Let Us Help You String Together Your Study Abroad Adventure...

Elizabeth's Top Tips For Cutting The Costs of Studying Abroad:

Check out the online options for booking your travel:  If you do happen to come across a good deal, wait before purchasing and research the destination for even better deals! 

Megabus.com offers great value tickets to travel between the United States. 

AirBnB.com is another site if you are looking for a place to rest your weary heads.

Always have your student discount ID card ready, so as not to miss out on any juicey discounts. Transportation companies are especially known for their generous student discounts. 

Have you ever found a flight online, hesitated before purchasing it and then gone back a few hours later to find that the price has gone up? Well, this is because the airline companies can tell which ip address you are searching from, which means that on your second visit, they recognise who you are and increase the price. If you do go back to buy the flight, make sure you do it on a friends laptop, so that you can book your flight at the original price!

Plan your travel around a local event:  Try staying within the state and finding a local event, it gives you the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and you most likely  you will find discounts on travel and hotels because of the event. Look for lists of hostels and campgrounds that support events, this could also bring great discounts. 

It does not matter how you chose to travel during your study abroad experience, all that matters, is that you do experience studying abroad!  One of the greatest experiences you will have when studying abroad is travelling around your host country.  As for the United States, from sea to shining sea, every state has it's own unique charm.  You could spend the rest of your life exploring the United States and only experience half the beauty.  So it’s not too late to start your travels, New Years is almost here and new beginnings are in the air...

Elizabeth Koukladas 

www.bearlainternationalstudies.com

Excuses For Sending Your Child Out Of The Country.

Are you considering sending your high school teen to a United States high school; could this benefit your child for the transition to a United States university?  Research shows that sending your teenager overseas earlier rather than later, immersing them in different cultures, social situations and environments and can only benefit the student.

English language training:  Full exposure helps the student develop English language skills quickly and builds confidence in students.

Pre-university navigation:  Applying for a university can be tricky, daunting and overwhelming.  Counselors are there to guide and prepare the high school students for their future endeavors.  Counselors are there to help maneuver you through the admission requirements.

College readiness:  This exposure can help the transition by understanding the American-style of teaching, which can be more participation in nature.  This helps to build confidence in the student by understanding what is expected of them in class.

Social acculturation:  This could give the international student a leg up! Culture can be one of the most difficult transition this helps the student to adapt to the culture quicker and with less pressure.

I know that the thought of sending your child away to a country that is so different from your own can be scary to say the least, but the sacrifices you make now will pay off in the future. 

By Elizabeth Koukladas

www.bearlainternationalstudies.com

STRETCH YOUR DOLLAR WHEN STUDYING ABROAD!

1. Pre-book onto Tours & Activities on your Study Abroad Adventure:

90% of the time it id definitely cheaper to pre-book than to turn up on the day. This way you are able to avoid  the queue, which is also a great motivator for pre-booking!

Check online and sign up to newsletters advertising student deals. I research student deals and post them here. There are some great student deals posted for Brighton currently...

2. Give Something Back and Volunteer Abroad.

I do realised that it was only a matter of days ago, that I was preaching the benefits of volunteering, either whilst studying abroad, on a gap year or any other time in your life in fact! So, for that reason I will not go too in-depth today, however, I would just like to say...

Often they are free, food and accommodation is provided, or if there is a fee it’s normally minimal and will cover accommodation, food and material costs dependent on the project. 

3. Budgeting: Be Honest and Realistic.

Our international students come to us for advice and guidance on their study abroad adventures, Elizabeth and I agree that being realistic about your trip and budgeting accordingly is one of the best pieces of advice we can give. Whether you are going on a short trip of just a few weeks, or you are studying abroad for a few years, careful and honest budgeting is a must.

Part two coming tomorrow morning...

BIG DATA: Minority Report and the Future of Education.

Using “BIG DATA” to determine what courses individuals should take by matching student’s interest or aptitude. Viktor Mayer-Schonberger professor at Oxford University warns this could be a future Minority Report (the movie, Tom Cruise).  This could create a dystopian (opposite of Utopia).  Professor Mayer-Schonberger stated that it would be similar to the Minority Report by sentencing or almost predetermining individual’s futures. 

The Big Data would track (has been tracking for 30 years) students from the time they enter school by track failures and successes in particular standardizing tests.  The problem is capturing data where students haven’t developed certain skills yet; there are a verity of reasons why a student has not grown into the skill including home environment and non economic reasons.   I can think of two examples of famous individuals that were told they were stupid and would not amount to anything (in primary school), Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell, these to individuals were dyslexic.  Could you imagine a world without Bell or Einstein, well I could not, I am glad they both ignored their teachers and got on with it…So, future scholars of the world, be your own determining factor and do not let anyone put you in a box!!!

'Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.'

Albert Einstein.

Read More about BIG DATA at:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/big-data-could-create-dystopian-future-for-students/2010061.article

By Elizabeth Koukladas

www.bearlainternationalstudies.com

Spice Up Your Study Abroad Experience.

There are many aspects as to why getting more involved with your college or university, whilst study abroad is a good idea.  Clubs are a great way to build important skills, such as leadership, and understand cultural differences. Not only this, but its an easy way of making friends, whilst engaging in your favourite hobby or interest. Many clubs will offer trips, nationally and internationally. It is also a good idea to research the clubs available to you at your particular institution, this will enable you to budget for adventures with you club. 

The clubs available at each institution can usually be found on their website, posters around the school, student newsletters and information departments on campus. 

The United Kingdom and United States offer a true abundance of extra curricular activities. Many of our international students have returned a gasp by the variety of options available to them. Many universities and colleges report that over 90% of their students are involved in extracurricular activities. Such participation looks fantastic on resumes and future university or college applications. 

Becoming a member is not enough. Becoming an active member should be your goal. Think of new ideas for the club, take leadership roles and make sure you attend frequently. Having an important role in the running of the clubs will be a more rewarding and fulfilling experience, further developing your skills. 

Volunteering is a fantastic way to make friends whilst giving back to the local community, and gaining valuable skills. I participated in  volunteer work as a student studying to be a Divemaster. They were some of the best days I spent on Koh Tao. We conducted beach  and underwater clean ups.  We would visit the dive sites and cut off any nets which had been caught over the underwater pinnacles and coral, freeing the fish and rescuing the dive site from destruction. 

I have always been a strong believer in the motto 'You only get out of life, what you put in'. So make the effort, join a club, make friends, network and then enjoy reaping the benefits! Oh, and do not forget to...HAVE FUN!

By Amber Williams 

www.bearlainternationalstudies.com

The Queen's Message Christmas Day 2013.

The Queens Speech, December 2013.

I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from an operation on his back. He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable.

Later, he realised this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly.

We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock. Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives.

Reflection can take many forms. When families and friends come together at Christmas, it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing. Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us. We also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for Christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services.

And especially at this time of year we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces. We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe.

Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear; they have an enduring value which spans the generations.

I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day 60 years earlier.

The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes that have occurred since the Coronation, many of them for the better; and of the things that have remained constant, such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.

But reflection is not just about looking back. I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

The baton relay left London in October and is now the other side of the world, on its way across 70 nations and territories before arriving in Scotland next summer. Its journey is a reminder that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life.

My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka. He spoke of the Commonwealth's 'family ties' that are a source of encouragement to many. Like any family there can be differences of opinion. But however strongly they're expressed they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences.

Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas.

As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope. For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again.

As with all who are christened, George was baptised into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service. After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.

It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.

In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection. As the man in the plaster cast discovered, the results can sometimes be surprising.

For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.

On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection. Suddenly all this was to change. These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christ – the first noel – the joy of which we celebrate today.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Barack Obama Christmas Day Message 2013.

Barack Obama Christmas Day Speech 2013.

THE PRESIDENT: Hello everybody, and happy holidays.

THE FIRST LADY: We know how busy this time of year is for everyone, so we’re not going to take much of your time. But we did want to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas, from our family to yours.

THE PRESIDENT: This is a season for millions of Americans to be together with family, to continue long-held holiday traditions, and to show our gratitude to those we love. And along the way, some of us might even watch a little basketball or eat some Christmas cookies, too.

THE FIRST LADY: Here at the White House, over the past few weeks, we’ve had about 70,000 people from all across the country come visit us and look at our holiday decorations. 

This year’s theme was “Gather Around: Stories of the Season.”

And in every room of the house, we tried to tell a story about who we are as Americans and how we celebrate the holidays together. 

And we made certain to highlight some of the most powerful stories we know – the stories of our outstanding troops, veterans, and military families and their service and sacrifice for our country.

THE PRESIDENT: Our extraordinary men and women in uniform are serving so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings we cherish during the holidays. But that means many of our troops are far from home and far from family. They’re spending some extra time on the phone with their loved ones back home. Or they’re setting up video chats so they can watch as the presents are opened. So today, we want all of our troops to know that you’re in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.

And here’s the good news: For many of our troops and newest veterans, this might be the first time in years that they’ve been with their families on Christmas. In fact, with the Iraq war over and the transition in Afghanistan, fewer of our men and women in uniform are deployed in harm’s way than at any time in the last decade.

THE FIRST LADY: And that’s something we all can be thankful for.

And with more and more of our troops back here at home, now it’s our turn to serve – it’s our turn to step up and show our gratitude for the military families who have given us so much. 

And that’s why Jill Biden and I started our Joining Forces initiative – to rally all Americans to support our military families in ways large and small. 

And again and again, we have been overwhelmed by the response we’ve gotten as folks from across the country have found new ways to give back to these families through their schools, businesses, and houses of worship.

THE PRESIDENT: That’s the same spirit of giving that connects all of us during the holidays. So many people all across the country are helping out at soup kitchens, buying gifts for children in need, or organizing food or clothing drives for their neighbors. For families like ours, that service is a chance to celebrate the birth of Christ and live out what He taught us – to love our neighbors as we would ourselves; to feed the hungry and look after the sick; to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. And for all of us as Americans, regardless of our faith, those are values that can drive us to be better parents and friends, better neighbors and better citizens.

THE FIRST LADY: So as we look to the New Year, let’s pledge ourselves to living out those values by reaching out and lifting up those in our communities who could use a hand up. 

THE PRESIDENT: So Merry Christmas, everyone. And from the two of us, as well as Malia, Sasha, Grandma, Bo…

THE FIRST LADY: And Sunny, the newest Obama.

THE PRESIDENT: We wish you all a blessed and safe holiday season. 

THE FIRST LADY: Happy holidays everybody, and God bless.

English Language Crossword Puzzles For Christmas.

To all our past, present and future English language, study abroad students...

...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Elizabeth and I hope you all have wonderful adventures, wherever you are in the world.

Below are some English language crosswords to keep your brain up to speed over the Christmas period.

Keep Safe, 

Amber and Elizabeth.  

CROSSWORDS:

There are twenty-two English words and phrases connected with Christmas shopping in this word search puzzle. Can you find them all? Click on the letters to highlight the words.

All the words go across from left to right and down from top to bottom. There are no backwards or diagonal words. 

P W E E E K N E S V S G P T T D M Q J G K F N X L C A S H B P R E S E N T S Q X Z I W B I D U X O T X U Y Q O T H B U L M E E J G W R A P P I N G P A P E R X C O P Y Z H L V O P L N P V G T U O O O E L L Y U T M R M I L N H S Y S T E P N T A M A H S L O R N A M E N T S P W Y M I S G Y I T V J V G Z G I F T S S S U S X T T V R P E T R L J X M D J S Y Z I H Q A I D L C T Y W I I Y X D D H B F S O R M L J L A P P C S I H T Z H O M O H P S P L M C R E D I T C A R D S P F O U P C S W I M D N E T R E E B Z R P J D B I Z P B S Y S O C W R E A T H S I M F O N R G N T H G W O T D T Y F Q D N I O N G I D K L W J Y R P P O C A W H G C J L K Q F O E X E G A A A G X O C O B L Q I I K V G T R E M T Y R G I F T T A G A N W J T E O R L T I Y C M V U A R G L R E C A K R E B S S O F E P F W D R I N K V K Z U A S U V O N Q L Q D Y B E S L W P T F E C S P G K S D F R U W A X J Q I Q S N K P R O M E W P C H R I S T M A S Y B W X B O J R K O I D L Q Z D W R J S G X L

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING GIFTS PRESENTS TREE LIGHTS ORNAMENTS WREATH MISTLETOE DECORATIONS CARDS STAMPS PARCEL WRAPPING PAPER GIFT TAG FOOD DRINK SHOPPING BAG SHOPPING LIST PAY ONLINE CASH CREDIT CARDS TILL

Can you find the English words hidden in the word search puzzle below?

The words go across from left to right and down from top to bottom.

Click on the letters to mark off the words as you find them

Q K G Y C J Q E Q X C H J A D A C M U J X J M H G B J J V A K F U H F L Y Y I C A G G J M C G K Y D D Z G E K Z B S D C V C M C Z J Y Z S L W P G W M I E O V W R E A D V J M A R R T R Q T T O H B K F L T T R V I D C G N I R N T M Z M A H T J T J L R F C K U N D E R L I N E E R E O T K D S F O H Z K N E V Q H Z U Q H R S F O X P F K R U G E X P Z Y V W P M G M W P N A O M O S I G N D A B U F W A K Q B M A T C H X A I D O F S O O W A R C W F M D S R S M E L G E J C L I S T E N U S F F U H I G H L I G H T O I

CIRCLE HIGHLIGHT UNDERLINE WRITE MATCH READ LISTEN TALK THINK TICK WORK PAIRS GROUPS PARTNER

There are thirty-two English words connected with Christmas in this word search puzzle. Can you find them all? Click on the letters to highlight the words.

All the words go across from left to right and down from top to bottom. There are no backwards or diagonal words.

I H Z E A S O N E K I U L Q I E L O F J H A K Q X C N Z O B O X I N G D A Y S U O K C C W H X O C L A Y V Q R S D Q W N L Y C A J R T T D G X M N I E U H T P E I E H N D I W H Q Q G E F Q Z H K O U D D J R D N S X H J S O R N A M E N T S V A S I L N T B O R T B K S T A E O V O M Y M S E R M X H D O A J F F T S T A R T R F T D E A K K K C W B K O U N N O C K I P M P R S P L I K Y J R O R G X U H D P G A K H D G Y U I U Q S D K L W Q R B J J S W R A P P I N G P A P E R S T I S T U E D E Y B M P G R V U F Y D S Q S V F W V H I W W R V D H P T A I M V I T U A K E D N S H G Z C M Y W T R S J J M F Q I O F D F R I N J I K X H U C C E A T J O H O E M G F I R N L W E M O E G S O A C J P E Q M T C G C E P R U D L I I Y N R T R R C V S X P E T W C P E E E C S S A W M J A R H L G P A M H R C B A R A Z C M E U R D O D R I N K R E O R V Q R C K L Y Q O S L D K E G P I S R A Q B N H E P F I L O L E S S E N S E A T X L G I R J N F S K Y Q T E L T T N T I I Z K M S S S K A O K X C O Z E M T I O C X M N D M X F E S T I V E S E A S O N A L X E T S K L S Q R F Q A N M S A N S X I H Y A C G S K F L R E E V O O C S D Q G A E H S T U F F I N G S A C H K M D D H P P B E Q T M A J R J W T X A P H K N T S W E M V H I Q R Y W O J Q T S R J O S Z O W F W Z Y P M Z S D C J S W T R E E F

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FESTIVE SEASON CELEBRATIONS CAROLS CHRISTMAS EVE FATHER CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES REINDEER CHIMNEY SACK STOCKING GIFTS TOYS WRAPPING PAPER PRESENTS DECORATIONS TREE LIGHTS STAR ANGEL ORNAMENTS HOLLY CANDLE CHRISTMAS DAY FOOD DRINK TURKEY STUFFING CRACKERS HATS BOXING DAY