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Hi all:

You know I have been sharing reviews as if there was no tomorrow, but apart from reading (well, it includes reading too), I’ve been up to other things.

Quite a while back (I think it was eighteen months ago or so) I read an article about courses and education one could access on-line with little investment. While checking the links, I came across The University of the People. This project, the brainchild of Shai Reshef (@ShaiReshef) who had a vision. Making education available to as many people as possible and removing the obstacles to its access. I was fascinated by the idea and decided to apply to become an instructor. I was sent a questionnaire last year but nothing came out of it. 

Recently, I was contacted again, a bit out of the blue. I sent another questionnaire and a day later we arranged for an interview (Skype is a great thing). They were interested and after completing some training, I’ve just started as an instructor of the English Composition 1 Undergraduate course. (Good luck, mostly to the students).

The University of the People is tuition free for students (they only pay the exam fees) and instructors and staff are not paid a salary (only a stipend). There are many institutions funding the project, and also many individuals collaborating with their time.

Here Shai Reshef explains better than I can:

 

I thought you might be interested in the project and you might know people who might be able to collaborate or benefit from it. I also wanted to ensure you knew what I was up to, as I suspect I might be quite busy, especially until I get used to the rhythm of things.
I hope to keep you posted on how it goes and I might share some interesting stuff with you.

Thanks to the University of the People for this opportunity, thanks to all of you for reading and remember to like, share, comment and of course, let anybody who might be interested know. 

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OlgaNunez
I was born in Barcelona and have lived in the UK for many years now. I'm a writer, translator (English-Spanish and vice-versa) and I'm a medical doctor and worked in Forensic Psychiatry many years. I also have a BA and a PhD in American Literature and Film, and a Masters in Criminology. I've always loved books and apart from writing them I review them often. I write a bit of everything, check my books for more information and my about page for links. My blog is bilingual, English and Spanish.

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Comments (18)

  1. Good luck (mostly to the students)! Your energy and diversity continue to astound me, Olga.

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    1. You’re so right, Sarah. I hope they’ll manage to put up with me. Such a varied group of people. I look forward to the discussions. And thanks for the encouragement (I’m not sure about the energy bit. I’m in Barcelona and it’s so hot at the moment that moving is an effort). I hope you’re recovering well. 🙂

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  2. I have shared this around, Olga. Looks like a great scheme, and will hopefully inspire many to take the opportunity for gaining qualifications.
    Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. Thanks, Pete. I thought the same when I saw it and anything I can do to help people eager to gain an education I am happy to do.
      Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

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  3. This seems like a wonderful thing, Olga. I hope it is rewarding for you in many ways. I will certainly be looking into the details (graduate programs?), though I’m doubtful that their degree would be “accepted” in the USA, I will check on that too, though I see he says it is fully accredited.
    Definitely keep us posted from your perspective, as it goes along. I’m curious about all the details of working for them, not just learning with them. Wishing you the very best. Huge hugs.

    Reply

    1. The University of the People is based in the USA (although it does not have buildings as the founder explains in the video) and yes, it is accredited. They have academic partnerships with a few American Universities (NY University, Yale Law School and UC Berkeley) and a lot of the faculty are professors at leading universities that are happy to help.
      I will keep you posted on how it goes if I have time!
      Thanks for your encouragement, Teagan. Have a lovely week!

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  4. Congratulations! Your closet must be filled with hats! Ha, ha. I don’t know how you do it, my friend. I think you’ll do great. All the best!

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    1. Fingers crossed we all survive the experience. Thanks for the encouragement, Vashti!

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  5. Sounds great, Olga. Good luck with it – hope it doesn’t keep you too busy to post reviews from time to time.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I guess as I’m teaching English composition I have the perfect excuse to keep reading although they might be a bit slower coming. I’m sure the reading lists might breathe a sigh of relief. 🙂

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  6. Wendy Janes says:

    What a wonderful scheme, Olga. Hope you and your students have a great time.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. Fingers crossed!

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  7. dgkaye says:

    Congrats Olga. You are such a dynamo! 🙂 xx

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    1. Thanks, Debby! I wish! 🙂

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      1. dgkaye says:

        You are! 🙂

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