Travel

Travel and Education: 3 Unwise and Common Inaction by Foreign Students

Being a student in a foreign country is always difficult. Although globalization and multicultural interactions continue to become more and more natural in the modern world, the ability to adapt as a guest in the country is still essential for any decent and wise person abroad. These are 3 inactions that make their life more difficult, less comforting and not as interesting and all-encompassing as it could be.

Not Trying to Speak Local Language

Great example of a respectable guest in the country was Hall of Fame baseball player Roberto Clemente. His English was perfect, because he considered it disrespectful to live in another country without speaking the local language.

Nowadays, when pretty much all of the languages store in open access of the internet, ways of learning has become a lot easier than it was a couple decades ago. Native speakers will take your ability to talk their language as a compliment. And for that reason, they will be happy to help you to learn it.

On the other hand, even if you have nothing against the language and you prefer no to invest your time in it – you worsen your reputation as a newcomer. Basically your inability and unwillingness to speak will quickly get interpreted as you saying to people the following:

“I’m fine with not knowing your language. I don’t need to learn it. It is not that important to me. I can cope without it.”

Local people will think of you as someone who dismisses their way of communication. And that is not the image that you want as a someone who decides to educate outside of your homeland.

Not Communicating Outside Of Your Ethnic Group

It is good when you travel to a different country for study purposes with your friends from the same country. However, it doesn’t open borders of your cultural knowledge as much, as if you were on this journey alone. Whichever your situation is, it is important to be able to get out and get yourself comfortable within the group of local people. Staying exclusively in the circle of your homeland buddies will make you look distrustful and deliberately alienated. It is okay to not want to talk to everybody on a regular basis. But it’s not okay to avoid everyone except your homeland buddies.

Not Picking Up Cultural Features

Being humble is the most universal tool for doing okay as a guest of a different country. On the contrary, being too loud and unapologetic can only harm you. Being pompous can also worsen your ability to notice cultural details that you have not heard off.

For instance, in some of the parts in Commonwealth of Independent States it is common to offer your seat to women and elders whenever you are using public transport. If you are in Japan society expects you not to talk on the phone in these places. Whereas in a place like China that is okay to burp and England is a place where you can jaywalk. In order to notice these details better it is important to formulate a habit to look for these features not only online but in real life as well.

About the Author:

Zack Hargrove is a remote editor among professional essay writers who can help with economics homework. Many of his topics are dedicated to music, fitness, education and ways of strengthening your scientific curiosity. You can find him on Twitter @zackhargrovejr.

 

A trip to the hustle and bustle of ATL typically calls for a day browsing around MLK’s childhood home or dreamily gazing at the marine life of Georgia Aquarium. These top attractions are great and all, but there’s so much more you could be doing with your time in Georgia’s capital city.

It’s time to hire an Atlanta sprinter van rental and make your way around a city that never seems to sleep. In addition to visiting the ATL’s tourist hotspots, be sure to check out these 5 unique attractions during your time in the city.

Swan House at Atlanta History Center

The Swan House might not be on everyone’s list of top things to do while visiting Atlanta, but history buffs will really enjoy this one. This house is found on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center and it is nothing short of stunning. It was built in 1928 by the Inmans, a family who accumulated a great deal of wealth thanks to the cotton industry.

Swan House gets its name from the elegance of the architecture and the pristine nature surrounding the home. The house and grounds have been a part of the Atlanta Historical Society since 1966. Now, it serves as a museum and even contains the original furnishings owned by the Inmans. If you’re a fan of the show Amazing Race, the Swan House might look familiar to you; it was featured on the show’s 19th season.

World of Coca Cola

The World of Coca Cola certainly isn’t an under the radar ATL attraction, but it is unique to say the least. This museum is focused on showcasing everything there is to know about Coca Cola. A trip here is the ultimate way to experience an insane sugar rush, but it is actually an amazing learning experience and fun for kids too. Coca Cola has been a major part of world societies since the company was founded in 1892. And you’ll never guess where it got its start…Atlanta, Georgia.

Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta

OK, so this one is way out there, but if you’re looking for something unique to do in Atlanta, consider making a trip to the Center for Puppetry. This is the largest organization dedicated to the theatrical art of puppetry in all of North America. There are three aspects of the Center for Puppetry, and those are education, performance, and history. You can take a tour through the museum to learn about the artform’s history, or sit down and watch a theatrical performance.

The Varsity Diner

There’s nothing that quite compares to good old-fashioned diner food, which is exactly what you’ll get when you sit down for a meal at the Varsity. This diner has been slanging burgers and fries since 1928, and business is better than ever. The saying at the Varsity is “What’ll ya have?”, and you can definitely expect to hear this from whoever takes your order. Oh, and we forgot to mention that this is the largest drive-in restaurant in the world.

 

When the annual holiday needs to please adults and kids alike, the pressure is on to find the perfect place. Whether your kids are toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, we’ve got destinations that your whole family will love. From waterpark hotels in family-focused resorts to beach retreats where you can spend all day building sandcastles, paddling in calm waters, and catching up on your holiday reading – there’s bound to be something that matches your family’s needs.

Bulgaria

Treating the whole family to a break abroad needn’t cost the earth. If you’re looking for a destination that’s friendly on your budget, look to Bulgaria. Expect all the sun, sea, and sand you’d get on your usual Mediterranean holiday, but with a more wallet-friendly price tag. Sunny Beach is the country’s main tourist hotspot, so come here if you want everything within easy reach. Zoom down every sort of water slide imaginable at Action Aquapark, explore the Unesco World Heritage site of Nessebar just south of Sunny Beach, or simply kick back on the sands – head for Cacao Beach if you want one that’s Blue Flag-rated.

Portugal

Portugal does family holidays brilliantly, and it all starts with a kid-friendly flight time of under three hours. With a mixture of small and sizeable resorts, plenty to see and do, and a string of gorgeous beaches to its name, the Algarve is the country’s main family-friendly destination. Thrills come courtesy of Slide and Splash waterpark and the treetop course at Parque Aventura. For something a little calmer, spend your days at one of the many Blue Flag beaches here. Camilo Beach and Odeceixe Beach are two popular choices.

If you prefer holidays based more around exploring the local area than on the beach or by the pool, then consider the island of Madeira. Here it’s less about the beach scene and more about swimming in natural pools formed by volcanic lava at Porto Moniz, whooshing through the Funchal streets on a toboggan ride, and riding the cable car to The Monte Gardens.

Mexico

For a holiday that the kids will love, make it Cancun or the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Base yourself in Cancun and you can explore ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, spend long lazy days on the paradise-style beaches, or take a ferry trip to Isla Mujeres. Here you’ll find Playa Norte Beach. With calm, crystal-clear waters and sugar-soft sand, it’s perfect for kids of all ages.

The best way to explore the island is by golf buggy – which, let’s face it, the kids are seriously going to love. At Riviera Maya, meanwhile, you can build holidays centred entirely around your hotel. This area has a quieter vibe, but you’ve got your pick of beachfront all inclusive hotels. Laze at the pool, wander along white sandy beaches, and enjoy a bit of quiet time while the kids burn off some energy in a hotel-run kids’ club.

Spain

For a family holiday destination that’s close to home, Spain is a wise choice. Whether you choose to holiday on one of the family-friendly islands like Menorca, or you stick to mainland Spain, this country serves up plenty for kids to enjoy. With its gorgeous sandy beaches, Fuengirola in the Costa del Sol is a permanent favourite with families looking for chilled-out days by the sea. Benalmadena, meanwhile, takes things up a notch. With a cable car and Aqualand waterpark to explore, it caters to kids looking for adventure.

Lapland

Holidays don’t get more magical than a trip to Lapland. Whether you want to treat little ones to a visit to Santa’s village, or you’re here for the skiing, Lapland holidays are something special. Meet reindeer, attend Elf School, and greet Father Christmas himself at Santa Claus Village on the edge of the Arctic Circle.

Kids will love zipping through the snow on husky-pulled sledge rides, steering mini snowmobiles, and ice skating with snowmen at Snowman World. If it’s skiing you’re here for, Yllas is the place to be. It’s Finland’s largest ski centre and has ski slopes for all abilities. But the best bit is the fact it’s one of the places you’re most likely to set eyes on the mesmerising Northern Lights.

Keeping the kids happy and occupied at home may be a constant battle, but on holiday it’s a different matter. When you choose a holiday destination that’s geared up to keeping all ages happy, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your time together, too. From the simplest pleasures like building sandcastles to sledge rides with reindeers, kid-friendly holidays are about making the most of your time with each other.

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

Costa del Sol offers some of the nicest beaches in Spain. With expansive coats of gorgeous sand bordering crystal clear water, why would you ever leave the beach? Well, there is a lot more to do in Costa del Sol than just soak up the sun. If you’re looking to spend a little more time here, there is enough in this fantastic region to keep you occupied without ever going to a beach. This area of Spain gives you the chance to take in some of the interesting histories of the region. While the beaches and nightlife are fantastic, these places are equally unmissable in Costa del Sol.

Costa Del Sol is home to many attractions like The Caves of Granada. However, a few places that truly stand out are the Acebuchal and the El Torcal Natural Reserve. One is a village that is truly unique, both in Spain and the rest of the world. The other is one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe.

Acebuchal

The Acebuchal is a village in Costa del Sol that has gained a few names from the locals. It is described as the Lost village and even the Ghost Village. This small area was hit unnaturally hard in the Spanish Civil War. The fascists took revenge on the town for seemingly harbouring enemies, which left the village in a pretty bad state.

Local authorities ordered the village to be entirely abandoned for the safety of the residents. In the chaos of the years that followed the Spanish Civil War, the village remained deserted and abandoned.

This was until the late nineties when one local man attempted to rebuild the entire village. All of the work was done by hand, with no electricity even connected to the village until progress was finished. It was a restoration project that was devoted to authenticity. No modern techniques were used in recreating the village. By recreating the process that the village was built In, Acebuchal has managed to be entirely restored to its previous state.

Alhama Natural Park

The lost village is a fascinating glimpse back in time and an impressive achievement of restoration. However, just alongside it is the El Torcal Natural Reserve.

This spot serves as a reserve for the beautiful nature that can be found in the area. It features impressive natural formations born into the limestone rock around the area. If you’re looking for nature in Costa del Sol, then the El Torcal is just as impressive as the miles of beach.

Coming to Costa del Sol

With so much going on, it is no wonder that so many people are looking in Costa del Sol property for sale. Not every town is home to authentic untouched villages, and very few regions in Spain or even the rest of the world are quite so densely packed with nature. In Costa del sol, property for sale never lasts too long with all of this to do. Even outside of the history and nature on show, there’s still plenty of beautiful beaches in Costa del Sol. Costa del Sol even features plenty of property that isn’t in a ghost town!

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

 

With its central location in Southeast Asia, Thailand has started to earn a reputation as a serious player in the business world. The country has been attracting foreign investors for decades and nowadays it is becoming a popular location with digital nomads and startups looking to bootstrap their business from this strategic location. With excellent transport options that provide easy access to surrounding ASEAN nations, Thailand is a great choice for doing business.

If you are a business owner or freelancer Bangkok offers a lot of advantages. Due to the low cost of living, excellent infrastructure and fast reliable internet connections, Thailand is quickly becoming a top coworking destination for freelancers, those looking to bootstrap a business and already established small businesses looking to grow and expand. With some excellent shared office solutions on offer, Thailand is worth considering for anyone looking to establish themselves in the Southeast Asian market.

Continue reading for more info as to why should consider coworking in Thailand as the perfect solution for your business.

Lower Costs

Starting a business anywhere can be expensive and coworking spaces help to reduce the costs associated with setting up in a new location. For those looking to expand into the Thai marketplace, coworking spaces are a great option as you won’t have to delay your expansion plans until you can afford the necessary business costs.

With a premium coworking space, you get instant access to an office space that is fitted out to a five-star standard for one flat rate, affordable monthly fee. These offices are already staffed with highly-trained professional support staff meaning you also don’t have to worry about hiring staff and paying their salaries. If you are utilising the services of a premium service provider with locations worldwide, you will also be able to use coworking spaces in other locations internationally when you travel for business.

Flexibility

In the modern business climate, it’s important that your business is flexible and that you can adapt as the market changes. If your business is doing well, you have the option of taking on more staff and they can simply join you in the coworking space. Compared with more traditional office space, you are not locked into any expensive long-term contracts, which means you have more control over your business finances. With more freedom and flexibility in your day-to-day business operations, you can make business decisions based solely on how your business is performing, without having to take financial commitments to a commercial realtor into consideration.

Networking Opportunities

Professionals from a diverse range of background and industries typically occupy coworking spaces making them a great place to meet new people and establish new business relationships. These people can be a great resource in helping you to grow and improve your business. The coworking environment is generally one of innovation and creation with plenty of chances to mingle with the other occupants. With a community-based approach to business, many coworking spaces have events on where you can learn from others, share some of your own business knowledge and meet new people. You never know where a simple conversation could lead to and what possibilities might exist to collaborate with others so be sure to take advantage of the chance to engage with those around you when the time is right.

Consider Coworking In Thailand

Thailand is quickly becoming a hotspot for freelancers and small businesses, offering plenty of opportunities for networking and growing your business. With great infrastructure, a strategic location in Southeast Asia and a thriving digital nomad and startup scene, Bangkok is an exciting option for coworking. Whether you want to get your business off the ground or you want to expand your operations into this region, coworking in Thailand could be the perfect option to get your closer to your business goals.

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

If you’re planning a study abroad trip, continue reading to discover a few handy tips that will make your time overseas a whole lot easier!

Travel and education: Study abroad tips

1. Purchase a journal to write about your daily experiences living abroad

It’s well worth going out and purchasing a journal which you’ll be able to pack for your study abroad experience. As while you can write about your daily experiences as an international student using a digital diary, as the years go by, you’ll love being able to read a physical diary of your experiences abroad.

You may want to place trinkets such as ticket stubs to sports game or concerts which you attend as well as polaroid photos of yourself with your new friends in your travel journal.

2. Start a blog to document your experience

In order to keep all of your friends and family members back home updated on your experience, you may want to consider starting a blog about your experience. Just be sure to post plenty of photos to accompany your posts as your loved ones will be excited to see photos of you living abroad and in the years to come, you’ll also enjoy looking back at your blog posts.

3. Set yourself a weekly budget in order to manage your expenses

in order to avoid running out of disposable cash on your study abroad experience, it’s a great idea to set yourself a weekly budget, which you’ll be able to realistically stick to for the duration of your time abroad. As so many international students waste a large portion of the money which they’ve saved for their trip in their first month abroad.

4. Make sure to have digital copies of all of your important documents

It’s well worth scanning or taking clear smart phone photos of your passport, your student exchange documents and your visas as it always pays to be safe, rather than sorry. Especially, when you’re traveling alone to a foreign country, which you’ve never visited before.

5. Use Skype or Face Time to talk to your loved ones back home

If you ever get homesick, simply video chat with your friends and family members back home, to hear familiar voices without having to pay for expensive international phone calls. Just make sure that you know what time it is in your home city, before calling your loved ones to avoid waking them up in the middle of the night or early in the morning.

6. Take a small trinket with you on your adventure, to remind you of home

Another way to fight homesickness is to pack a small item which reminds you of home, during your study abroad experience. As an example, you may want to pack your favorite mug that your best friend brought you for Christmas or your favorite pillow case or blanket.

7. Join a variety of clubs in order to make new friends

As an example, you may want to join a hiking or skiing club that embarks on regular weekends away.

So if you have your heart set on studying abroad in the future, it’s well worth keeping all the tips listed above in mind.