Filipa is from the former Yugoslavia. 1992, he left his war-torn home, bid farewell to his parents and brothers and fled to the United States. When he first arrived in America, he hardly knew how to speak English.
Columbia University cleaner Filipa Qi
Columbia University is regarded as the fourth largest Ivy League university in the United States, second only to Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University. Columbia University has a policy that all employees can attend classes for free, while full-time students spend $43,088 per semester. While the students are relaxing in the sun, Filipazzi may be cleaning.
In the morning, he goes to class and sweeps the floor in the afternoon. He asked people which university is the best in new york. A language tutor suggested that he try to find a job at Columbia University so that he could take classes for free.
Later, he found a job as a full-time cleaner at Columbia University and began to learn English in his spare time. After seven years of hard work, he mastered English and entered the American College of General Education in 2000.
After mastering English skillfully, Filipazzi began a long-term "skipping class" life.
Filipa Qi must complete some core courses before he can be admitted to the rare and famous classical literature major. Compared with young students, Filipazzi felt that the gap was quite obvious from the beginning.
So, he goes to class in the morning and arrives at 1 1 at 2: 30 in the afternoon to clean up and take out the garbage. After work, he went back to his residence to continue reviewing. He only takes one or two courses each semester and diligently completes all the credits.
Because he didn't want to give up the benefits of free study, he never looked for a job again. Filipazzi said: "I was really tired in those days, and sometimes I got into extreme difficulties."
Please take two days off to attend the graduation ceremony
Filipa's efforts are respected by the teachers and students of the school. In their view, Filipazzi is a person who believes that success can be achieved through hard work. After finishing his work, he achieved academic success and realized his own value.
It is reported that although all professors and classmates know that he is a school cleaner, he will still be surprised to see him holding a broom. Instead, he smirked indifferently.
Filipa Qi will attend the graduation ceremony of the college on the morning of June 5438+03, and will attend the graduation ceremony of hundreds of students in the whole school on June 16. To celebrate, he took two days off, but then he had to go back to work. "I am very proud and happy." Filipazzi told the American media, "I am very happy to see the results of years of hard work. I sincerely thank my professor; I also like to take classes with young people, and their learning attitude is very mature. "
Filipa felt a little embarrassed because Columbia University made a fuss about his graduation. But he thinks it should be a good thing to encourage some people who have similar experiences. He said, "If my story helps others to learn, that's a good thing."
I want to continue my master's and doctoral studies.
Filipazzi was born and raised on a family farm in Montenegro. Before coming to the United States, he studied at the law school in Belgrade and worked part-time. He said: "As a part-time student, I only need to be present during the exam. I always take the 8-hour overnight train to take the exam, and then go back to the farm as a helper. Later, a friend and I rented a house near the campus, but the war in Yugoslavia prevented me from completing my studies. " Today, he still mails most of his income to his parents who are still in his hometown.
He said: "My dream is half realized, and it can only be realized by continuing to study for a master's degree and a doctor's degree." I think I will stay at Columbia University. If you can find a better job, of course. If you can't find it, there is no shame in doing this job. "