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I mean, if I had known "study veterinary medicine while living in an Alpine hut making cheese and gazing out at the cows" was an option, I wouldn't be a lawyer now!

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Ha! Right? What a dream come true that would have been for seventh-grade me, and probably a lot of us too!

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What a wonderful custom! I'd love to be able to see it, I've always had a soft spot for cows. Having grown up in a rural area, they were very common. The thing that always catches me about them is how curious they are!

About the idea of the college/not dilemma in the US, it is absolutely a shame that it's come to what it is. Another organization, though small, that's speaking up about it is the Mike Rowe Works Foundation headed by the mildly famous TV show host of the same name. I've really liked to see what he's doing in helping people learn and find good jobs without college.

Thanks for your work!

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I greatly admire Mike Rowe and how he champions other routes than four-year college to a happy life.

(And I agree that cows are wonderfully curious. They always want to meet me dog, but alas she is so frightened of them!)

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The Swiss apprenticeship system (also common in other European countries) has sadly suffered in the last 2-3 years. Many trade and handicraft businesses in Switzerland (from carpenters and electricians to plumbers, heating technicians etc.etc.) have been having great trouble getting apprentices lately. There are longer waiting times for maintenance and repair work of all kinds, because the remaining craftspersons are totally overloaded with work and at times, these small and medium businesses simply don't have and cannot find enough qualified people (Swiss or non-Swiss)--let alone apprentices to train up. They are really in a pinch. So in respect of these craftspersons I would ask that you keep this situation in mind in case you experience longer delays to get work done in your homes and/or apartments. Thanks!

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Thank you so much for this comment! I have seen plaintive signs all over advertising for apprentices and didn’t realize that the situation has gotten so bad. I will definitely keep that in mind if there is a delay.

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