A guide to international qualifications for college entry
Are your children studying overseas? If so, and if they ultimately want to go on to American colleges or universities, you’ll need to make sure they have the right qualifications to do so. Qualifications gained in foreign countries may not make the grade because there are simply too many different ones for US institutions to be able to judge their value fairly. There are, however, several types of international qualifications designed to help in this situation.
The Scholastic Assessment Test
The Scholastic Assessment Test, better known as the SAT, is required by most colleges. Some international schools offer it as standard and others can arrange it specially, though in some cases you will need to arrange extra tuition to ensure that your child has covered all the relevant material. Taking the SAT makes applying to colleges a lot simpler and a good grade can make a better impression for a foreign student than a domestic one, because colleges are aware that this means other material will have been studied as well.
The Test of English as a foreign language
If your child is not US-born or has been studying for some time in a country where most people don’t speak English, a TOEFL qualification may be helpful to reassure colleges that language won’t present a problem when it comes to study. It isn’t usually a strict requirement however.
The American College Test (ACT)
Although not every college requires it, taking the ACT is a useful way to demonstrate the aptitude and critical thinking expected of students who have had a good American education. It’s a particularly good idea for children to take it if they want to major in a science or engineering subject, as it has a science section not covered by the SAT. Students can register online and it’s available through test centers around the world.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBD)
A two-year program designed for students aged between 16 and 18, the IBD is the system used by Hong Kong international schools. It’s designed around standards set in Switzerland and is respected by universities all around the world, including in the US. As well as signifying academic ability, it’s designed to show that children have achieved a noteworthy degree of personal development.
The Advanced Placement Program (AP)
Students who are excelling at school and want to give themselves an extra boost when it comes to making college applications might wish to consider the AP program, an opportunity to take university level courses that are recognized by institutions all around the world. Over 1,000 schools participate in the program, however, you should be aware that there are significant differences in how it’s run in China and India.
Getting an internationally recognized qualification doesn’t just help with access to American institutions but gives young people much broader options. It’s seen as an indicator that a student will contribute to the sort of rich life experience every college and university provides. Solid qualifications indicate that students will have a lot to contribute on campus, so they are a great way to improve the chance of admission.
Unexpected Surprises That Having a Pet Brings
Being a pet owner is undeniably fulfilling and rewarding. Nothing compares to the love, affection, and companionship of an animal. However, pets aren’t limited to simply being your best friend, they provide incredible health benefits in addition to keeping a constant smile on your face. These are unexpected surprises that pets provide for us:
Improve cardiovascular health
According to a study done by Harvard Medical School, pets were found to have the ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, thus reducing one’s risk of developing heart disease, hypertension, or any other life-threatening condition. Additionally, owning a pet encourages you to exercise, which is one of the key factors in combating diabetes. For example, dogs require constant exercise and sunshine; they can’t stay cooped up indoors or in a backyard. Otherwise, they become depressed and stressed – just like a human being! Since pets depend on their owners for the well-being, an owner is challenged to follow a routine each day that satisfies a pet’s needs as well as their own.
Detect and sense cancer and pregnancy
One of the most incredible surprises that having a pet brings is their ability to detect cancer and sense pregnancy. Dogs and cats specifically have scent receptors that are 100,000 times stronger than a human’s, making them more sensitive to detecting external elements. There have been stories of dogs who began oddly sniffing their owners which led to the owner’s discovery of early stages cancerous cells in their body. In regards to pregnancy, an animal’s senses are hyperaware of the chemistry changes that undergo in a woman’s body that indicate a baby is on the way.
Alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety
Pets provide psychological benefits and support in personal struggles that are healing and positive to those treating depression and anxiety. In fact, some people turn to pet ownership to treat current depression and anxiety along with medication and therapy. When one has depression, owning a pet gives them a sense of responsibility and purpose. Because an individual directs their energy into taking care of a pet, the action reinforces the constant feeling of reward, which is in the form of keeping a pet alive and the animal’s genuine dependence on being successfully taken care of by you all over again. With anxiety, on the other hand, a pet becomes an anchor when panic and anxiety attacks begin to overwhelm you. Since they are acutely aware of the emotions and behaviors of humans, pets can ease the symptoms of anxiety and redirect your focus onto them. Most of the time, the simple comfort of an animal who loves and does not judge you is enough to subside the inherent feelings of loneliness and isolation that come with depression and the overwhelming moments of anxiety.
Diminish stress
Nothing feels better than coming home to an animal that is nothing but happy to see you. Petting an animal kickstarts the hormone production of endorphins and dopamine that come with a comforting sense of touch, which also simultaneously decreases levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Our reactions in stressful situations also become less explosive when in the presence of an animal. This is due to the fact that animals provide a sense of support and do not believe we lack value even in our most negative moments. Last but not least, animals make us laugh when they do silly things, which also reduces our physical tension and strengthens the immune system.
No matter the kind of animal you have welcomed into your family, you are looking forward to a real treat. Pets are full of unconditional love and irreplaceable companionship that not only makes a lasting impact on our health, but our life.
On a Budget? 5 Ways to Be the Best Man Without Going Broke
Image Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/wedding-marriage-buttonhole-formal-1031493/
Weddings can come with a hefty price tag for the bride and groom. But if you’re one of the many attendants that have been asked to help out on the big day, you can expect to shell out a decent amount of coin. While you want to give the prospective couple your all in making it a memorable occasion, you still need to remain within your budget. The following are important tips on how to be the best man for your friend’s wedding without going broke.
Save in Advance
Attending college is a great way to further your education. But with the many expenses such as housing, food and supplies, your finances can take a hit. If your college buddy asks you to stand up in his wedding, you may need to supplement your income to help pay for the costs associated with the event. If your friend’s wedding is 12 months down the road, you can put away money each month. Write down a detailed list of what you’ll be expected to pay such as the wedding attire, bachelor party, gift and more. Divide that amount of money by the number of months until the actual wedding, and that is what you need to save per month. You also want to pad the bachelor fund with additional money in case there are unexpected expenses such as lodging and travel.
Implement a Budget
With emotions at heightened levels, even budget-conscious individuals can get caught up in the wedding frenzy of their best friend. The groom may gift the attendants with affordable gift ideas for groomsmen to show their appreciation and love for standing up in their wedding. But you don’t have to break your budget to purchase them a gift that is well beyond your means. Go over your finances to determine the expenses associated with the wedding and how much you can afford to spend. When you get the impulse to overspend and do monetary damage to your finances, refer back to the budget.
Charge Only What You Can Afford
Using a credit card is a great way to earn cash back incentives and bonus points that you can spend on airline mileage. But if you’re planning to put wedding expenses on your credit card, you want to only charge items that you can afford. Once your credit card statement comes in, pay the amount that you owe immediately. You can also set up a special bank account for the wedding and pay down the debt as you charge the items.
Travel Economically
If the wedding you were asked to be best man is a destination event, you want to try to save money traveling. You can begin by using mileage that you’ve earned on credit card charges to pay for your lodging or flight. If you don’t have miles to spare, search the Internet for the best prices. For those flying in the U.S., you may be able to garner the best deal on flights 47 days before your trip. For International weddings, you want to secure a plane ticket much further in advance. You may also wish to sign up for discounts and specials with the airline company. If you’re looking for inexpensive accommodations, Airbnb may have rental homes or condo’s that are much cheaper than a hotel. If the bride and groom have carved out a set of rooms at a particular hotel for guests, you may also want to share lodging with another groomsmen to cut back on expenses.
Tone Down the Bachelor Party
The best man and other attendants standing up are typically in charge of the bachelor party festivities. This can be especially great if you’re looking to keep the costs for the party within budget. While you don’t want to scrimp on your buddy’s last hurrah, you don’t have to go overboard with something outlandish. Plus, destination bachelor parties can create drama for both the prospective bride and groom. Look for events that are fun and celebrate the groom such as a day of golf and dinner afterwards or a sports game to cheer your favorite team on to victory.
Being asked to stand up in a friend’s wedding is an honor that you don’t want to say no to. But you don’t want the costs associated with the event to lead to your financial demise. When you plan ahead and prepare for the expenses of being best man using the above tips, you won’t find any budgetary surprises.
5 Signs that You Should Pursue a Career in Music
Music isn’t seen as a “career-driven” education direction by many. Most see it as a waste of time and money, with little prospects at the end of the road. However, the industry is changing and for those who succeed in landing a job, it can be a very fulfilling and rewarding career, not to mention lucrative. However, if you are still on the fence about whether you should pursue a career in music you should read this article!
Here are five signs that a music career could mean that it’s meant to be:
You are a Prodigy
Ok, this one might be a complete giveaway, but if you are crazy talented, and it’s not just your mom telling you this, a career in music is for you. Even if you do not make a name for yourself as the top violinist or tenor in the world, you still have a good chance to pursue a career in music in performing, composition, or something else like music journalism. Your education might actually be the thing you need to shape your direction and expose you to new things that might further inspire you. It also connects you with influencers in the music world, like your professors.
You’re Great at Computers
This might initially sound strange, but give it a minute to sink in. So much of music is digitized nowadays, that being computer literate and good at music software can be what gets you exposure. Even if you yourself are not a great musician in the sense that you don’t play any instruments or sing, being able to engineer sound and produce music might get you more money than performing or recording your own music could. If mixing music and playing around with music software is your thing, it could lead you to consider a formation in a pro audio school.
You’re Well Connected
This is definitely not a requirement, but having a music network to rely on once you’re done your education increases your chance for a great job in the field. Whether you have a family member in the industry, or have many friends who are already making waves and can introduce you to the right people, having those connections but choosing to do something else might mean that you are missing out on some great opportunities.
You’ve Got a Crafty Brain
Just because you want a career in music, doesn’t mean you have to study it! There are plenty of jobs in the industry that don’t require you to be a musician at all. From accountants, marketers, managers, and more, being smart and passionate about music can often get you further and land you a more stable job than those you would originally picture for someone in the music industry.
You’re Hard as Nails
A career in music means a lot of networking, a lot of “no’s”, tons of perseverance, and in the end: grit. The music industry is a tough one, and you need to be continuously proving yourself in order to stay relevant and successful. Its important to assess whether your chosen career will fit your personality.
If you are able to take criticism, yet have an unwavering belief in yourself, then you probably have what it takes to make a livelihood out of music. Though you don’t have to be topping the billboard charts, any artist or music industry partner who can pursue a career in music, pay the bills and live their ideal life thanks to a passion-filled and enjoyable job, is successful.
A career for music isn’t for everyone. Remember that there are many who have dreamed and failed. However, there’s a lot of room in this industry and you could be one of those “lucky ones” living their dream life with the job they always wanted if you go ahead pursue your career in music.
Save Your Way to Retirement with a Roth IRA
Retirement should be a time to really kick back and enjoy the life that you have built for yourself. There is no way to enjoy your golden years if you are relying on Social Security and the kindness of strangers. That is why you need to be able to grab a Roth IRA as early as possible so you can get your money in it and figure out how to grow it as much as possible.
The beauty of a Roth IRA is that you contribute after tax dollars, which means that you are going to save on taxes when you are ready to take withdrawals from your account. The Roth IRA represents a tax break on the back end, after you hit 59 and a half. That is when you can take withdrawals out of your Roth IRA. Before that, you might be subjected to a penalty for withdrawing funds too early.
Another great benefit is that you can take money out of your Roth IRA in an emergency, penalty-free. You want to use that as a last resort, but you can tap into your Roth IRA as soon as you need to in order to get through an emergency house repair or a large, unexpected medical bill. Keep in mind that you can only withdraw what you have put into your Roth IRA, not any money that you may have made on your contributions.
The key to maintaining an effective Roth IRA is to make enough money and put a good portion of that money away. When you are budgeting effectively, you are able to make a real contribution to your retirement savings. Having a budget that makes sense allows you to spend on your essentials and then have enough left over to make real contributions to your Roth IRA.
When you take a look at your monthly budget, there are a lot of places that you can save money to increase your savings. You can reduce your restaurant spending and cook more at home. Cooking at home is a great way to build new skills and get healthier too. When you learn how to transform ingredients into quality meals for you and your family, you will feel better and be happier. That in turn will give you more energy to go out and make more money.
Learning to do some DIY house repairs if a great way to save money on household maintenance. Plus, you are making contributions to one of your most important investments when you are improving your home. There is no way that making improvements to your home won’t pay off in the future. Painting, for example, is a simple, learnable skill, that can make your house a more valuable piece of property. And improving the value of your home has a positive effect on your overall net worth.
When you are ready to make your Roth IRA a priority in your financial life, you are ready to take the next step as a smart capitalist.
