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A Complete Guide To Finding and Applying for Scholarships

16th February 2022

Governments of all countries today are looking forward to accepting international intakes. This has motivated them to extend various scholarships and grants to meritorious students who are unable to sustain themselves financially. Not only that, scholarships for meritorious domestic students are being promoted to diversify the pool of students at top universities who will contribute to the future of their countries. Although there is no shortcut to a guaranteed scholarship, we will help with methods to select the most appropriate ones which have high acceptability rates.

Finding the best Scholarships

There are many scholarships extended by the governments as well as colleges for you to apply to. However, hit and trial methods are very time-consuming and may cost you missing deadlines to accept grants. Let’s look at some ways to find the right scholarship.

Define your Profile

This is the first and most crucial set if you’re seriously willing to get a grant. Every student detail related to scholarships must be jotted down. This includes the academic profile including your degree and year of study, job prospective, the country you hail from, the country you would like to study in, universities you wish to apply to, etc. Once you’re clear regarding the basics of the course you’re willing to pursue, you can begin the search.

Search Scholarships that match your profile

As stated earlier, hit and trial methods of applying to all scholarships will lead you nowhere. For a student living in Bristol student accommodation, looking to study in a Canadian university should not apply to scholarships that are not relevant to the place of study. Spend time on your profile building and scholarship search and apply to universities that have the highest relevance according to your field of study.

List your Scholarships in order of relevance

When you’re done searching and shortlisting the scholarships, ranking them in order of their relevance is important. Here, relevance has a different meaning. For some, relevance is limited to the field of study that they’re opting for. For example, a student residing in student housing in London may not be concerned about colleges in London but requires a scholarship in Psychology in a top university. For others, place of study or fee structure may be of relevance. A very important thing to remember is that the stricter the eligibility criteria, the more are the chances of getting accepted to the grant.

Apply to the scholarships

Applying to scholarships requires time on your hands, so don’t rush it up. The foremost thing to do is to have all the required documents that will be used again and again in a drive so that you don’t have to fuss about finding them. Check for all additional information on the official website so from wherever you’re applying to make certain that you don’t miss out on anything important.

A Guide to Apply to the Scholarships

After selecting the right kind of scholarship for your profile, you can begin applying to the grants.

The scholarship committee should be impressed by your essay, so write an impactful one. The key is to cover all the essential points and elucidate the topic of your essay. You can seek expert help for the same. If you’re living in student flats in Nottingham or student housing in Glasgow, you may even ask your seniors or roommates to assist with the same.

Letters of Recommendations are highly appreciated by credible authorities like ex-principals, professors or teachers, and even colleagues. It adds weight to the application by providing authenticity and a positive review of your application.

Keep your transcripts from high school and undergraduate institutions handy. Also, prepare a folder for your scores of competitive exams like SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, etc., to make the process less cumbersome.

Other means of Finding Scholarships

Apart from universities and government scholarships, you can also explore other methods of finding a scholarship that suits your profile the best.

Scholarship Websites

Trusted scholarship websites help you attain an overview of grants according to the profile you make. It is less cumbersome as you have to feed in the details, and the grants matching your profile will automatically be displayed. The only concern of this method is the authenticity and security of information displayed on the internet.

Newspapers

It may seem like a rather outdated option but newspaper bulletins are a great source of finding scholarships as many universities advertise their grants. Scholarships are even mentioned on pamphlets distributed outside career institutions and colleges. You should keep a close eye on such material.

Finding the scholarships can be easy if you use other tactics like applying for local organizational grants, starting early on the process as well as keeping up to date with fresh scholarships every semester.

Author’s Bio: Anannya is a content writer living in Delhi. As soon as the clock strikes the completion of the last working minute of the office hours, you can find her on the way to her favourite food joint, brimming with excitement to devour a plate of chicken momos. When going gets tough, you will find her falling back to her old and trustee companion, ‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ to reboot. You could classify her as that one designated annoying friend who makes you cry if you resist her dragging you to the dance floor.

AmberStudent serves millions of students around the world by offering the very best options in order for you to have the most rewarding experiences because they apprehend its value. They are always upgraded with the latest COVID-19 protocols.

Why You Should Study Supply Chains

Prof. J. Rod Franklin

17th November 2021

Everything you see around you was delivered through a supply chain.

You can’t live in the world of today without supply chains. They are all around us. But more people need to study them so that they can become more efficient. If supply chains aren’t well managed, you can end up paying more for the goods and services you like – from your clothes to your food. It can also be less environmentally friendly.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do you like to eat?
Do you like nice clothes?
Do you enjoy your tech?
Do you care about your health?
Do you like to socialize?
Do you like saving money?

If you said yes to any of these questions, then you’ll be interested to know that the reason you can enjoy these goods and activities is through the operation of supply chains.

Supply Chains and the Environment

CO2e emissions from transportation account for approximately 16.2% of total global emissions. Most emissions from transportation (approximately 75%) come from road transportation. Given that we’d all like to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, you would assume that everyone in the industry would be focused on improving operations and that transportation emissions would be declining over time based on improved technology. You’d be mistaken.

A key part of the problem is that many of the transport vehicles that you see on the highway or in your neighborhood are operating at less than full capacity. This means that there are more vehicles delivering goods than are actually needed, leading to more environmental impacts.

What You Can Study to Help

Fortunately, there’s something you can study that can help. At KLU (Kühne Logistics University) in Germany, our MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management focuses on helping business professionals understand the importance of well run, sustainable supply chain operations and how to best manage these operations. It also teaches you how to help them leverage their knowledge and experience to more efficiently lead organizations operating in our globalized world.

KLU’s MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management helps students understand that reducing the number of delivery vehicles in neighborhoods requires greater efficiencies in loading, more collaboration between shippers and transport companies, and more innovative approaches to last-mile delivery operations. The KLU MBA program also stresses that sustainable change can only come about if we, as consumers, think a little before we push that online order button. However, we act as consumers. What’s needed in the industry are young, smart and innovative individuals interested in making a difference. Developing these individuals is the focus of KLU’s MBA program.

Our part-time MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management is an exciting educational experience focused on preparing high potential professionals to become global leaders in supply chain operations and management. Students completing this program acquire practical knowledge and skills enabling them to:

Take on leadership roles in global businesses with complex international operations;
Develop effective corporate and supply strategies to compete in complex international settings;
Develop the ability to analyze complex business problems and to effectively apply management practices and principles to these challenges;
Understand complexities of intercultural cooperation to ensure effective interaction with international subsidiaries and partners;
Leverage the creative energies of themselves and their colleagues to create innovative solutions to global operational issues that are both sustainable and profitable.

Through the MBA program at KLU, you get to learn in an international, multicultural atmosphere: our students and professors come from all over the world, all our courses are held in English, and our curricula address the international issues facing today’s businesses. As part of the MBA program, two sessions are held at international partner universities: one at the Fisher College of Business, at the Ohio State University, USA, and one at Tongji University in Shanghai, China.

An Exciting Opportunity to Study Abroad in Germany

Our MBA helps to boost your career by enhancing your leadership skills, developing your decision-making skills, providing you with knowledge about state-of-the-art approaches to addressing current global trends like sustainability, digitalization, and increasing protectionism and providing you with the business acumen to move up the career ladder, particularly with the emphasis we place on the environment.

Join the individuals who have attended KLU’s MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management program and change your world for the better.

Globalization, your use of the internet for shopping, your desire for rapid home delivery, and problems with supply chain operations mean that transportation, unlike all other sectors of the global economy, is increasing its CO2e emissions. This is quite disappointing, given that we all want to limit global warming. Reductions in CO2e may come as transport companies begin employing electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, but the social impact of the ever-increasing number of delivery vehicles in your neighborhood will not go away.

Supply chains are extremely important, and they need professional managers and strong leadership. If you are truly interested in the environment and a future where you can enjoy the many wonders of this world without being overrun with parcel delivery trucks, or buzz bombed by drones delivering packages, learn about how you can better manage the flow of everything around you. If this sounds like you, then KLU’s MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management is the right program for you.

Author: Prof. J. Rod Franklin, Ph.D. Full Professor of Logistics Practice & Academic Director of Executive Education

Find out more about Kühne Logistics University.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our other business and management subject guides.

5 Books All Aspiring Medical Students Should Read

Content Team

3rd November 2021

5 Books All Aspiring Medical Students Should Read

Medical students are the unsung heroes of many healthcare industries around the world. They are fresh eyes and new ideas in an ever-challenging world of medicine. Whether in developing countries or developed, the experiences of these inspirational individuals make for some incredible reading. You may laugh, cry or some combination of the two. But if you want to become a medical professional, here are five top picks to keep you entertained on the journey.

Your Life In My Hands – Rachel Clarke

Formerly a television journalist, Briton Rachel Clarke decided to switch careers aged 29. For many doctors, medicine has been their only career. But for Clarke, she had thought that the experiences she had on the ground as a journalist would make another role pale in comparison. Hours “under fire in Congo’s killing fields”? They’d make medicine seem a walk in the park, right? Wrong. From the start of her engaging and charming book she makes it clear that the real challenges she has faced began in the wards of her training hospital.

Written with inimitable candidness, her honesty jumps off the page. You can’t help but like the narrator, and get drawn in to the story of her journey. From conversations with Prime Ministers about ‘water closets’ to letters to the national press decrying the state of affairs in the NHS that prompted national protests, the links between her current and past careers is undeniable. Perhaps because of this her voice is strong, her passion infectious and her perspective refreshing.

A must-read memoir for those wanting to switch up the monotony of the day job for the challenge of a lifetime: working in medicine.

The Real Doctor Will See You Now – Matt McCarthy

Skipping across the pond, Matt McCarthy‘s first year of med school is underlined with humour from the outset. His first line: “It started with a banana peel.” shows his bemusement at some of the experiences he had when starting out at Columbia University Medical Centre, New York.

He details his supportive relationships with his second-year adviser Baio, the trials and tribulations of night shifts and the fear associated with being ‘on call’. More importantly, though, he talks about what he has learned. Not from his university studies or even his supervisors…from the patients he cares for. Of course, like all of the books recommended here, there is a disclaimer at the start. It’s along the lines that whilst the stories are based upon clinical experience, in order to maintain the integrity of the Hippocratic oath sworn by doctors around the world, details have been changed to anonymise patients’ information. However, there is a reality to the words McCarthy writes, and a tenderness without saccharine sweetness in the manner in which he reveres his charges. In particular, the relationship with Benny who had taken up residence in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant is a pull on the heart-strings.

Definitely worth a read, and good for raising aspirations too – with his humble beginnings Matt is now an associate professor in medicine as well as serving on the Ethics Committee at a top NY hospital.

When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi

The topic of this tome – death – is one that makes many uncomfortable. It is, however, a daily colleague of medical staff. As someone with a conflicted relationship with medicine – a tone of disappointment in an absent father who was brilliant as a physician and lacking in consistency as a parent runs throughout this book – Kalanithi introduces himself as someone who wanted to be a writer rather than a doctor from an early age. This would clearly have been a great career path, evidenced by his careful craftsmanship as his challenging yet compassionate tale unfolds.

Paul, it turns out, has passed away and this book is his last foray into the world: an examination of his experiences from both sides of the table as a neurosurgeon and a cancer patient. In his own words, “Life isn’t about avoiding suffering.” By turns delighting and devastating, this tale speaks of humanity and the search for knowledge and joy regardless of an insurmountable illness.

Harsh but true, doctors must grow used to death. What better way to learn than through the words of one who’s experienced both?

This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor – Adam Kay

Adam Kay is no longer a doctor. After many expensive years of training, and eye-watering experiences to last a lifetime, he hung up his stethoscope in 2010. What remains of his medical career are an assortment of tidbits and anecdotes hastily scribbled down during his time as a Junior Doctor working for the NHS.

A rallying cry for his comrades who were still under the cosh from political attacks, Kay sees himself as a counterbalance to the negativity published about the health service. From the absurd to the sublime, this book beggars belief and will leave you with no questions where the phrase, “It takes all sorts to make the world go round.” comes from.

Witty footnotes and translations of jargon mean that Kay’s book is informative as well as compelling. Contrasts of days filled with filing and night shifts that would make your hair curl (or straight-up fall out) are intertwined. His conclusion? A very heavily worded letter to the Secretary of State for Health that, if you’ve made it thus far, you’ll be vehemently agreeing with and echoing with your own shortly after. See him read from his book here.

Life as a Medical Student: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A dose of reality from 30 medical students – Sihame Benmira

Catchy title, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. This book is aimed at the multitude of young people who know they want to become medical doctors but have little understanding of what the training entails. The provenance of many medical tomes is clear through the authors’ prominence – and yet, who better to hear from than those who have walked the path before you?

Benmira successfully tracks the changing emotions and experiences of those pursuing long years of study to achieve that coveted title: Doctor ____. The chapters are organised for first to fifth years, and one for those who are intercalating in a specified area. Sleepless nights and high workloads are common themes, but this is a gem for people requiring a dose of reality…or reassurance that it’s not just you going through it!

An Interview with a Sports Therapist

Content Team

18th September 2021

Jenny Jones is a lecturer in Sports Therapy at the University of Hertfordshire and a sports therapist for the England U18 Men’s basketball team. We spoke to her about her career.

What path did you take to become a sports therapist?

“I studied the 3-year degree at what was then University College Chichester which is now Chichester University. Whilst at Uni I made every effort to gain as much work experience as possible to maximise my chances of employment after graduating. Once I had graduated in 2004 I started working part-time with a semi-professional football club and in two sports injury clinics, one physiotherapy and one chiropractic clinic.

“After 6 months working I decided I wanted to gain more experience in sports so decided to spend a month at a University in America. There, I worked in the Athletic Training room which gave me access to athletes from a large variety of sports. I spent quite some time with the Men’s basketball team where my love for the game increased even more. This led to me making the decision that I wanted to work full time in basketball if possible.

“On return to the UK, I managed to secure a full-time job with a professional team in the British Basketball League. Unfortunately, the club folded in 2006 so I moved on to begin lecturing at the University of Hertfordshire. Whilst taking a slight detour from full-time practice I was very keen to maintain my hands-on sports therapy; since joining the University of Hertfordshire I have worked with Saracens Rugby, Arsenal Ladies Academies and UK athletics.

“Throughout my career so far I have maintained my passion for basketball and for the past 3 years have been the Sports Therapist for the England U18 Men’s team.”

What are the best and worst things about your job?

“There are many best parts about being a sports therapist, I truly love the job. It can be very rewarding when players return to full fitness and can play again. Being part of a very close team experiencing the highs and lows together makes the job really enjoyable.

“There are obviously negative aspects to the job as with everything. One of them is that it is extremely time-consuming and hours are not predictable. Working at the crack of dawn and into the night as well as every weekend can be very demanding on your time; not only on you but it also has a knock-on effect on your family at home. This is by far the biggest disadvantage of working in sport. I find the best way to get around this is to work in a sport your family like and can, therefore, come and watch. It keeps them happy too!”

What is the best advice you can give people wanting a career in sports therapy?

“The key to success in this profession is motivation, determination and love of sports. I would recommend getting as much experience in as many sports as possible. Get yourself a first-aid certificate and volunteer at Saturday league games or help out with local sports or physiotherapist. The Society of Sports Therapists website is a key source of information for anyone interested in the profession.”

What would a normal day be like for a sports therapist?

“My current career is slightly different to a full-time sports therapist. I lecture at the University of Hertfordshire but I have recently returned from a European Basketball Championships in Bosnia. I will give you an example of a day there:

Pregame

“On a game day, we would wake early and have breakfast as a team. Following this, we would have a short break before training. I would use this time to treat any injured players or get on with all the pre-training preparation. This involves taping and massaging the players that require it.

“Any new injuries that had occurred in the game the previous night would also be assessed in this time. A decision on whether they could train and/or play would be made. The team would then all go to training where I would be available for any players that got injured during this time. If there were any injured players, the training time would often be used to run rehabilitation sessions using the spare courts.

After training

“After training, I would take all the players to the swimming pool to run a cool-down session. Following lunch, the players had a team meeting which I would also attend. The management team would meet immediately before this. My role as a sports therapist was to provide details of any injured players and whether they could play or not. Depending on the time of the game there may be an hour or so break for some rest. If the game was early I would begin pre-match preparation after lunch and then travel to the game. At the game, I would sit on the bench and be prepared to treat any injuries that occurred, which in this tournament was many!

Postgame

“Following the game, my role would be to organise a cool down and then assess any injuries and treat any acute injuries immediately. I also had responsibility for the players’ nutrition and rehydration. After treating the players and having dinner I was then free to relax. Depending on game time could be very late in the day. This is an example of a tournament scenario, every day would be similar but less hectic, just a slightly scaled-down version.”

What are the different types of organizations and workplaces that hire sports therapists?

“When I first graduated in 2004 the employability of a sports therapist was limited and it took a lot of motivation and perseverance to get a job. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Sports Therapy is becoming widely recognised and there is currently employment in

Professional sports clubs
Various types of sports injury clinics
Working with disabled athletes
Organised events such as marathons
And much more.

“The degree also allows people to go on to further study, a number of students go on to become teachers or study Masters programmes.”

What made you want to become a sports therapist?

“I have always had a real love of all sports and have participated in athletics and basketball from a young age. It was whilst competing for the south of England in athletics that I damaged my knee which resulted in two years of various treatment to no avail and led to a doctor telling me I could no longer participate in athletics.

“It was heartbreaking. Being very persistent, I did not like being told I couldn’t do something so I decided I would get educated so that I could fix myself and not let others go through the same experience I had. It was then that I found out about the Sports Therapy degree and it sounded perfect. Two years later I started at Chichester.”

What action can university students take to establish themselves as an attractive candidate to future employers?

“Since taking on the lecturing job at the University of Hertfordshire I have made it a priority to help make our students highly employable. We run events on CV writing and cover letters as well as implementing clinical experience into the degree and providing the option of a sandwich year placement. In my opinion, there are many things students can do whilst studying, but the key is gaining as much experience as possible. This will often mean volunteering at local sports clubs or events, generally getting out and experiencing the working world. It is also important for students to have the academic skills to communicate effectively.”

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Why Study Chemistry in Australia?

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Inc.

2nd September 2021

There are many reasons why you should study Chemistry in Australia. Let’s take a closer look.

Why Chemistry?

As the science of matter, chemistry is often what links other fields of science. Being the central science, chemistry plays a key role in medicine, food science, forensics, materials engineering and environmental science, to name only a few. Among other things, chemistry students learn about transformations of energy, the structure and behaviour of atoms and molecules, and the processes involved in the making and breaking of chemical bonds.

In Australia, the academic syllabus is also often complemented by a robust laboratory component, in which students will gain hands-on experience and professional skills required of a practising chemist. Beyond developing fundamental knowledge of chemistry and chemical handling skills, performing experiments will hone skills such as problem-solving, project management, time management, collaboration and science communication.

Chemistry in Australia

The university chemistry experience in Australia is superb. Working alongside chemistry experts, students have the opportunity to apply their learning to a broad range of tasks and industry-relevant experiences. Australian universities are typically equipped with the latest scientific instrumentation – and these world-class facilities are open not only to researchers but undergraduate students too.

The highly social Australian culture creates a warm and welcoming learning environment for everyone. Most institutions provide dedicated opportunities to welcome and assist international students. There will be many opportunities to connect with other students, both domestic and international, to access extra support, and to learn additional skills which may be useful in a graduate’s future employment.

Accreditation

Chemistry courses in Australia are accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). When a course is accredited by the RACI, this affirms that the course addresses several broad outcomes for the student, including (but not limited to) understanding scientific thinking, investigating and solving qualitative and quantitative problems in chemical sciences, and also taking personal and social responsibility. The objective of accreditation is to ensure that graduates have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a practising chemist.

As the professional society for chemists in Australia, the RACI’s connections between academic, research, government and industry employers ensure that RACI accredited courses give a solid start to any career in chemistry.

Job opportunities

A degree in chemistry allows graduates to develop a wide range of competencies, opening the door to an array of careers. A chemistry graduate may choose to seek work directly in the field of chemistry. This can involve work in commercial laboratories or research & development positions. Many chemistry graduates choose to step outside of the laboratory, taking up positions in areas such as consultancy, sales and teaching. Science writing, intellectual property law and government policy are among other areas in which a chemistry degree will be useful.

We would like to give special thanks to Associate Professor Chris Thompson, Associate Professor Gwen Lawrie and Associate Professor Daniel Southam for their invaluable contributions to this article. Enjoyed this article? Read these next:

University Accommodation Guide

Content Team

23rd August 2021

Going to university is one of the most exciting things you can do as a young adult. Whether you’re moving country, city or simply just moving out of your parents’ house, you’ll be sure to love your newfound freedom and independence. But with so many different types of university accommodation to choose from, how do you know what’s right for you? Should you choose an en-suite, shared kitchen or catered halls? It all comes down to personal opinion, but to help you decide we’ve created this university accommodation guide.

Things to consider when making your decision:

Location – how far do you want to live from your university or college? Do you want to live in a town/city or a more suburban/rural setting? Where do other students at your university live?
Housemates – Who do you live with? Do you want to live in a shared house, with one other person or on your own? Do you have any friends you can live with, or do you want to meet new people and join a new house share?
Rent and Bills – What can you afford to pay for your rent and bills? What’s your budget? Are your bills included in the cost of your accommodation? Will you be able to get a reduction on your rent and bills for being a student or single occupant?
Social life – What is there to do at your university? How far do you want to be from your local shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, beach, train station etc? Do you have any sports clubs or hobbies that you want to live close to?
Support – What support is there on offer at your university? Is there a housing office that can help you to make a decision, or find the right type of accommodation?

University Halls of Residence:

Most universities will try and house their first-year students in university-owned accommodation. This is to help most students make friends and get settled at the university, without having to travel too far to classes. The size and quality of university-owned accommodation varies for each university, but you will usually be allocated a room in a shared flat with other students. You may have the option to choose an en-suite bathroom or a shared bathroom. You may have the option to choose catered halls, or non-catered if you want your own kitchen facilities.

Pros:

Bills are usually included
Close to class (usually on campus)
Living with people in the same boat as you
More sociable/party scene
Lots of options for different prices/budgets

Cons:

Party culture (which is great for some, but not for others)
Quality can vary
Living with strangers

Private Halls of Residence/Private Halls/Communal Blocks:

Private halls are not owned by the university but may appear to be similar to the traditional halls of residence. They are usually laid out in shared flats and studio apartments with excellent quality accommodation and communal facilities.

Pros:

A little more independence than being on campus
Can choose to live with your friends
Bills are usually included
Tend to be better quality
Can choose to live alone

Cons:

Can be expensive
Not on campus
Can be less sociable

Private Renting:

Pros:

Independence
Choose the location
Choose how much you want to spend
Great practise for when you are older
Choose who you live with

Cons:

Dealing with letting agencies/landlords can be unreliable
Sometimes bad quality – you get what you pay for
Bills are typically not included
You have to pay council tax

Stay at home:

Financially, this may be the only option available to you, in which case, you will certainly save a lot of money compared to your friends.

Pros:

Cheaper
Good support network
Possibly quieter so can focus on studying

Cons:

Less sociable
Less independence
Public transport fees

Whatever you decide, make sure it is the right choice for you. Your parents may want you to stay at home so you can be safe and study more, and your friends may want you to live on campus so that you can party more. Make sure it is ultimately your choice.

7 Speeches That Will Motivate You To Study

Content Team

22nd August 2021

7 Speeches That Will Motivate You To Study

Looking for motivation to study? If you’re feeling unspired and unmotivated, here’s a selection of our favourite talks and speeches to keep you going. TedTalks, for those who don’t know, are presentations given by experts and industry leaders. They’re short, fascinating speeches that are easy to follow and understand. There are TedTalks about everything; from understanding schizophrenia, to study tips, to climate change, to economics. When it comes to learning, there are topics on everything from how to learn, the best techniques for learning and motivation. Here are our favourites.

1. Learning How To Learn – Barbara Oakley

Dr. Oakley flunked her way through high school, before enlisting in the U.S. Army immediately after graduation. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master learning.

2. Learning Styles & The Importance of Critical Self-reflection – Tesia Marshik

Teachers are told that in order to be effective educators, they must identify and cater to individual students’ learning styles; it is estimated that around 90% of students believe that they have a specific learning style.

3. Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future – Joe Ruhl

Collaboration. Communication. Critical thinking. Creativity. These should be present in all classrooms.

4. The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything – Josh Kaufman

Kaufman specialises in teaching people how to master practical knowledge and skills. In his talk, he shares how having his first child inspired him to approach learning in a whole new way.

5. Techniques to Enhance Learning and Memory – Nancy D. Chiaravalloti

Dr. Chiaravalloti discusses the learning process and techniques that have been shown to improve learning and memory in healthy persons.

6. Why Learning Is Awesome – John Green

Some people learn best in a classroom, but some thrive better in other environments. Either way, we all love to learn, and don’t let bad classroom experiences make you feel otherwise!

7. The Puzzle of Motivation – Dan Pink

Want to feel motivated to study, but can’t seem to get yourself going? Three words for you: watch this video.

A Guide to Student Visas for America

Content Team

9th August 2021

America is one of the most popular study destinations for international students, but its Visa process can be difficult to navigate. Fortunately, we are here to help clear things up and make your transition to America a little bit easier!

Please note: it is extremely crucial that you apply for your visa well in advance of the date your studies begin. If possible, apply three months before you plan to travel to the USA!

The USA issues different types of visas to students:

A full-time student would receive an F-1 or M-1 visa.

Your spouse and children would receive F-2 or M-2 visas.

An Exchange Visitor would receive a J-1 visa. Exchange Visitors come to the USA for consultation, training, research or teaching, or for an approved Au Pair or temporary work position.

Last Year 362,896 F-1 Student visas were issued and there are currently 1,169,464 million students in the United States on F and M visas!

Your school or university will send you a form confirming that you have been accepted at an institution authorised by the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Service (USCIS) to enrol non-immigrant students (the I-20 for an F-1 visa or the DS-2019 for a J-1 visa.) You will read and sign this form. You will then need to make an appointment for a visa interview and to pay some required fees. Under a revision in the regulations, Student Visas can be issued up to 120 days before the date on your form I-20.

Each U.S. Embassy has a website providing instructions on how to make an appointment for a visa interview and other information on the visa application process. The website for the Embassy in your country can be located at: http://www.usembassy.gov/

“Intent to Return”

Most student and exchange visitor visa applications are approved. The most common reason for a student or exchange visitor application to be denied is that the person applying for the visa has not proven to the Visa Officer that they will return to their country when they complete their studies in the U.S.A. This rule is called Section 214.b.

To determine your “intent to return” home, the visa officer will ask you a series of questions about your connections to your home country and about your study plans.

Tips for Your Visa Interview

Wear a business suit or dress
Be specific when you answer questions
Bring bank statements or proof of employment
Provide details of your study plans
Stay calm and be professional
Tell the truth!

Useful Links

Why Study Social Work in Australia?

Australian Association of Social Workers

6th August 2021

Social work is a complex and wide-ranging profession, covering a variety of roles, environments and issues. However, all of these roles have one thing in common: they maximise the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole. Social workers consider that individual and societal wellbeing is underpinned by socially inclusive communities that emphasise principles of social justice and respect for human dignity and human rights.

Why Study Social Work in Australia?

With a high demand for social workers, Australia offers a variety of social work courses across the country. Thirty Australian universities offer four-year bachelor degrees in social work, with some universities also covering social work in postgraduate qualifying, advanced and doctorate courses.

What Will You Study?

A social work degree is great for students wanting a balance between academic study and practical work. You will study social and behavioural sciences, with modules in psychology, sociology and mental health. Australian universities also have fantastic opportunities for placement and fieldwork, giving students the chance to gain first-hand experience in social work.

Degree Requirements

Most universities do not ask for qualifications in a specific subject, just that you have recent secondary education qualifications. Universities will also ask for English speaking abilities, with most accepting results from IELTS and TOEFL. There are also options to study a masters degree in social work if you have an undergraduate degree, either in social work or in a related discipline.

Choosing the Right Course

When choosing your course, it is vital that you choose one that is recognised and accredited. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is responsible for accrediting university degrees in social work. The AASW is a body nominated by members, Universities and Higher Education Providers and the broader professional community, to set and maintain standards of professional conduct for social workers educated and/or seeking to work in Australia.

The Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) set out the principles, standards and graduate attributes for social work education in Australia. The standards are used as the criteria for the accreditation of a professional social work course with the AASW. By studying an accredited program, students are eligible for student membership of the AASW. Once graduated from an accredited program, students will be eligible for full membership including the new graduate membership category. A list of AASW-accredited social work courses can be found on our website by clicking here.

Career Prospects

A career in social work can be extremely rewarding, with opportunities to change lives on individual and systemic levels. These are just some of the fields you could go into with a social work degree from Australia:

Mental health
Child protection
Family violence
Education settings
Hospital settings
Aged care
Disability
Refugees and asylum seekers

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