Continuing education/study abroad

Study abroad can become great opportunity to explore world, learn new culture, maybe even new language, and just simply enjoy life. Here are some concerns that may arise with that decision.

1) When choosing university make sure it is well recognized in the world. If you are planning to stay in the country of your university to gain work experience then there is no problem. In country of your chosen university it will have enough value and will be well accepted by your potential employer. However, if you want to go back to your native country or any other country where received education have high value, here are some problems may come. For example, most of people will know Oxford, however very few will know about International Christian University –Kiev.

2) Take a good care into choosing of the program. Every country has its own standards and you need to understand at least approximately what you want to get out of this education at the end.

3) Because it is not your own country, it will be harder to make correct decision regarding university. Look for information on forums and sites to understand what is a general impression of students about any particular university. However, all that information can be in foreign language, there are few sites that can help you with that: http://www.studyoverseas.com/, http://www.eilireland.org

4) It could be more expensive in comparison to study local. All those extra costs that arise from travel abroad, renting, clubbing, and etc. More expensive does not mean not possible! Just take this into consideration when making choice.
From the other hand studying abroad it is great experience. Most of multinational companies would certainly appreciate international cooperation environment that you will be part of while study. Because people are coming from different cultural environments you will need to learn to collaborate, solve problems, avoid conflicts, and etc.

All and on – it is good fun and great experience that worth thinking about!

Continuing Education/Online education

It is very handy form of education if you can make yourself study at home. There are few options available like: 100%internet course, and 80% internet course and then rest 20%(which are usually exams) are taken at the university site. Advantages of this type of education are remote location (basically student can be located in any part of the world) and attractive cost (it is significantly less expensive in comparison to any other university course). Disadvantages: no direct contact with your mentor and classmates, necessity of study on your own (not many people can actually create schedule for themselves and follow it), and necessity of constant usage of computer, internet, and programs (even if you feel as advanced user of internet/computer, it is still may be a bit more difficult to have all your education online).

Please take a good care in choosing online education. This is something relatively new on the market and most people don’t feel comfortable with. It is very reasonable because, when you are doing education in the university – you can see it, touch, ask people questions, and etc. While if education is online it less tangible so probability of risk is high. When you are choosing online university carefully check rating of the university and detailed program of the course. Most of these universities diplomas will be as valued and recognized as any other university. However, simple call to the reception will help to clarify that question.
There are few online universities that according to the internet rankings are well recognized and popular.

http://oedb.org/rankings

I personally prefer to undertake distant education at any already existing university with good name that does both course in campus and online. For me it sounds safer as it is a bit more tangible. Usually in these types of programs you will be required to travel to the university to take your exams, but at least you get to see your professors :) Additional advantage of this form of education is diploma of university which is recognized and trusted (and only at interview you may mention that it was online course.

My last advise in relation to distant education is to choose program wisely. I was just browsing internet the other day and found this online courses -www.kilroyscollege.ie . They are asking to pay more then 500eur for course –Communication Skills while the same course can be done free at or at FAS.

Continuing Education

I have mentioned few times that if job is not found that easily it is time to start education. Let’s assume that choice was made in the favor of the study. However, the very first question now is where to study and which program to choose. When you are teenager and have to go to the collage you are simply have to go to the collage. Parents often “help” choose university, however students tent don’t really pay attention to the study and simply get time pass. When you grow up and then are looking for education it is completely different experience. Now, when you know you are paying money for this, it becomes crucial how you are going to spend your time and what you are going to learn after that.

There are so many offers available on the market:

-online education
-university abroad
-part time/full time program
-degree/course
-universities with different rankings

Let’s look at each and every one in more details.

Online free education

Looking at the developing of your skills?

There are few online free courses that anyone can undertake to broaden his/her experience in the industry of the interest. Check alison.com

It is not as great as taking full/part time education in the university. However, it will let you understand general and basic about industry/profession, broader knowledge, and simply keep you update with today new technologies.
It is possible to receive certification online as well. It is not free; however it is not very expensive. It is actually very valued for some of the industries. It is certainly will show up positive in your CV. Having few such certificates will prove your potential employer your interest, your knowledge and your ability to learn.

Check www.brainbench.com

Best of luck with tests 

Why do need to read books

There are so many sources of information like TV, news, video, word to word stories, so why do we need to read books?
1) Philological research of “British Medical Journal” stated that reading books to kids help them to capture language grammar faster and develop their interest/ curiosity towards world, which in return help them to socialise more easily.
2) American researches stated necessity of reading books through comparing amount of reading poor and reach people do. They found interesting that reach people read in 3 times more than poor people. Maybe it is because they have nothing to do, so they just shorter their time? It turned out that reach people work more than poor (which often are dependent from government support and don’t work at all). Their work requires much more responsibility and working till the work is done (even if it is 2am) is rather regular statement cooperating to poor people who often work from “breakfast till lunch”. Conclusion follows: want to be reach = read books!
3) Books are written by people who are able to put their feelings and emotions on the paper (or at least copy those from somebody else), which is not that easy at all if you try… So when you are reading it’s almost like you are talking with somebody smart. Leaving through personal life experience, learning on mistakes of main characters, and getting your own conclusions about what to do in your life.
Reading helps to educate, enlarges boundaries of understanding and accepting. Often you can find main characters feelings be alike to the one you have, just because most of the books are based on true stories. It makes life a bit easier, when you know that you are not the only one in the world who going through tough times :)

Please comment:
How often do you read books? Do you find it helpful for yourself?

Reading books

Having a lot of free time, I decided to put a little bit more efforts towards education. One of step towards it is reading of the books.
Books in general can be divided in two categories:

1) Those one’s like textbook, that teach us grammar, marketing, physics, how to earn money, how be happy….

2) And those one’s that teach us about life itself: history book, novels, roman, poetry….

There are some nice web sites that will tell you what are the most popular books to read:

www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html
…………………..and many others

Personally I choose books by the name, contest, or recommendation. I like to read about history, people’s relationships, and just interesting stories.

Please comment:
What is your 5 favorite books?