Hello, im new to the world of gemology and i've been looking to various courses and schools and had decided totake the FGA diplomma at Gem-A headquarters at London, however after reading some things in the foruns here and in other places i think it would be better to go to thailand and take the course there.
Now my doubts are, both the foundation and the diplomma at the London Headquarters make a total of 8 months of Education, while at the GIT the whole course only lasts for 4 months.
Basically i wanted to know the main differences between taking the course at London and at Bangkok? What would be better for a total newbie.
I've seen GIT is an official accredited teaching center, according to the Gem-A Website to take the FGA course, so its supposedly the same education content as taking it on Gem-A London, or am i wrong?
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
How can 4 months of course time be equivalent to 8?
I guess a lot depends on which environment London vs. Bangkok would best suit your plans for the future. For me, the passion is vintage jewels. therefore, London makes more sense....
Well yeah that was my doubt about taking the FGA at GIT. How can they give an FGA degree to someone that doesn't complete the whole curriculum is beyond me.
I guess a lot depends on which environment London vs. Bangkok would best suit your plans for the future. For me, the passion is vintage jewels. therefore, London makes more sense....
I think from an academic perspective you will get the gemology training you need at either location.
I think that if your goal is to be in the international gem business, then the opportunities in Thailand cannot be matched at any other place on the planet. If your goal is either the retail jewelry business, or the appraisal business then London may be the better location.
I am guessing the London one might be less intensive, as Gem-A's requirements must surely be standardized?
Anyway, I did a Foundation FGA at GIT back in 2008 - back when it was at Chulalongkorn University, rather than its current location on Silom Road - and there were two of us in the class.
I eventually kinda realised that the theory sessions were just Powerpoints that I could learn by myself, so ended up doing "distance learning" for the main theory Diploma and paying for some intensive preparation sessions at GIT just before the final practical exam. I failed by 1%, of course, and I eventually had to re-do it at the Gem-A mothership in 2011.
Anyway, I think doing an FGA in four months is perfectly possible, if it is full-time and you remain even remotely sober.
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