Introverts, how is your day?

[Carol the Dabbler]

There are no colleges in Germany. There's high school and then there's university. That's it.

 

Only about a quarter to a third of the population used to go to uni. There are plenty of jobs that you can get without ever bothering with academics, via apprenticeships and / or by going to vocational schools.

 

Now, more and more people are aiming for a university degree. Some say the BA is the new Abitur (= level of high school diploma you need to qualify for uni, sort of like the French Bac). So the places are getting pretty full.

That's happening here, too -- educational inflation. Even jobs that someone with a good high school education should be well able to handle will often require a bachelor's degree now. I think it's the employer's easy way of weeding out the duds -- though they may thereby be getting people with book larnin' but no common sense. In my opinion, there's no substitute for a thorough interview.

 

What distinction are you folks making between college and university? Over here, they're nearly synonymous in everyday speech. Technically speaking, a university is accredited to grant advanced degrees, while s college can grant only bachelors' degrees. Or in some cases, a college is a division of a university.

[Pseudonym]

Here in the UK a college is somewhere you can go when you are sixteen, and can do more vocational type training; hair dressing, beautician, etc. You can also study for your exams in more 'academic' fields, which can be done in a college or you can stay on in comprehensive school (high school) and do it there. After graduating school, you either get a job, or apprenticeship, go to college for further training, or go to uni. I stayed on in school and did my A-levels at 18, then went on to college to do a foundation course where I got a BTEC, and then went on to uni to get a BA. It's not always necessary to get a higher qualification than that, it depends what you want to go into; for example I have three siblings, my sister didn't go to uni and went into the police force. My middle brother got a Bsc and a good, well paid position at an IT company. My eldest brother has a Bsc, PHD and a masters, but then he is a specialised doctor so with that field he needed those qualifications. Depends a lot on what you go into I guess. I'm the black sheep 

 

What the...?! I was looking through the emojis and came across this, what the devil?! 

[Arcadia]

I've often wondered the same thing. As far as I know you're the first person to use it. :p

[Carol the Dabbler]

Thanks for the explanation of "college." Here, that would be called a community college, a junior college, or a trade school, depending on how much emphasis they placed on trades vs academics.

 

Here in Indiana, there's a state-sponsored institution with campuses in most cities which started out as a trade school called Indiana Vocational Technical School. A few years back, they apparently decided to diversify by adding more academics, and renamed the school (based on the old name I. V. Technical) as Ivy Tech Community College. Cute!

[Arcadia]

I've always been confused by the distinction between "college" and "university", but apparently I'm not the only one; the famous school named "William & Mary" here in Virginia is officially "The College of William & Mary", even though it's actually a university. Whereas ECPI University only offers one-and-two year certificates, like a junior college. Then there's this gem: "The University of Maryland University College" which isn't even a school at all, in some sense: it appears they only offer online courses! 

[Caya]

"College" seems to be a rather flexible term and used differently by every country. Here, it refers to a post-Matura (local name for the test after finishing your 12 years of education, so like A-levels or Abitur) two- to three-years degree in either business or engineering that is not from a university, but from a HTL or HAK, meaning specialized schools where you usually get your Matura later but with additional knowledge and credentials (so, like the bastard child of A-levels and a bachelor's degree) - you kinda upgrade your normal school to that specialized education. Differs quite a bit from university though because it also offers vocational training in the package ... not that I think it'd be wise to do so (I'm honestly glad I survived the training with all fingers still attached), but I could start work (or open a business, which in Austria is bound to formal qualifications in most vocational fields) as a welder or lathe operator if I wanted.

[Pseudonym]

 

What distinction are you folks making between college and university? Over here, they're nearly synonymous in everyday speech. Technically speaking, a university is accredited to grant advanced degrees, while s college can grant only bachelors' degrees. Or in some cases, a college is a division of a university.

 

 

Having said all that I know that some of the posh unis here use college in the way you mention, Cambridge for example has different colleges, but it's not the normal everyday use of the word.

 

Also, does no one have an explanation for this? 

[T.o.b.y]

Based on what you guys wrote above, I am beginning to think you could call the German "Fachhochschulen" colleges. They are basically what Martina describes and since they have introduced the bachelor / master system in Germany (which was fairly recently, for example, my husband is in his early thirties and he has an old-fashioned diploma from a university that equals as masters degree these days), you can get your BA there.

 

So I guess we DO have colleges - we just don't call them that! :lol:

 

Anyway, as long as they are public institutions, they are free.

[Carol the Dabbler]

 

... in some cases, a college is a division of a university.

 

... some of the posh unis here use college in the way you mention, Cambridge for example has different colleges....

But as I understand it, the Cambridge colleges are administrative and residential divisions, more or less equivalent to the house system at Hogwarts -- whereas the colleges of American universities are academic divisions. For example, a large university might have a general College of Arts and Sciences, as distinguished from the more specialized medical school, law school, etc.

[Van Buren Supernova]

I'd prefer to sit on the floor than on someone's lap. XD

 

My uni was government subsidized and I paid almost nothing, but to get it we had to pass through very strict multiple tests and compete with literally hundred of thousand applicants or more. The great thing is, I don't remember having to sit on the floor. We registered for the classes at the end of semester for the next one, so basically they had the record of the number of students attending the upcoming classes. We have small classroom, studios, big classrooms and halls. If we took specialized class, we attended them in our own wing, but if we took general class that was shared with other majors, we went to common area in big classroom or halls. I think the sizes were predetermined by number of students registered so there were always enough seats. Anyway, they limits the number of students they take in strictly. They also kick out students who are unable to graduate in certain period of time. I suppose it's common now, but back in first year, I remember there was no drop out period.

 

Also, does no one have an explanation for this?

Eh...if you really ask, I think that is meant for people who are too close minded because they are living far enough inside someone' a**, presumably the a** of the person they have undying love and can't do wrong in their eyes, eventhough the rest of the world thinks otherwise.

 

Or.. you can use it to express extreme constipation.. euh.. maybe..

[Arcadia]

 

Also, does no one have an explanation for this?

Eh...if you really ask, I think that is meant for people who are too close minded because they are living far enough inside someone' a**, presumably the a** of the person they have undying love and can't do wrong in their eyes, eventhough the rest of the world thinks otherwise.

 

Or.. you can use it to express extreme constipation.. euh.. maybe..

 

 

To be honest, I just assumed it had something to do with being "cheeky." But your explanation actually makes more sense. Sort of.

[hann156]

Had a week's pause and now I'm trying to jump in to the conversations again....

I don't know about Italy, but here in Germany, if you go to a public university, the courses are free. You pay a yearly fee (usually a couple hundred euros) to your local students' organization, but that's it.

 

Yup, we have the same here in Finland. Yearly fee contains "permission" to study and also health care. It's about 100 euros in my uni. Getting more expensive every year though, like everything in here.

 

My school is a little different compared to bigger universities, because I'm studying in a department of teacher education in a little town. The department is a side school for a bigger university, which is located about 90 km from my department.

Our teacher education department has been under closure threat for a while, but at the moment it seems like they are not going to close it yet. Hopefully I'm going to graduate before they do it..

 

Because we study to become teachers, we fortunately have a very little mass lectures. Usually our classes maximum amount of students is 16. That is because of safety reasons, because as a crafts teacher we use dangerous machines and crowded class would be a real threat.
 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Because we study to become teachers, we fortunately have a very little mass lectures. Usually our classes maximum amount of students is 16. That is because of safety reasons, because as a crafts teacher we use dangerous machines and crowded class would be a real threat.

 

Are you referring to art-type crafts that use human-powered machines such as potter's wheels and small looms? Or more trade-type crafts that use heavier machines like woodworking or metalworking equipment, large printing presses, etc.? Will your students study crafts as part of a varied curriculum, or as a way to earn a living?

[Pseudonym]

Not sure if this is an introvert problem so much as just a female problem, but getting leered at. Happened to me earlier today and really peed me off. 

I normally go to the gym after work and change into my gym clothes in the office before I leave. My gym clothes are nothing special, full length leggings, oversized vest. My hair was scraped back in a bun, I wasn't wearing hardly any makeup, not exactly glam. I was walking to the car minding my own business and got pointedly leered at by someone a few units down from where I work. Like, he actually opened the door to look out at me and leer. WTF?! You never seen a woman before? What the hell is your problem? What is he expecting, that I'll drop everything and do a striptease?   He didn't actually say anything luckily, so at least I didn't have to deal with that. 

[Arcadia]

Not sure if this is an introvert problem so much as just a female problem, but getting leered at. Happened to me earlier today and really peed me off. 

I normally go to the gym after work and change into my gym clothes in the office before I leave. My gym clothes are nothing special, full length leggings, oversized vest. My hair was scraped back in a bun, I wasn't wearing hardly any makeup, not exactly glam. I was walking to the car minding my own business and got pointedly leered at by someone a few units down from where I work. Like, he actually opened the door to look out at me and leer. WTF?! You never seen a woman before? What the hell is your problem? What is he expecting, that I'll drop everything and do a striptease?   He didn't actually say anything luckily, so at least I didn't have to deal with that.

Must be a Trump supporter, showing support. :P

 

And no, I don't think it's just an introvert problem, although I have known very outgoing women who rather enjoy that kind of response from a man. Or used to, when I was much younger, not so sure about now. Hopefully we've all grown up some since then. Well, obviously not ALL of us.....

[T.o.b.y]

I am in introvert hell this week - ten hours a day mandatory job training in a stuffy room. The noise! The people! It's only the second day and my nerves are worn to shreds.

[Arcadia]

Ugh, I feel for you. Me, I'm staying by myself in my studio today. Here, let me waft a little calm bliss in your direction....

[Pseudonym]

I got to be alone all day too :D

Though it meant I had to do a ridiculous amount of work, didn't sit down for a second and am now massively stressed :( 

On the plus side, once I can actually get my brain to turn off and forget everything (stoopid brain, relax damn it) I have a mini five day holiday from tomorrow! :D

[Van Buren Supernova]

I am in introvert hell this week - ten hours a day mandatory job training in a stuffy room. The noise! The people! It's only the second day and my nerves are worn to shreds.

Oh.. that's bummer. If it could make you feel better, misery loves company, the next two days I'll have meetings that I don't look forward to, in which I have to talk and interact with people that don't have the same mindsets with me, and I will be alone facing them all. Gah.

On the plus side, today is peaceful day, for me to rush everything for tomorrow. But still, it's peaceful day.

 

 

Here, let me waft a little calm bliss in your direction....

But thank you very much, in case you want to offer me too, I respectfully decline, as I suspect you only want to share...eh.. farty winds... XD

 

I got to be alone all day too :D

Though it meant I had to do a ridiculous amount of work, didn't sit down for a second and am now massively stressed :( 

On the plus side, once I can actually get my brain to turn off and forget everything (stoopid brain, relax damn it) I have a mini five day holiday from tomorrow! :D

Great!

I will have loooong awaited visit anytime from next week and plan to drop everything for couple of days break when it's confirmed. Hopefully. I need that.

[Pseudonym]

 

But thank you very much, in case you want to offer me too, I respectfully decline, as I suspect you only want to share...eh.. farty winds... XD

 

Good call, now we know how she attaches her tail such winds might be particularly lethal. 

[Van Buren Supernova]

good god! Spot on!

[Carol the Dabbler]

We *definitely* need a new series! (If the BBC isn't forthcoming with the money, maybe the show can be supported from some mental-health fund.)

[Van Buren Supernova]

Gratefully survived yesterday. By evening I was so exhausted meeting with people and talking whole day it felt so strange because I hardly feel tired.

So I thought I'd have early night and as lullaby I started playing my old favorite game found on my laptop (thought I lost it!) and didn't sleep until dawn. :p

 

I blame it on that soothing feeling of not dealing with real talking people.

Oh, the game is about infiltrating enemy camp using strategy, complete missions and kill them all. You get more scores without killing though, but nah...done that.

 

 

 

Not sure if this is an introvert problem so much as just a female problem, but getting leered at. Happened to me earlier today and really peed me off. I normally go to the gym after work and change into my gym clothes in the office before I leave. My gym clothes are nothing special, full length leggings, oversized vest. My hair was scraped back in a bun, I wasn't wearing hardly any makeup, not exactly glam. I was walking to the car minding my own business and got pointedly leered at by someone a few units down from where I work. Like, he actually opened the door to look out at me and leer. WTF?! You never seen a woman before? What the hell is your problem? What is he expecting, that I'll drop everything and do a striptease?   He didn't actually say anything luckily, so at least I didn't have to deal with that.

Must be a Trump supporter, showing support. :PAnd no, I don't think it's just an introvert problem, although I have known very outgoing women who rather enjoy that kind of response from a man. Or used to, when I was much younger, not so sure about now. Hopefully we've all grown up some since then. Well, obviously not ALL of us.....

I find that quite unsettling that most of us endure these kind of things often. Verbal, leering and even physical unwelcomed attentions are too common, apparently everywhere.

 

Now I feel like going to the street and start heckling men. I know, there are a lot of good men out there, I'm not feminist btw. It's just that the amount of crap that we have to face daily that it has become a normalcy, it's too silly.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

2 weeks ago I felt like I was at the beginning of extroverting for about a week. The end of last week was me recouping from that. This week I've been able to be my more normal introvert self only with a head cold. Ugh!

[T.o.b.y]

I find that quite unsettling that most of us endure these kind of things often. Verbal, leering and even physical unwelcomed attentions are too common, apparently everywhere.

 

Now I feel like going to the street and start heckling men. I know, there are a lot of good men out there, I'm not feminist btw. It's just that the amount of crap that we have to face daily that it has become a normalcy, it's too silly.

 

I don't think acknowledging there are plenty of good men means you can't be feminist... At least I hope not. I am old-fashioned enough to consider myself feminist (it seems I missed the point where apparently it stopped being cool) and there are plenty of good men in my life. And, I am quite sure, in the world at large, too. Being for women's rights and concerned about women's issues doesn't mean being against men. In some areas, equality benefits both... just sayin'.

 

Anyway. Yes, harassment etc. sucks. I have so far been very fortunate and not personally experienced much of it, but that doesn't make the shit other people go through any better.

 

 

Ahhhh. I just went from my week of introvert hell to introvert heaven. Am at my parents' house in the country for the weekend. I spent an hour this morning just sitting at the window watching birds and nobody spoke a word to me.