Live, Work, Volunteer, Study, Travel & Real Estate Overseas

One of the most common reasons students study abroad is language immersion. Students wanting to learn a language will go to school in a country where that language is spoken, the theory being that immersion into an environment where a particular language is spoken is the best way to learn the language. Indeed, many schools require that students majoring in a foreign language study abroad. However, this is more often done through an exchange program (see below).

It could be as simple as students choosing to study abroad due to a feeling of wanderlust. For many, college is the ideal time to travel, because they don’t have full adult responsibilities yet, and they can take advantage of the option of studying in a different country. In this sense, many see one’s early twenties as formative years in one’s life, and being immersed in the unfamiliar society and culture of another country can prove rewarding to young adults.

Another popular reason to study abroad is the desire of many to gain an understanding of the world around them. The ability for students to go to a different part of the world and undergo complete submergence into another culture teaches them invaluable lessons about the diversity and complexity of the world, as well as important lessons about themselves.

Many students study abroad in an effort to expand their opportunities beyond those their home university offers. Strategically, study abroad offers many exciting benefits from high school students hoping to get into a prestigious university, to college learners pursuing reputable post graduate schools or professions. It may lead to scholarships, grants, and job opportunities to leading institutions or employment.

Study abroad versus exchange

Typically, institutes of higher education refer to Study Abroad programs as programs in which courses are taken (usually for academic credit) in a foreign environment. These could range from students taking courses at a foreign institutions either through direct enrollment or institutional exchange. Some programs, often referred to as “island programs” utilize the professors of the institution that is sending the students.

A Student exchange program implies that the student is being exchanged to the foreign university (and is therefore taking courses with local students taught by local faculty). These definitions, however, are not strictly adhered to. In fact, new terms are constantly being created and used to more accurately describe different types of programs/experiences (e.g. direct enrollment programs, immersion programs, (faculty-led) study trips, etc).

Students can participate in a program through their home university, a study abroad company, or directly through the foreign university.

Although some colleges and universities prefer their students to study abroad through their programs and credits are most easily transferred in such programs, this can be limiting. The study abroad companies are generally more flexible, can have more available options, and provide an opportunity to be involved in a group of students from all over the country. One extra available option that a study abroad company may offer that a university may not, is the ability to study during the summer in intensive language schools. These language schools focus only on teaching students a foreign language.

The most independent form of studying abroad is directly enrolling in the foreign university. Some foreign universities offer classes with other students studying abroad or some offer their regular courses with the native students. However, the student should be very independent and have a good knowledge of the language in the country.

The financial aspects and expense of studying abroad varies widely. Sometimes, direct enrollment in a foreign university may be less expensive than participating in a home-university run program. Some programs offered through a home university can be substantially less expensive due to fee negotiations and tuition waivers as a result of reciprocity agreements.

Necessary steps to study abroad

Though requirements vary by institution, several steps must be taken in order to study abroad. The first step is to identify a program of interest. Application procedures differ between programs. Students wishing to study abroad must also obtain the necessary travel documents (see below). Documents include a passport, visa, and often certain medical releases. Obtaining visas can be a time consuming process involving lots of paperwork. It is best to begin the visa process well in advance to avoid delays and problems.

Students may also have to make their own lodging arrangements. Some schools maintain residences in foreign countries or at host universities. Other programs may require a student to provide his or her own accommodations. Most students know where they will be staying when they depart, but some students make temporary living arrangements from home and seek a more permanent residence upon arrival. Arranging for a place to live in a foreign country can be made difficult by such problems as language barriers, students’ inability to see apartments in person, and differing procedures regarding contracts, deposits, and payments. However, the internet makes remote apartment finding easier, and is thus a good place to start. Advice from other students who have previously studied in the location is also very useful.

Another important step is to learn about the destination, in order to be aware of any potentially jolting differences. Thus, many study abroad programs include compulsory orientation sessions for students that address many of the possible difficulties that will be faced while the students are abroad.

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Job Hunting

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:30:48 +0000

Job hunting or job seeking is the act of looking for employment, due
to unemployment or discontent with a current position. The immediate
goal of job seeking is usually to obtain a job interview with an
employer which may lead to getting hired. The job hunter or seeker
typically first looks for job vacancies or employment opportunities.
Common methods of job hunting are:

* using a job search engine
* looking through the classifieds in newspapers
* using a private or public employment agency or recruiter
* finding a job through a friend or an extended business network

Interests

One too often overlooked aspect of the job hunting process is finding a
career to be passionate about. The first step in this process is to
identify the activities that one enjoys, disregarding compensation or
job availability at this point. Brainstorming and a process called mind
mapping are both effective ways to uncover buried passions. Once one has
a list of activities that they enjoy the next step is to identify
potential jobs that incorporate those activities. Again brainstorming or
mind mapping can be used in this process.

The key here is to start with a desire and a passion then pursue
positions that fulfill that desire and passion, not the other way
around.

A worker very interested in work activity is likely to be better than an
indifferent worker or one who loathes the job. An interested worker,
likely a happier worker, should not need to job hunt as frequently as
someone who takes little care in assuring that the job is a “good fit”
for them.

A job seeker uncertain about interests could maybe disagree with the
Princeton Review Career Quiz. Goaded by disagreement, the job seeker
may assess small (and maybe large) personal triumphs which were very
engaging before preparing a résumé. Although this list isn’t easy to
make, personal accomplishments indicate work activity which fascinates,
and can also furnish a good starting point toward a functional résumé.

Knowing the employers

It is expected the job seekers will have done a reasonable amount of
research into the employers. Some basic information about an employer
should be collected first before applying the organization’s positions,
including full name, locations, web site, business description, year
established, revenues, number of employees, stock price if public,
name of chief executive officer, major products or services, major
competitors, strength as well as challenges.

With all of the resources available on the Internet, expand the
research into the employer to discover if the employer’s operation
is healthy and likely to continue to prosper. If an employer’s
financial situation is shaky, new employees are often the first one
out the door when a cut back occurs. Employers that are companies
with publicly traded equities are good subjects for pre-employment
research and enable the job hunter to avoid being the last one hired
before the reductions and layoffs begin.

Applying

One can also go and hand out résumés or Curriculum Vitae to
prospective employers. Another recommended method of job hunting
is to use cold calling or emailing to companies that one desires
to work for and inquire to whether there are any job vacancies.

After finding a desirable job, they would then apply for the job
by responding to the advertisement. This may mean emailing or
mailing in a hard copy of your résumé to a prospective employer.
There is no one correct way to write a
résumé but it is generally recommended that it be brief, organized,
concise, and targeted to the position being sought. With certain
occupations, such as graphic design or writing portfolios of a job
seeker’s previous work are essential and are evaluated as much, if
not more than the person’s résumé. With most other occupations,
the résumé should focus on past accomplishments, expressed in
terms as concretely as possible (e.g. number of people managed,
amount of increased sales or improved customer satisfaction).

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Education System in Thailand

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:44:52 +0000

If we look into the history of education in Thailand then it is evident that it used to revolve around two institutions one religious and the royal. Education was imparted by Buddhist monk at the monasteries and the members of royal families received their lessons from the people belonging to noble class.

During the reign of King Rama V (1863-1910 A.D.) there was a need for educated people to assist the growing bureaucracy.

The first formal education came into being from 1932. It was a comprehensive education plan comprising of 4 years of elementary education and 8 years of secondary schooling. The current system of formal education consists of four levels of education. The following are included in it:

1: 1 or 2 years of pre-school education
2: 6 years of compulsory education
3: 6 years of secondary education (3 years at the lower secondary and 3 years at the upper secondary level)

The prime concern of the Ministry of University Affairs is higher education, which coordinates the operation of 18 state universities and 28 private operated universities and colleges.

There are efforts being made to encourage the international cooperation in education too. Thailand is the home of Asian Institute of Technology, which is all set to promote the technology of Southeast Asia.

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Travel to Thailand – Experience magic and charm

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:33:03 +0000

Travel to Thailand – The hypnotic feeling

Travel to Thailand can enrich your traveling and living experience beyond limits. The exciting sea beaches, the delicious food items and outstanding scenic beauty are enough to tempt you to travel to Thailand. With roadways and airways connecting different places and centers of the country, you can have that nostalgic feeling when you travel to Thailand. Thailand is an agriculturally rich nation with paddy fields, gorgeous landscapes, and beautiful temples. Travel to Thailand can give you an enjoyable surprise numerous shopping malls and different carnivals that keep happening all the time. Among different cultural diversities you will be able to make your own mark and existence when you travel to Thailand.

The main religion in Thailand is Buddhism and when you travel to Thailand you can view the Buddha temples and monarchs that are beautifully designed and a pure delight to watch. Thailand has religious relaxation and tolerance fabricated in to their social life and respect for all castes and races. This particular fact is well represented in the behavior and attitude of all Thais that you can realize and understand once you travel to Thailand. Great spots for tourists visiting every year in Thailand include Pattaya, Phuket, and Bangkok and so on while provinces like Koh Libong, Krabi, and many more provides outstanding photographic resources for photographers.

Whenever you travel to any part of the world, one of the most significant aspects that you need to consider is the expense. When you travel to Thailand you need not carry heavy cash and you can visit many places without expending too much. Thailand as we all know the ‘land of smiles’, it definitely makes your pocket and you to cheer and smile about. Flights to Thailand are particularly economical and you can travel many times depending on your free time as and when you get.

With mixtures of different types of sea beaches rafting and mountain biking are common practices amongst the tourists that you can find out once you travel to Thailand. With beach resorts providing an additional fun element, once you travel to Thailand you will be not short of enjoyment

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Prepared for Interview Opportunities?

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:37:18 +0000

No job-seeker even thinks of improving his/her skills of handling an interview effectively until they start looking for a new position. Important interview opportunities, however, can present themselves at any time. For instance, The opportunity might come up from within the company where you are employed, a vacant place that’s higher in responsibility, pay and perks. So, This situation that needs you to be able to communicate your contributions to the development and smooth functionality of the company. Your right answers in the sudden interview situation will play a key role in securing that new position. But How far are you ready to face this interview and get selected ? Answer to this question lies in your ever wanting career development attitude.

People who thrive continually in their careers are well-prepared for this situation. Their skills are up to date and sharp at any given time.
Some of the points to mention in this regard, a job seeker must be ready with are :

To be able to list your accomplishments and your top skills that you excel in.

To be ready to face and answer your toughest question in a short time and as briefly as possible.

If you have thought about such a situation and prepared an answer, That might come handy at a time when you may be about to lose the chance of getting your dream job by your stupid answer in a sweating and stuttering state in front of the tough interviewers who riddle you with questions like How do you think hiring you would be beneficial to this company ? or In what way you think your employment with us would contribute to this company’s development ?

Having answers to questions like these would definitely be a blessing for a good job-seeker. Looking great on paper and having many testimonials to their credits in academic excellence, alone does not guarantee an easy selection in an interview. A job-seekers poor preparedness could spell disaster.

Job-seekers’ answers must be short and straight when answering a question. They should neither give a negative opinion about their current or past employers/Managers, nor should they praise the interviewer or the company they are interviewed by. A Job seeker should always be prepared and up to date on the subject of his/her career and even in day to day happenings around, in the country and in the world in general.

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