I recently featured on The Young Turks University show. I am just rambling on about options to attend University overseas if you are American. There are real options, and no, your degree will not get discredited. It might by some, but yea, forget 'em.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Lows of travel Pt.1
Travel at times is romanticized, and people write a fair amount of articles, books, songs, poems all expressing their love for travel, and the wonders it can do for you and for the most part when you hear the word travel more likely than not you're going to be confronted with positive associations. This being said I think it is important to note that traveling isn't as always as glamorous as people make it out to be, and at times the biggest mistake any person can do especially if they're new to traveling is to have high expectations from the trips.It is the responsibility of those who write about travel to especially point out the lows of travel. What problems people are most likely to encounter? How to go about solving such problems? The dangers of travel, and ways of ensuring a safe trip.
The most common problem people will have as they travel will be the initial illness that takes place. This is the case with most international travel, but also domestic trips as well. If you are not use to changing locations and time zones at quite a fast pace then the sudden change in environment, climate, and atmosphere can lead to illness. Usually the common cold, to a mild flu, to the worse case scenario stomach problems caused by the introduction of new food into your daily diet. Illness comes swift and will leave just as fast as it came, but while you are ill for the next day it will feel as if your world has come to an end. Being miserable on a trip is horrible, but usually people who get sick from traveling or trips can also risk illness on their return home, The body is in shock, and needs time to rest. If you were on a very ambitious trip in which case you didn't get much sleep most likely than not you will be sick on your return home.
Solution: travel with over the counter medicines, and have a day reserved for rest while on your trip, also on the return home you must have a day of rest and decompression and time to allow yourself to reflect on the trip itself. Failure to do so is not good for the body or soul
The most common problem people will have as they travel will be the initial illness that takes place. This is the case with most international travel, but also domestic trips as well. If you are not use to changing locations and time zones at quite a fast pace then the sudden change in environment, climate, and atmosphere can lead to illness. Usually the common cold, to a mild flu, to the worse case scenario stomach problems caused by the introduction of new food into your daily diet. Illness comes swift and will leave just as fast as it came, but while you are ill for the next day it will feel as if your world has come to an end. Being miserable on a trip is horrible, but usually people who get sick from traveling or trips can also risk illness on their return home, The body is in shock, and needs time to rest. If you were on a very ambitious trip in which case you didn't get much sleep most likely than not you will be sick on your return home.
Solution: travel with over the counter medicines, and have a day reserved for rest while on your trip, also on the return home you must have a day of rest and decompression and time to allow yourself to reflect on the trip itself. Failure to do so is not good for the body or soul
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Teaching English Overseas
Teaching English abroad can be one of the most rewarding things a person can do. What you can gain from it is a rich understanding of new cultures and languages. This being said it is very important to consider if you really want to take a year off to teach English in a foreign country. This being said those from the following countries are more likely to find such jobs: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia. Though not to be discouraged other popular languages such as French and Spanish are in high demand for teachers and instructors.
My own personal experience from teaching abroad was in Japan, but not as a full time teacher, and it wasn't the only job I had while I was studying in Japan. I found it rewarding, but certain responsibilities such as having a lesson plan, or being able to create test and projects I was able to escape. Most full time teachers work hard to enable their students to achieve their goals of learning a new language. This is also a chance for people to be in a position of having an intercultural exchange, and giving them a chance to develop their skills in intercultural communications.
Besides that there is an opportunity to learn the native language of the country you chose to teach in, and to learn the culture you are slowly going to become a part of. There are many things to consider and many veteran expatriates and travelers can testify to this: adjusting and adapting to a new environment is one of the most difficult challenges that life will present to you. With that being said I encourage anyone that is interested in teaching abroad to go ahead and follow your passion.
Just to be safe though it might be a good idea to do some research into where you want to teach, the job itself, and certifications and degrees needed for the job. Most people who do not have an Education BA or English BA tend to earn a TEFL certificate of 120 hours. This is something to look into and consider
Please Check out the book "Teaching English Abroad" there is a link to it the book is quite cheap and I am sure you can find a copy of it at your local bookstore such as Barnes and Noble or Borders.
My own personal experience from teaching abroad was in Japan, but not as a full time teacher, and it wasn't the only job I had while I was studying in Japan. I found it rewarding, but certain responsibilities such as having a lesson plan, or being able to create test and projects I was able to escape. Most full time teachers work hard to enable their students to achieve their goals of learning a new language. This is also a chance for people to be in a position of having an intercultural exchange, and giving them a chance to develop their skills in intercultural communications.
Besides that there is an opportunity to learn the native language of the country you chose to teach in, and to learn the culture you are slowly going to become a part of. There are many things to consider and many veteran expatriates and travelers can testify to this: adjusting and adapting to a new environment is one of the most difficult challenges that life will present to you. With that being said I encourage anyone that is interested in teaching abroad to go ahead and follow your passion.
Just to be safe though it might be a good idea to do some research into where you want to teach, the job itself, and certifications and degrees needed for the job. Most people who do not have an Education BA or English BA tend to earn a TEFL certificate of 120 hours. This is something to look into and consider
Please Check out the book "Teaching English Abroad" there is a link to it the book is quite cheap and I am sure you can find a copy of it at your local bookstore such as Barnes and Noble or Borders.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Maglev in Shanghai
The Maglev to Shanghai from the airport. This is one of the most interesting train I have ridden so far in my life. Hoping to see what more ambitious plans will there be for high speed mass transit. The maglev is limited due to potential dangers to human health. At least in the long term affect of human health.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Crazy Tokyo Street Performer!
This was back in March 2009 when I was walking to Shibuya from Yoyogi and suddenly ran into this woman who was just lying on the ground, and I had no clue what to make of it. She had a radio playing music, and started making some strange movements. Please enjoy :)
Quick Tips
For eons man has been traversing this planet that we all live on. We are the result of our ancestor's ingenuity for survival. They migrated to unknown lands in order to maintain their lifestyles. Today we continue traveling for various reasons including: business, family reunions, vacation, tourism, education, work, recreation.
Here are a few quick tips to remember while traveling:
1) Travel with friends: though traveling alone has its share of rewards it can not be as enjoyable if you're not the type to socialize and meet new people, but this is a motivating factor as to why people travel, but traveling in groups can often be just as rewarding and often more enjoyable as you can have a shared experience with family and friends.
2) Take pictures and/or write a journal:
This is essential if you plan to travel, having a memory of your various trips preserved through any medium serves as a way to show that you've been there and more importantly serves as a life benchmark.
3) Night Life:
This is a must, not enjoying the night life of wherever you choose to travel to is something you don't want to do. Knowing how people live through the day, and what kind of events go on in the place you are at during the night is rewarding. Allows for full cultural immersion.
That is it for now, safe travels.
Books Related To TravelHere are a few quick tips to remember while traveling:
1) Travel with friends: though traveling alone has its share of rewards it can not be as enjoyable if you're not the type to socialize and meet new people, but this is a motivating factor as to why people travel, but traveling in groups can often be just as rewarding and often more enjoyable as you can have a shared experience with family and friends.
2) Take pictures and/or write a journal:
This is essential if you plan to travel, having a memory of your various trips preserved through any medium serves as a way to show that you've been there and more importantly serves as a life benchmark.
3) Night Life:
This is a must, not enjoying the night life of wherever you choose to travel to is something you don't want to do. Knowing how people live through the day, and what kind of events go on in the place you are at during the night is rewarding. Allows for full cultural immersion.
That is it for now, safe travels.
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