tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89010091174416904032024-03-18T11:32:46.278+01:00The GradTrain Blog: all things related to study abroad GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-40169294332437050482019-09-08T11:51:00.002+02:002019-12-18T10:33:17.077+01:00College in America - what is a Liberal Arts education, and is it for you?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, you are looking at American universities, but <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2018/07/which-graduate-degree-should-you-pursue_23.html" target="_blank">aren’t sure what you want to study</a>. You’re interested in multiple subjects and don’t
know which you want to pursue. A liberal arts program might be the one for you.
Many colleges in the US are liberal arts schools or have liberal arts programs,
but what does that really mean? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Essentially, if a school claims to be liberal arts based, it
means that you will not just be focusing on one specific subject throughout
your time at the university. Instead, the college will encourage you to branch
out and explore many different fields before finding the one that is right for
you. Professors and advisors will also help you find creative ways to combine
your interests to ensure you pursue the right career. Liberal arts schools also
focus on creative thinking and problem solving techniques by emphasizing
student discussions in classes and by combining multiple fields in one class.
These programs also tend to focus on social and physical sciences, as well as
literature, philosophy, and mathematics. While you will be studying many
different things, you will still have a major which you will focus on above the
others. By combining all of these different subjects, students get a broad and
impactful education while getting a new perspective of society and the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the technology industry has begun to spread and become
one of the largest internationally, people have started thinking that liberal
arts degrees are no longer valuable and they should take computer science instead,
but this is not true. Going to one of these schools will help you develop many
skills that employers value and will help you in the real world. Some of these
skills include a mature sense of responsibility, strong and clear
communication, unique problem solving techniques, and more. These things will
help you to succeed in any sort of professional setting, whether it is in
business, science, or architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you know what you want to study or not, a liberal
arts education could be beneficial to you, widening your horizons and teaching
you things you never realized were so interesting before. You can develop
skills that will help you for the rest of your life and will present you as a
valuable worker to an employer. So before you decide which school you want to
attend and what you want to study, think twice about liberal arts; it might
just be for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are thinking of going to college in the US, stay tuned for GradTrain's college matching tool that will launch soon here: <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a></span></div>
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-15064162531923059392019-06-23T18:00:00.000+02:002019-06-23T18:00:10.294+02:004 Reasons to go to college in the south<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Universities are great in the north and south alike, but there are some differences between the two. At GradTrain, we support schools from both regions, but want to help to point out the comparisons between the two to help you make the best decision you can. Here is a list we comprised of some of the most attractive aspects of attending a southern college.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-a66cd133-7fff-45be-57b0-b395db9cda6d"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The Weather</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ef1865ee-7fff-6f49-fb24-5392f943a4c2"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weather at your university will make a difference to your experience, whether you realize it or not. If you go to school in the southern United States, you will experience a warm, sunny climate most of the year. Near the middle of the country, winters can be cool, but they will be short and mild. From there, the further south you go, the longer it stays hot, making your year a constant </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/06/the-international-student-guide-for.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">summer</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Houston weather and Phoenix weather, for example, are much warmer than the weather in NYC or Washington DC. This can be a huge benefit, allowing you to have nice walks to classes, hang outside with your <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/04/how-to-find-friends-when-you-study.html" target="_blank">friends</a>, and have outdoor parties.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The Social Scene</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Because of the nicer climate, the social life at southern colleges can also be more active. During the winter at northern universities, parties can seem to stop altogether due to the snow and cold, and if they do exist, they are normally smaller house parties. In the south however, there is no seasonal problem. Therefore, the parties are big and outdoors all year long. This creates a happy, carefree atmosphere that might be for you.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaPXwNmGPDs/XP-mYVtFwoI/AAAAAAAABPw/a9S9plHjwfMfGejoPW02E5-E4iQsisZVgCLcBGAs/s1600/arms-raised-best-friends-concert-1537638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaPXwNmGPDs/XP-mYVtFwoI/AAAAAAAABPw/a9S9plHjwfMfGejoPW02E5-E4iQsisZVgCLcBGAs/s320/arms-raised-best-friends-concert-1537638.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There have been </span><a href="http://www.ninjajournalist.com/world/climate/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">studies</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> done that prove that living in warmer areas simply create a happier culture. Long, cold winters filled with grey skies and long nights can create seasonal depression, while bright blue skies and a blazing sun have a tendency to make people smile more. This can be super helpful at your university during stressful times, allowing you instant relief by stepping outside and being surrounded by happy faces and a beautiful day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Greek Life</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another aspect of the south that stands out above the north in general is the prominence of Greek life. Of course, there are universities in the north that have a heavy emphasis on fraternities and sororities, but in general, these organizations have a larger presence at </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">southern schools.</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you are interested in becoming part of a very close group of people, this could be the thing for you. Another bonus about greek life is that you can typically get a higher salary if you were a member because of the connections you will make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For any other questions you have, pertaining to choosing the right college or anything else related to your secondary education, check out <a href="http://gradtrain.com/">GradTrain.com</a>. </span></div>
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-38953583671101239232019-06-16T18:00:00.000+02:002019-06-16T18:00:08.294+02:005 best methods of moving out of your dorm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Everyone hates to admit it, but while you’re cramming to study for final exams, you also need to think about packing up your dorm room and all the contents of your university home. The one thing people hate more than <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/11/finals-week-ten-tips-to-strategize-de.html" target="_blank">finals stress</a> is having to empty out the place you’ve <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/11/how-to-find-apartment-for-study-abroad.html" target="_blank">called home</a> for an entire year, and leaving it in an organized fashion to assist in your future move-ins. Luckily, this article contains some helpful moving tips for you to incorporate into your packing habits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Start as early as possible</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although preparing for final exams is most peoples’ first priority, the last thing you want is to take your last final and only have a few hours to pack before you leave for good. Starting early resolves this issue because you divide your packing into manageable chunks. For instance, you could start by packing all of your cold-weather clothes and jackets because, odds are, you won’t be wearing them in spring time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>2. Use boxes, bins, or vacuum sealed bags</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These containers will be your best friend during packing sessions. They keep all of your items in a confined, clean space, and, importantly, they are able to be labeled so you can know exactly where you left everything upon your return. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3. Storage units are your friend</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you plan on packing up your entire dorm into luggage to return home with, you are going to be slammed with heavy overage fees by <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2018/09/trains-planes-and-automobiles-traveling.html" target="_blank">airlines</a>, and the bags will take over the majority of your garage or guest bedroom back home. Relieve yourself of this burden by paying a small fee to keep your belongings in a storage locker. Near every college campus you’ll be able to find several moving companies that will hold your belongings, and some offer extra services, such as pickup and dropoff, free of any additional charge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>4. Purge the things you don’t really need</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">During the year it is a fact that college students accumulate a bunch of new stuff. Ranging from free T-shirts to room decor, these additions will cause you to have more belongings when you leave school than when you entered. The options here are clear, you can keep the new items that you’ve acquired, but it might require you to get rid of the items you don’t really use anymore. Or, that free hat that you got at a fair, that you will probably never wear again, can meet its new home. The trash can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>5. Be a thorough cleaner</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last, but not least, take a good look around your home and try your best to remove any filth that remains. Use some glass cleaner and a rag to clean up areas that tend to accumulate dirt and dust over the course of the year, like the bathroom or kitchen areas. Check your closets, underneath the bed, and in between couch cushions as these areas tend to be traps for objects and dust. By doing this, you not only leave on good terms with your soon-to-be former landlord, but you’ll also make sure that you don’t leave anything behind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For any more tips on how to solve your college problems, or make the most out of your experience studying abroad, head to <a href="http://gradtrain.com/">GradTrain.com</a></span><br />
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com109tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-73936354551328539092019-06-11T18:00:00.000+02:002019-06-11T18:00:00.146+02:00It’s graduation season – time to look within and beyond<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As the end of the semester brings warm weather and lesser motivation to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/11/finals-week-ten-tips-to-strategize-de.html" target="_blank">study for exams</a>, it seems that everyone in college is ready to burst. 9 consecutive months of studying culminate into this frenzy, where students simultaneously work diligently and savor the sunshine with their friends one last time before <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/06/the-international-student-guide-for.html" target="_blank">summer break</a>. However, there is also a strong feeling of sentimentality in the air, as seniors wrap up their university careers with one last hurrah: Graduation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90JK3sYBoyY/XP-gJesRjVI/AAAAAAAABPA/2-iSkP21FrwTEM38d4bAjk10diSJdZhFgCLcBGAs/s1600/ceremony-education-graduation-2293019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90JK3sYBoyY/XP-gJesRjVI/AAAAAAAABPA/2-iSkP21FrwTEM38d4bAjk10diSJdZhFgCLcBGAs/s400/ceremony-education-graduation-2293019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No one wants to admit that their undergraduate stay is over, hiding behind the gaping smiles and warm family embraces. But graduation creates this unique nostalgia – where students are proud of their incredible accomplishments and also apprehensive of what obstacles lay ahead of them in the future. Not to worry. Once you toss that graduation cap up in the air, the world will not begin to crumble before your eyes. In fact, recent grads often take their senior summer as an opportunity to celebrate their last bit of freedom before entering the working world, <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/06/the-international-student-guide-for.html" target="_blank">viewing it as a holiday </a>for their achievements. Whether you have a <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/05/best-tips-for-finding-job-abroad-after.html" target="_blank">full-time job</a> waiting for you next September or are still deciding your next steps, this time period gives you a great chance to look back on your personal growth in college and look forward to what your future interests might look like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Reflection:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Four years of college can fly by, and after all the final exams and counselling sessions are finally complete, it is good to pause and think about the memories, skills, and relationships that you’ve formed. Over the course of this self-analysis, you will learn a lot about yourself that will not only change the way you view yourself, but hopefully bring you great pride and closure as well, knowing that you gave your best effort.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Forward-Thinking:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">After you’ve looked back, you are now ready to look ahead. You might have a reflex to find a job as quickly as you can, so you do not immediately become unemployed after school, but this reflection period can be a helpful tool for you when taking steps toward your future. Often times people dive into their careers too quickly, without considering other opportunities. Being in the prime of your youth, recent graduates can seize the chance to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2018/09/trains-planes-and-automobiles-traveling.html" target="_blank">travel the world</a> or devote time to volunteering, as you are not yet restricted by career requirements, dependent family members, and other factors that reduce the freedom of adults. You could also continue advancing your education by applying to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/05/graduate-school-abroad-how-will-it.html" target="_blank">graduate school</a>. If you take the time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and the lessons that you learned from completing college, it can only benefit your future prospects. When you tell the truth to yourself, it guides your future actions to produce more happiness in your life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you’re thinking about attending graduate school, check out <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Predictor" target="_blank">GradTrain’s admissions predictor</a> to learn more about how you can be successful. </span><br />
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-88867247981174916222019-06-02T18:00:00.000+02:002019-06-02T18:00:00.173+02:00Why you should extend your stay after a term abroad<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Studying abroad in a foreign country can be an <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/07/the-4-challenges-international-students.html" target="_blank">exhausting </a>feat. Not only do you have to learn the challenging concepts taught in your classes, but you also have to adapt to a <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/11/diagnosing-culture-shock.html" target="_blank">new culture,</a> people, and environment. It can take awhile for you to feel fully adjusted, and, even then, you might feel pangs of homesickness along the way. However, as you read here, you will see why you should consider extending your stay abroad, before finally returning to your home country.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Airfare is expensive</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You’ve already spent a large amount of money on your flights overseas, so you should try to see as much as you can while you are living in this side of the world. Rather than paying for flight tickets to study abroad and then having to invest in separate airline tickets for your next trip, you could combine two trips in one, and only need one round trip ticket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>2. You are at your peak</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As most students going abroad for a semester are in their 20s, this can be seen as the prime of your youth. You have no children depending on you, no career obligations, and you’re in the best shape of your life. If there was any age where you could withstand long plane rides, late nights of parties, food, and memories, now is the time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQTlW6Awhes/XO-mMJkzxQI/AAAAAAAABOk/zahwCY2Swgk3Lfwkww5Pn0WVdl87Qh4WgCLcBGAs/s1600/adult-asian-food-commerce-2240361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQTlW6Awhes/XO-mMJkzxQI/AAAAAAAABOk/zahwCY2Swgk3Lfwkww5Pn0WVdl87Qh4WgCLcBGAs/s320/adult-asian-food-commerce-2240361.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>3. Share experiences with new friends and old</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While studying abroad, you will a<span style="text-align: center;">bsolutely make <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/12/lonely-living-how-to-combat-loneliness.html" target="_blank">new relationships</a> with the <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/04/how-to-find-friends-when-you-study.html" target="_blank">native people</a> of that country. Because it is difficult to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/10/best-ways-to-keep-in-touch-while.html" target="_blank">maintain overseas relationships</a>, due to time differences and varying agendas, this could be the last time you see these people for a long time. You should definitely try to take advantage of the opportunity you have with natives, seeing their homes, cultures, and lifestyles. A great time to do this is when you’ve finished your studies and are on break because you can fully immerse yourself into that way of life, without distractions from schooling. Additionally, it’s likely that at the same time of your abroad term, other friends from your homeland could also be studying abroad. In this case, sharing these experiences can make memories that will last a lifetime and strengthen the bond you share. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One important consideration for deciding to extend your stay is that you must be eligible, according to your <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/11/how-to-student-visas-for-study-in.html" target="_blank">visa status </a>upon entering the country. If you have a F-1 visa, you are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) Status, which will allow you to stay if you are training in a field directly related to your studies, for up to 12 months. However, if you are studying with a J-1 visa, then you are not eligible for OPT status, so you would be required to get approval from your RO and dean. If that is satisfied, then you can begin paid or unpaid work for up to 18 months in that country. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have any other questions about studying abroad, or want the best tips on travelling during your stay, visit <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" target="_blank">GradTrain.com. </a></span></span><br />
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-20308385031099831172019-05-26T17:00:00.000+02:002019-05-26T17:00:16.769+02:00How artificial intelligence can help prevent college admissions fraud <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reports show that over 50 families were involved in an elaborate scheme of bribery to place their children in America’s top universities. Some of these students were falsely advertised as athletes, even if they had never played a sport. Among notable names in the guilty party are actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. In order to understand how fraud can be prevented, it must first be assessed how this system has functioned. </span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BM_G11BUCohjzjktYuosbo78sBt3-Fi2_rQCQuqdlHSGzUYn0swVE5vsYxFBwMlUW9SxwtrMZPc5uX5vXlF916tEpuiht6W_RdTHXxWxRxPHMtNWNdPi80L2xEXndXF9P9W9h-C1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BM_G11BUCohjzjktYuosbo78sBt3-Fi2_rQCQuqdlHSGzUYn0swVE5vsYxFBwMlUW9SxwtrMZPc5uX5vXlF916tEpuiht6W_RdTHXxWxRxPHMtNWNdPi80L2xEXndXF9P9W9h-C1" style="border: none;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The scandal was operated through the admissions prep company The Key, and was overseen almost entirely by CEO William Rick Singer. Singer operated this admissions scheme with two options. Interested parties could either bribe test proctors to forge <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/09/you-need-to-know-these-9-most-common.html" target="_blank">SAT and ACT scores</a>, or take advantage of college coaching bribery to admit students using fake athletic credentials. In some cases, individual bribery exceeded $1.3 Million USD. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The cultural response has been just about unanimous, as frustration from society places pressure onto college admission teams to ensure fraud and bribery is absent in the process of applying to university. Though moral faults in the admissions system are tricky to spot, Artificial Intelligence and smarter technology will play a vital role in fraud protection in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first step that can be effective is already partially in motion: online standardized testing. Test Proctors are highly susceptible to bribery as they are typically of low incomes and low motivation. By computerizing the SAT and ACT, rather than facilitating the exams on paper, College Board can use Proctor Caching, a software filter and recognition system, as a safeguard mechanism for preventing cheating and test falsification. These filtering methods will make fraud on standardized testing very difficult, as the observation of tests can rely on artificial intelligence instead of individual test proctors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition, advancements in social media can play a role in preventing fraud of athletic ability, as high school sport-specific applications in the market can help assure admitted student athletes are honest. With dozens of apps focused on student highlight reels, and nearly unanimous public access to simple filming, mandating a profile of athletic videos, statistics, and highlight reels allows for colleges to catch fraudulent submissions more easily. This accountability is common in other admissions aspects; for example any art student applying for scholarships can be expected to submit a detailed portfolio of their work. Perhaps it is time to hold athletes to the same standard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is also an ability to cut off the problem at the beginning of the process, with AI-driven matching tools that will scan the candidates’ background and assure that they are a good fit for the program to which they are applying. GradTrain has developed the first <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/predictor" target="_blank">AI based admissions predictor</a> and has been able to match students with universities at an accuracy rate of close to 90%. The AI model allows for continuous improvement, as the prediction continues to improve based on empirical outcomes data from the candidates who use the system. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the age of technological revolution, it is no surprise that artificial intelligence poses value to admissions fraud protection. However, this can only go as far as the public pushes it. In order to prevent college admissions scandals in the future, it is imperative that society places a harsh standard on fair play in the application process, as <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/09/misconceptions-about-america-and-us.html" target="_blank">cultural pressure has shown time and again to insinuate better corporate behavior.</a> Though corruption still looms, with technology and collective societal pressure, college admissions will hopefully move in the right direction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have any questions about your college admissions prospects, or want advice on how to get accepted to university without committing fraud, visit the <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" target="_blank">GradTrain website</a>. </span></div>
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-1692744033092035832019-05-19T17:00:00.000+02:002019-05-19T18:39:27.062+02:00Big vs small universities - which is the best for you?<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />Good colleges and universities come in all shapes and sizes, and it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you. The larger universities, such as University of Michigan and University of Florida, can have up to 50,000 students (Miami Dade College has over 150,000!) while smaller schools, like Amherst College or Middlebury College, can be as low as 1,500. Different sized schools have different benefits and drawbacks, and understanding these variations can help you decide where you belong. Some of the things you should consider before deciding which type of university you would like to attend are:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Class sizes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How well you get to know your professors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Access to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/10/best-university-clubs-for-international.html" target="_blank">clubs and activities</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The overall student population.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Class Size</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you go to a larger university, the chances are your classes will have more people in them. This means that for your first few years, you may be in large lecture based classes with up to 300 other students. If you are the type of student who enjoys listening to professors speak and is not as vocal in class, this could be the thing for you. As you advance in university, your classes will get smaller in size as the subject becomes more specific, but you can definitely expect to have multiple large lecture classes. At a smaller school, you will still see large classes, but at a much lower rate. Typically, only popular introductory level classes have more than one hundred students at a time. Otherwise, more of your classes will be relatively small, with around 20 students, and they will be primarily discussion based. You will talk with students in conversations led by your professor and will be able to see other people’s perspectives on several issues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Getting to Know Your Professors</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It can also be easier to develop a relationship with your professor, but larger classes allow for this as well. If you are someone who would have a better time engaging in dialogue during class and having an opportunity to know your teachers, smaller schools may be where you want to start looking. Either choice will give you a great education and teach you a lot on the path to earning your bachelors degree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">3. Clubs and Activities</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When you go to a larger university, there will inevitably be more <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2015/08/cheap-activities-in-and-around-us.html" target="_blank">activities </a> to get involved in. There will be clubs that are more focused, and there will be a more diverse range of groups. Big schools also typically have a larger greek life presence and higher turnouts to athletic events, but it really depends more on the specific university. They often have larger party scenes as well, but this can actually make it difficult to get into parties if you are not involved in the group throwing them. From sports teams to religious groups, there will likely be more offerings at big schools, but this does not mean that these colleges are superior. Even at small schools, where there are fewer clubs, nearly all students find something to engaged themselves in, outside of class. There will still be a wide variety of activities, and new students are always welcome to join. The size of these groups will also likely be smaller and more intimate. Whether you choose a big or a small school, you will easily be able to find extra curricular activities to join.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. Student Body</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of the most important things to consider when thinking about the size of the university you want to attend is the culture of the student body. Each school has a different feeling to it, and <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/05/big-city-universities-vs-rural.html" target="_blank">a larger or smaller campus</a> definitely contributes to what that aura is. At a bigger college, you will be less likely to run into your friends when walking from one place to another, whereas at a smaller one, this happens frequently. This can often give smaller universities a more friendly feel, as you know more of the people, who you happen to see around, but either way, you will have friends and acquaintances who you can meet up with whenever you want. Whether you choose a big or small school size is completely up to you to decide. These are only a few of the factors that the choice will affect, but no matter which option you select, you can have a great time and receive an excellent education. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To find out which school is right for you, go ahead and try <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Predictor" target="_blank">GradTrain's admissions predictor</a>!</span><br />
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-8228474487767061292018-12-11T11:27:00.002+01:002019-10-22T11:23:50.421+02:00A new breed of degrees for aspiring international entrepreneurs<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You may look at <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/billionaire-college-dropout-zuckerberg-bill-gates-2018-10" target="_blank">Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates</a> and think – maybe the best way to become a successful technology entrepreneur and business leader is to drop out of a great school, yet the data shows that a very large proportion of the successful entrepreneurs worldwide, <a href="https://poetsandquants.com/2018/09/02/the-most-successful-entrepreneurs-come-from-these-schools/" target="_blank">studied and received a degree at the top universities around the globe</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A better approach perhaps, would be to enroll in programs that provide students with practical tools and experience with entrepreneurship, during their degree, in addition to academic excellence. One example of such a school, that we would like to show as a case study, is <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Schools?id=28543&programId=6&utm_campaign=GradTrain&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=GradTrain" target="_blank">Cornell Tech</a> – a top school that now enables students to receive an Ivy League degree in New York City, that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship. Many of the Cornell Tech alumni move on to start their own companies after graduation. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Cornell Tech</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cornell Tech offers an <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Schools?id=28543&programId=6&utm_campaign=GradTrain&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=GradTrain" target="_blank">MBA program – the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA</a>, focused on the foundations needed to become a successful entrepreneur. As part of the program, students complete product studios and startup studios, where they take real world business problems and design solutions to address them. This allows students to graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to become successful entrepreneurs and product leaders in technology companies. Another benefit of the program is that it takes only one year to complete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When looking for a program that will set you up for success as an entrepreneur, we would suggest looking at these factors:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Brand and reputation</b> of the school in general and as an entrepreneurship school specifically.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Curriculum</b> – does it include hands on experience with entrepreneurship?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Staff / faculty</b> – does it include academic experts as well as professors with practical experience as entrepreneurs?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Duration and cost of the program</b> – these are factors that are always important, all the more if you are looking to make a change in your career and start you own company or join an existing company. If you can complete a prestigious degree in one year rather than two or three – it is a factor to consider.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To learn more about the Cornell Tech MBA program as well as regarding other programs offered by Cornell Tech, please visit <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Schools?id=28543&programId=6&utm_campaign=GradTrain&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=GradTrain" target="_blank">this page</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Still not sure what university is your best fit? Visit </span><a href="http://www.gradtrain.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">www.gradtrain.com</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> or download the GradTrain app to try our university matching predictor! </span></span></div>
GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-25870103155851793602018-09-23T14:18:00.000+02:002019-12-04T11:35:34.539+01:00Trains, planes and automobiles: traveling within the US<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once you've made it to a university or college in the US, you'll start to find that you’ll have quite a bit of free time to fill. Use your weekends and breaks to travel around your new area. Of course this depends on your location. For example, if you are attending school in California, there are many options within a few hours drive. If you are studying in more rural parts of the country, you might have to travel a bit further. Here are some tips for getting around and traveling in the states. Many American universities give long weekends for <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/08/celebrate-american-holidays-while.html" target="_blank">federal holidays</a>, so take the opportunity to plan your trip in advance.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Mitchell from Glasgow, UK <br />[CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where to Go</span></b><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smaller Cities</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Avoid the hordes of tourists and crowds and visit one of America’s smaller, but still interesting cities. Trade a trip to Miami, Florida for a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Flights and activities will be cheaper. Trade Chicago for Memphis. Trade Los Angeles for San Antonio. Beat the crowd by exploring new places you won't find on a tourist map. Check travel websites like Tripadvisor and Yelp for travel advice.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">U.S National Parks</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Attention outdoorsy types, U.S. National parks are for you. See the Grand Canyon in Arizona, watch the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, or stargaze in Yosemite Valley, California. The U.S. offers hundreds of thousands of miles of hiking trails all around the country. Go for the day or even a week. You won't get bored of the beautiful natural wonders and wildlife the U.S. has to offer.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Festivals</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">American music lovers flock from all over the country to attend their favorite <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/07/top-festivals-and-entertainment-during.html" target="_blank">music festivals</a>. Tickets could be a bit pricey, but festivals are a huge part of U.S. music culture. Save money at festivals by camping or staying in motels close to the festival site, or book your hotel months in advance.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How to get there</span></b><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Airlines</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although fairly costly, flying can be the world traveler’s best friend. To get the cheapest flights, you must book well in advance. Also try flying in the off season to avoid long lines and raised fares since the peak travel times for Americans are Thanksgiving (late November) and Christmas (late December). Some airlines will charge extra for luggage, so pack light and avoid oversized suitcases. Websites like Expedia and Travelocity are helpful for finding the cheapest flights. Expedia can also help you bundle deals on hotels and rental cars, saving you money overall.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Trains</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The US <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html" target="_blank">Amtrak</a> rail can get you from coast to coast for a reasonable price. The main caveat being the relatively long travel time. Check the Amtrak website to find information on train schedules and trips. A trip by train might be interesting for those who enjoy scenic views and prefer a low stress way to travel. Larger cities will have smaller rail lines that connect to the suburbs of the city, but these won’t take you to a different city. Trains can be the perfect way to get away from city life for awhile.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Car</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rental cars are a convenient way to roadtrip with your friends. Rental cars can be cheap, and you get the privilege of controlling the journey and stops along the way. Americans love to take road trips, there are even countless U.S. movies depicting this type of vacation. Use apps such as Waze and Google Maps to navigate the long winding US highways. The average rental car age in the US is 25, but some companies such as Zipcar offer discounts to under 25 college students. Of course, this trip will cost less if you already <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/09/the-complete-guide-to-buying-your-first_14.html" target="_blank">own a car</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Need additional help on how to make the best of your study abroad experience? Visit <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a> </span>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-30515142460828718062018-08-26T14:58:00.001+02:002018-08-26T14:58:08.722+02:00How to find and live with a roommate?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For many students now, finding a roommate can be like navigating a jungle. Since you are living with this person every day, it’s not a process you want to get wrong. There are ways to make it easier, though, and make sure you’re safe and happy in your new apartment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to U.S. Census Bureau data, in 2015 a quarter of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 lived with roommates, up from 23 percent a decade prior. Very few decisions are more critical than selecting your home environment because where you live is important to who you are. It’s also essential to your quality and enjoyment of life, which can be linked to the people you live with, as well as the physical space. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By Tulane Public Relations - Roommates<br />Uploaded by AlbertHerring, CC BY 2.0</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone has different styles when it comes to sharing an apartment. Some people are clean, others clean just once or twice a week, and some may not clean at all. Whoever your roommate is you need to find the right balance for your roles and responsibility for the apartment. And just when you think you’ve got things figured out, a new person may move in and changes your apartments' ecosystem. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While there’s no universal formula to live with the right people, there are a lot of things students and young professionals can look out for before moving into a new apartment and finding a roommate. Age may matter to a 29-year-old with a 21-year-old roommate, your schedules can be wholly different, and interests in life may not align. If you join the apartment, make sure to get on the lease or if you leave make sure to get off the lease! This can save you trouble with housing authorities down the road. Lastly, a friend of a friend doesn’t mean you will get along with that person. A second-degree social connection does help, but it doesn’t mean your living habits with coincide with each other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://roomiapp.com/?src=GradTrain" target="_blank">Roomi</a> helps students and young professionals rent rooms and find roommates, in a verified community. Roomi has incorporated features, such as secure in-app messaging, secure payment rent processing, and Background and ID checks, to ensure that users can trust the platform and the community. Plus every single listing is vetted. Roomi takes roommate compatibility and matching the right people, really seriously! Roomi matches people based on compatibility as housemates and co-habitants, for instance, can you pay bills on time? Are you a night owl or an early riser? Are you a party animal or a gym rat? Will you take the bins out and get on as housemates?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The ultimate vision is to provide better experiences and more affordable housing options for young people, around the world. Only by building more trust and transparency into the shared housing process can people live better together.</span><br />
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-68727085296153396192018-08-09T22:30:00.000+02:002019-10-22T11:25:20.967+02:00Obama vs. Trump: International student edition<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Former President Barack Obama and current President Donald Trump have employed vastly different immigration strategies. Obama supporters lauded him for passing the executive action, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA for short), that allowed individuals who were brought in to the US illegally as children to receive legal immigration status. President Trump, however, is famous for his “America first” policies on immigration. <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/01/president-trumps-immigration-ban-should.html" target="_blank">His administration has proposed travel bans</a> and more restrictive policies on international entry to the U.S. These different approaches and policy changes have had varying effects on the world of international graduate and undergraduate education. It is too soon to tell if these Trump policies are related to the recent decline in new international enrollment in America. However, many people in the higher education community are starting to point a finger towards President Trump’s policies for these types of issues.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyHZ0r_zDNk/W2ykGox03rI/AAAAAAAABNU/FJmoI0OrZ1QkX9lCB3mMJ8qKodnpYvpkACLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot%2B2018-08-09%2B23.28.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1206" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyHZ0r_zDNk/W2ykGox03rI/AAAAAAAABNU/FJmoI0OrZ1QkX9lCB3mMJ8qKodnpYvpkACLcBGAs/s400/Screenshot%2B2018-08-09%2B23.28.21.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">DACA was passed in 2012, but in 2014 Obama lifted age restrictions on the policy. This move allowed some international students studying in the U.S. to stay without fear of deportation after they graduate. <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/11/obamas-immigration-reform-for.html" target="_blank">Obama also extended</a> the period of time an international student was allowed to remain in the country after graduation to 3 years for STEM majors and 12 months for many others. During the Obama administration, the United States saw new foreign enrollment grow every single year. The U.S. was truly a power in the field of international higher education.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When President Trump took over, the new foreign enrollment dropped 2.9% for undergraduates and 1.3% for graduate students between 2015/16 and 2016/17 (according to <a href="https://www.iie.org/opendoors" target="_blank">Open Doors Report</a>, which said the new international enrollment dropped 3% total last year). It is too soon to tell if this decrease in new foreign enrollment is correlated to the Trump administration. With that said, many professors, deans and university presidents have started to point fingers at the current President. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Earlier this year, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/23/foreign-students-colleges-trump-544717" target="_blank">POLITICO</a>, “dozens of higher education groups” wrote in an amicus brief (a legal document for the Supreme Court to consider) against Trump’s travel ban, at the time a proposed ban on immigration from North Korea, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Venezuela. The travel ban was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. The brief stated that the travel ban was a “clarion message of exclusion to millions” that would make it more difficult for universities to recruit international graduate students and faculty. It is important to note that Trump’s travel ban actually exempts graduate students. This means that international grad students can still apply to school in the U.S. but they may experience challenges once they get here (due to growing xenophobia in the States). That opinion is still a popular one, even with the affirmation of the ban. This sentiment can be applied to many different policies Trump has proposed. Also noteworthy is the fact that the travel ban will not affect students from the seven countries that are already in America. However, they are advised not to leave the U.S. as reentry could be challenging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">University of Southern California President Max Nikias spoke to CNBC recently on the subject of Trump’s policies, rhetoric, and the administration’s over-regulation of the education community. In the interview with CNBC, Nikias said, "The balance of international students — there is nothing wrong with it. Our university has been welcoming international students for last 140 years… Clearly from my perspective I'd like to diversify international student enrollment."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As the President of a large research institution like USC, Nikias is concerned that the anti-immigration rhetoric of President Trump will impact the international student enrollment and more. Nonetheless, it may be too soon to tell if Trump’s rhetoric and policies are actually causing fewer international students to apply to programs and universities in the U.S. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With all that said, it does appear to be harder for international students to stay in America under Trump in other ways as well. This relates to Trump’s threats to shorten the length of time somebody with an F1 (student) visa can stay and work in the U.S. after they graduate. The program is called Optimal Practical Training (OPT). As referenced earlier, STEM OPT was extended to a three-year stay under the Obama administration. Trump wants to shorten the stay of those legal students in the U.S. to 12 months post graduation. This kind of approach has lowered the number of international students that come to study in America for the first time in awhile. Countries such as Canada and Australia are reaping the benefits of Trump’s “America first” policies that could be posing a threat to the US’s top spot in the realm of international higher education.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Still not sure what university is your best fit? Visit </span><a href="http://www.gradtrain.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">www.gradtrain.com</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> or download the GradTrain app to try our university matching predictor! </span></span>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-58220777927407791732018-07-23T12:00:00.000+02:002018-07-23T12:05:28.130+02:00Which Graduate Degree Should You Pursue? Take the Quiz and Find Out!<div id="interact-5b507621fa14bf001422f3cc"></div><div style="visibility:hidden">Which Type of Graduate School is Best for You? Take a quick, fun quiz to help you narrow down which graduate degree may be best for you!</div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-44608620050155051462018-07-15T09:28:00.002+02:002018-07-15T09:40:03.605+02:00Which university campus is right for you: city, suburban, or rural?<div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Pros:</i></b> These universities are located in, or around, bustling metropolitan areas, so there is plenty to do. There are many activities to explore, museums or parks to visit, and many places to eat. Public transportation is prevalent, so you don’t have to worry about renting or buying a car. For tips on how to travel throughout each city coast to coast, read more about it here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Cons:</i></b> Although the city campuses have much to offer, many are very expensive and most are private universities, which can mean pricey tuition. For tips on how to budget your expenses while you’re abroad, click here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Examples of colleges and universities in the U.S.: The University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois); University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); Barnard College (New York City, New York); University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California); New York University (New York City, New York); Tulane University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Pros:</i></b> If you picture a “college town” typically you’ll envision a suburban college campus. These schools usually have a main strip or two near campus filled with fun places to explore. These can include spots for things like hiking and jogging, or fun dining at local restaurants, cafes or bars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Cons: </i></b>Not everything is in such close proximity as the urban campus, so sometimes renting or buying a car is helpful for getting around. This can be significantly more expensive than taking public transportation or walking from place to place. While suburban colleges offer things to do, they tend to offer less variety than a city does. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Examples of colleges and universities in the U.S.: University of Virginia (Virginia), Tufts University (Massachusetts), University of Connecticut (Connecticut), University of Maryland-College Park (Maryland), Lafayette College (Pennsylvania), Villanova University (Pennsylvania), Emory University (Georgia), Harvey Mudd College (California), Princeton University (New Jersey), Stanford University (California), University of Michigan (Michigan) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Pros:</i></b> If you’re looking for a quieter place while studying abroad, one with beautiful nature and greenery, then the rural campus is the right choice for you. Whether it’s shopping, hiking, sightseeing, or dining at tasty, local places, the rural campus offers plenty to do. Many colleges like this are smaller, and offer smaller classes so there are more one-on-one opportunities with your peers and professors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Cons:</i></b> Most rural campuses are farther from major cities such as New York City or Boston, so getting internships might not be close by campus. Consider renting or buying a car rather than spending money on public transportation. Also, sports teams and school spirit might not be as recognized, like it is at larger universities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Examples of colleges and universities in the U.S.: Hamilton College (New York), Thomas Aquinas College (California), Saint John’s University (Minnesota), Vassar College (New York), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), St. Olaf College (Minnesota), Colby College (Maine), Amherst College (Massachusetts), Miami University (Ohio), Middlebury College (Vermont) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For any questions about the best place to study, please visit: <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a></span></div>
GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-77541378763511256652018-07-04T22:27:00.000+02:002018-07-05T09:06:55.965+02:00Happy 4th of July from GradTrain! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Birthdays are always cause for celebration in American culture. But when it’s America’s birthday, it is an extra special party. On the 241st birthday of The United States of America, GradTrain takes a look at how people in the <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/08/celebrate-american-holidays-while.html">United States celebrate.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6PwrgKzRYcXDFouirHs5z3seLqVCJshLPFP8Zvp857jJYvO9dH3H6_NCLEZjm-ObgcxodDISLEY_SNfBIs2TDvlIN8sNA4e1gGsH1ZJgwZfCCOK2EeDh5_vtIWnkuXR7Js_ctJwo" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="320" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b5ae25d-66f6-d264-ecfa-709c6f1d7956"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Since John Hancock famously signed his name first in Philadelphia all those years ago, the holiday known simply as “The Fourth” has taken on a life of its own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Depending on where you are in the States, you may enjoy different delicacies to <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/07/top-festivals-and-entertainment-during.html">celebrate</a> the holiday. In Texas and other Southern states, barbecues are common. Whether it’s Carolina vinegar, Memphis dry-rub, or Texas hickory smoked, the meats served on Independence Day are sure to satisfy. In the Mid-Atlantic, seafood is typically the main course of choice. In Maryland, Chesapeake blue crabs are a staple. No matter where you go throughout all fifty states, you are bound to find some apple pie!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although the cuisine varies regionally, there are a few things that are ubiquitous. Fireworks always light up the night sky all across America on The Fourth. On July 4th 2015, the nation set off 285.3 million pounds of fireworks (American Pyrotechnic Association). It is also almost impossible to get through a July 4th without hearing renditions of “Yankee Doodle” or “God Bless America” and of course “The Star Spangled Banner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fSk-tiXVbsBWNuaHSODtGo6ck0fGmqytHup2j_KkRAy0klDG9uK8C-lgQiJjM90xXhFjJHiP7eIlmLks9AWRsESRyU7Ghm5Vcm5LuV2a_vZsHMbr7-ls_Etn8qgbwB5RvvRSN-gh" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="320" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-484b3022-66f8-756f-adcc-c9b91b36d874"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Fourth of July is a time for all people in America to come together. The United States of America is a land of immigrants and it is one of the most diverse nations in the world. Although the political climate may be divided, July 4th is the one date every year where everybody in the country can enjoy each other’s company. Citizens, immigrants, international students, and tourists alike, can bask in the summer fun and celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make your dream of studying abroad in the United States a reality this year by visiting <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><br />
</div>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-24752365128687647522018-07-01T10:17:00.000+02:002018-07-01T10:53:44.909+02:00Most Beautiful Colleges and Universities in the U.S.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Applying to colleges and universities in the U.S. can be a challenge. Finding the right school is important, and matching a school's academic rigor with the campus's aesthetic appeal can be rather difficult. Below are some schools that offer both a great education and beautiful architecture and scenery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>University of Colorado Boulder - Boulder, Colorado (84.2% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">The University of Colorado Boulder</a> is located in a college town right by the Rocky Mountain Foothills. The city of Boulder has many different activities and you'll never run out of places to eat. Local restaurants like Pasta Jay’s, The Buff, and Zolo Grill are popular. And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure to check out Sweet Cow Ice Cream. If you're into mobile eateries, check out Rayback Collective which is a nearby food truck park. There is a wide variety of entertainment around campus. You can go hiking at Chautauqua Park, visit the Museum of Natural History, or shop at the Pearl Street Mall.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Stanford University - Stanford, California (4.8% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> is located in upstate California, sandwiched between the cities of San Francisco and San Jose. Stanford students are involved in 36 varsity <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/03/study-abroad-and-enjoy-campus-sports.html">sports</a> and 32 different club sports. Aside from Division I college football, Stanford boasts activities like squash, water polo, fencing, and sailing. For Instagram worthy pictures check out the large stained glass windows of the Memorial Church or the Arizona Cactus Garden, and hike along the Stanford Dish trail. Enjoy local food at CoHo Cafe or The Counter. If you’re looking for more upscale dining, Evvia may be your spot. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Elon University - Elon, North Carolina (60% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.elon.edu/home/">Elon University</a> is ranked in the top 40 for the best value for private universities by Kiplinger. It is also close to Durham, NC, where Duke University is located. Elon’s campus is known for having beautiful plants, trees, and flowers. The Fonville Fountain, a campus staple, sits in front of the Alamance Building (seen above). Elon has a diverse assortment of campus organizations and activities, many students are involved in Greek Life, club or intramural sports, and even acapella groups. If you are looking nearby for some tasty milkshakes and burgers, Cook Out is a great place to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Brigham Young University - Provo, Utah (53.5% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.byu.edu/">Brigham Young University</a> is a private university in Utah with a beautiful campus. Some things to do in Provo include visiting the Museum of Art or the Monte L. Bean Science Museum. Hiking along The Y Trail or checking out Bridal Veil Falls just a few miles from campus are also popular. The Deseret News of Salt Lake City even named the campus “the Disneyland of American colleges and universities.” With a name like that, the campus must be worthy of a visit. Go to Waffle Love for a good breakfast, Pizzeria 712 for lunch or dinner, Provo Bakery for donuts or cookies, and BYU Creamery for more dessert!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Boston College - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (29% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.bc.edu/">Boston College</a> is a private research university located just 6 miles outside<a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/07/the-best-of-boston-for-international.html"> the city of Boston</a>. The Collegiate Gothic architecture prominent throughout campus was designed largely by Charles Donagh Maginnis, and his firm Maginnis and Walsh, in 1908. Gasson Hall is one of the most notable buildings in this style at the Jesuit College. Enjoy a walk around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, kayak on the Charles River, go to the Shops at Chestnut Hill, or head into Boston to check out all the local historic sites. As for food, there’s a wide variety of places, including El Pelon Taqueria, Crazy Dough’s Pizza, or even White Mountain Creamery to satisfy an indulgent craving. The possibilities are endless being located so close to a bustling city like Boston.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Emory University - Druid Hills, Georgia (25.2% acceptance rate)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.emory.edu/home/index.html">Emory University</a> is a private university located in the Druid Hills of Atlanta, Georgia. One of the most notable buildings on campus is the Lullwater House, located along the Lullwater Preserve. This area is known for its hiking trails and the famous Candler Lake. Hungry Emory students love to get pizza from Antico, lunch at Cox, and tasteful Mexican food from Taqueria Del Sol. You can also get your sushi fix at Thaicoon, or eat a bit healthier at Kale Me Crazy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Duke University - Durham, North Carolina (9% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> is a private university in Durham founded in the twentieth century. It exhibits exquisite Collegiate Gothic architecture with over 250 buildings covering 2000 acres. The Duke Chapel established the new campus in 1932 and stands at 210 feet tall. Check out the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, or have some fun with friends at the Bull City Escape. Take a pit stop at Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours or Parlez-Vous Crepes. You can also go to The Parlour for local ice cream, or Dame's Chicken and Waffles for a taste of quality Southern food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Vassar College - Poughkeepsie, New York (25.6% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.vassar.edu/">Vassar College</a> is a liberal arts college located in a small town of upstate New York founded in 1861 as a women’s college, and became co-ed in 1969. The campus has a plentiful amount of trees and greenery all around campus. The Thompson Memorial Library has a Perpendicular Gothic style. Explore the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, hike along the Appalachian Trail, or check out the Trevor Zoo. Essie’s Restaurant, Twisted Soul, Lola’s Cafe, or Beech Tree Grill are just a few of the local eateries to enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pepperdine University - Malibu, California (38% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pepperdine.edu/">Pepperdine University</a> is a private university located along the beautiful coast of Malibu, California, founded in 1937. Take a stroll down Malibu Bluffs Park, tan or paddle board at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, surf at Surfrider Beach, and site see at either Malibu State Creek Park or the Malibu Pier. D’Amore’s, Ollo, Tramonto, Malibu Farms, and Cafe Habana all offer delicious, local foods that could also make the Instagram feed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Indiana University Bloomington - Bloomington, Indiana (78% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.indiana.edu/">Indiana University</a>, located in Bloomington, Indiana has a beautiful campus with many limestone buildings. The gorgeous Sample Gates make up the entryway of campus. Fun things to do around Bloomington include taking a walk or hike around Griffy Lake, or attending the local Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market. Buffalouies, The Big Cheeze, The Runcible Spoon, Mothers Bear’s, The Owlery, and Nick’s English Hut all are great eateries in the area.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Amherst College - Amherst, Massachusetts (14% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amherst.edu/">Amherst College</a> is a private liberal arts college located right in Amherst Center. The campus was founded in 1821, and has over 100 buildings including the President’s House. When it’s warm, swim and hangout by Puffer’s Pond just a few miles away from campus. Amherst is less than a 2 hour drive from Boston, but you can also stay local in Northampton or Amherst to shop. Check out Bueno y Sano for local Mexican food, Arigato Sushi for delicious sushi in the area, and Antonio’s for pizza of every kind, from tortellini on the slice, to avocados and tortilla chips. Bart’s Ice Cream and Flayvors are both places you must try in the area for dessert. Also make sure to swing by Glazed for warm, flavorful donuts!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The University of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois (7.9% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/">The University of Chicago</a> is a private university located right by<a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/05/big-city-universities-vs-rural.html"> the city</a> of Chicago. The campus features architecture from noted architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Henry Ives Cobb. There are buildings in styles ranging from Gothic to Contemporary. You can explore The Smart Museum, use the Chicago Greeter for a free tour of the city, or go to the famous bean at Millenium Park. Zaleski & Horvath is a healthy place to go for lunch, Fabiana’s Bakery has fresh baked goods, Hampton Social is a great spot for an enjoyable brunch, and Dusek’s is the spot for a more upscale dinner. Magnolia Bakery is a well-known joint, with sweets including cupcakes, banana chocolate pudding, and even lemon bars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The University of Utah (76.4% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The University of Utah is a public university in Salt Lake City, located in the Wasatch Mountain range. The university is right in the middle of the city, so there is plenty to do around campus. Activities include bouncing around at Snogression Trampoline Park, skiing on Canyons Resort, resting at Dimple Dell Park, or hiking to Lake Blanche. Check out delicious restaurants like R & R BBQ, Spitz, or if you’re craving Mexican food, Red Iguana. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>University of Michigan (28.6% acceptance rate) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, a lively college town with lots to offer. There’s The Ann Arbor’s Farmers Market, The Hands-On Museum, and even the Matthei Botanical Gardens. Around campus there are tons of restaurants to enjoy, including Sava’s, the world famous Zingerman’s Deli, Angelo’s, Sushi Town, and more.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have any questions about choosing your study destination, please visit: <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-37744665873283191172018-06-21T14:12:00.002+02:002018-06-21T14:14:42.810+02:00Personal benefits of studying abroad
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As every international student knows, studying abroad produces a
plethora of benefits that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">vary from <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/09/studying-aroad-professional-advantages.html" target="_blank">academic progress</a> by obtaining an American degree, to
<a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/05/graduate-school-abroad-how-will-it.html" target="_blank">career advancement</a>, due to international networking. But not enough students
focus on the personal growth that can be achieved through living and learning
in the US. Here are some personal advantages that can be gained from a <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/12/6-amazing-quotes-that-best-describe.html" target="_blank">studyabroad experience</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">1. <b>Independence</b>. Living in an entirely new and foreign place
away from your home country will foster a greater degree of independence. Even
doing simple, everyday things like paying bills or <a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/07/food-shopping-in-america-survival-guide.html" target="_blank">going to the grocery store</a>
will provide you with an enhanced feeling of self-sufficiency because of the
foreign language and unfamiliar culture that you are bound to encounter while
running errands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">2. <b>A new way of thinking</b>. Leaving a familiar space forces
you to step outside of your comfort zone. When you step beyond your inner
circle and realize what else the world has to offer, you will find new
experiences, encounter new ideas and ultimately gain a better understanding of
the world around you. Studying abroad will also give you the opportunity to
meet new and exciting people, who have had different life experiences than you,
who can challenge your way of thinking and even give you a better insight into
yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">3. <b>Tolerance</b>. Coming across people at university of other
ethnicities, religions and cultures, those who you would not meet otherwise,
will teach you how to get along and cooperate with all kinds of people.
Understanding new people and where they come from will also shape you into a
more understanding and tolerant person. This can enhance your personal
relationships with friends and family back home, your future relationships and
your workplace relationships with bosses, coworkers and employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">When you graduate, it is essential to take everything that you have
learned about yourself abroad and bring it wherever you might find yourself
after graduation, whether it be back in your home country or a new city in the
United States. These are critical and formative once in a lifetime experiences
that should not be left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">For help and advice about studying abroad, visit <a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/">https://www.gradtrain.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-15506563254159278022018-06-14T21:13:00.000+02:002019-10-22T11:27:52.822+02:00Soccer (Football) in America on the Rise With 2026 World Cup Bid<span id="docs-internal-guid-dd258549-ffb1-d88c-c937-f3bfc4e2fb1b"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-dd258549-ffb1-d88c-c937-f3bfc4e2fb1b"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fans of international soccer, or football as they probably call it, living in America have new cause for celebration. The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, just secured the right to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This landmark decision by FIFA comes just eight years after the governing body of international soccer chose Qatar over the United States to host the 2022 World Cup. It will be the first time the United States has hosted a World Cup since 1994, when most of the college-aged kids playing in the 2018 World Cup were not even born. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Luca107 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], <br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The United States’ successful bid to host should positively impact not only the U.S. Men’s National Team, but soccer in America as a whole. Fans of the sport living in the U.S. can get excited to see the sport prosper long before the tournament even starts. If you are a soccer fan considering a move to the U.S., now is a great time to make the change. Soccer has been thriving recently on American college and university campuses and with America’s youth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The plight of the U.S. based soccer fan has been well-documented over the years. From waking up at odd hours to watch your favorite club or country take the pitch, to being forced to watch lower-quality football be played in person, even to seeing the U.S. eliminated in the World Cup Qualifiers, it seems like soccer has never quite caught on in the States. International football fans, and U.S. born soccer junkies used to be forced to the fringes of sports culture in America. But, this has been slowly changing over the years. Fans hope that the World Cup, and the excitement surrounding it, will spark more interest in the beautiful game in America.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1988, the United States Soccer Federation promised to create a legitimate professional league as part of the deal for FIFA to host the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) officially launched in 1995 and in its first season in 1996, the league had just 10 teams. Back then, you would almost never see soccer team gear anywhere. People just were not exposed nor interested in the sport. Although MLS took a while to gain traction, the league now has 23 teams and has made huge strides toward competing both with the NFL, MLB, and NBA and with international soccer leagues. Now it is common to see soccer jerseys worn out, especially around university campuses. The sport is played recreationally by people of all ages throughout the United States, and professional games are broadcast on television all the time. This, along with the fact that soccer is the second most played sport (behind basketball) among kids ages 6-18 in America (Wall Street Journal, 2012), illustrates that </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/09/misconceptions-about-america-and-us.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there has never been a better time to be a soccer fan living in the United States</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As far as the MLS is concerned, U.S. born players such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have become household names. But, arguably the biggest step in the growth of American soccer has been the arrival of international players in America. Notable megastars such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Kaka, and most recently Zlatan Ibrahimovic have made the transition from various international leagues to MLS. This has caused a </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">sizeable</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> spike in the sport’s popularity in America. Further evidence of soccer’s growth in America is the fact that in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, more tickets were sold in the U.S. than the host nation. One can only imagine how a World Cup hosted in America will impact the sport’s popularity.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your burning passion towards soccer (football) has held you back from going to study in the land of American football, Baseball and Basketball, fear no more - there is a place for you in the US with the rising </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/03/study-abroad-and-enjoy-campus-sports.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">popularity of the sport</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">St</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">ill not sure what university is your best fit? Visit www.gradtrain.com or download the GradTrain apps to try our university matching predictor!</span></div>
</span>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-45882219772885746232018-04-25T11:23:00.001+02:002018-04-25T11:23:50.807+02:00Connecting with your dream university on social media<b id="docs-internal-guid-c13d5795-fc16-51ea-3fcb-88ae805398b2" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We live in a very</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> well </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/10/best-ways-to-keep-in-touch-while.html" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">connected world</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, with a steady stream of social media updates and alerts right in our pockets. Some may view the constant connection to the world as distracting, but for an international student interested in studying abroad in the US, social media can be a significant tool in deciding which university is the best fit.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are many types of university accounts throughout Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more, which include accounts with serious and useful information about the school and others with more fun and entertaining posts. Most American universities have well-updated accounts for both aspects of their campus, which can be easily found on their websites. It’s useful to follow these accounts while applying to American universities in order to gain a better understanding of the specific school you’re interested in. While scrolling through their photos on Instagram or their tweets on Twitter, you will get to know the school’s personality a bit more, see what kind of students attend the university, and learn more about the programming and events that the school runs. You can better visualize yourself attending the school. Ask yourself, “Do I see myself studying and living here?” Connecting with universities via social media before applying will give you better insight on the personality of the school. You will see what kind of atmosphere the university is trying to create and if you see yourself fitting in with their environment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before interacting with a university on any platform, make sure your </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2015/11/5-tips-to-prepare-your-social-media.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">social media profiles are clean</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. When you like a photo or share a post, they will have full access to your profile. Go through your profiles and delete anything you wouldn’t want universities to see. If your page contains images or words that are inappropriate, the university will take that into consideration while reviewing your application. In our modern world, presenting yourself in a professional manner goes beyond just your </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/06/how-to-build-your-resume-for-studying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">resume</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and extends into your personal profiles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Many universities will publish important dates and deadlines on their social media profiles - such as application deadlines and when decisions on admissions are provided. Follow the admissions pages to ge this data.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Staying connected with your university via social media even after you’ve arrived in the US is a great way to get updates on </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2015/08/cheap-activities-in-and-around-us.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">campus events</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and stay involved with your school beyond the classroom.</span></span></div>
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<br />GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-35321397278000734272018-04-12T16:52:00.001+02:002018-04-25T13:13:03.107+02:00Best Tips for TOEFL/IELTS Success<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/07/toefl-vs-ielts-big-decision.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TOEFL or IELTS</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> exam date is just around the corner! As an international student interested in attending university abroad, It’s important to </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/12/the-importance-of-improving-your.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">improve your English</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, prepare thoroughly, and create personal testing strategies to help you achieve the score you’ve been working hard toward. Here are a few additional tips to help you get ready for the big day:</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-dfa951c1-ba55-fa48-4e9b-ee898501e352" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Take advantage of the free and paid practice tests that both the </span><a href="https://www.ets.org/toefl" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TOEFL</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="https://www.ielts.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IELTS</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> exams offer on their websites. The more practice tests you take before the real exam, the more comfortable you will be with the specific testing style, various questions and sections of the exam and the overall experience of taking an English language test. You don’t want to be bombarded with unfamiliar questions and foreign material when you arrive at your exam.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Because both exams have listening comprehension sections that require you to take notes and then answer subsequent questions, English note-taking is an important skill to hone before test day. You should be able to take notes as you listen to the audio. In order to keep up with the pace of the speaker, take down only shorthanded keywords that will be important later. Writing in shorthand with abbreviations and symbols will help you take crucial notes faster. Develop your own system of writing shorthand, and familiarize yourself with it so that on test day you don’t waste time trying to decipher your own notes. Good note taking skills are also useful for the future when you need to take English notes in university classes in the US.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. In order to expand your vocabulary and get comfortable with reading English, read high quality and engaging content that you’ll enjoy. News outlets such as </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/europe" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wall Street Journal</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The New York Times</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://newyorker.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The New Yorker</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/world/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Atlantic</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/#2454aa5a2254" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forbes</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.economist.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Economist</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will not only help you improve your English, but will also provide you with a deeper understanding of US news, politics, economy, culture and lifestyle. Reading best-selling English books can also advance your understanding of the English language.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Practicing listening to English is also an essential step in getting ready for TOEFL or IELTS. You will want to feel prepared for all of the English you’ll be listening to during the test, rather than feeling unfamiliar with the academic and informal jargon. Listening to podcasts such as </span><a href="https://www.npr.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NPR</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.bbc.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BBC</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TED Talks</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RadioLab</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will keep you engaged with intriguing topics while you learn spoken English.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of the preparation and studying that you do for the TOEFL or IELTS will not only help you get a high score and improve your chances of acceptance to universities abroad, but will also strengthen your English reading, writing and speaking for university in the US.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have your TOEFL or IELTS score already? See how it impacts your chances with our </span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/Predictor" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">admissions predictor</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<br />GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-84307496152890133342018-03-19T11:59:00.000+01:002018-03-28T18:03:58.890+02:00Why is it so hard to rent an apartment in New York?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's notoriously hard to lock down a </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/11/what-international-students-must-know.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lease</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> without U.S. credit </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a steady paycheck, so how exactly can a student from a foreign country go about landing an apartment?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you were not born in the United States (or have no U.S. credit) you can forget trying to </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/07/7-important-tips-to-find-best-apartment.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rent your own apartment</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, unless you’re able to put up at least 6 months of security or live as a roommate in someone else’s apartment, but who wants to do that!
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So what can you do?
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For starters, "You'll need a copy of your visa, your passport, a few months' worth of bank statements, and a letter of enrollment or class schedule from school," explains J.Miller, an NYC broker. Landlords want proof that you have consistent funds—rather than a bank account with temporary cash deposited by parent, as well as some sort of proof that you’re either </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/09/an-international-students-guide-to-nyc.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">studying or working in the city</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And this is just the tip of the iceberg because </span><a href="http://www.brickunderground.com/agent-referral/how-to-rent/3#finances" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">most landlords require, at minimum, that you have a steady income of at least 40 times the monthly rent</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, not just that you have that much money in savings. Finally they will want to see that you have a </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/08/what-is-us-credit-score-and-why-should.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">credit score</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of around 700 or higher. But since you'll be a student (and presumably not earning a full-time income) and don't have any credit history in the U.S., </span><a href="http://www.brickunderground.com/agent-referral/how-to-rent/3#guarantors" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you'll almost certainly be required to bring a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guarantor</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or someone who will agree to be responsible for your rent if you default. Unfortunately, many landlords require that the guarantor be a US citizen, earn a salary of 80 times the monthly rent, and reside in the New York tri-state area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One way around this is to sign up for</span><a href="http://insurent.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><a href="http://try.hellorented.com/gradtrain/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HelloRented</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a service that will act as a guarantor instead of a US friend or relative. Dr. Jeremy Esekow, CEO of HelloRented, tells us that “the vast majority of international students can qualify for an HelloRented guarantee by having their parents act as responsible parties with HelloRented who will be the actual co-signer and guarantor on the lease."
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a small fee to use the service, but the cost is quite small compared to having to deposit 6 months additional security deposit and far cheaper than broker fees in NYC and Boston. In the end the HelloRented guarantor service gives you the freedom to choose the apartment you actually want to live in without having to put down a ton of cash or live somewhere with less strict requirements.
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alternately, you can see if the the landlord is willing to accept a bigger security deposit up front—generally three to six times a month's rent, instead of the usual one month's rent, says J.Miller seek out a sublet or roommate share so you don't have to deal with getting on a lease at all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the end you want to make sure you have a comfortable place to live so that you can </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/11/finals-week-ten-tips-to-strategize-de.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">focus on your studies</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> without the hassle or </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2015/03/top-5-mistakes-when-choosing-apartment.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inconvenience of a difficult living situation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_61uS0T-lQDPcj4DgXDGm9Uwm7IHn7qKYvBjGKTp5BN1ybCS7JEmwo75oIkqCGfHmidwlWRsS9d5vpqPnYTtUS_Y8PmBgRE9LG1SBWR4222hfO8w8pUv1G5_fvv4JGpHDzwxb7Do" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_61uS0T-lQDPcj4DgXDGm9Uwm7IHn7qKYvBjGKTp5BN1ybCS7JEmwo75oIkqCGfHmidwlWRsS9d5vpqPnYTtUS_Y8PmBgRE9LG1SBWR4222hfO8w8pUv1G5_fvv4JGpHDzwxb7Do" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HelloRented is a rental finance solution which makes renting an apartment easy. They offer a guarantor service to help students get approved for the apartment of their choice without having to bring an outside guarantor. They can also get the security deposit waived as well so that the student or tenant doesn't have to hand over a large cash payment their lease. HelloRented wants to make renting an apartment quick and easy for students. For more information go to </span><a href="http://try.hellorented.com/gradtrain/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://try.hellorented.com/gradtrain/</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-90210120670219198382018-03-08T09:27:00.002+01:002018-03-08T09:27:37.121+01:00Funding your international studies - mission impossible?<span style="color: black; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Funding your international studies can seem intimidating and sometimes even downright impossible, but as you work through finding and</span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/04/how-to-boost-your-chances-of-getting.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">applying for scholarships</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and loans, you’ll start to understand the system and find scholarships that are the best fit for you. What kind of student you are, what school you’re looking to attend and your general profile all have a tremendous effect on what kind of scholarships or loans you will be able to receive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img height="313" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VpQm3VZQWmB4vca8NltxoVuFMYfxNfNJU46eqenSJ5E1tETiqN8GZyb2argN29nQqzQv_zsK0LqeXXa-I2NLY8CJIYKNCnzu88f_APFu0Yxt-DWOuXRDZXMQo3KBA9j-LM2Jy7nV" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="533" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although you would probably prefer to find scholarships before you find your dream school, this is rarely possible. In most cases, students search for scholarships while simultaneously seeking out schools that are the</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/predictor" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">best fit for them</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Finding the right scholarship depends heavily on what type of school you’re interested in attending and on your background. For example, Ivy League universities generally do not give academic/merit based scholarships, rather they only provide need-based scholarships (i.e. for people with financial difficulties). Depending on the university your applying to and if you are an academically successful student, programs like</span><a href="https://prodigyfinance.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prodigy Finance</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> can provide loans that are right for you. A helpful place to start is at their</span><a href="https://prodigyfinance.com/resources/faq" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">frequently asked questions page</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where international students just like you ask the same questions that you might have.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are not interested in attending an Ivy League university, look for other good schools that prove to provide substantial</span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2015/03/study-in-us-for-free-yes-you-can.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">scholarships for their international students</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. These schools will not only be a great fit for you academically, but also financially. You might have to be open to schools you hadn’t previously thought about and be less particular about which school you will eventually attend, but you will find some schools that can make your study abroad dream a reality.|</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside from academic scholarships, there are many scholarships out there that you don’t even realize exist. If you have a unique hobby, or have a talent in a specific area, there are a vast amount of scholarships that award students with money for university for athleticism, art, writing and so much more.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because there are so many different types of scholarships, it’s important not to limit yourself to just one. You are able to apply for as many as you want, and you should, considering all of the expenses you will have to cover while studying in the US. In order to get a better understanding of your expenses and how you will cover them,</span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/05/how-to-calculate-living-expenses-and.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">create a budget</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Calculating your living and learning expenses will give you the chance to see how much you will be spending and how many scholarships to apply for.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img height="355" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VFAi-bod-5somfQSmHhPVzLmQahc5S8LKwARKfTcq3MwdJMRkpm8f_e8yowbqe5AUCwmsgJuuWLrMOwAhS4kQqM64yy_MhOu6kNPmy1IN0fMe_lO1mPpwS7DmgwinmVRHQ2EZVJh" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="533" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The reality is that the majority of international students end up paying for their studies from their personal or family funds. You need to be realistic and prepare to bear most of the costs yourself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img height="255" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vj8sX_lQVZpFvVHM68VZdHG0b-EVogAn5ezbn0dBao85WXjPKacTa2cXgMF0UsN1tp5k5GgBTPand0gwYcIf6YagH3OKxOSvbeFmQxUka__owBDx3s9Npuu-8y163MQ5XH-CWkKX" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="533" /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Funding your international studies may seem difficult and confusing, yet there are many scholarships out there. Spend the time searching for one or more that fit your background and goals. It will make your study abroad experience much more doable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have any questions about moving to study abroad? Go to</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gradtrain.com</span></a></span></div>
GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-35620041924800693772018-02-08T18:00:00.000+01:002018-02-08T18:00:08.781+01:00Eating healthy while studying in the US<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arriving in </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/07/the-4-challenges-international-students.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a new country can be confusing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in so many ways and the last thing you want to worry about is your most basic necessity--food. But simple food plans and grocery lists can help guide you through an American grocery store.
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First come up with with a </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/08/the-international-student-guide-to_3.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">healthy meal plan</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at the beginning of each week. Not only will this save you valuable time throughout your week, but it will also </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/02/4-ways-to-minimize-costs-while-studying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">save you a lot of money</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, as you will only spend money on food that you need. Planning your meals will also minimize wasting food. Your meals and snacks should have an emphasis on fruits, vegetable and proteins like meat, poultry (unless you are a vegetarian of course), dry beans, eggs and nuts. You should also drink water throughout the day. Carrying a reusable water bottle with you will get you to your eight cups a day and will also minimize plastic waste.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once you have planned your meals for the week, start drafting a grocery list based on those meals and what ingredients and foods you will need for each one. Cooking meals that require similar </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/07/food-shopping-in-america-survival-guide.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">healthy foods</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will make your trip to the grocery store more convenient and less expensive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lOAjdYa_shta32wlnkOIug2RPJ21qYNcAu1Y2CwNYnIygjJDfLAt_EFghsyJOB9ud-Y20tMUXSniuipSRWCvmIEP6pg4JBgEZJyoGCECja0sAy42l7Pe3PuiuU8GtJKoralZ0imP" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But which grocery store should you bring your food shopping list to? There are several options depending on where you live, but the same rules still apply everywhere. Try to avoid small convenience stores, which are usually more expensive and should only be visited in last minute food-related emergencies. Bigger grocery stores are your best and cheapest option. They have huge selections of food and a variety of options for every kind of food, but be careful and stick to your list--it’s easy to get carried away in the vast food options and buy items that were not originally on your shopping list. Trader Joe’s is a well-known grocery store that can be found in most areas. They are considered a healthier grocery store, with many organic options, and also a considerably cheaper health food store, compared to Whole Foods, which can get pricey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aLtrkm4z7ri3PCK9BnryKOkIPHFyRzGkwFBjTeYUdAKujO3WmZVq9A7J7NMnEYiD0VdjozMKhNjLvz88RU5-HiGZtZYP7KR2GZxEfZvT0PpJIOyHWvsRb61MnxF6PnrDK3syV7b4" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You can and should, of course, indulge in your guilty pleasures throughout your study abroad adventure, as there are so many exquisite restaurants that you will definitely want to try, but the key is indulgence in moderation. Indulging in unhealthy food or restaurants in moderation will help keep your US experience within your budget while also keeping it exciting and healthy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have any questions about moving to study abroad? Go to </span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gradtrain.com</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span>GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-91967718707955333362018-01-10T12:47:00.000+01:002019-10-22T11:32:34.253+02:00Applying at the last minute to study abroad: Is it possible?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The application deadline for most international programs is just a days or a few weeks away and you just realized that your dream is to studying abroad in the US! Is it possible to fulfill your dream in a mere couple of weeks?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">Still not sure what university is your best fit? Visit </span><a href="http://www.gradtrain.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">www.gradtrain.com</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> or download the GradTrain apps to try our university matching predictor!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip 1. Timetable: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before anything else, build a calendar. You must maximize your valuable time in order to be successful in this rapid yet tedious process. Applying to graduate school in two weeks is possible, but requires a great degree of dedication to the process, without focusing on anything else. Create your timetable and ensure that you dedicate most of your time to it in order to achieve your application goals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip 2. Prioritize: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be conscious about how much time you actually have to apply--there is a lot of information to learn and not so much time. Because you don’t have a great deal of time, it’s important to focus only on the information of utmost importance. When shuffling through university websites, aim your attention at the information that is most relevant to you. You also might want to focus on schools that might not require a GRE or GMAT test, if you haven’t take it. Signing up for and </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/10/2-minute-gre-crash-course-at-least-if.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">taking a GRE or GMAT test</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in only a few weeks is doable, but you may not receive the scores you’d hoped for, or may miss the deadline for application.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the first things you should do is figure out who you want </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/06/the-10-commandments-of-recommendation.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">letters of recommendation</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from and ask them immediately because the time restraint will affect them tremendously. It is proper to give your recommenders a few weeks notice so that they have enough time to craft a well-written letter that speaks to your strengths and captures your spirit and success.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip 3. Work on your resume and essay: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/06/how-to-build-your-resume-for-studying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">resume</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2013/06/best-advice-on-statement-of-purpose.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">essays</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are a crucial component in your application, as they tell the university who you are and what you have done to get there. They’re one of the first parts of your application that the admissions committee will look at, therefore you’ll want to perfect them. When you’re done drafting them, have a native English speaker proofread and edit them with you. American universities prefer </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/12/the-importance-of-improving-your.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">superior writing skills and proper grammar</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and poor English can make you look bad and unprofessional.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip 4. Talk to the right people: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t ask everyone for advice. You don’t have time to listen to everyone’s opinion on why they think you can’t or shouldn’t apply to university abroad. You have better and more important things to focus on during these few weeks. You should get in contact with the international admissions counselor and speak to them about why you’re applying late and ask if they have any advice specific to that school. Also use </span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GradTrain</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to talk to a mentor who studied at that school and may be able to give you the edge when applying to that school.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip 5. Focus: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buckle down. Find caffeinated coffee. Get good WiFi. Cancel your plans. Understand that you will have to devote all your time in these two weeks to your application, but, as you know, your dream is worth it. You will feel good at the end of the two weeks knowing that you gave the application your all.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">Still not sure what university is your best fit? Visit </span><a href="http://www.gradtrain.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">www.gradtrain.com</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> or download the GradTrain apps to try our university matching predictor!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Need more help with getting accepted, planning your studies, and the steps following graduation? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit us at</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #9b0e14; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gradtrain.com/</span></a></div>
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GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-20601819285953919902018-01-01T16:30:00.000+01:002018-01-01T16:30:24.070+01:002018: A year full of new opportunity for international students<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Get ready to bid farewell to 2017 and ring in the new year, with all of its new possibilities and opportunities for improvement in 2018 to make your study abroad dream a reality and a success:
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="237" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XxVGU3AejJdYT5NXtDiYta_2b9tM-B76Mv65Dh0ayj9ZeeE3WlhFGIgZ9Ja1M8cSzWEhMs6DFqKKDf1snBZKSMrThUVagvSI6yThhszAycn0a2a4eROlGskl6QAIoibBITAZ2v4X" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Take care of yourself</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You should be your number one priority before anything else because it will be hard to succeed academically and professionally if you don’t succeed personally. So start rethinking your eating and exercise habits! Put a greater emphasis on brain foods and a lifestyle that will fuel your ambitious goals. Simple dietary improvements can make a world of differences, and your budget should not be an excuse to treat your body and mind poorly, there are several ways to have a </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/08/the-international-student-guide-to_3.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">healthy diet on a budget</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Start saving</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Studying abroad as an international student can be costly, which can cause plenty of stress. But you can easily relieve a lot of the stress by drawing up a personal budget plan and sticking to it! By having all your finances in front of you, you’ll be able to pinpoint unnecessary expenses and use the money toward something that you actually need or you could save it for later. There are a plethora of ways to </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2016/02/4-ways-to-minimize-costs-while-studying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">minimize your spending</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and get your financial life in order.
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PJ1Gm-qD3ExmTHVWMuQbNGXMldDMtZjYYJsQUF5iftbyHzj6sIYR5jXbu-LNi6MsyNjyUbFKrvZvmt9t3e38FDwr6jXrmJkChgmW69zL5YItFp4y17tDg3J62hFGvbudYagL5LI_" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Make new friends</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American university campuses are full of intriguing and diverse people who are also looking to </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/04/how-to-find-friends-when-you-study.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">meet new people</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/10/best-university-clubs-for-international.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find a committee</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that interests you or a club that you would love to learn more about and you will definitely meet interesting people who you might not meet otherwise. You’ll have new, stimulating conversations, </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/12/lonely-living-how-to-combat-loneliness.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">combat loneliness</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and you might even create a lifelong friend!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. Improve your English</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you haven’t started working on your English, there’s no time like the present! As an international student, improving your language skills can only benefit you and your future. There are many ways to </span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/12/the-importance-of-improving-your.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">expand your English language</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> arsenal, so find the best way for you and get to it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OIZnMsThS87ZUO1wzRSugaZYhZWBtHFxR6BawksYOyNxyEZqmT6cQPnUplqNc8FW6xK7tTugk542h7ENByeP2LO7o3pABuGXIv-dAv33DWxGKZmMJfuQAv74C_3Jj7RV46gkVrAK" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">5. Stop procrastinating</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s finally time to break the vicious cycle of procrastination. In order to succeed personally, academically and professionally, you need to get on top of your game. Putting off until tomorrow what you can do today adds a significant amount of unnecessary stress to your life and can hurt your overall wellbeing. In order to actually achieve your new year’s resolutions, you must be committed to fulfilling them. Take the first steps toward making your dream a reality - do some research, </span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/predictor" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">choose the programs that are right for you</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/main/meetcoach" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">talk to someone</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who has been through the process who can guide you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Need more help with getting accepted, planning your studies, and the steps following graduation?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit us at</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9b0e14; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gradtrain.com/</span></a></span><br />
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<br />GradTrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212917241357843983noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901009117441690403.post-64098440863099301742017-12-14T16:30:00.000+01:002017-12-14T16:30:57.132+01:00Lonely Living: How to combat loneliness while studying abroad<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone has felt lonely at some point in their lives. Loneliness is a normal feeling, especially when you are living thousands of miles away from home in an unfamiliar and maybe even daunting place. It’s okay to feel lonely at times, but it becomes a problem when your loneliness debilitates you and stops you from enjoying your daily life. There are many ways to combat loneliness when you go abroad before it reaches such a severe degree:
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Join a club, committee or team</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a multitude of</span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2017/10/best-university-clubs-for-international.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">clubs, committees and teams</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on every university campus, full of people who are eager to make new friends and partake in interesting events or fun activities. These committees are also full of international students just like you, who understand your feelings of loneliness. You could pick a club that is centered around something that you have always been passionate about, where you can meet like-minded people who are just as excited about that subject as you are. Or you could join a committee with a topic that you are unfamiliar with in order learn more about that subject and meet interesting people that you would have never met otherwise. You could even do both! The opportunities to learn, meet new people and build close relationships on campus are endless.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHknACHbrXs/WjJEMNPz4KI/AAAAAAAABKk/6n31irX8QWcawRswfZ_OL1a1v0d6UknyACLcBGAs/s1600/Picturjjje1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="975" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHknACHbrXs/WjJEMNPz4KI/AAAAAAAABKk/6n31irX8QWcawRswfZ_OL1a1v0d6UknyACLcBGAs/s320/Picturjjje1.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Connect with fellow expats via expat Facebook groups</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although it may feel like you are the only one in the world dealing with loneliness, you are definitely not alone. You may not realize that there are hundreds of people just like you who are also trying to overcome loneliness and they are only a click away. There are Facebook groups dedicated to expats living in foreign countries, where they discuss what it’s like living in a foreign country and how to deal with any problems you might face. Many people who are studying and traveling abroad join these groups to be a part of a community that understands them. Expat Facebook groups are an excellent source of human companionship and these people know exactly what you are experiencing and would love to help you. You may find that you talk to someone in the group and want to meet them in person or even attend an event organized by the group. You should also stay in touch with your</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GradTrain coach</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who has gone through a similar process and experience just a few years back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLXExd3Gmac/WjJElQBqisI/AAAAAAAABKs/coiD5ZotrIA2P20_K9pkyTkzTJ2J1mDNQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pgggggicture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="975" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLXExd3Gmac/WjJElQBqisI/AAAAAAAABKs/coiD5ZotrIA2P20_K9pkyTkzTJ2J1mDNQCLcBGAs/s320/Pgggggicture1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Stay in touch with your friends from home</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/10/best-ways-to-keep-in-touch-while.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talking to your friends from home</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the simplest way to fight your lonely feelings. Your closest friends, those who know you best, are only a Facetime call or text message away. Set up a convenient time for both of you, despite that annoying time difference, and dedicate an hour or so to catch up with them, see what they are up to and share all of your exciting American adventures with them. Although it’s important to keep in touch with your friends from home when you’re feeling sad and lonely, you shouldn’t be talking to them constantly, as it could be a distraction from meeting new people and having amazing experiences. You should find the right balance between speaking to old pals and making</span><a href="http://blog.gradtrain.com/2014/04/how-to-find-friends-when-you-study.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">new friends</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in order to settle in and finally feel comfortable in your new environment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Need more help with getting accepted, planning your studies, and the steps following graduations?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit us at</span><a href="https://www.gradtrain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9b0e14; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gradtrain.com/</span></a></span></div>
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