Secrets to Saving Money While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is an opportunity to experience a new culture, gain new experiences and improve your education in unfamiliar surroundings. It can also be a very expensive proposition: international students often pay high tuition fees, to say nothing of living and travel expenses. Fortunately, a few simple tips can help you reduce some of the expenses you'll face as a student overseas.

Make a Budget and Stick to It
Although it seems obvious, failure to make a budget for each month abroad is the most serious mistake most students make. Make note of tuition fees, rent, flights and other expenses, then calculate how much money you'll need per month to pay for these. Don't forget to add some extra funds for emergencies.

Talk to the Experts
Making a budget can be a challenge, simply because it can be hard to estimate how much things will cost in an unfamiliar country. To combat this problem, take some time before you leave to speak to other students who have travelled to the university you'll be attending. If you can't find any locally, try online. Use their experiences to fill in the gaps in your knowledge of your destination. Ask for additional information such as advice on inexpensive restaurants or transportation.

Watch Exchange Rates
Because international currency exchange rates fluctuate, your budget may go up or down as your host country's currency strengthens or weakens. Try to change money only when the exchange rate is in your favour. Avoid using airport money changers, which typically offer poor exchange rates. Familiarise yourself with cashpoint fees if you intend to use them to access your home bank account. One of your best options, if you're going to be abroad for long, will be to open a local bank account. Make sure you know what documents and identification will be required.

Ask Your University
Most educational institutions will have some kind of office for international students. Check with this office, both at your destination and at your home institution if you're a current student. These offices may be able to recommend inexpensive housing and transport. They may even be able to help you locate subsidies or scholarships. The key to saving money while studying abroad is being informed; the more information you can gather, the better prepared you'll be for your journey.

This is a guest post by Susanna Cha writing on behalf of Pearson PTE English test, approved for a tier 4 student visa.

Obtaining an Advanced Degree in Law – Is It Worth To Pursue It?

Advanced degrees are available to cater modern educational and professional needs of students. Today advanced degrees in law are available for aspirants who like to reveal their legal prowess.

There is simply no end to how much you educate yourself. Today there are thousands of advanced degree courses available in the market and student can’t resist but fall for such knowledge based- practical programs ensuring them of a higher degree that is worth thousands in the professional field. A recent research has shown that the numbers of students getting enrolled in advanced degrees in law has reached soaring heights. Yes thousands of individuals are taking up law as their profession and are streaming towards advanced degree programs that ensure them of a professional degree that has market value. Records and data have proven that despite the recession taking toll over the employment industry, law schools show a record-breaking enrollment. From JD to LLM degrees students are applying for an assorted range of advanced degrees in law.

Colleges and universities advocating law are generously opening up career opportunities to thousands or may be millions of aspirants who are eager to reveal their core competence in the subject. With so many educational institutions offering advanced degrees in law, how do you define the worth of an advanced degree? Or in other words is it worth enrolling in advanced degrees? In any way will it add to your credentials while you join your profession? There are several questions that arise in the mind of the wary aspirant who is about set his foot forward for an advanced degree in law.

Law firms are employing aspirants after sorting the cream out of milk. Many get rejected in the way. The employer mostly uses his tricks to find out why the candidate was unable to avail a suitable job in law after completion of his advanced degree course. Additionally the candidate might end up in a fix pertaining to an indecision, which threatens his future. Being a graduate in criminal law you might just end up practicing as an LLM in health law. In that case you will have to find your way to your university from where you can again apply for an advanced degree in health law. Well, that would again cost you oodles of money; unless you actually have a massive financial resource to cushion your educational expenses. LLM offers you profound knowledge in different areas of law depending upon your interests.

This depicts a risky picture where the legal aspirant applies for student loan in order to get enrolled in advanced degrees in law and finally fails to achieve his main aim- to become an accomplished lawyer in a chosen field. As a result of this the loaned amount gets piled up on his shoulders and he has to face a defaulted status for his entire life until he repays the amount. What actually seems too insignificant to you now might end up being disastrous later. It is important that you understand your core competence in a field and then take up a decision on whether you will like to invest money in advanced degrees in law. It is important you choose an LLM degree after consulting experts or students who have freshly graduated in the field.

Author's Bio: Anna Willkins has penned down several write-ups in advanced degrees, which are quite informative. The content is about whether advanced degrees in law are worth pursuing.

Best Educational Networks Available on Satellite TV

Many people watch satellite TV for entertainment, but there is no reason why you can’t watch educational channels that are also entertaining. Many networks contain a huge list of education channels that are fun to watch, and you always learn something from them.

This article will list 10 of the best educational channels, so you exactly where to go when you want to learn something new.

Food Network

Everyone needs food, so learning how to prepare it can make dinner, lunch and breakfast more interesting and nutritious. The Food Network primarily has shows about preparing food, but there are also shows that teach you about the history of manufacturing process of common foods, as well.

The History Channel

Exactly as its name says, this channel is all about history. Most of the shows discuss lesser known aspects about popular times in history, but there are other shows that discuss new history that is being made right now. If you are interested in the past, then this channel will be right for you.

Military Channel

This is like the History Channel in some regards, as it covers common wars, but it covers the militaristic aspect more than the history. This is good, because many shows seem to breeze over these aspects, forgetting to really delve into militaristic equipment and strategy. This channel fills that gap, and is sure to teach you something new about old and modern warfare.

Travel Channel

Do you like to travel, or at least learn about new areas that are common travel spots? This channel has a lot of shows that visit these popular areas, so you know exactly what you will find if you ever go there.

Investigation Discovery

This channel delves into how most crimes are solved: through intense investigation. There are shows about popular or interesting crimes, and it shows how they were solved and what detectives and other officials did to reach the answer. For anyone who likes to know what goes on in a real investigation, this is a great channel.

DIY Network

Do you like building or doing things yourself? This channel has a lot of tutorial shows that will show you how do to things on your own, without any help. Whether you want to build a deck or put together your own electronics, you can learn about it here.

Discovery Health

If you are interested in finding out how your body works, and how you can best preserve your health, then this channel is a perfect fit. Most of the shows talk about the human body and how to best keep it in shape. There are also shows about rare diseases that you may also like.

Home and Garden Television

This channel is preoccupied with teaching you about how to spruce up your home or make your garden look fantastic. There are many shows about improving both, and it is great for interior and exterior designers.

Planet Green

The green revolution is a strong one, and this channels shows you how to make your life more green by saving energy and doing other things that can help the environment.

NASA TV

Space is huge, and while no one channel can fill in all the gaps of the universe, this channel does its best. Here you will find shows that teach about our universe and about space travel. Aside from shows, there are also many news reports about what is going on now with space.

Satellite TV has a lot of education channels, much more than just 10, but these are the best of the bunch. Scroll through your channels, watch some of these shows and have some fun learning about the world around you.

Author's Bio. Tech writer EJ Parfitt has been writing for a short time now and has already picked up steam with several tech websites and local news sites . During his free time , you're sure to catch him competing in local chess tournaments in downtown Fort Lauderdale FL .
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Summer Academy 'Challenges of Sustainable Development 2012-2013

Three-week Summer Academy Challenges of Sustainable Development is one of the most important educational events connected to sustainability in Poland. More than 350 people took part in it since 1998. Since the 12th edition we accept also participants from abroad. This year the Academy will be held on 08-28 July 2012 in Kartuzy, Pomerania Region, Poland.

Who can take part in the course?

The course is addressed to students and PhD students, researchers as well as representatives of the business, administration and NGO-sector from the Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea Region. Students represent different areas and specialties, especially they were: nature protection and environmental engineering, architecture, management, economic sciences, agriculture, biology, ecology, arts, history, journalism.

How can I take part in this course?

If you want to take part in 15th edition of our Summer Academy, you should send an application form, that is available on our website. An integral element of the recruitment process is also two-step e-learning course that we will provide from 10th March 2012.

What is the subject of the course?

Sustainable development: explanation of the concept, theory from different perspectives and practical workshops and projects. The course includes also additional activities which integrates the group such as dance classes or hiking.

What can I expect from this course?

The programme includes: lectures, debates, workshops, simulation games, country activities and practical projects in the domain of sustainable development. Guided by experienced instructors from Poland and abroad, the participants work on two important practical projects. First concentrates on the implementation of sustainable development principles into the municipality; the other into the companies or institutions.

Application and Participation

Please submit the application form till the 7th of March 2012.

60 people will be selected during phase 1 (the application form as well as the short exam result and the essay will be taken into consideration). They will be invited to participate in the 2nd part of the e-learning course - Applications of sustainable development. This part will consist of several individual and group tasks related to sustainable cities development and CSR. 28 persons that will show us their motivation to take part in the ChoSD course and a high level of engagement will be granted a scholarship to take part for free in the 15th edition of the Summer Academy ChoSD in Kartuzy between 8^th and 28^th of July 2012.

The additional criteria taken into account will be:

• fluency in English,
• country of the applicant (approximately 60% of participants will be from Poland, from other CEE and Baltic countries we will accept up to 3 participants from a certain country taking into consideration the number of application from a given country),
• specialization (the course has an interdisciplinary character and we try to create a diverse group of participants to share knowledge and experience in their fields).

You will be informed about the final results at the end of May, but the course tutors on constant basis will provide feedback to the applicants. All of the participants who fulfill all of the course tasks will be granted a certificate that they graduated the Application of sustainable development course.

Website: http://www.sendzimir.org.pl/en/course

Contact: Marcin Walkow, Promotion&Communication Specialist,
e-mail: marcin.walkow@sendzimir.org.pl

Jim Gatheral Scholarship 2012-2013 for International Students at University of Glasgow

The 2012-2013 round of the Jim Gatheral Scholarship is now open to applications. The University of Glasgow is delighted to present the Jim Gatheral Scholarship, a postgraduate travel award intended to enhance a doctoral student’s experience of mathematical modeling, to provide funding to allow the award holder to undertake a placement lasting between two months and one year at a centre of advanced study preferably outwith the UK in order to enrich and further their academic experience and research achievements; to learn or develop new techniques in the field of mathematical modelling; to benefit the University of Glasgow by introducing new skills to the University or creating/furthering research collaborations with international centres of excellence. Candidates should provide a detailed plan of their suggested use of the Scholarship along with a supporting statement from their School/Research Institute. The candidate’s supervisor will be required to endorse the application and confirm that the scholarship will make a significant contribution to the candidate’s research.

Eligibility: open to all postgraduate research students studying for a doctoral degree (PhD) whose research would benefit from new developments in mathematical modelling; Home/EU & International students currently registered at the University of Glasgow; open to high calibre students who have (in the opinion of the Selection Panel) already shown academic distinction and promise in the early phase of their research studies, a record of public service in the community, English language ability

Scholarship Application Deadline: 2 May 2013

Further Scholarship Information and Application

International Students House Scholarships for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies at London Metropolitan University

This scholarship scheme is run jointly by International Students House (ISH) and London Metropolitan University.International Students House provides accommodation and a varied, multicultural social programme for full-time international students in the centre of London.Only students from the ISH Scholarship countries for 2008/9 and 2009/10 are eligible to apply.

Successful students receive free tuition for the duration of their degree at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Plus one year of free accommodation at International Students House. (Undergraduate scholars have the possibility to request a second year of free accommodation at ISH. Requests have to be sent to the University in writing in advance.)Applicants are judged on academic merit and on the likely economic/social benefit to their home country. (This must be clearly demonstrated in the personal statement. Evidence of paid and/or voluntary work done should also be included in the scholarship application, where applicable).

Scholarship Application Deadline: 31st May 2013

Study Subject: Any

Employer: London Metropolitan University

Level: Undergraduate or Postgraduate

LSE Modu Timblo Scholarships for Indian Nationals 2012-2013

For 2011 entry, there is one Modu Timblo Scholarship available for an Indian student wishing to pursue a masters degree at LSE. The donor wishes to help a student of outstanding academic potential, who comes from an economically disadvantaged background, and who would have difficulty attending LSE without funding.

The value of the scholarship is £15,000 and will be awarded on the basis of financial need only.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this scholarship you need to apply for a full time masters programme in Economics, Finance or Management related programmes. You must have an offer of admission by the closing date for the scholarship.

You need to be a national of India currently living in India. The successful candidate should have a relative born in Goa before 1961. Evidence of this will be requested.

How to apply

To be considered for this scholarship, you must have completed the 2011/12 LSE Graduate Financial Support Application form and received an offer of admission (conditional or unconditional) by 27 April 2011. You must complete Section G - Personal Statement.


When you submit an application for admission to a taught masters programme, the Graduate Admissions Office will acknowledge your application and provide information about how to set up an LSE For You online account. This account will allow you to track the progress of your application for admission, and will provide you with access to the LSE Graduate Financial Support Application Form. The LSE Graduate Financial Support Application form will be available until 27 April 2011.

Selection for this scholarship will take place between May and July 2011 and we will notify the successful recipient(s) by the end of July 2011. If you have not heard from the Financial Support Office by the end of July 2011, you must assume your application has been unsuccessful. We will notify successful applicants only.

How to apply for admission
Tracking your application

If you complete the LSE Graduate Financial Support Application form, you will also be considered for support from the LSE Graduate Support Scheme. Being unsuccessful with your application to the Graduate Support Scheme does not preclude you from being considered for other awards such as this one.

Source: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/financialSupport/ScholarshipsLSE/MScApp/awards/OverseasMSc/ModuTimbloScholarship.aspx