Deferred: My Extraordinary Journey to New York University Abu Dhabi

This book is entitled "Deferred" but could alternatively be entitled "Perseverance". It is the story of one young man's quest to follow his dream of attaining a scholarship to enable him to continue his education without the burden of accruing massive debts. One would think that given his obvious academic ability that it should not have been too onerous a task given that scholarships are available. However, in Cyprus, it proved to be far from simple due in part to the archaic conscription system that is still in place and bureaucracy that seems to move the goal posts every time one is near to scoring that goal.I read this book over one weekend and shared Michael's frustration at the seemingly never ending obstacles that he had to overcome. An inspirational story that I would recommend not only to anyone interested in education but to anyone who faces and challenges negativity.All power to his elbow that he is finally able to follow his dream and wish him every success in the future.

This book represents author Michael Ttappous' hard-fought battles in achieving academic excellence while living under the umbrella of the Cyprus government and the stronghold placed amongst the residents. A South African native, his family would arrive in Cyprus when he was eight years old escaping fears and threats in the early 2000s only to later discover a crisis that would lay hold of their sons future and the future of all young men.As Michael Ttappous takes you inside to his heart, learning style and academic rigors, the reader will gain a sense of drivenness he possesses as well as tremendous resiliency and vision. It would all begin with an urgency to get off this tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea. With citizens unable to get jobs and the unfairness secured in government jobs, his ticket to a better future would come from his educational excellence. Excellence is indeed what he achieved at his high school – International School of Paphos(ISOP), reaching his goal of eight A's. Additionally he would obtain the highest mark on his Cambridge exams, be awarded top student in economics and business, and the ultimate prize of a full scholarship to New York University Abu Dhabi(NYUAD).These achievements however carried a mental and emotional cost equal to the $70,000/year awarded to him for his studies. This amazing story will connect you to a young man whose hope refused to die despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Discover how his invitation to attend candidate weekend would open him up to obstacles and how apparent it would be that his fate was destined for greatness.A young man with a dream, no money, but supportive parents would be all that was ultimately needed in the end. Here he reflects upon the mandatory two year enlistment the Cypriot military imposes for males after high school. "The military successfully created a culture of antagonism and factionalism aimed at disrupting and derailing the lives of every aspiring scholar… almost brought them to their breaking points". Though he currently has struggles and concerns today, the reader is left with a sense of certainty, based on all he accomplished, that in the end the bumpy road will smooth out and that he will be a change agent in years to follow.This book serves as a motivational force to all that are forging through cloudy obstacles. It is a strengthener for a solid resolve to never give up a dream and that doors meant to open for us will….eventually. I will recommend this book to many as it is a real page turner and written from the heart.