Anthropology, Masters of Child Studies, Masters of Adult Education and Global Change, Masters of African Literature, Masters of Linguistics. If you don't want a degree, many Swedish universities also offer single courses for free in a variety of subjects.
And to finish off the blog entry, here is the short essay I just wrote for my application to the distanced learning Masters programme at Linkoping Univeristy I've applied to:
When reflecting on the present state of the world and the path along which history has traveled to arrive at this moment, it becomes evident that humanity is in dire need of true unity and of a deeper understanding of the beauty of the cultural diversity that exists on our planet. In order for society to advance we all need to learn how to build bonds of trust and respect that transcend cultural boundaries and national borders. If we learn to see ourselves as citizens of a global community who are intimately interconnected with all the dwellers of the earth, we can begin to become active participants in the continually unfolding process of community and global progress that is propelling humanity forward into never before explored territories of human development. Then, as we arise to take actions aimed at building an ever-advancing civilization, the new learnings we generate through our efforts can help us to construct a systematically evolving conceptual framework that will determine the nature of what our next endeavors will be. One of the key elements we must each learn, then, is how to always remain in a learning mode. This is one of the main reasons I would like to participate in the Intercontinental Master's Programme in Adult Learning and Global Change. I want to enhance my ability to learn how to learn within the various contexts of my life's path.
I am also very excited that the framework of this programme is largely centered around adult education. I have spent the last few years trying to help junior youth and youth develop their intellectual capabilities and their desire to be of service to their local community, while at the same time I have been going through processes of reflection and study with their teachers in order to create a learning environment that promotes organic growth and mutual development. I have often times felt that when working with junior youth and youth, they are naturally eager to develop capabilities that are related to the growth of themselves as individuals, as well as with the progress of their community. However, I have often times felt that the teachers and adults I have worked with are more rigid in their perspectives of the purpose of education, and trying to tap into their desire to improve themselves and society is not nearly as easy as it is with junior youth and youth. Therefore, I feel like learning how to work more effectively with teachers and other adults would also greatly enhance my ability to be a more effective educator of every age level. I feel like in order to truly make progress within the realm of education and learning, whether it be within a school environment or in other settings, there should be just as much focus put into the growth and progress of teachers as their should be put into the growth and progress of the students. I feel that this Intercontinental Master's Programme in Adult Learning and Global Change will help me learn how I may be able to contribute to the growth of teachers, thereby leading to the growth of students, thereby adding a rung to the ladder leading to the development of an ever-advancing civilization.
Anyone wanting to continue their formal eduction should seriously look into the university programmes offered by Swedish universities. Sweden spends a lot of their GDP on education, and has created a system of higher education that is FREE for everyone. Bachelors, Master, PhD, all free, and as far as I can tell they have some really great programmes. They even have a few programmes that are distanced-learning degree programs. I'm applying for one, it's a Masters in Adult Education and Global Change from Linkoping University. It's a two-year part time program that never requires me to actually go to Sweden, I could do it all from China, and it won't cost me a dollar. The focus of this degree is really great, it is focused on enhancing the learning environment in various settings (workplace, school, etc) and aiding in a process of creating unity among people from different cultural backgrounds. A lot of this is done within the realm of adult education. There are a few other online programmes you should look into if you, like me, would like to get a Masters degree but don't want to fork out the ridiculous tuition fees of US universities. In my searching, I found the following online degrees offered by Swedish universities (all free, though a couple of them may require you go to Sweden once or twice for a week or two): Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Social Anthropology, Masters of Child Studies, Masters of Adult Education and Global Change, Masters of African Literature, Masters of Linguistics. If you don't want a degree, many Swedish universities also offer single courses for free in a variety of subjects.
And to finish off the blog entry, here is the short essay I just wrote for my application to the distanced learning Masters programme at Linkoping Univeristy I've applied to:
When reflecting on the present state of the world and the path along which history has traveled to arrive at this moment, it becomes evident that humanity is in dire need of true unity and of a deeper understanding of the beauty of the cultural diversity that exists on our planet. In order for society to advance we all need to learn how to build bonds of trust and respect that transcend cultural boundaries and national borders. If we learn to see ourselves as citizens of a global community who are intimately interconnected with all the dwellers of the earth, we can begin to become active participants in the continually unfolding process of community and global progress that is propelling humanity forward into never before explored territories of human development. Then, as we arise to take actions aimed at building an ever-advancing civilization, the new learnings we generate through our efforts can help us to construct a systematically evolving conceptual framework that will determine the nature of what our next endeavors will be. One of the key elements we must each learn, then, is how to always remain in a learning mode. This is one of the main reasons I would like to participate in the Intercontinental Master's Programme in Adult Learning and Global Change. I want to enhance my ability to learn how to learn within the various contexts of my life's path.
I am also very excited that the framework of this programme is largely centered around adult education. I have spent the last few years trying to help junior youth and youth develop their intellectual capabilities and their desire to be of service to their local community, while at the same time I have been going through processes of reflection and study with their teachers in order to create a learning environment that promotes organic growth and mutual development. I have often times felt that when working with junior youth and youth, they are naturally eager to develop capabilities that are related to the growth of themselves as individuals, as well as with the progress of their community. However, I have often times felt that the teachers and adults I have worked with are more rigid in their perspectives of the purpose of education, and trying to tap into their desire to improve themselves and society is not nearly as easy as it is with junior youth and youth. Therefore, I feel like learning how to work more effectively with teachers and other adults would also greatly enhance my ability to be a more effective educator of every age level. I feel like in order to truly make progress within the realm of education and learning, whether it be within a school environment or in other settings, there should be just as much focus put into the growth and progress of teachers as their should be put into the growth and progress of the students. I feel that this Intercontinental Master's Programme in Adult Learning and Global Change will help me learn how I may be able to contribute to the growth of teachers, thereby leading to the growth of students, thereby adding a rung to the ladder leading to the development of an ever-advancing civilization.