Journey into Distance Learning

I've heard and read about online learning. Distance learning universities called it and to be completely honest, it didn't interest me all that much when I first read about it a few years back. I knew I could do distance learning for my degree but I wasn't interested. Mainly because there's really nothing more I'd like to learn from my old university.

But a few days ago, I realized that I was a little bit burnt out from being in post for the past 2 years. I know it's a short time but if you've been through what I have -- late paychecks, long painful projects, 6 to 7 day work week -- you'll get the idea why I'm tired. Then I realize it's probably about time to maybe put something new under my belt.

I had dreams of going for single university classes - subjects that I was really interested in. The stuff you see in American movies/TV shows or read. As far as I know, they don't have that here in Malaysia. If you wanna take a class, you have to take the whole damn course.

And then I stumbled upon this. And rather timely too:

University of California Los Angeles offers online Summer classes at their Theater, Film & TV Department, Art Department and I think their Engineering department. The classes available aren't complete degree courses (it could be I think), but they are actual classes available during the normal academic year. The class are credited, transcripts and actual grade will be given and yes, credit transfer wherever available.

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Although it still cost quite a bit for us (goddamn currency exchange), it doesn't cost nearly as much as having to apply for a student visa to the US, medical check-up, student housing, flight tickets and international student processing fee. 

Fee is counted per unit and per unit costs US$339. The class I took was Screenwriting Fundamentals which carries 2 units. That comes up to US$678.

When you register, there'll be a processing fee you have to pay. International students normally would have to pay US$400 as processing fee because of their visa and medical records but because the online nature of these classes, there's no need for that. Instead, the processing fee is $150. That $150 is charged to your credit card at the beginning of the registration process and it'll be applied to your BruinBill account within 24 hours or enrollment. 

But here's a kicker, processing fee is NOT the same as registration fee, which is an additional US$550. Truth to be told I couldn't believe the number I was looking at. There was another service charge or something fee of US$16. 

So what I had to pay for C132 Screenwriting Fundamentals was:

$150 + ($339x2 units) +  $550 + $16 = $1394

Summer processing fee + Summer course fee + Summer Group Registration Fee + Instr Enhancement

At present, that would amount to RM4291. Which is still cheaper than a one way flight to Los Angeles. And for a complete 6 weeks credited course.

UPDATED: So I emailed UCLA last night about explaining the fees to me and they said that yes, they accidentally charged me as though I was an international student coming to UCLA. And they accidentally charged the processing fee AGAIN. 

So what I have to pay for C132 Screenwriting Fundamentals are:

$150 (which has already been charged) + ($339 x 2 units) + $16 = $844 (RM2599.35)

How am I going to pay for this when I'm being blacklisted for not being able to repay my previous student loan? I'm taking a loan from someone who won't impose ridiculous interest rates: my father.

I honestly felt HORRIBLE when I saw the final payment amount, and I thought of just backing out and repay the nonrefundable $150 processing fee to my dad. But he told me to go ahead and take but also focus, do well and see it all the way through. Which I fully intend to. Because I'm finally about to learn something I'm interested in from a school.

I can't thank my dad enough for giving me this opportunity. I can't stop apologizing and thanking him for it. My class will only start in June but I will start paying next month and every month after that. 

I'm going back to school!