A New Program: Erasmus for All
Erin
20 February, 2013 14:31
The Erasmus program was created in 1987 to ease cooperation between
European universities and allow for full academic recognition of studies
and qualifications throughout the Union. Erasmus offers the
possibility of studying abroad in 33 countries for between 3 months and 1
year, with scholarships providing monthly funding at an average of €250
(depending on the destination and source). The program had proved
popular with close to 3 million students participating. (More)
English Only in the UK: Lack of Languages Cost the Country
Erin
07 March, 2012 12:43
Everyone who has traveled or lived abroad can attest to the importance of knowing the language. Simple transactions like finding a bathroom and buying groceries can be ridiculously complicated without a basic understanding of the local language. But what about the situation back home? A new report from Education and Employers Task Force reveals that an inability to speak a foreign languages in the UK is costing the country billions. The report estimates that the UK is loosing 1.2 point of GDP (roughly £7.3 billion) with the majority of UK residents unable to speak any other language but English.
The Decline in Foreign Language
Beginning in the 1990s, a decline in foreign languages could be seen in the academic and work environment in the UK. This was accelerated after 2004 when a reform to the national curriculum made language learning at Key Stage 4 (KS4) or GCSE level optional. In response, fewer students took on foreign language courses and research shows a steep decline inattendance in the five years following 2004.
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How to find the Right International School
Erin
20 September, 2011 14:10
An education can make all the difference for a child's future. But finding the right school in an expat situation can be especially difficult. You may not be familiar with the education system in your adopted country, know other families, or have a firm plan for your family's future. By deciding with your child what you want, educating yourself about the norms and researching your options, you can set your child off on the best possible foot.
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Talk Like a Local - Learning a Foreign Language
Erin
01 February, 2011 08:16
English can take a traveler far. You can speak it in Shanghai, Los Angeles, London, Johannesburg, Auckland, or New York City for instance. Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Italian can similarly carry a traveler to distant lands. But if you want to stay and become part of a place, learning the language is more than a necessary step. It is an essential tool to understanding your adopted culture and people.
Kolik jazyku znas, tolikrat jsi clovekem.
You live a new life or every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.
(Czech proverb)
In our new series of "____ Like a Local", we provide tips to avoid the worst faux pas and an overview of standards around the world. (For more tips on fitting in, read Eat Like A Local, Date Like a Local, Tip Like a Local, Stay Healthy like a Local, and Greet Like A Local).
Methods of Learning
Determining what kind of learning style best fits you will help you determine what kind of education you should pursue. (More)
Top MBA programs in Europe
EasyExpat
25 August, 2009 17:26
In recent years, there has been an explosion of European MBA
programs. And with it, comes an inevitable explosion of MBA rankings as well.
While different rankings rate schools on different criteria, here are some of
the consistent top performers on most European MBA rankings. (More)
Thinking of doing an MBA?
EasyExpat
18 August, 2009 10:27
Choosing an MBA program is always a tough decision. Here
are some things to bear in mind and choices to make before opting for your MBA.
1 year versus 2
years?
In recent times, many well recognized European Management
Schools have introduced one year programs which have offered MBA students an
alternative to the two year full time courses offered by the American
universities. Here are a couple of factors that can help you make your decision
on which program to go for.
One year programs offer the obvious cost and time savings by
cramming a more intensive curriculum into the schedule. While this is a massive
advantage for time pressed and cash strapped students, there a few downsides to
it.
(More)
How to Arrange Your Own Study Abroad Program (5/5)
EasyExpat
06 May, 2009 18:14
This is the last article of a series of 5, explaining how to arrange your own study abroad program.
First article: Decide Where to Go
Second article: Determine When to Go
Third article: Language Problems and Programs
Fourth article: How to Pay for It
Practical Matters
After you've made the difficult decisions concerning where to
conduct your study abroad program, when you want to go and have
arranged to pay for it, it's time to get down to nuts and bolts of
making the final arrangements to go. It's a good idea to keep a
checklist and mark each task when it is completed.
If the program you have chosen provides accommodations for its
students, either on campus or in the area, it's wise to take advantage
of it. The accommodations will almost always be safe, clean and
accessible to campus or to transportation, even if they are not always
luxurious. If you are very familiar with the area (through prior visits
or friends and family in the region), you may be able to obtain cheaper
accommodations on your own, but again, allow sufficient lead time. If
the program does not provide accommodations and you don't have insider
information, ask about recommendations from the program staff or
administrators. This is one area where it is unwise to rely on Internet
searches alone. Never take a room or a flat sight unseen unless it is
issued or recommended by someone you know or your study abroad
program. If all else fails, make arrangements to arrive early and stay
at a hostel while you search for accommodations.
(More)
How to Arrange Your Own Study Abroad Program (4/5)
EasyExpat
29 April, 2009 18:02
This is the fourth article of a series of 5, explaining how to arrange your own study abroad program.
First article: Decide Where to Go
Second article: Determine When to Go
Third article: Language Problems and Programs
How to Pay for It
The main obstacle to study abroad for many people is the cost.
However, there are ways of getting around this. For instance, if you
are an American college or graduate student and receive financial aid,
you can almost always apply your financial aid from your present
institution to the study abroad program you choose. European students
should investigate the Erasmus
program. In any case, you will need to contact the financial aid office
at your school and make the necessary arrangements. This may require a
few extra steps and a somewhat longer period of time, so don't put this
task off until the last minute.
It is less likely that you will be able to arrange financial aid
directly with the host institution, but not impossible. Some programs
do offer scholarships; however, these scholarships are almost always
very competitive. The best advice is to prepare as good an application
as possible, but don't count on scholarships from the host institution
for all or even most of your funding. Volunteer programs may provide a
small stipend or free room and board in exchange for your
participation. If you are studying at the graduate school level, you
might also consider grants or fellowships such as the Fulbright,
although the competition for these grants is also very competitive. In
addition, deadlines for grants and scholarships often fall a year in
advance, and two years in advance is not out of the question. (More)
How to Arrange Your Own Study Abroad Program (3/5)
EasyExpat
22 April, 2009 18:09
This is the third article of a series of 5, explaining how to arrange your own study abroad program.
First article: Decide Where to Go
Second article: Determine When to Go
Language Problems and Programs
Even if you are attending a study abroad program conducted in your
native language or in a language you speak fluently, you will
undoubtedly have to navigate your way around unfamiliar surroundings,
if only to get back and forth to class. Also, unless you are fluent in
the language of your host country (which may or may not be the same
language as your program), even familiar tasks such as mailing a letter
can become challenging. This is especially true if you stay for a
longer period of time and live "off campus."
Most study abroad programs will have multilingual staff and
instructors. Don't be afraid to ask them how to negotiate such
practicalities as train schedules, mobile phone refill cards and
grocery shopping, either before you leave or on site. Once you arrive,
depending on where you travel, it may even be safe to obtain
assistance, especially directions, from people on the street, although
it is always wise to keep your wits about you whenever you are in
unfamiliar territory. If you speak English, again, you will find
yourself at a definite advantage. Many people worldwide speak at least
some English. (More)
How to Arrange Your Own Study Abroad Program (2/5)
EasyExpat
15 April, 2009 18:16
This is the second article of a series of 5, explaining how to arrange your own study abroad program.
First article: Decide Where to Go
Determine When to Go
If you are arranging your own study abroad program, scheduling is an
important consideration. Especially if you are working, your work
schedule will be a major factor in deciding when you can go and how
long you can stay. While workers in many countries enjoy holidays of
several weeks or longer, the standard vacation in America is no more
than two weeks and often as short as one week. While it is possible to
plan a study abroad program for such a brief period of time, it will
require even more planning than a longer program. (More)
