"It's been a life-affirming experience"
When Richard Harvey reached retirement, he wanted to challenge the expectations of what retired life could look like. So, he decided to do a degree in BA French Studies. This is his story.
DefyingÌý±ð³æ±è±ð³¦³Ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²õÌý
In the 1970s I started a business degree, which I never finished. Maybe I was too young, maybe I was too easily distracted,Ìýwhatever the case, IÌýleft universityÌýand got a job instead. IÌýhadÌýa successful career in Enterprise Software –ÌýdoingÌýsales, programmingÌýandÌýmarketing.ÌýAs I nearedÌýretirement, IÌýfound I wasn’t that interested in gardening or just getting really into golf. I know that’s the expectation for a lot of retired people, but I didn’t want to do what was expected!ÌýI decided to have another try at getting a degree.ÌýÌý
Seeking out challengeÌý
I knew if I was going to stick at it, it had to be something that I would enjoy. But I also knew that I’m driven by structure, targets and challenge, so aÌýweekly night classÌýwouldn’t be enough for me. Nor would anÌýOpenÌýUniversity course,Ìýbecause I wanted to experience the joy and enrichment that can come from classroom exchanges with tutors and fellow students.ÌýSo, IÌýopted toÌýdoÌýBA FrenchÌýStudiesÌýat ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.ÌýÌý
Evolving through learningÌý
I’m a big believer that the past doesn’t have to be the only thing that defines you, and thatÌýwe should always keep striving to evolve. Doing my degree at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú reinforced that. Not only was I challenging myself day in day outÌýbyÌýlearning from academics who areÌýworldÌýleading scholarsÌýin their fields,Ìýbut I was also learning from my classmates.Ìý
Diversity mattersÌýÌý
The ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú student body is extraordinarily diverse, with students of all ages andÌýbackgrounds.ÌýSometimes they’re school leavers, sometimes they’re people whoÌýwant to change or further their careers, and sometimes they’re people like me, who are coming at it a bit later in life but have a thirst forÌýknowledgeÌýand challenge. Whatever the case,Ìýit’s an incredible learning environment. Everyone has their unique take on the curriculum, informed by their own experiences. If I had done what is usually expected of retired people after stopping work,ÌýI neverÌýwould have had the chance to meet the kinds of people I met at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.ÌýÌý
Lifelong learningÌý
With my course done, new friends made,Ìýand aÌýfirst-classÌýdegree to my name, I can genuinely say it’s been a life-affirming experience. I feel like I explored a part of myself I hadn’t been able to when I was younger. I’ve also, through the course, found a new interestÌýinÌýFrench philosophy!ÌýIÌýlike to spend my time reading up on various philosophersÌýand who knows, maybe I’ll come back to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú to do aÌýshortÌýcourse on it!Ìý