Dimitris Moudatsakis is 84 years old and the living proof that it's never too late. He entered uni to study History and Archeology and make a lifelong dream come true.
When he was a young boy he had to leave school to find work. He came to the city of Heraklion, where he became a bookbinder. The years passed and Mr. Moudatsakis started a family, had children and eventually grandchildren. But his passion for learning never faded away.
When he retired, he decided to return to school. And on his first day back into the classroom he became a child again.
«You can’t imagine it. When I got into the classroom I became 12-13 years old again» said Mr. Moudatsakis.
His family was worried. They feared he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the classes, that he wouldn’t understand the subjects. But Mr. Moudatsakis didn’t let that discourage him.
When asked about his classmates and his teachers, he said they treated him with respect and dignity. No one ever made him feel as if he didn’t belong.
«Essentially they were my children. My children and grandchildren, all of them».
His hard work paid off. Mr. Moudatsakis not only passed into the department he wanted, in the university of his choice, the History and Archaeology Department of the University of Crete, but he got top marks. In fact he scored better than any other student in the country.
He remains humble about his success. He thought he had done well enough, but he was surprised at how well.
«I thought, there must be someone in the country that got better marks than me».
His plans for after he graduates from university remain the same. Keep learning. For as long as his mind allows him, for as long as his body can keep up, he will keep studying as much as he can.
To those that might be interested in returning back to school, Mr. Moudatsakis says that «Life gives options to all of us. Those who want to go back to school, should do so. They will experience something magical. We have no idea what the future has in store for us. No idea whatsoever».
Press play to hear what Mr. Moudatsakis had to say to Vasili Ragousi about his life as a student.
