Retirees in Europe flocking back to university to earn degrees

Washington

FRANZ-Josef Mittnacht likes to be considered as just an average student.

But in one way, he really isn't that average: Mr Mittnacht is 86 years old. He is among a growing number of European retirees who have flocked to university campuses to earn degrees. "When I'm 90, I want to be awarded a PhD. I'd like my tombstone to read: 'He studied until the very end'," Mr Mittnacht was recently quoted as saying by Germany's Der Spiegel magazine.