Never to old to learn
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:45 amA 96-year-old man who fled Germany when Hitler came to power was named today as the oldest student in England.
Bernard Herzberg, who lives in east Finchley, north London, has just started his second masters degree in African economics and literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
He said he would have started a doctorate but "three years is a long time at my age".
Mr Herzberg has already completed a masters in refugee studies at the University of East London, which he described as "most rewarding". He commented: "My fellow students came from all over the world and most were much younger than me but that didn't matter."
He left Germany in 1933 because he "foresaw what would happen" and moved to South Africa where he lived for the next 50 years and became a union organiser and activist, until he moved to London for work.
After retiring at the age of 80 he started a degree course in German and German literature before going on to complete the masters in refugee studies.
Mr Herzberg was named as the oldest student in England after a nationwide search by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
He went on: "On seeing the advert for the refugee studies degree, I applied promptly. After all I was a refugee myself way back in 1933. I was planning to study for my doctorate here at the University of East London but decided on another MA instead because three years is a long time at my age.
"Many thanks to all for honouring me, and also for making the subject of migration more than an academic one - it is a matter of grave concern for all humanity," added Mr Herzberg.
My hat is off to this gent for doing what he has done! Not many people would at his age be doing this level of study
Bernard Herzberg, who lives in east Finchley, north London, has just started his second masters degree in African economics and literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
He said he would have started a doctorate but "three years is a long time at my age".
Mr Herzberg has already completed a masters in refugee studies at the University of East London, which he described as "most rewarding". He commented: "My fellow students came from all over the world and most were much younger than me but that didn't matter."
He left Germany in 1933 because he "foresaw what would happen" and moved to South Africa where he lived for the next 50 years and became a union organiser and activist, until he moved to London for work.
After retiring at the age of 80 he started a degree course in German and German literature before going on to complete the masters in refugee studies.
Mr Herzberg was named as the oldest student in England after a nationwide search by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
He went on: "On seeing the advert for the refugee studies degree, I applied promptly. After all I was a refugee myself way back in 1933. I was planning to study for my doctorate here at the University of East London but decided on another MA instead because three years is a long time at my age.
"Many thanks to all for honouring me, and also for making the subject of migration more than an academic one - it is a matter of grave concern for all humanity," added Mr Herzberg.
My hat is off to this gent for doing what he has done! Not many people would at his age be doing this level of study
Must have a remarkable mind. :o