Everyday networking opportunities tips for people who hate to mingle - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Everyday networking opportunities tips for people who hate to mingle - Introvert Whisperer Everyday networking opportunities tips for people who hate to mingle   Shy people or those who consider themselves introverts often see networking as a challenge. But is it really that difficult to mingle with new faces? Well, with time, you will realize that it’s is not that hard at all. Whether you call yourself shy, introvert or just quiet, you can still master the art of networking. One important thing to know about networking is that it’s not all about the ability to mingle; it’s more about building relationships based on sincerity, trust, and understanding. Here are a few tips to help you get better at networking; Learn to take it easy with the meet and greet The simple meet and greet process at networking events is the basis to establishing conversations with strangers and building relationships. If you are shy about meeting someone for the first time, try finding a common connection between you and them and request for an introduction. An organizer or host can help you with this.  You can also tag a buddy along to help you be more at ease. Getting introduced can help take away your anxiety of meeting someone just out of the blue. But if you can’t find someone for the introduction, just take a deep breath and give it a try. After all, it’s better to try than to miss a chance at all, right? Remember that no one is thinking about you and your shyness Most shy people at networking events often fear that everyone is looking at them or is concerned about their shyness. Truth is; no one really is. Everyone is always thinking about themselves and how to make that first impression too. Plus, there are also individuals like you in the same event who consider themselves shy and introverts, so basically you are in the same shoes. Knowing this fact can be the most liberating thing in your networking life. Practice, practice, practice Practice  makes things easier. Try attending a networking event at least once every month or two to gain more courage and learn how to smoothly interact with strangers. You can also attend a networking group that does speed networking to help you practice and get comfortable with talking to people you don’t know. With time, you will find that it becomes easier and easier to approach and start conversations with strangers at networking events. Write down some questions Conversations are a two-way street and so you can’t let the other person carry the whole conversation. If your fear to socialize at networking events is not being to participate in conversations spontaneously, write down some few questions to guide you through. Questions such as “what got you into this career path”, ”what are your future career plans”, ”what are your hobbies”, and more of such could be really helpful in enabling you to contribute to the conversation. These are some of the few things that you can use to help you in starting and running with that all-important conversation at a networking event. Try them gradually and in no time you will find yourself getting out of your introvert-zone and enjoying all the opportunities that networking has to offer. Bio Author: Tony Gilbert is the owner of The RealFX Group. Tony specializes in real estate, real estate marketing, managing the team and achieving set goals. Go to top   NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The Beginners Guide to Microsoft Excel

The Beginners Guide to Microsoft Excel The Basics of Microsoft Excel ChaptersHow Do You Create a Spreadsheet on Excel?IF, AND, OR, and NOT functions on ExcelHow Do You Create a Graph on Excel?Useful Excel Shortcuts“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” - Albert EinsteinAround a quarter of people over 60 have never used the internet. Digital exclusion is a big problem in modern society given that almost everything is happening online!Seniors and those who’ve never touched Microsoft Excel, here’s a quick guide to the digital world.  Alongside the other programmes in the Microsoft Office suite, such as Word for word processing, Excel is great for analysing data and automating calculations.Since things like Excel spreadsheets, keyboard shortcuts, Excel apps, Microsoft accounts, and dropdown menus can sound alien to some, this article will guide you through the basics of using Microsoft Excel so that you'll soon be making a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, Excel worksheets, Excel workbooks, creating charts an d graphs, conditional formatting, etc.This operation shows you how IF functions work. Thus, if the number in cell A2 is greater than 10, the result will be “For”. If the number is smaller, the answer will be “Against”.To compare different data, you can use logical operators including equal (=), different (), greater than (), greater than or equal to (=), less than (), or less than or equal to (=).  These comparisons don’t necessarily need to be done with numbers. You can also use words.The IF function is the main logic function. Other functions (AND, OR, NOT) can be added to specify certain conditions.Thus, the AND function indicates that both conditions must be met for a positive result.  The OR function indicates that only one of the conditions needs to be met for the result to be positive.The NOT function indicates that the condition mustn’t be met in order for the result to be positive.There are plenty of ways for these operations to be used. There are also embedded functions and you can create several conditions if necessary.How Do You Create a Graph on Excel?In addition to creating spreadsheets, Excel is also great at creating different types of graphs. You can use the data from your spreadsheet to create different types of graphs. You can pick the type of graph that best suits your data.You can use graphs to show data more clearly. (Source: rawpixel)Different types of graphs include:HistogramLine chartPie chartColumn chartBar chartArea chartScatter chartRadarSo how do you get started with an Excel graph?Just like with a spreadsheet or table, you need to enter your data in the rows and columns in your current sheet. The data could be from one or several categories depending on your project.You just need to choose the cells that you’re interested in and then click “Insert”. “Chart” will be one of the options. By clicking on one of the symbols, a number of subcategories will appear. There’s a large choice of different styles availab le.Your chart will appear on your Excel spreadsheet. However, you can modify the formatting. You can click on the graph and then on the “Design” tab. There are various things that you can change:The axesThe title of the axesThe title of the chartThe labelsThe graphThe legendNow you know how to create a chart!This doesn’t need to be complicated and it can help you in your everyday life at work.  In fact, you can create charts to present a project to your boss, create reports, or manage your expenses. It can be much easier to understand information if it’s presented visually.Useful Excel ShortcutsExcel isn’t necessarily an intuitive programme. You may need to spend a few minutes in order to understand certain functions or tasks.Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time. (Source: Pixies)To help you use Excel more effectively, you should learn a few of the basic keyboard shortcuts.  Shortcuts are very useful for those who struggle to use a mouse.Here are some Excel keyboar d shortcuts:Close Excel: ALT + F4Open the Visual Basic Editor (for editing macros): ALT + F11Cut: CTRL + XCopy: CTRL + CPaste: CTRL + VSelect all: CTRL + AUndo: CTRL + Z (Undo the last action performed)Redo (Cancel an undone action): CTRL + YItalics: CTRL + IUnderlined: CTRL + UBold: CTRL + BDisplay the cell format dialogue box: CTRL + SHIFT + 1There are plenty of shortcuts that can be very useful in Microsoft Office suite. You can use shortcuts to insert rows, columns, and a whole plethora of other operations.The more time you spend with Excel, the more shortcuts you’ll learn. Bit by bit, you’ll start using Excel more efficiently, navigating around an Excel worksheet with the greatest of ease.  Now you're ready to excel with Excel!If you need more help on how to use Excel, you can get tutorials with a private IT tutor on Superprof. Whether you need help creating a macro, managing a workbook, working with templates, or even using other spreadsheet software, you can get Excel tra ining with one to one tutoring or learn more about Excel online.

Heart Math Tutoring Adds Pinewood Elementary As 8th School Partner

Heart Math Tutoring Adds Pinewood Elementary As 8th School Partner Heart Math Tutoring Adds Pinewood Elementary As 8th School Partner Heart Math Tutoring Adds Pinewood Elementary As 8th School Partner October 5, 2015 We are  excited  to add Pinewood Elementary School as a new school partner! Pinewood is now one of eight Heart school sites in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in 2015-16. “We are thrilled and grateful that interest from community volunteers and support from donors allowed us to offer the program to Pinewood Elementary, where students in grades 2, 3, and 4 will receive tutoring twice per week starting in mid-October,” said Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart Math Tutoring. Through its partnership with each school, Heart has an on-site program coordinator and is currently looking to fill that position at Pinewood Elementary. The program coordinator will oversee 30-40 students’ growth in math skills; manage volunteer tutors; and serve as a liaison with teachers and school staff at Pinewood Elementary. For more information about Heart, the program coordinator position, or to become a community or financial partner, call 704-931-3209 or email Emily Elliott at loatono. Read the full press release here.

Tips for Teens Why is it so Hard to Stop Procrastinating

Tips for Teens â€"Why is it so Hard to Stop Procrastinating Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? says the ADHD brain. When you have ADHD getting started on homework or sitting down to study can be hard - really hard. Many teens with ADHD feel like their brain struggles to gear up and focus on the assignment. Others feel so overwhelmed by the essay, project, or upcoming test that they dont know where to start. Some know where to begin, but put off getting started because they worry that they wont be able to do the assignment well enough to meet their high standards. With all of these negative feelings coming up, the natural reaction is to avoid the assignment, project, or upcoming test all together. This avoidance strategy works initially. For a while you do feel much less anxious and less stressed, but before you know it youre in trouble. The test is in an hour and you havent studied, or the big project is due tomorrow and you havent gotten started. Your stress and anxiety skyrocket. Even if you do make the deadline, its only af ter pulling an all-nighter or handing in work that you know isnt your best. You promise yourself that you wont procrastinate again, but within just a few days youre back in the same spot. Everyone procrastinates sometimes. Its human nature. But when you procrastinate so often that it prevents you from reaching your full potential and adds stress and anxiety to your life, then its a problem. Youre not alone. Most people with ADHD (and many people without ADHD) struggle with procrastination. The good news is that you can break the procrastination cycle with two steps: first identify the ADHD tendencies that cause you to procrastinate and then make some relatively simple changes that will help you overcome these challenges. Common ADHD tendencies that lead to procrastination are listed below. Think about which of these apply to you - for some people it may be all five and for others it may be just one or two. Seeking Instant Gratification. With ADHD comes a tendency to prioritize things that are fun in the moment over things that are less enjoyable now but come with a delayed reward. Working on assignments and studying for tests are both activities with delayed payoffs. Sometimes the delay is very long, like when you study for months to prepare for the SAT. Other times it can be relatively short, like when you start working on an essay a few days before its due. In many cases the delayed payoff for your effort can be big like excellent scores on the SAT! But when you have ADHD its hard to be motivated by a delayed reward even with big payoffs. So, instead of getting started on things you logically know you need to get done, youre likely to do something immediately fun and rewarding instead - like playing videogames or chatting with friends. Feeling overwhelmed. When you have ADHD you can easily feel overwhelmed by longer assignments and exams that require a lot of preparation. It can be hard to know where to start or how to break the assignments or study plans down into smaller manageable chunks. No one wants to feel overwhelmed, and when you procrastinate youre able to avoid this feeling at least for a short time. Unfortunately, when you procrastinate you ultimately feel more overwhelmed in the long run. Time management. Estimating the amount of time it will take to complete an assignment or study for a test can be difficult when you have ADHD. Youre more likely to underestimate the amount of time you will need, and you may have trouble paying attention to the amount of time that has passed once you start working. Both of these ADHD tendencies make it difficult to get started early on projects and manage your time well so youll finish by the deadline. Self-confidence. When youre not confident in your ability to write a strong essay or get a good grade on a test, then it can be very difficult to get started. Self-defeating thoughts start to creep in, your anxiety goes up, and an already challenging task becomes even more unappealing. Many people with ADHD struggle with self-confidence, especially when it comes to school, so its not surprising that this might be causing some difficulties now. With ADHD its very easy to get distracted by almost anything, especially anything with a screen. Before you know it youve been sucked into your phone for an hour and genuinely have no idea how much time has passed! Once youre distracted by your phone or computer it can be even harder to switch gears and get started on the work youve been avoiding. Did you see yourself in any of these tendencies? Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings over the next few days as you get started on assignments or procrastinate instead of getting work done. See if you notice any other tendencies popping up. Once youve identified your own patterns youll be ready to take action and make some changes. In my next post I discuss some simple steps that will help you stop procrastinating so you can turn in assignments on time, with less stress, and earn better grades! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

11 Curious Facts about the World`s Most Beautiful Libraries

11 Curious Facts about the World`s Most Beautiful Libraries Since Medieval historical period libraries have been the holy places of knowledge and science. The visitors were not just grass-roots, but the representatives of the top-drawer. They could read and examine a lot of highly intellectual publications. Despite the fact the libraries were the buildings aimed for personal development and education; they considered as the works of art. If we studied book rooms from the design and architectural perspective, we would say that they impressed by their refinement and splendor. Such book repositories could combine various architectural styles; contain gorgeous murals and grand lightning systems. There are a lot of imposing and unique athenaeums all over the world. Each of them has exclusive ?ollections of books and its history of origin. Here is the top list of interesting facts about the beautiful libraries: 1. Swiss Abbey Library of St. Gallen. This library is designed in the style of Rococo. It encompasses approximately two hundred thousand of published texts from the late 8th century. It is preserved as a heritage of the country. 2. National Library of Austria. It is the most remarkable book repository with more than seven million textbooks. Moreover, the gorgeous sculptures of Lorenzo Mattielli and Daniel Gran’s murals are signature image of the library. 3. Spanish Library of El Escorial. Initially the establishment was the residence of the Spanish King. Phillip II created the library within this building and added the majority of texts. Here we can see ceilings decorated with murals. Each fresco shows one of seven liberal arts. 4. Irish Trinity College Library. Its collection contains an outstanding manuscript Book of Kells which has its origin in 800 year. The library has Legal Deposit privilege and has many text copies of England. 5. Codrington Library in England. The two hundred thousand items of the collection are mostly specific in Law, History and Classics. It is open not only for members and scientists of Oxford University but for scientists all over the world. At the end of the 20th century the athenaeum had a great upgrade that provided visitors with electronic working stations. 6. The National Library of France. The largest addition to its collection was made during the French Revolution (it was broaden to three hundred thousand items). But the current amount is totally impressive and has thirteen million periodi?als. Moreover, there are numerous ?ollections of medals and paintings. 7. Delft University of Te?hnology Library in Netherlands. This technical book room has a great peculiarity such as a skylight with grass roof. The entrance lift helps the library to be friendly to people with disabilities. The collection is mostly devoted to technical researches and available online. 8. The Royal Portuguese Reading Room in Brazil. The building is made in the style of Renaissance during the ?olonization. A marvelous chandelier and skylight are main decorations of the library. Around six thousand unique scripts and texts enlarge the book ?ollection each year. 9. The Library of the San Francisco Monastery in Peru. This book room is the most remarkable in the South America. The rare items from the 15th century make the ?ollection of the library especially prominent. The first Spanish dictionary and the Holy Bible are the real treasures of its ?ollection. 10. Colombian Villanueva Public Library. The construction of the building is made by the stones and wood from nearby areas by the Colombian residents. The natural design project was offered by local students which created the optimum microclimate inside the library. 11. The Library of Congress in the USA. This reading room is the biggest in the world and consolidates approximately forty million books. It became an international scientific building due to the fact the publications are presented in four hundred seventy languages. If you are involved in studying the historical and interior peculiarities of the athenaeums and different prominent buildings, we offer you to contact our art tutors.  They can help you to become experts in this field of studying.

Teach Away Telegram - February 2010

Teach Away Telegram - February 2010 We hope you're enjoying the month of LOVE, and sneaking in some guilt-free chocolate before the big day on Sunday! Don't forget you have less than two days left to pick up those flowers or chocolates for your sweetheart (or that special someone you've been eyeing on the bus)! No plans for the big day? Hard core romantics and Valentine Day cynics alike can cozy up to some good reading with the February issue of the Teach Away Telegram.Job-seekers will be happy to know we've got some must-read information about new job opportunities in the tropical location of Brunei, so wipe off those chocolatey fingers and keep those resumes coming!Happy Valentine's Day!-The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:Teach Away Tells AllDon’t Let ‘Culture Shock’ Shock You!Teacher Story: Talking about the Educational Reform in Abu DhabiNew Opportunities in BruneiTeach Away Tells AllRead about Valentine’s Day in Japan from the male and female perspectives of Teach Away representatives Adrian and Kathleen.And They Say Women Love Chocolate...Adrian's Story: February 14th in many countries around the world is celebrated as Valentine’s Day. For three consecutive years, I experienced what Valentine’s Day meant in Japan. Being a Canadian, I expected to see couples exchanging gifts and romantic gestures. Lucky for me, I had a Japanese girlfriend, and could be considered as part of a couple during my first year in Japan.Leading up to Valentine’s Day, store shelves overflowed with red and pink heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Thinking I’d see throngs of men crowding the aisles for last minute gifts on February 13th, the sight of only women scouring the shelves that night presented a surprise.Shocked but focused, I plucked a fancy box of chocolates from one of the unreachable shelves (well, unreachable for many Japanese women) and sauntered to the check-out before going home.On the day of despise for many singles around the world, my girlfriend and I met. Basked in the quivering glow of candlelight, she went into my kitchen and reappeared shortly after. In her hands rested a plate of delicate handmade fudge morsels dusted in a light chocolate powder. Surprised by the time and skill she had devoted to my gift, I felt ashamed to give her the off-the-shelf selection of chocolates I had bought for her. But, I stood up, grabbed the chocolates from their hiding place, and presented them to her anyway.Her lips, unsure at first, began to form a frown. Her head and eyes both lost the excitement that should have been there on Valentine’s Day.She looked at me and said, “Why?“Because I care,” I replied.“Who is she?” she barked back.This is how I learned that Valentine’s Day in Japan is a day during which only women give chocolates to men.Apparently, my girlfriend thought the chocolates I had given her were from another woman.I am single now.Thinking Outside the BoxKathleen's Story: My first February in Japan, I was shocked by the male responses to a romantically -themed conversation I had initiated with my adult English class. As a conversation starter, I had written on the board: “What are you going to get your significant other for Valentine’s Day?” While the women generously answered “box of chocolates,” “homemade chocolate,” and ... “box of chocolates” â€" again â€" the men continued to respond with one simple word: “Nothing.” I had heard that Japanese guys were a little less romantic than their Western counterparts, but was it really this bad My heart, a sucker for all things romantic, was breaking with sympathy pains.I soon learned that it wasn’t as bad as I had initially thought. The custom in Japan is that women give chocolates to the men in their lives on February 14th. One month later, on White Day, Japanese men give cookies to the women who are important to them.After a couple of years of living in Japan, I had found myself in a serious relationship with a Japanese man. As the big day for all things romant ic neared, I mentally (and emotionally) prepared myself for a day of no flowers, no chocolate, and no jewellery. *sigh*Even though I knew it was custom to buy (or make) chocolate for your man on Valentine’s Day, I decided to break tradition and get my boyfriend something he’d actually like: some beer, a beer mug that got all cool and frosty in the freezer, and a couple of heart-shaped coasters, which I thought, nicely complimented the dual theme of beer mugs and romance.On Valentine’s Day, I walked into our apartment expecting very little, so I was surprised to be greeted by the lovely aroma of cooking steak. My boyfriend had surprised me with a delicious dinner and my favourite red wine. I was impressed. I presented him with his gift so that he could get the mug-frosting underway, and we dove into our delicious meal. By the time dinner was over, his gift was nicely frosted and he was very happy to savour his nice, cold beer in his new mug while we watched one of the several r omantic classics I had rented for us that evening.During a movie break, my very sly guy asked me to get up and get something out of the closet for him. I was about to protest until I saw a mischievous twinkle in his eye, so I did as I was told. In the closet was a gift bag with some beautiful boots and a matching hat I’d been eyeing earlier that month.Not only did I get to experience the romantic Valentine’s Day I was used to from home, but I was lucky enough to have a boyfriend who thought outside of the box ... of chocolates.Don’t Let ‘Culture Shock’ Shock You!Culture Shock, the infamous syndrome that hits unsuspecting expats trying to make a life for themselves abroad, happens to be a very fitting topic for our romantically themed February issue. A little sceptical that culture shock is in any way related to romance and relationships? Well, unbeknownst to most, the stages of Culture Shock are very similar to those of a marriage. Still unable to see the connection? Learn about the five stages of the love struck/culture shocked here.• First, you have the Honeymoon Stage, where â€" you guessed it â€" everything is new and different and wonderful in your new country of residence. Just as you might wake up to your beautiful wife with a smile on your face each morning, the gorgeous view from your window will definitely be a sight for tired eyes during the first few months in your host country. During the Honeymoon Stage, you’ll notice that your feelings are heightened and that you love anything and everything about your surroundings. You will feel excited, delighted, curious, and eager to do and see more and more and more....“After first arriving in Japan, the neon and noodle overload kept me wide-eyed and wanting more. Within the first few months, I had tried to take in as much of the culture, the people, and the land as possible. I was constantly being invited to dinners and events, and had explored many of the famous areas in the country, inclu ding a trek up Mt. Fuji. I may not be known as a romantic, but this was one honeymoon I didn’t want to end.” (Adrian, Teach Away Staff)• The Rejection Phase can be nicely paralleled with that stage in your relationship where your ‘newlywed’ status is just starting to wear off. You no longer find it endearing that your husband leaves his smelly socks on the living room floor, and you aren’t finding the cultural quirks of your host country any more appealing. Similar to the pedestal on which you’ve placed friends still living the single life, you will definitely start idealizing your home country and culture to an emotionally unhealthy degree. What you once looked upon with wide-eyed curiosity and intrigue, you now find yourself rolling your eyes and questioning if it’s ever going to end. You begin to make unfair comparisons between your home and host country, and suddenly the list of things you miss from home far outweighs the perks of your new country. What happened to those feelings of adoration that were so prominent during the Honeymoon Phase? They are long gone â€" only to be replaced by feelings of anger, disappointment, frustration, close-mindedness, and even depression.“After a few months in Japan my feelings towards my new surroundings changed ….I didn’t belong here â€" I belonged in Canada! I no longer felt an attraction to the neon lights, traditional foods, and even began despising the sight of eggs. (I couldn’t believe eggs were found on most foods â€" even on pizza and burgers!) I was annoyed that every day I had to put effort into reading and trying to speak in a foreign language. I missed home and longed for a place where I could easily order a meal or read a sign.” (Selena, Teach Away Staff)• The Adjustment Phase couldn’t have come soon enough. Now you’re used to the fact that your wife has replaced your beloved lunchtime chocolate bar with a healthy apple. And, at this stage, you are familiar enough with the cus toms of your host country to not spend every waking hour worrying that you might be doing or saying the wrong thing. You may still question some of the cultural differences, but you no longer feel frustrated or depressed. You’ve fallen into a daily routine that is beginning to nicely suit you. You aren’t 100% adjusted, but you are no longer itching to pack your bags and hop on the next flight home. You feel less stressed, more contented, and have achieved a peace of mind that was definitely missing during the Rejection Stage.“Once I started to establish a routine and became accustomed to the Korean culture, I became a lot more comfortable and relaxed. My sense of humour (which I was beginning to think I’d forgotten in Canada) materialized and any feelings of frustration I’d experienced, subsided. Sure, I wasn’t wearing those rose-coloured glasses that I’d donned during the Honeymoon Phase but I had begun to develop an appreciation and fondness for kimchee, K-pop, and k araoke.” (Valen, Teach Away Staff)• The coming of the Acceptance Phase means that life in your host country has normalized and you finally feel like you belong. Just as comfortably married couples might begin naturally identifying themselves as “we” (as opposed to “me”), you will now find that your identity is intrinsically linked with that of your new home away from home. Cultural faux-pas will have become a thing of the past, and you’ll be able to explain the country’s (once weird and wonderful) traditions to newbies as though these customs were your own. You might even find yourself beginning sentences with “The way we do it here is...”. Your feelings of belonging will bring with them a sense of security, true contentment, and a much more relaxed lifestyle.“An elderly Korean lady sat across from me on the subway scolding her grandson for not being neater with his English homework. He was practicing his ABC’s, his notebook precariously balanced on his lap. I had come to understand the importance of education in this country, and no longer judged it from my own ‘foreign’ point of view. It was important, and I accepted it as such. The grandmother looked up and caught me nodding in agreement with her. I gave her my best seated bow and told the boy to study hard. She may not have understood my words, but she knew their intent and smiled.” (Ash, Teach Away Staff)• Reverse Culture Shock is shocking, to say the least. You might be surprised to feel the heartache and loneliness that might accompany the broken heart of a broken relationship. After having finally truly adjusted to your new life, you are suddenly thrust back into a lifestyle that hasn’t seemed to change much since you were an active part of it. The problem is you’ve changed a whole lot. The first few weeks of being back “home” can be more difficult than when you first left for the unknown. What was once second nature no longer comes naturally, and you may suddenl y feel like a stranger in your own country. Friends and family will be unable to share in your memories and will likely lose interest in your tales from abroad after the first long slideshow of pictures. A lack of understanding (and sometimes even interest) may lead to short-lived feelings of loneliness, isolation, and even depression. And... beware of that travel bug â€" it may now be with you for life!“Back at home, it was nice to see the faces and places I had been longing to see, but these feelings of excitement wore off quickly, and were even replaced by feelings of loneliness â€" once I realized that life had gone on without me. I quickly found myself missing the adventure and anonymity that I had experienced abroad. Giving it some time though, it didn’t take too long to get back into the routine of things and as the saying goes: There’s no place like home.” (Jessa, Teach Away Staff)“I always caught myself too late when I would graciously bow in thanks at my local su permarket or department store. For me, it took more than a few months and a lot of strange looks to shake what had been the norm for thanking people in Japan.” (Kathleen, Teach Away Staff)Test your knowledge and take the Culture Shock Quiz in the March issue of the Teach Away Telegram!Teacher Story: Talking about the Educational Reform in Abu Dhabi - By L. McCainLast year, I had the opportunity to participate in the birth of one of the greatest school reform efforts that has ever been undertaken. In 2009, Abu Dhabi schools began the implementation of a well-developed, extensive, 10-year strategic plan. As the school reform takes place, its efforts will further the educational success of the Emirate by developing skills in students that will infiltrate into the local and global workforce. During this first year, the effort has been to reform the daily curriculum by focusing on strategies to improve the English language skills of all Abu Dhabi students. When students are able to spe ak and write English well, this transfers positively into all subject areas in the curriculum.Upon my arrival as a teacher in the UAE, I was certain about one thing: Many of the challenges and successes that I had experienced as an educator in the US, with both students and their parents, were going to be similar here. I knew that how I handled the situations would make the difference between a positive and a negative experience for me and my students. I embrace this reform with the same personal philosophy I had always held towards teaching any student, a philosophy which simply says it is my job, as the teacher, to find the key to unlock the desire for education and quench the thirst for knowledge each student holds. I must seek for those keys and provide vast experiences inside the classroom each day to ensure that the right key is found for each student.I see my position as first grade teacher as being vital to each student’s future success. A strong, early childhood education is the foundation for all future learning. The activities provided must be challenging, stimulating, fun, and exciting. I have found my students to be intelligent, inquisitive, and hardworking. They strive to be attentive in their English, Math, and Science classes as they are still learning how to read and speak the language. The students are also learning how to read and write in Arabic from local teachers. My fellow teachers are professionals who welcome opportunities to dialogue and communicate about student achievement as well as how classroom instruction can promote the highest level of learning for each student.One of the major challenges I have found is not having a paraprofessional available for the first grade students, who are second-language learners, and also young and energetic. Sometimes these factors can be a speed bump in the road to academic achievement. Therefore, classroom management and routines are even more important than commonly thought.Each day, I can see the great impact that the reform is having on the schools in Abu Dhabi. The education reform in Abu Dhabi is bringing teachers and administration together to ask the hard questions about what is working and what is not working in our classrooms. I find myself researching ways to enhance each student’s academic successes and starve their failures. In my opinion, the reform is working well, and in time the returns that are being seen today will only multiply and strengthen.Another Day, Another OpportunityTeach Away is proud to announce opportunities for licensed teachers to teach in the tropical country of Brunei.Licensed Commonwealth teachers with a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience are needed to fill public school English teaching jobs in Brunei. Only teachers with long term experience and no gaps in their employment history will be considered for these positions. English teachers or teachers with TESL/TEFL certification will generally be looked upon more favourably than t eachers who have specialized in other subjects.Teaching in BruneiFor the most part, teachers at primary schools can truly immerse themselves and dive into the Brunei culture due to the fact that they will most likely be the only foreign teacher working at the school. Primary teachers in Brunei can expect a schedule of 15 contact hours per week, with an additional 6 hours of weekly attendance at after-school clubs and activities. Currently 30 primary teaching positions are available.Secondary teachers in Brunei, on the other hand, may be placed with as many as 10-11 other foreign teachers, and will have more opportunities to socialize with other ex-patriots at the work place. Typical contact hours for secondary teachers range from 12 to 16 hours a week with an additional 4.5 hours devoted to extra-curricular clubs and activities. Currently there are 20 openings for secondary school teachers.Due to a dense student population at some schools in Brunei, school days can be organized into split shifts and many teachers will find themselves teaching only in the mornings or in the afternoons. This leaves most teachers with a freer schedule than they may have enjoyed in their home countries. As Saturday is a work day in Brunei, Fridays and Sundays are a teacher’s days off. From time to time, teachers will be expected to attend special school functions such as sports days, teacher-parent interviews, or school events on a day off.Teachers’ salaries are assessed based on previous teaching experience and educational background, but even teachers who find themselves on the lower end of the pay scale can enjoy a lucrative salary and the benefits of tax free pay, a heavily subsidized spacious living space, partially subsidized medical insurance, an interest-free car loan, and a relatively low cost of living.Living in BruneiBrunei is home to hot weather, sandy beaches, and lush forests, all in a safe and wealthy environment. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo, Brunei shares the island with parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Because of its location, the population is made up of a mix of Southeast Asian ethnic groups, of which, two-thirds are Malay. Also, two-thirds of the population practice Islam, although the government is tolerant of other religions, as is evidenced by the heavy influence of Hinduism along with Islam on the country’s people.From a foreigner’s standpoint, the country is considered clean, safe, and a hub from which travel to other nearby countries is easy. Hence, it’s not rare to see foreigners from many nations living throughout the country, especially around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. In many cases, expatriates often find the lifestyle in Brunei to be more accommodating than what they experienced in their native country; the official language is Malay, but English is widely spoken and understood; international schools are available for expatriate children; a range of international cuisine exists; an d the cost of living is relatively low, especially considering that there is no income tax.Please click here to read more about teaching jobs in Brunei.

What Every Student Should Know About Scholarships and Tuition Discounting

What Every Student Should Know About Scholarships and Tuition Discounting via Pexels What is tuition discounting? This is a term that some of you may be unfamiliar with, but tuition discounting generally refers to grants and scholarships that colleges and universities give students. In some situations, it is put into practice when colleges and universities charge high tuition and then offer large “discounts” (aka merit aid) to their qualified candidates. Why is tuition discounting put into practice? Tuition discounting is most prevalent in small, private colleges and universities, and was originally put into practice to allow students to attend college without the price tag, or their families’ financial situation, preventing them from doing so. Having started out as need-based financial aid, tuition discounting now encompasses merit-based aid as well (such as merit scholarships). As tuition discounting often makes a private college or university much more affordable, it helps these private schools attract and enroll more students over time. This potentially raises the question of why all schools don’t just make their tuition or sticker price more affordable in the first place an act that would, in many situations, eliminate the need for tuition discounting. However, a school that offers tuition discounting actually appears more attractive to college applicants, based on surveys that found both parents and students prefer schools with high costs that offer large discounts instead of schools with a lower original cost. Why, you may ask? It’s because of an idea that has become ingrained in the minds of the general public: that the higher the price, the higher quality it must be. As a result, schools that have high sticker prices appear to be “better” in the eyes of college applicants and their parents, which leads to more applications, more scholarships being given out, and ultimately, more enrollment. Offering tuition discounts is a win for private colleges and universities, and receiving such discounts is seemingly a win for the students as well. What are the disadvantages of tuition discounting? On the flip side, tuition discounting can lead to some pretty negative consequences, both for schools and students. Some colleges and universities offer such large discounts to their students that it’s eating into their revenue, which is certainly not sustainable in the long run. What’s more, the high cost/high aid model can sometimes discourage low-income students from attending costly private institutions, mainly because some of these students and their families are unaware that financial aid is available. How do you receive a tuition discount (e.g. a scholarship)? There are a number of ways to receive a tuition discount. One way is to qualify for a tuition waiver based on your family’s income level. If your family’s income falls below a certain threshold, you may be able to qualify for a tuition waiver. Another option is to see whether the college and/or university you’re applying to offers legacy scholarships. If you have a family member who once graduated from that school, it might be worth looking into a possible legacy scholarship. Another totally classic and viable way to receive aid is by actively applying for scholarships. With so many different kinds of scholarships out there, you have many options to choose from. For example, there are a number of academic scholarships that you can apply for, which are based on your academic performance, including your GPA as well as standardized test scores (such as the SAT and ACT). Other types of scholarship options out there may include athletic, community service, minority, creative, and other unique scholarships. Where can you find them? Lucky for you, finding scholarships isn’t the hard part there are so many places you can look. One option is to visit your career center and inquire about available scholarships. Another option is to look to organizations in your community and find out if they’re offering scholarships for college students. Even if they’re not large companies or organizations, some local businesses in your neighborhood or community might have an annual scholarship that they give out. If you want to search for scholarships from the comfort of your own computer, there are many websites at your disposal, such as Fastweb.com. When it comes to applying for and receiving tuition discounts of any sort, it’s important to be informed about what it can do for you.