₦airaland Forum

SEFAGO:
^ I was actually the one who posted since I was banned. I dont really need my degree to get evealuated since I have a rough idea of what I have in the british sysytem and US system. i was just curious and for my own erudition because I heard a second class upper is usually converted to something low like a 3.3 sometimes, which is really a average GPA under the US system. So i was just wondering if british educated people get screwed in the application process i.e you need a first class to get into a top school which is not the case for US students who could get a 2:1 equivalent and still get into top schools in their country.

SEFAGO It all depends. All 2:1's are not created equal in the UK (except in the job market where a 2:1 be it 60% or 69.9% is your ticket to any great job). World renowned schools in the U.S. such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton etc are more likely to know that a STRONG 2:1 (from a top U.K. university) is not something that everyone gets and thus they value STRONG 2:1's (my cousin got a 2:1 and the same GRE score as me and is now at Harvard doing her master's- paying a shitload though). Other schools such as LSU are knowledgeable enough about the British system and equate an overall grade of 60% to a 3.0 GPA, 65% to a 3.5GPA and 70% and above to a 4.0 GPA. Some schools on the other hand (ahem U of H) have absolutely no idea- well their mechanical engineering department anyway.
Getting into a master's program in the UK is much easier. Most schools are willing to consider someone with a 2:2 (50% to 59%). But for some programs like Imperial College's Petroleum Engineering masters you'll need a 1st class degree to even apply. Oxford and Cambridge require a 2:1 and one of my engineering buddies with a 2:1 is there right now (though his skills as a cricket player may have something to do with it as most people accepted there would have a 1st class degree). But I don't regret leaving the UK. It just wasn't for me.

IBLIVE:
These schools have rolling acceptances. I know people have heard from LSU and such

I have a quick question though of general interest: How did your degree get converted from like 2:1 or whatever it is to american GPA system- did you have to go through some service or something?

I used World Education Service. All I did was register. After that, I selected the country where I got my first degree (United Kingdom) and then a table showed up with percentages and grades. For the UK 70% and above was an A; 65 - 69 was an A-; 60 - 64 was a B+; 55 - 59 was a B; 50 - 54 was a B-; 45 - 49 was a C+ and 40 - 44 was a C. I then used that for each subject and applied the appropriate weight my university assigned to each subject and voila my 64% was a 3.55 GPA.
I just did all the calculations on an excel sheet and wrote a brief note explaining what I had done and informed the school I was aware they had their method of evaluating foreign transcripts and that I was just trying to justify the GPA I entered on my online application form.
If I'm succesful with my admissions, I'll let you know and you can do what I did. If not I dunno.

2good:
Has any Petroleum Engineering applicant to either University of Texas @ Austin, Texas A&M University college station or Lousiana State University, heard from the University about the status of their admission application. Just want to know because I am kind of anxious to knowing my admission status and I have not heard from them.

You're not alone. I applied to LSU as well and haven't heard from them yet. I've already gotten a rejection from Colorado School of Mines. That said don't give up hope. At the same time don't plan your whole life around those schools cos if it doesn't work out you'll find yourself stuck and probably demoralised. God dey!

NKnight:
Got accepted via email by the MechSE dept of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC). Glory be to God!

Checking one's mail 300 times a day has not been easy but we thank God!

For those of us still waiting, may God grant us swift and positive replies.

Congratulations NKnight. That school is bloody good for mechanical engineering.

SEFAGO:
I know the policies and what you need to transit to an engineering grad program. In retrospect I significantly lack the prerequisites and such. Its really not that hard to get into a top engineering program- graduate school has always been considered the bottom of  the pile when it comes to lucrative career options for engineers but the science background screws it up a bit. The people on CC are actually very average academically, there are people with higher stats who just dont bother applying for graduate school and get jobs or go to professional school.

It is based on merit. Most of these grad students from India for example are outstanding and they chew up the GRE and have significant research experience. Just that when its a 50-50 (If they have to pick between two students with similar academic qualities they might pull Lakshmi into the group over Olu or Chinedu  ).


By the way Bebure if you schooled in the UK- I think- why dont you try other schools like Imperial or UCl for engineering. I know UCL requires a 2-1 (Which i think is what you got?)

Americans schools are sometimes way too difficult compared to prestige levels. Its 100 times harder to get into a top 20 engineering school in the US which are all comparable to Imperial in Engineering quality (Except Harvard Engineering which is a s.h.itty engineering school no matter how much money they pump into it  )

Yeah I graduated with a 2:1 however I cannot see myself staying in the UK any longer, six years was fun but enough is enough. I prefer the American lifestlye and always have plus I think it's good to experience both systems. The only reason I ever did my A Levels and university in the UK was because my folks thought the US was not a good place for a young boy to go and that it would be easier to monitor me from the UK (they regret this now). My sisters all went straight to America after secodary school in Nigeria and are doing well.
But you are right about UK graduate programs being easier to get into. I have friends from my university in UK (which was ranked in the top 5 for mechanical engineering, 2nd for chemical engineering etc) who graduated with 2:2's and are now at UCL, Durham etc doing their masters. As for Imperial College, that's a different kettle- they require a 2:1 for all graduate programs except petroleum engineering for which they require a 1st. I may apply to one school in the UK if it's not too late but I really don't want to go back there.
I guess you're right about the merit stuff, there was this Indian guy at Georgia Tech who came 4th out of 900 students or something like that at IIT and who had a 4.0 GPA for undegrad and was maintaining a 3.9 as a PhD student at Georgia Tech. And he is not an isolated case.
What do you mean by grad school is considered bottom of the pile?

I didn't realise your first degree was in a science. In that case it'll probably be very tough but possible. I don't think you should completely give up on applying for a PhD. Try applying to 3 average to lower ranked schools for a PhD and 6 good to average schools for an MS (thesis).
All the schools I applied to for petroleum engineering have different policies regarding the students they accept based on their undergrad major. The one thing that's clear is that if you are applying for a program different to what you studied you better be very smart (stellar GPA and GRE).
One of the schools I applied to only takes students with an undergrad in PE,  while all the others take anyone with an undegrad degree in engineering (with the exception of systems, computer, software and electrical engineering) and one of them will take any engineer and anyone with a background in physical sciences such as physics and chemistry. For the engineers, the levelling courses required will take an additional semester but for the scientists it could take up to a year depending on whether or not you took core engineering subjects like thermodynamics, engineering mechanics etc. Now these are by no means ivy league schools (after reading profiles on collegeconfidential I've decided not to even bother) but they are at the top of their game for petroleum engineering so I'm assuming for chemical engineering it would be somewhat similar. Just do your research on potential schools you want to apply to and see what their policy dictates.
I totally see what your'e saying about the Asian professors but if American professors did the same thing in the 60's, 70's and 80's when most of these professors were applying for PhD;s then how would those Asian professors have ever gotten into grad school in America? I think admission should be based purely on merit and not who the professor thinks he'll have a lot in common with dammit.

@SEFAGO keep your head up. I too was rejected from all my choices the first time I applied last year. Now I've applied again but I have a potential job with an oil company in naij so I'm not as stressed as the first time around. I'd honestly advice you to do some additional research, try to raise your GPA, reddo GRE if you got below 1450 and try to apply for the spring semsester. I totally understand what you mean about asian (indian and chinese mostly) professors only hiring students who share the same nationality with them and maye one or two whites. Thats messed up. Im go better for us sha.

@jamebex med school is bloody expensive and tough to get into. My sister's GPA is 3.9 and her MCAT scores were also very good. Basically she applied to medical school for a whole year before finally getting into a school which wants evidence of $240,000 in an account or something ridiculoue. My point is unless you are very, very smart or very, vert loaded do not bother with US medical school. I think the UK is a bit cheaper and the quality of education you receive there is similar  to what you'll get in the US. My uncle trained in the UK some 30 years ago and now works as a profesor/medical doctor in the US.

SEFAGO:
Yeah but standard is January 15th I think for most graduate schools. But yeah ones in the south might be slower but Northeast schools usually set a January 15th deadline especially for fellowship consideration.

You are very rightSEFAGO. But I think homeboy is applying for petroleum engineering and lets face it thats a mostly southern thing. Also from what I understand unless you are doing a PhD or maybe a research based masters (big MAYBE) then you're not going to get financial aid. The bottom line is that it depends on each person's situation and the onus falls on the individual to know what needs to be done and when. I assume yalesam has done his research.

@yalesam regarding the Powerprep thing follow these steps coutersy of ashis on testmagic(http://www.urch.com/forums/gre/66983-gre-powerprep-many-other-gre-programs-dont-work-vista.html#post644340):

1. Start -> All Programs -> power Prep ->
2. Right click on the powerprep.exe icon on the menu.
3. Click on "properties".
4. The following window will appear.
5. Then change the compatibility options for Windows Xp and also put a tick mark to start the program as an administrator.
6. Then click on "Apply".
7. Then run the program from the menu again.

Thats what I did and it worked fine. It should work for you. If it doesn't then I cant help you further.

SEFAGO:
Well there really isnt much to talk about because application season is done- applications for the fall semester should be in by now

Actually that depends on the school. They are not all monolithic regarding application deadlines you know. For some schools like Texas A&M (deadline was november), Stanford and University of Texas (deadline was early january) it is certainly too late to apply now for fall. For other schools like Colorado School of Mines, LSU, Houston however the deadlines range from 1st of March to May. With that said some of them advice international studernts to apply nine months ahead cos of visa issues etc but you can still try your luck and apply. And from my experience it is always, aways always good practice to apply ahead of the ddeadline because most of these admissions take place on a rolling basis and if you apply at the beginning there is less competition as opposed to applying at the end of the cycle. Hope this helps.

A significant proportion of Nigerian families that live in the city have househelps some of whom are not paid. These people essentially live their whole lives on the instructions of oga and madam. They are sometimes unable to leave the house, education may be withddrawn from them etc etc. I know some people treat their help well but do you think the general Nigerian culture of having live in help in the house is a form of enslavement of less fortunate Nigerians? The video below (it's slightly lengthly) illustrates my point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRi4tJ7hE8

Hey guys, this thread has been very interesting. I have a major concern though, I graduated from university in the U.K. with a second class upper degree in mechanical engineering last year and am currently in the U.S. to visit a few potential petroleum engineering graduate schools and for holiday. I have already applied to schools and done the GRE (don't need TOEFL). I'll be returning to naij in a few weeks and would be applying for a student visa in may or june but since I haven't done nysc it is unlikely I would be employed at the time I apply for the visa so I'm wondering if that would hinder me getting a visa. I have all my other documents in order. Cheers.

yalesam:
@bebure,

i can understand it was a mistake sending that resume, anyway, i do promise u utmost confidentiality about it, trust my words. thanks so much for the forum details, i will check it later in the day and see what i can learn from those forum as well. i already have the barron GRE and did download it successfully, what am expecting from u now is the powerprep alone.

@netso, i will send u the BARRON GRE from my mail box today, i will so much appreciate it if you can also send that POWERPREP u said u have, thanks so much, here is my email address

smithbguy[at]yahoo[dot]com

yalesam, I have sent you the powerprep

yalesam:
@bebure
the recent mail u sent to me was only that same barron's GRE and your resume this time around and not with the powerprep. pls kindly send to my mailbox that POWERPREP for math. thanks

i did send u mail for full details about my needs. tx

@biina,
thanks so much for your contribution we do appreciate it as well,  i must confess you guys are really doing a great job and help for those of us preparing for the exam.

more contributions are welcome,

I apologise for that, its not even my resume but that of my friend. I've sent it now. I hope I can trust you to delete the resume and the email out of respect for my friend's privacy. And here is the forum which I think was very useful (unfortunately I found it just a week before my exam): http://www.urch.com/forums/gre/
I have one more GRE book on my laptop called Peterson's GRE but its not bery good to be honest and has a lot of mistakes. I set you Barron's again goes I thought you didn't get it the first time. Also try http://www.number2.com

I'm glad you've received it. Barron's wasn't all I used. I also used GRE Powerprep which in my opinion is far more superior with regard to math. Barron's is good for practicing verbal,learning quantitative techniques and AWA but for math as biina said Barron's tends to be easier than the real thing. There was also this online forum I used to use which had all sorts of time saving tricks and GRE Powerprep worked out solutions, I'll try to find it and post it here for everyone. The main thing is to be calm for the exam, thats why I messed up the math section cos on the powerprep i always always always got 800 but that day I was damn nervous and so got 760. Bottom line use both books, stay calm, take your breaks, answer ALL questions and the sky is the limit. If you already have good basic math skills and are good at reading & understanding comprehension passages quickly then you wouldn't need to study much for the exam. I've now sent you Powerprep so you should be good to go. Good luck. If you need anything else holla at me.

sorry guys, i haven't been online in a while. the file isn't corrupt as far as I know. Maybe its just a case of it being to big cos I emailed it to my other email address as well as to you and it opened just fine for me. Sorry. I'll try again when I get home, I' not on my laptop at the moment.

yalesam:
can anyone out of those that had done GRE give us some more hints on how best to prepare to for this GRE so as to ace it once and for all. tell us how u handled and prepare for each section,  the methods adopted to read for the GRE exam,  so that we prepare for the exam now can learn from your cue.

And once again, i still need soft copy materials , anyone that can help me with soft copy material on GRE should please forward those materials to my mail box smithbguy[at]yahoo[dot]com

yalesman check your email.

Congrats 2good, we may meet in fall at LSU

2good:
I also applied to some american schools for msc Petroleum Engineering.
This is my profile
GRE score aggregate 1350(quantitative-790 verbal-560 AWA-3.0)
Toefl ibt aggrerate 100 (writing-28, listening-24, speaking-20 and reading 28)
I applied to [b]University of Texas @ Austin, Texas A & M and Louisiana State University all for Petroleum Engineering.
I graduated from Unilag with a Chemical Engineering major and a GPA of 4.01/5.00
I have 1 year experience as a wellsite drilling engineer working on a jack up drilling rig.
Do u guys think my profile can give my admission with funding in any of the schools above?

your profile is slightly better than mine (1310- 760 Quantitative, 550 Verbal; 5.0 AWA) and I'm applying to one of the schools on your list so I think you have as good a chance as I do if not better than I do at LSU (the other schools are a bit more competitive but you have a chance), what does a 4.01/5.00 gpa translate to on a scale of 1 to 4? If you can, apply to one or two lower ranked schools as well. I've applied to all top schools in the past and was burned by all of them then again maybe that's because I applied for the spring program as opposed to fall.

Jare, I don't mind the extra searches, I kuku no get nada to hide. My question is how does this affect student visas for those of us hoping to start our masters in the USA this year?

No kidding, the visa process will become tough, but should cool down by april or so.
Back to applications. What is all this talk about January deadlines you guys keep referring to. All my deadlines are between march and june. Though I plan to submit everything by mid January before I return to naija for my nysc.
Congrats Superbrain, a 4.0 AWA should get you into most engineering schools. Have you submitted your applications yet? Could you review my SOP. I've written a first draft. Also are you going for the thesis or non thesis MS option?

BTABO:
can someone pls advice me! am gonna graduate 2010 and planing of doing GRE that same year. is it advisable to do the exam. if yes, for how long is the result valid and which other exams do i need to take to do my masters in either US or UK.

Hey. It really depends on how good you are at math and your reading and vocabulary. I spent three weeks in total (6 - 10 hours a day) preparing for the GRE. Some people spend two months but to each his own. Here is my advise:

Quantitative
I routinely got 800 on the GRE Powerprep (which you can download for free from the ETS website) for quantitative after my revision but on the exam itself I got a lousy 760 in quantitative due to nerves. My point is that apart from studying you need to focus on being calm during the exam and making sure you can finish all questions on time (take all breaks given- it helps). I hear you loose more marks for unattempted questions so try to do all questions. Also if its the computer test you are doing you should try and make sure you get the first few questions right as they weigh more heavily. All in all I think this section is very easy (certainly easier than a standard thermodynamics or internal combustion engines exam).

Verbal
I spent a considerable amount of my verbal preparation on the reading comprehensions using Barron's, Powerprep etc to help me. The comprehension usually accounts for over a third of the total verbal marks so if you can clear that section you are on your way. I spent just 5 days of my time on learning new words (I suggest you spend more). Use the Barron's word list. That's very useful. I routinely got 600 on Powerprep but on the day of the exam itself a combination of nerves and poor time management led me to get 550 in this section. As with the quantitative try to answer all questions.

AWA
I really didn't spend more than a day preparing for this. I just read the rules and a sample essay from Barron's and that was it. I got a 5.0 out of 6.0, which is very okay for engineering. If you are majoring in English or something liberal artsy (or if you can't present a set of arguments logically) then by all means spend more time (like a week) and you may get a 6.0. But in engineering 3.0 to 4.5 (depending on the school) is all they require.

Sample Section
On the computer-based test there is also a sample section, I hear they don't always tell you which one it is but in my case I was told. Nonetheless treat every section with respect and do your best and you'll be fine.

GRE Results
If you are doing the computer-based test then once you've finished all sections the computer asks you if you want to cancel you score (it asks you twice I believe). If you say no, then your quantitative and verbal scores appear on the scree instantly and are sent to the schools of your choice in due time. If you say yes then well you've wasted $180 and your scores will be invalid (you'll see them but ETS wont send them to any schools). It takes about two weeks from the day of the computer test for the schools you are applying to to receive the scores at which point you'll also get a score report showing your percentile. You'll also see your AWA score at this point.
If you do the paper based test on the other hand then getting your score takes months. I advise you to do the computer-based test if you can.

Validity of GRE
The exam is valid for 5 years so yes take it as soon as you are ready

UK/US
UK programs don't need GRE, just TOEFL which I find offensive cos we do speak English in Nigeria after all. I mean if they waive TOEFL for Americans and Australians then why the hell not for we African speaking countries. Anyway, as someone who studied in the UK for six years, I advise you to do your masters in the US. You get more out of it and there are more opportunities when you are done (particularly in engineering). That's why I've left the UK and am applying to US schools. For a bachelor's however I think both systems are about the same (perhaps the US leads a bit cause you are given a more rounded education and don't just focus on your major).


Best of luck and seasons best. If you have any more questions holla at me.

Email is bebure@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks. I see your point regarding waiving my rights. Considering applications cost between $25 to $100 a pop it makes sense to control as much of my application package as I can. Are you also going for petroleum engineering?

Thanks. That's very helpful. I can think of at least six to seven projects I did as an undergrad and one I did with my employer during my one year industrial placement. The thing is that there are opportunities to work on numerous research projects (which get published in journals) in the U.S.A at the undergraduate level that don't exist in England or Nigeria which I think puts internationals at a slight disadvantage. That said I think some of the results from my research are being published in the International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives but I don't think I'm getting any credit there.
I take it you didn't waive the rights to see your letters of recommendation. Doesn't that have a negative effect on the admissions committee?

Superbrain:
Your scores are very good. You even had your first degree in the UK. Did you do any research work while an undergrad? I think you should tidy up all other aspects of your application: your statement of purpose, reco letters and resume, and give it a shot. You are very good to go.

Thanks bros. I did one year of research but it was more of a mechanical/materials engineering related topic which I scored 69% (one point of a first class). I'll give it a shot. I think my recommendation letters should be good.

Godeagle:
Hey guys, it's been a long time. I got unconditional admission in three out of the four petroleum engineering programs I applied to but none came with financial assistance. The breakdown:

My Profile:
Petroleum Engineering CGPA: 3.9 (Federal University of Tech Owerri)
GRE: Q740, V650, AWA 4.0.
TOEFL: 109 (R28, W29, S23, L29)
Experience: Internships from Shell, Exxon currently work as analyst in a bank for 1yr plus.
Will post my SOP after the visa process.

Applied To:
Colorado School of Mines (Admitted)
Louisiana State University (Rejected: they said their dept was small and encouraged me to re-apply)
New Mexico Tech (Admitted)
University of Houston (Admitted)

My Choice:
Although CSM and NM Tech are on the Top 10 of the Petro rankings, I chose Houston over them because it's the most affordable, has excellent professors with extensive industry experience, has a diverse curriculum with involvement in business, energy finance and law, and most importantly because of its location in Energy capital of the USA. Internships and part time gigs will be more available,  u can even transfer to UT or Texas A&M if you want. Sincerely, UH is the place to be.

I appreciate the opportunity to have shared with some of the most motivated Nigerians here on this thread. Thanks guys.

Congrats bros. That's great. Getting one graduate school admission is hard enough not to speak of 3. As you've applied to most of the schools I'm considering (see post directly above) can you give me any tips? Did you apply for MS or MEng or PhD programs? Again congrats oh. I'm happy things are working out for some fellow Nairalanders!

Hey guys,
I just found this page and it's been very informative. I've just completed my bachelor's in mechanical engineering in jand with a 2:1, my GRE scores are 760 Quantitative, 550 Verbal and 5.0 AWA. Basically I wanna apply for an MS in Petroleum Engineering in yankee at the following schools after my NYSC: colorado school of mines, texas tech, louisiana state, university of oklahoma, university of tulsa and university of louisiana at lafayette.
Do I even have any chance considering my quantitative gre score, my 2:1 as opposed to a 1st class degree and the fact that i have never worked at an oil company (I have one year work experience as a mechanical engineer with a multinational firm though) or published in any journal. Is it worth paying $180 to retake the GRE as that's the only thing I can change realistically.

edlando:
Hi Brother Kiwi,

I am so comfortable with your last piece, and greatly touched by the fact that, you had not returned home to Bakana ever since you travelled. As sad as it sounds, nobody will blame you for that, cos self preservation is one of the primary needs of man.
I'm sure you missed the chrismas season, when everybody returns from far and near. I can still remember Your Father, my Uncle arriving with his Kids and family in his personal Speed Boat with his name inscribed on it, C.I BEREPIKI, a Blue boat, That Berths at iyalla poku. Christmas is not complete without his kids such Dagogo, Odima, Lali etc and the Families of Gogo Apite and his kids Akins, Prefa, kasibo  and aunty Majoba kids Amama, labo, Furo, Ibiso and Dawari  all arriving at iyalla Poku. I missed all of them to this day. They were all relatives of mine.
The masqurades, EPO in Ngo POLO, OKI in Davies Compound, SEKI in IYALLA'S COMPOUND, OWUMA NUMBER 3 n 4, OKUKU by EKINE-SEKI-APU etc.
EREMINA OGBO from various compounds keeping the town lively.
Remember the fun during the xmas period, could deny you returning to resume work during the new year.Men! Bakana use to be fun. When we were there during our growing up days, our peers added another dimension to it that attracted visitors to Bakana; from Warri, Owerri, Buguma, Aba, Abonnema, Lagos etc.
By introducing Bakana Beach Party, which takes place at Igbekiri, an island belonging to iyalla, opposite Charlie Poku, on the 25th of every December.
We enjoyed Kukudam at iyalla compound, a dance play that attracted the whole town and beyond, with bangers exploding to compliment the mood. These experiences will for ever remain green in the memory of most of us.
My Big brother, all these thrills and frills were aborted when politicians and self centered leaders armed the youths with Guns and other dangerous ammunitions. So instead of bangers exploding we hear Guns and dynamite directed at different groups exploding and cutting short the lives of young upcoming personalities. We lost brothers and sisters in ten of hundred.
Notable among the Dead were, Alapakate Iyalla, shot dead in presence of his wife and children, Daa Iyalla and Opali Braide shot and killed while celebrating the appointment of Eldred Braide as Commissioner in P.H. The Death of Adokie Iyalla a young businessman with a commanding knowledge of the oil and gas industry, via rib riping bullets is still fresh in our memory.
So when you say your friend visited and could not return because he was charmed I really felt sorry, but I should let you know that at least he is alive and you can hope that he recovers. These days they eliminate outrightly and in broad day light.
You can see why nobody can blame the likes of you staying away; atleast somebody should be alive to record the history.

EDLANDO

Engr. Adox Iyalla is/was my father. How did you know him?

Nigeria ain't the U.S.A. or a Western European country. We are in a position to argue over what source of energy is used to meet our electricity demands around the country. Perhaps when things are more stable we can worry about that. Besides, a nuclear plant is going to offer lots of employment opportunities for both highly skilled and low level workers in the country which cannot be a good thing. In terms of maintenance, I guess we can hope that the new generation is better with that.

I think I see your point (I think), which is that Nigerians should start to see themselves as one. However, I think the government forcing the whole country to speak one language would be a disaster, tribesmen and tribeswomen will unite against other tribes and the divisions amongsts the 250 or so tribes in Nigeria would be greater than ever. The union of our country is not one which came about in a natural and harmonic manner but rather as a result of the imperialists desire to wield control over vast areas of land for economic benefit. In fact tribal divisions were some of the factors which helped coloniasm work in Nigeria and other African countries. Nonetheless, we are now all Nigerians and have to find a common goal which unites us. The difficult part is finding what that thing is. I do however doubt that it is language.