London calling: Places to visit and points of attraction in London
November 28, 2006
Save the Queen and save a few pounds on your next visit to London, the city on the Thames.
BY CAROL KELLEY
ASKSTUDENT.COM Guest Writer
London Travel Shortly after arriving at Gatwick Airport at 7 a.m. on a sunny, English morning, I took a train to London’s Victoria Coach Station. During the ride, I met two students from California on a work-abroad program in central London for the summer. They explained how they fell in love with the city after their first visit and decided to spend the next three months working and traveling around England. After hearing about the great time they had, I couldn’t wait to begin exploring the city.
From the coach station, I took a cab (in London, they’re black) to my hotel. Passing through streets dotted with historic, looming cathedrals, resplendant royal palaces and red, double-decker buses was unforgettable. The friendly cab driver narrated this impromptu tour in a heavy Manchester accent, offering the significance of every monument we passed on the way to the hotel. Contrary to their reputation for being very reserved, I found Brits to be very friendly, open and enthusiastic people.
By far, London is the most fascinating and exciting city I’ve ever visited. It’s city of contrasts, a modern yet traditional city that’s steeped in history and invigorated by youthful energy. Although I’ve traveled there three times in the past few years, I’ve only begun to discover all that London has to offer. As a student, there are many ways to make your trip to London fun and affordable.
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Reluctance to study might not be due to lack of motivation
November 28, 2006
Your reluctance to study this time of year may be more due to lack of sunlight than lack of motivation.
Winter study woes When Mother Nature decides to turn her back on the North every fall, the beauty of multi-colored leaves and breezy days only last so long. Winter rears its ugly head in November and often does not look back until March or April. Through the seasons, rain or shine, rain or snow, rain or sleet, rain or hail, students make their daily treks to class. And wet shoes and wind-burned faces are not the only consequences.
Cold weather can work both for and against students who have to brave it everyday, said Kristen Coner, a junior at Macalester College in Minneapolis.
“I guess I’m more motivated to study because there is no temptation and everyone else is inside, too,” Conner says. “Sometimes you do get cabin fever though.”
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Essential information for your summer or fall European detour
November 28, 2006
It’s become a rite of passage. Europe 101: The eight-week crash course in European culture and sites.
As the thousands of young backpackers who descend upon Europe every summer or end of their fall semster quickly discover, the path has been well blazed. The grand tour of Europe’s sites includes more than a few obnoxious Americans, travel pitfalls, hassles — and yes — rewards.
With the first-time adventurer in mind, here are a few essential tips to help get you started on your journey and go a little off the beaten path:
Counsel on European Security
Contrary to the common perception, not all parts of Europe are safe. Crime and theft are just as common there as they are here and perhaps even more so for the backpack-toting adventurer. Be aware that your gear marks you as an easy target for the many thieves who make their livelihood off the summer influx of unwitting young tourists. Be skeptical of those who immediately approach you in train stations or other public places. Above all, don’t let your valuables leave your person. Hostels and night trains are the prime spots for robbery. You may want to invest in a money belt to prevent night-time theft. Keep a few extra dollars stashed in a secret place. When the unthinkable happens and your wallet is stolen, it will tide you over until help arrives.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Studying abroad? What you need to know about tuition and expenses
November 28, 2006
Spending a semester abroad can be cheaper than staying on campus, but some schools are working to change that.
When Laura Bem decided to spend a semester in Prague, she was excited by the opportunity to learn more about a historic city and a different culture. But she was also drawn to the price tag: $8,000 through the Council of International Education Exchange, about $7,000 less than a semester on campus at Brown University.
The savings meant Bem could travel through Europe without pinching pennies, go out often and have a good time. With a strong dollar and reasonable airfares, students who head to countries with a low cost of living or that offer government-subsidized tuition can save a bundle over staying at home.
But that’s changing. While schools like Brown let students arrange trips through approved agencies and pay a processing fee, others charge students studying abroad the on-campus rate for tuition, regardless of the program’s cost.
For a semester in Prague, Brem paid the $8,000 program cost plus Brown’s $1,350 study abroad fee. But students from Pomona College, the University of Pennsylvania and Wesleyan University who accompanied her paid their schools full tuition for the same experience.
According to a Penn survey, 83 percent of schools let students choose the program they want to enroll in. Since the price tag varies by program and by country, students looking for a bargain can usually find one.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Thanks to our guest writers and our editors …
November 28, 2006
Over the last two weeks, we have received an overwhelming number of students asking to be AskStudent’s guest writers. So, here is what we did. We asked them to write about their city, the city in which they live in, talk about it, places to visit and also partay. They include cities down under and also the Queen’s country. We have received over 25 articles and counting so far and we will be posting them up as soon as Melissa proof reads them and posts them out.
Thanks once again to all you guys.
Also, a big hurrah for the guys on the AskStudent team. Ajit Gaddam, Alex Smith, Melissa Hicks, Ryan Ferone… all these guys have been putting in huge hours, the last couple of weeks, and we have been stockpiling up articles. Most of these articles are going to be published under Melissa’s name even though it might be the contribution of a different member of the team. In the case of guest writers, it is still going to be published under Melissa but the name would be mentioned prominently.
All in all, It’s gonna be shock and awe baby!
If you wish to contribute to AskStudent, please send us an email in our contact us section.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Studying abroad, tips and suggestions
November 27, 2006
Studying abroad means missing junior year on campus. But staying local means missing out on learning in another culture. What will you miss the most?
Varinia Michalun still wishes she had checked that “yes” box nine years ago when she was a student at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She still wonders whether a semester in London would have tempted her to stay or a year in Florence would have extended into a decade. She often muses over cappuccino and biscotti about what the study abroad experience could have done for her international marketing career.
For Jason Gerbsman, a Colby College International Studies major focusing on Political Science of the Middle East, the decision to spend 12 months in Jerusalem was an easy one. Having traveled in Israel before, he was comfortable with the cultural differences and he was ready to refine his Hebrew. His close friends from school were also going to be away from Colby, so he had no sense of loss in leaving campus for a full year.
Study Abroad Web Destinations
You’ll be glad to have made these stops part of your Study Abroad Web Research Tour itinerary.
Peterson’s.Com, the people who produce the massive hard-copy Study Abroad directory allow you to search for descriptions of study abroad programs by field of study, country and tons of other categories. Sorry no “Countries where Jerry Springer is a minor God” category.
University of Michigan Overseas Opportunity Center has all kinds of information about working, studying, and traveling abroad, including advice and links to OOC tested, student-approved resources.
University of Minnesota’s International Study and Travel Center directories of studying and volunteering abroad resources are available for your perusin’ pleasure.
Aspiring world travelers looking for magazines and other spiffy reads about studying, traveling and all other activities abroad (except for that one) check out Transitions Abroad Publishing.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Job Interview review, tips and tactics
November 27, 2006
Brush up on your personal and professional skills and you might walk away from an interview with a job.
The company has seen your resume and cover letter. Now its managers want to see you. From the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave, you’ll be under scrutiny. You’ve heard advice about being confident and knowledgeable, but how do you manage to control your nerves at such a critical time?
You’d never walk into an exam without studying, and an interview is just like an exam. The key to successful interviewing is preparation. If you’re thoroughly prepared, you’ll be more confident and relaxed. The company will see your personality, not your perspiration.
If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to research the company. Check the newspaper for mentions of the company and current happenings in the industry. You’ll also find information on the company’s Web page, or from friends who work in the industry.
Interview Tips and Tactics
� Practice interview answers with a friend or a mirror
� Dress conservatively and appropriately
� Know how to get to your interview
� Bring a notebook and pen, along with extra copies of your resume
� Eat a sensible meal before your interview
� Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
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