Posts Tagged ‘education’
March 12th, 2010
Besides the sights, food, and sense of adventure that comes with the appeal of studying abroad, there are other elements to the program that can be beneficial to a student’s future. If you are a student, and money is not the main issue that you consider before studying abroad, perhaps you should think about these other facts about studying abroad that will help broaden and nourish your education. You will notice that each point builds off of another.
#1 Become Cultured
Being cultured does not mean that a person becomes snooty. It is becoming well-versed and knowledgeable with other’s surroundings, becoming aware that there are other cultures and people who live different lives than your own. Being cultured is a form of education because you are learning about other people, which actually make you also learn more about yourself.
#2 Learn Independence
This may actually be the immediate appeal of studying abroad for some people – getting away from authority figures. Depending on whether it is a foreign exchange or a group study abroad program, there are still people who you have to check-in with and answer to. However, being without your ordinary care-givers and learning the rules of another chaperone actually forces you to depend on yourself to deal with the changes around you. You may need to go shopping for yourself, get used to the foreign transportation, and learn to communicate with new people. Adjusting to the different lifestyle and regimen makes you depend on your own ability to mature with an ever-changing life, whether it is in a foreign country or when you eventually go back to your own home soil.
#3 Become a Better Student
Learning independence can greatly improve your study habits, which in effect creates a better student. Although there is much to offer with the surroundings in a foreign country, a study abroad program forces students to study hard. If you believe that you are traveling to a foreign country to slack off, you are under the wrong impression. Study abroad programs keep their students busy with classes and homework. A friend of mine told me that his trip to Spain kept him so busy with his school work that he only had time to sight-see on the weekend. And, having spent the money as well as the effort of getting into the program, students feel more inclined to do a good job, and learn to depend on themselves to get a good grade since there isn’t really anyone else to force you to do your homework except for you. But, with all of your new friends around you studying hard, you can feel inspired to try just as hard as everyone else.
#4 Learn a Second Language
Usually, students who study abroad visit with a country that speaks another language. Although this is not always the case, since students could easily study in England, Ireland, or Scotland where they speak English, if you do go to a country with a different language, you are forced to pick up some of it. Even if you do not become fluent in the language, you will at least learn enough to have broken conversations or get by. Knowing a second language is extremely beneficial in regards to your education since schools want students to learn a second language anyway, and speaking at least two languages is even beneficial to your career since most jobs are impressed with applicants who speak more than one language.
#5 Improves Resume
Learning a second language, earning independence, and become cultured are all parts of studying abroad that impress employers. Everything that you can gain from a study abroad program will help you be a better worker in the future, and employers recognize that. Putting your study abroad program on your resume is a great addition to the skills and education you have earned.
March 3rd, 2010
It’s cold and wet outside, so there aren’t many options for entertaining activities. Oh sure, you could turn on your television and sit on your butt for the next several hours, but there is only so much time you can spend watching daytime soap operas or court TV. Instead of just staring at a screen, letting your mind go sedentary, there are some exciting books to read that are just perfect for those stuck-in-the-house rainy days. One or two suggestions may be educational, but they are too fun to read to even notice that you’re brain is keeping active.
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Do not let the name fool, there isn’t anything about marine life in the book. The main character, T.J. Jones, is an adopted teenager who is smart, funny, and an all-around cool guy, who is incredibly humorous to read about. The story deals with a team of underdog swimmers, and T.J. just happens to be the only popular guy on the team. Acting as the wise-butt hero at times, this book had me stifling my own laughter because I was afraid someone would hear me guffaw too loudly.
Darwin Awards Books
For those who are not familiar with the Darwin Awards, they are a comical competition that relay the odd, stupid, and funny things people do in life, as well as the interesting outcomes of these actions. There are at least seven of these books by now, so the options are wide and the hilarity of man’s stupidity just continues to entertain readers. If for some reason you cannot finish one of the books, there is no harm in putting it aside to come back to it on another rainy day. The chapters do not have a sequence of events, so there is no plot to keep up with. You can read one funny story after another. Or, if you somehow finish one book in a day, there are more to read out of the series.
A Bad Beginning, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett
Yes, it is part of a series, but what better day is there to try out a new series of books than on a rainy day? And, there is never a dull moment in A Bad Beginning, not to mention it is a relatively shorter book, which also makes it a quick read. Funny, exciting, and sometimes creepy, the Series of Unfortunate Events relays the story of the cruel Count Olaf, who is trying to take the inheritance of three incredibly talented orphaned children. Don’t knock it just because it’s in the young adult section; this book even has adults enthralled to read the whole series.
Short Stories by Nikolay Gogol
For those who want a fun, yet slightly more sophisticated read, the short stories by Nikolay Gogol never seem to disappoint. Although most short stories are a good pick for rainy days, Gogol’s are both deep and amusing at the same time. Stories like “The Nose” is so incredulous to have a nose as the supporting role, while “The Diary of a Madman” is so funny, I almost felt guilty as I laughed at the poor narrator. Gogol’s short stories are a bit longer than others, but you can still several with a day’s time. And, with a collection of shorts, it is easy to just put the rest of the book aside once you have finished a particular story. There is no commitment to reading all of the short stories if you do not have time.
Psych – A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read by William Rabkin
If you are a fan of the show, you are going to love the books, particularly this one. Although many popular shows are providing a series of books alongside their show, Psych is one of those shows that is both smart and funny at the same time, which is exactly what the books are like, too. A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read happens to be only 273 pages, which makes for a quick read with all of the dialogue and humorous activities.
March 2nd, 2010
Feed your brain! That’s right, brain food really does exist. Just like Popeye ate spinach to make himself strong, the rest of us can eat other foods to make our brains strong… sort of. The truth is that the foods we eat affect our bodies in certain ways, including helping us think clearer and focus better. When we don’t eat right, we become sluggish and unable to concentrate. The wrong kinds of sugars and fats can severely weigh us down, while the right kinds of sugar and acids can give our brains a boost of energy. Here are the five of most popular and easily accessible forms of brain food, though there are many more, they couldn’t all fit on this list.
Salmon
People used to think that tuna fish was the ultimate brain food, but some experts have found that the high content of Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are what really juice up your brain by helping your brain matter, helping your arteries, and even improving your mood. Other fish contain great nutritional value for your brain, too, but salmon (particularly wild salmon) was the top pick for experts because there are less contaminants than farm bread fish (http://www.brainready.com/blog/thetop5brainhealthfoods.html).
Eggs
These are just another reason to eat a good breakfast in the morning. Eggs not only contain protein, but they are an amazingly common food that is great at providing your memory. Choline, which is found in egg yolks, is what help your brain cells continue building upon themselves (http://www.webmd.com/balance/brain-food-quiz-results?redirectUrl=brain-food-quiz-results&x=35&y=3).
Walnuts
You don’t have to be a squirrel to enjoy this healthy snack; it turns out that walnuts also contain a high amount of those Omega-3 fatty acids that improve your brain‘s strength. And, if you ever have a hard time remembering what they are good for, take a close look at the weird lines and shape of the walnut, and see if it doesn’t remind a little bit of the pictures you’ve seen of your brain in biology class.
Berries
The growing popularity of the acai berry is not without its merit, but we should not forget the blueberry, blackberry, or cranberry. It is interesting how much nutrition these little guys can hold. Full of antioxidants that help preserve brain cells over the years. But, these berries also contain the Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the protein we have already mentioned the benefits of. These berries not only make a sweet treat, they may actually help your brain cells through your whole life.
Curry
It’s not just for spicy food, it may be the spice of life that keeps your brain in good health. Helping to clean away the plaque that tends to slow down our brains and cause the Alzheimer’s, curcumin is the chemical that acts as that cleaning agent for our brain. Just like drains need be clear of build up to run smoothly, our brains need to be clean to continue thinking clearly.
February 11th, 2010
Study, study, study… it’s what students do almost every day of their life. And, if they aren’t studying, then they are worried about when they have to start studying again after their short break. Unfortunately, that is just the way of the student. There are good and bad ways to study though. If you are a student who wants to improve your grades, then there are simple tricks and tips to keep in mind that will not only improve your grades, but possibly make your own studying habits a little simpler on yourself.
Overall, it comes down to planning. Think ahead a little bit and try out these 7 things to help improve your study skills and, ultimately, your grades.
#1 Get Rest
Although this has been gone over many times, it is never said enough – Get enough rest before you go to school. Showing up to school tired means that you are not focused on the material that your teacher is lecturing or on what you are reading. If you are having trouble focusing in class while you yawn every ten minutes or more, chances are that you are not getting enough sleep during the night. If you are still skeptical on the importance of getting sleep, there is an entire blog on Eduify that is dedicated to the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation.
#2 Eat Before an Exam, (but don’t drink much)
Food is fuel. When people do not eat properly they become tired, weak, and grumpy. None of those symptoms of hunger are conducive to proper concentration while you try to study or attend class. If you are in class and you stomach is grumbling because you skipped breakfast again, you are going to end up daydreaming about food rather than listen to the lecture. Do yourself a favor and eat something that will tide you over while attending class. However, you may not want to drink anything in excess. The feeling of a full bladder and needing to run to the bathroom in the middle of class can be just as distracting as an empty stomach.
#3 Arrive to Class Early
When students are showing up to class late they are often out of breath or are interrupting the instructor’s lesson. A late entrance not only distracts the students, but it distracts the teacher, which is no way to get on a teacher’s good side. Being late also means that you have missed some material that was first given in the beginning of class, which may leave you a bit frazzled and possibly missing even more information as you ask a fellow student, “What did I miss?” I recommend showing up five or ten minutes early to class, so you have time to take your seat and set up your books without disturbing anyone with your backpack’s zipper or adjustments of your chair. An early student is prepared and in a ready state-of-mind to be taught.
#4 Make Flash Cards
Many students make flash cards when they are preparing for a test. I suggest making flash cards even before your test. Make early preparations for your test. If there is some information that you feel will be difficult to remember, you should put it on a flash card, that way when it is time to take your test, most of your flashcards will already be set for you, which should make you more relaxed than having to prepare cards last minute for your test.
#5 Record Lectures
If you happen to have a teacher who goes over material quickly or does not seem to stay on a topic long enough for you in class, ask the instructor if he or she would mind that you record the lecture. With a copy of the lecture in your pocket, you can later rewind and listen to any important parts that you may have missed jotting down in your notes. Most teachers do allow students to bring a recorder in to class, as long as they are warned ahead of time. It is not ethical to record a person talking who is not aware of it, so be sure to ask your teacher for permission before doing so.
#6 Read the Material after the Lecture
It may seem simple, but there are far too many students who only listen to the teacher lecture over a subject, but never actually read the material in the book. After the lecture, make time to read over the same material your instructor went over. Going over a lesson twice will help solidify the information in your memory better.
#7 Discuss Material with Friends
Although most students do not want to talk about their homework, having a discussion about the material you are studying is a great way to help remember information. If you are reading something confusing or interesting, relay that exact information to a friend or family member. When you force yourself to repeat the material and think about the topics in a conversation, you help yourself remember the information better. Since I had trouble remembering dates in history, I used to spout off facts to my brother with, “Did you know…?” He would usually roll his eyes or ignore me because he didn’t want a history lesson, but I just continued talking at him and it was a lot of help for me to remember the facts easier.
January 29th, 2010
by Julia H. Jackson
I saw the film L’Auberge Espagnole shortly before I made the decision to spend six months studying in Granada, Spain. The 2002 movie, which translates to “The Spanish Apartment,” follows a French grad student during his adventurous and life-changing year studying in Barcelona. I was considering taking on a Spanish minor, and knew that if I really wanted to master my language skills, I needed to invest in cultural immersion. Somehow, the idea of spending another six months filling out language workbooks in California wasn’t nearly as exciting as the prospect of actually having to survive in another language 24 hours a day, seven days a week, far from home. After a consultation with my academic counselor, I discovered that if I found the right program and the right university, I could fulfill requirements for my major and minor abroad. I marched to my university’s study abroad office, and stayed for an hour, mesmerized by the array of brilliantly colored brochures advertising foreign study programs. Where did I want to go? How much would it cost? Did I want to live with a host family? Did I want to go for a summer, a semester, or (gulp) a year?
Today, we’ll share 5 Programs that Sponsor International Study, while keeping in mind the criteria when considering foreign study programs. Namely: school accreditation, transferring academic credit, housing options, school financing, term lengths, language requirements…If you are considering studying abroad, you might start by perusing the following online resources.
Average grade level participant: undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, or professional
Average term length: varies, depending on the program, although usually between 6 months-one year
Average cost: varies, but the IIE has links to many government-sponsored programs, which can offer varying amounts of funding, depending on your field and level of experience
This organization is home to a variety of study- and work-abroad programs, and its study abroad portal is a comprehensive search engine for associated foreign study programs. The IIE is a great place to go to get information about prestigious fellowship programs, such as the Fulbright Scholarship, which offers funded trips for graduate students, teachers, and researchers. When in doubt, try stopping by one of their American offices, in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Houston, New York City, Denver, or Chicago.
Average age: 15-25 years old
Term length: short term (3-6 weeks) and long term (one year)
Average cost: participants pay for travel, clothing, and insurance
Famous for being the world’s “first service club organization,” Rotary International sends more than 8,000 students around the world each year as part of an international exchange. Students live with host families, attend local schools, and serve as cultural ambassadors. Rotary also hosts local community service clubs through Rotaract, as well as a teen exchange program called Interact.
Average age: high school, college, graduate, professional
Average term length: varies anywhere from one week to one year
Average cost: varies depending on the program
The CIEE website breaks down its offerings as “study,” “work,” “train,” “teach,” “hire,” “host,” and “connect.” This is a great way to browse international work and study programs, whether you are a high school student looking for an exchange abroad or a teacher wanting to participate in the International Faculty Development Seminars. A great resource not only for academics, but also for any recent college graduates considering a year teaching abroad. I enjoyed my semester in Spain so much that after completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked as a Language and Culture Assistant in southern Spain as part of their Teach Abroad program.
This website presents study abroad programs from around the world in a way that’s simple to navigate. If you have a specific idea country or field of interest in mind, the database will help you narrow down your options. It also summarizes the differences between major American study-abroad companies, such as the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), CEA Global Education, and Academic Programs International. Although there is less comprehensive financial aid information, IIEPassport does promote diverse offerings, and might help you if you are looking for a private company to work with.
Age, term length, and cost varies from program to program, although most of them listed are privately owned, so they are likely to be more expensive than government-sponsored exchanges.
1. Your University Study Abroad Office
The number of great study abroad programs out there can be overwhelming, and perhaps your main goal is to fulfill requirements for your degree. If that’s the case, a surefire way to insure that you get the right credit for the right classes is to go through your own university’s study abroad program. Most universities have partnerships with schools abroad, or may even have academic affiliations with departments in other countries. If that’s the case, go for it! If you plan to study in a non-English-speaking country, this may be the best bet, because it will often require you to take classes with other international students or non-Americans. Sound scary? It might be at first, but the immersion will do wonders for your speaking and comprehension skills!
If your school does not have a study abroad office, you can still get credit for going through other university programs. Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review the programs you are considering, and together you can map out a way to get credit for your classes abroad.
A few good examples of university programs include the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (EAP), Boston University International Programs and Arcadia University College of Global Studies.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? What would you study? What would your Spanish apartment look like? We hope this is the first step in getting you to explore the world, if you haven’t already….
