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Study possibilities in: Asia, Canada, Europe
Quotes from: "Life of the Students at Paris"
by Jacques de Vitry
"Almost all the students at Paris, foreigners and natives, did absolutely nothing except learn or hear- something new. Some studied merely to acquire knowledge, which is curiosity; others to quire fame, which is vanity; others still for the sake of gain, which is cupidity and the vice of simony. Very few studied for their own edification , or that of others. They wrangled and disputed not merely about the various sects or about some discussions; but the differences between the countries also caused dissensions, hatreds and virulent animosities among them and they impudently uttered all kinds of affronts and insults against one another."
"They affirmed that the English were drunkards and had tails; the sons of France proud, effeminate and carefully adorned like women. They said that the Germans were furious and obscene at their feasts; the Normans, vain and boastful; the Poitevins, traitors and always adventurers. The Burgundians they considered vulgar and stupid. The Bretons were reputed to be fickle and changeable, and were often reproached for the death of Arthur. The Lombards were called avaricious, vicious and cowardly; the Romans, seditious, turbulent and slanderous; the Sicilians, tyrannical and cruel; the inhabitants of Brabant, men of blood, incendiaries, brigands and ravishers; the Flemish, fickle, prodigal, gluttonous, yielding as butter, and slothful. After such insults from words they often came to blows."
from Jacobus de Vitriaco: Hist. occid. Bk.II, Ch.VII. Latin., trans in University of Pennsylvania. Dept. of History: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of European history, published for the Dept. of History of the University of Pennsylvania., Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press [1897?-1907?].Vol II:3, , pp. 19-20
Jacques de Vitry was born probably before 1180, studied theology at Paris, and was ordained priest in 1210.
So what has changed since than? At least the pace of life, and of course the time we need to travel to cover the same distance as in Jacobus de Vitriaco's lifetime, and certainly the way in which we gather information. Luckily we are now in a better position to understand our fellow humans from other parts of the world, we can learn from each other, go there and soak up their culture, live their lifestyle etc. In this respect the Further Education Group wants to facilitate cultural exchanges, just to enhance this understanding.
Thus, in more ways than one it is nowadays easier for students to learn what they need to know to prepare their trip and stay abroad. On the other hand, just because of the sheer volume of information sources, providers and agents eager to help it can also be a daunting task to find the best and cheapest way to arrange things. That is why the Further Education Group organised a few things themselves, just to make a one-stop-shop principle. We can help out in arranging visa's and housing, we can also offer insurance and travel. Mind you, it is not compulsory to use those facilities, if one can find a better suited provider, or indeed a cheaper one, just go for it. Our offer is just for those that want their entire package of internship or study abroad trip handled by one agency they can trust. If that agency is the Further Education Group the better. Just browse through our site and decide for yourself.
