Living and Health Articles

Exercise Tips for Seniors

2008-01-26T03:36:00.001-08:00

Exercise Tips for Seniors

From the American Journal of Epidemiology

Before we begin, please note that If you have a family history of heart disease, check with your doctor first. It is a good idea to have a physical examination and take a graded exercise test before you start an exercise program.

Pick rhythmic, repetitive activities that challenge the circulatory system and exercise at intensity appropriate for you.

Choose activities that are fun, suit your needs and that you can do year-round.

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear appropriate for the temperature, humidity and activity.

If you decide that walking is a great activity for you, choose a place that has a smooth, soft surface; that does not intersect with traffic; is well lighted and safe. Many senior Americans walk at area shopping malls.

Find a companion to exercise with you if it will help you stay on a regular schedule and add to your enjoyment.

Because muscular adaptation and elasticity generally slows with age, take more time to warm up and cool down while exercising. Make sure you stretch slowly.

Start exercising at a low intensity, especially if you have been mostly sedentary, and progress gradually.

If you plan to be active more than 30 minutes, then try to drink some water every 15 minutes, especially when exercising in hot, humid conditions. As you age, your sense of thirst tends to decrease and you cannot completely rely on your internal sense of thirst.

A Bonus: The Secret to a Sharp Mind
In addition to all the other benefits of exercise, the secret to a sharp mind just might lie in your feet as well! Studies show those who took a 30-minute brisk walk three days a week had sharper memories. This is what scientists refer to as "executive functions". They are the ability to plan, organize and juggle mental tasks. Similar results exist in non-depressed individuals. Some mental decline is associated with normal aging due to reduced blood flow to the brain. Experts believe exercise may work by improving circulation to essential areas.

Added Motivation:
In a study of more than 13,000, the risk of breaking a hip was nearly 30-percent lower among those who take a brisk walk two to four times a week than in sedentary individuals. Those who went from being moderately or vigorously active to being sedentary doubled their risk.

Take a walk!

Developing A Disaster Action Plan For Older Adults

2008-01-26T03:15:00.002-08:00

Developing A Disaster Action Plan For Older Adults

Every family should be prepared to cope with disaster. To help insure the safety of your older family members, be sure your emergency action plan includes them, whether they are residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes, or even living independently, where they may not have access to help in a disaster.

"It is bold to assume that an older family member will be taken care of if disaster strikes," says Regina Phelps, emergency management and contingency planning expert, and founder of Emergency Management & Safety Solutions, a San Francisco-based consulting and training firm. Staff members at some facilities might leave to take care of their own families, adds Phelps. "It is important to speak with the person who is in charge of the facility, and find out what community resources would be available to your loved one in an emergency."

Also, staff at skilled nursing facilities may not have the training needed to care for your family member after a disaster, notes Phelps, and they may simply call 911 for help or rely on assistance from the Red Cross.

Therefore, "you should develop a family communication strategy," Phelps recommends. Select an out-of-state contact person as the hub, and train her or him for that role. The person should have a list of the individuals who are likely to call and should know to ask three questions: 1) how is the caller doing, physically; 2) where is the caller at that moment; and 3) where is the caller going next.

Now, take these 7 other steps to prepare your older family members for a disaster:

Assemble essential supplies
Create disaster-supply kits that include items specific to your relatives' health and personal needs. Do they need an extra pair of eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, extra wheelchair batteries, or a supply of oxygen? What sort of personal hygiene items do they require?

Stock up on prescription medications
Older Americans should keep an emergency supply of prescription medications that can last at least a week. After an emergency, they may not be able to get to a drugstore to get their medication. It's also smart to have physical copies of prescriptions from doctors.

Organize key documents and phone numbers
Make sure your older family member has the name and phone number of her insurance agent, as well as the numbers of non-local relatives and friends. Have a list of contact information for her doctors, as well as medical insurance and Medicare cards.

Include personal items for comfort
Some seniors�no matter how capable under normal situations�can become very childlike and disoriented in a disaster situation. Tucking a few small personal items, such as family photos, in an emergency kit, can help provide comfort.

Establish a communications strategy
Make sure all family members know whom they should check in with following a disaster. Remember to have an out-of-state contact because local phone lines often get jammed in a crisis. Consider having a prepaid phone card in your loved one's emergency kit.

Create an emergency plan for pets
No matter how bad the situation is, many older people will refuse to leave their homes if it means leaving their pets behind. Have pet carriers handy, and consider having harnesses for dogs that may be rattled by an emergency. Also, remember that shelters don't always take pets; FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) suggests getting in touch with a local animal shelter or emergency management office, or talking to a veterinarian, to find out what options pets have if they must be left behind.

Assess a loved one's living situation
Just because an older family member resides in a facility such as a nursing home does not guarantee that he will be looked after in a crisis. Talk to those who manage the facility, or even local emergency services people, to determine what may happen to your loved one if disaster strikes. Also, communicate your plan of action to your loved one, so he knows what he should do in an emergency if left to fend for himself.

How To Cut Healthcare Costs

2008-01-26T03:15:00.001-08:00

How To Cut Healthcare Costs

By: Mark Lamendola

If you're a senior, you can use the following tips to reduce both your costs of healthcare and your need for it.

When sick:
1. Learn your body. Get a baseline physical. Consult with your doctor to know what your body's weaknesses are.

2. Be an active patient. Think of your doctor as the coach--one who needs 110% from you. It is your job to get well, not your doctors job to heal you.

3. Become an expert. Always investigate anything your doctor tells you. If your doctor says you have heart disease, get at least five books on heart disease and study them.

To stay healthy:
1. Watch your diet. Keep it simple and basic. The low-fat fad will pass, because such diets do not work. What you need to do, instead, is stay away from foods that are highly processed (your body does not work well with them), deep-fried, or high in sugar. Bear in mind, most flour products are so over-refined, they are almost like sugar pills--and they will drive your insulin level sky-high. Free information is on our leanbody page.

2. Exercise regularly. This is where many people cut too many corners. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go for walks after supper. Stay away from that television. The Mindconnection fitness store has free exercise information, plus excellent equipment to help you get in shape and stay in shape.

3. Sleep regularly. This means no weekend binges. Your body takes a long time to adjust to schedule changes. The bi-annual "daylight wasting" clock change that takes place in much of the world is terrible in terms of health. But, it's not as bad as chronic late nights and sleep ins on weekends and holidays. Stick to your sleep schedule, and you will have more energy and better health--not to mention better job performance. If sleep is a mystery to you, then maybe you should study a book about sleep.

4. Find a purpose. Many people die from spiritual emptiness--a common event within a year or so of retirement. Spirituality is not an automatic result of participating in religious activities--you must pursue this in its own right. One way is to volunteer some time to a charitable organization and become passionately involved. There are many other ways--seek, and you shall find. If you want to seek more quickly, you can find a book or two on spirituality to get you going.

5. Be happy. This doesn't happen accidentally. You need to work at it. Take care of the important things in your life. Identify your stressors, and reduce or eliminate them. Look for the good in others. Need a quick laugh? Sign up for the Mindconnection jokelist. Go see a funny movie. Or buy a funny movie.

6. Get outside. Walk in a park. Ride a bike. Just don't get too much sun--this ages your skin and can lead to a host of problems later in life.

If you do get sick, do two things:
1. Learn as much as you can about your illness--ask your doctor for resource information, AND make lots of trips to the library. You can also use Mindconnection's book search for additional information.

2. Get a second opinion. Compare the two, and find out why each doctor thinks as s/he does.

What's Your Health Worth?

2008-01-26T03:14:00.000-08:00

What's Your Health Worth?
By: DAVE WOYNAROWSKI, M.D.
The World's Top Anti-Aging Specialist

I got the following question emailed to me the other day. "Doc, How many fish oil capsules should a person take daily and what's the cost per day?"

This really got me thinking. You see I'll admit that I occasionally get someone writing in grousing about how expensive this anti-aging and preventative health stuff is!

I have practiced Traditional Internal Medicine for 16 years now and I have seen some dramatic changes.

If we sit down and analyze these changes, I think we can answer Tom's question a little better, as well as do some more of my favorite and apparently most irritating thing: predicting the future!

What is Traditional Medicine? Well in many countries around the world it is exactly the kind of vitamin and herbal supplementation that many of you are doing right now. In places like China the compounds making up Instant Endurance have been used for centuries.

In this country Traditional Medicine centers on prescription drugs, scientific technology, and the body as a machine without a soul.

The actual hierarchy from my standpoint is (in descending order of importance of impact on National Health Policies):

1) Drug Companies

2) Drug Company Lobbyists in Washington

3) Insurance Companies

4) Insurance Company lobbyists in Washington

5) Health Plan Administrators

6) Hospital Administrators

7) Doctors

8) And last in line, you know who the patient who is actually paying for a lot of all of this!

Right now our traditional medical system is a 1 Trillion dollar a year industry!

Complementary and alternative Medicine gross around 25 Billion at this point.

It is predicted that these numbers will be absolutely reversed by the year 2050.

In other words Complementary and alternative Medicine will be a 1 Trillion dollar a year industry with the consumers holding all the power!

Traditional medicine will be relegated to 25 billion.

What this means to you is that the longer you live the less likely you will be to have effective affordable Health Insurance Coverage.

In other words, you and I are on our own together.

Now let me answer Tom's email question the best I can.

The amount of fish Oil a person should take depends on what they are trying to achieve.

If you do a "meta analysis" of all the studies on all the conditions that fish Oil has been studied in the average dose you come up with is 7.4 grams a day.

This is close to 6 capsules.

However the heart benefits begins at as little as 1-2 caps per day. Arthritis, and Alzheimer's may require 8 to 10 a day.

As far as costs go at the current sales price of $59.95/120capsules, let's say 4 a day to make it easy, a months worth, that is approximately $2.00 a day.

If you are only interested in heart health then your cost goes down to 50 cents a day. Many of my patients on fixed incomes do not find this unaffordable, especially when they realize they are getting almost side effects free heart coverage!

Those folks who buy in case lots have a cost reduction to just over a dollar a day.

Now I am not going to go into some long winded lecture on how you can have incredible health for under $1.00 a day. I will let my customers do that in the testimonials section of the website.

I will remind you of a short list of things that Fish Oil has been shown to improve:

1) Heart disease

2) Cancer including breast, prostate colon and lung

3) Arthritis, both rheumatoid and degenerative

4) Stroke

5) Irregular heart rhythms from both the top and bottom parts of the heart.

6) Multiple Sclerosis

7) Attention Deficit Disorder

8) Depression

9) Hormone levels

10) Sexual and Athletic Performance

Again this is a short list. I personally believe this is worth a h*ll of a lot more than 2 bucks a day, but it's up to you to decide.

In time as my predictions about the fate of "modern medicine" come to pass, this will look even more attractive as a way to maintain great health.

Death By Breathing

2008-01-26T03:13:00.000-08:00

Death By Breathing
By: DAVE WOYNAROWSKI, M.D.
The World's Top Anti-Aging Specialist

Here's another great question.

Dear Dr. Dave,

I'm quite confused over one aspect of Instant Endurance. One of the components is supposed to help us take in more oxygen which is good for the brain, blood, organs, etc... On the other hand, we have things like anti-oxidants(?) which are supposed to retard aging. Is there a contradiction here?

Thank you very much.

Truly,

Tan P. K.
Singapore

Every now and then someone writes in an absolutely great question that I never thought of. Usually I say to myself," I wish I had thought of that!"

In the case of Tan P.K. from Singapore I found myself saying just that.

This gentleman's question cuts right to the heart of the anti-aging matter and I think will instruct all of us in some fundamentals that I have not touched upon before.

First let's take a little hypothetical trip back about 12 billion years. Again I say hypothetical because this is an evolutionary point of view and I am not in a position to state this as fact, so please do not take any religious offense to this!

The story goes like this:

Two very different cells came into contact with each other billions of years ago.

One cell had a very limited capacity to use oxygen which at the time was present on the earth's atmosphere in somewhat greater amounts than it is now.

The other cell was primarily a non oxygen user. But it was bigger badder and hungrier than the one that used oxygen.

So the big bad hungry non oxygen using cell ate the little high energy oxygen using one.

Funny thing is that the big cell couldn't digest the little one.

As a matter of fact the little cell rather liked being inside the "stomach " of the big cell because there was all that unused oxygen lying around.

At some point it became apparent that these 2 cells, one now living inside the other, were greater than the sum of their parts.

Each conferred a survival advantage to the other, so they learned to coexist and thrive as a new unified organism that could use oxygen very well.

It is thought that the little cell that got eaten and liked it was the forerunner of the modern day mitochondrion ( mitochondria pleural).

In all of our cells there are mitochondria. They are the veritable powerhouses of the cell. Most if not all oxygen metabolism takes place there.

Mitochondria are truly the energy generating furnaces of our body. They take oxygen food and water and convert it into our energy needs.

As such they are exposed to lots of oxygen and this burning of oxygen creates what are now known as "oxygen free radicals" or simply free radicals.

Many of you already know that free radicals are damaging. They have a lot of energy and when they glom onto something and give up their energy to it bad things can happen.

Such as Inflammation heart disease joint destruction and cancer.

The mitochondria are well equipped to handle this at least when they are young because of many buffers. Perhaps the most important of which is Co Enzyme Q 10 one of the main ingredients in Regenerizer.

The bioactive plant compounds in Instant Endurance are also loaded with anti-oxidants, as is fish oil which actually acts as a free radical sponge to soak them up.

This is important because as we age or as we engage in high level physical activities, free radicals start to build up.

Ageing causes this because the actual amounts of things like CO Q 10 in the mitochondria decrease as we age.

In high level athletics we actually consume more oxygen and thus generate more free radicals.

One of the biggest mistakes I see world and other class athletes make is under supplemnetation with anti-oxidants. They generally feel that they are in such good shape that their bodies can handle the oxidant load.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Now many of you know that I am a distance runner and a grappler.

I aggressively buffer the oxidant load in my body generated by these activities with all of my compounds from Fish Oil to Regenerizer to Instant Endurance.

Why? Well elite distance runners do not live normal life spans as a whole. They succumb to heart disease and stroke at a level even higher than the general populace. This is undoubtedly due to the high oxidation loads from free radicals in their body.

No one has done a study on Grapplers!

I always tell my runner friends," Don't run for longevity! And if you do run long distance make sure you take enough anti-oxidants!"

Now please not that there are some distinct advantages to running and other types of exercise in that these groups of individuals tend to be more health conscious and this may account for better health and longer lives in the non elite group.

In other words its not the running, but the lifestyle that accompanies it that helps most!

And that my friend is the paradox!

Oxygen, the very thing that keeps us alive, the very thing we cannot do without is slowly killing us! The more of it we use the more damage we do UNLESS we protect ourselves with anti-oxidants.

The more active you are the more you need them!

And the younger you want to stay, the more you need them.

Recently the editor of a mixed martial arts magazine that I am for confidentiality reasons not able to name wrote me to tell me that he loves my products. He feels the effects and they have improved his game.

This is not in a small part due to the buffering of free radical oxidants that impair performance, Impair recovery and dull the Brain.

Ken Brown Triathelete wrote to tell me how he won his age class after taking My Fish Oil.

He said," Your Fish Oil made a monster out of me!"

The only thing more impressive than that is Ken himself whose picture and testimonial are up on the site now.

So whether you care trying to slow the aging process and prolong disease free life, or are an athlete looking for an edge in strength, endurance, recovery and mental sharpness, remember that the very air we breath can kill us.

And remember it does not have to be so!

As Tan P. K. pointed out Instant Endurance supplies you with the ability to extract more oxygen, AND the ability to buffer the damaging effects of same giving you the best of both worlds!

Study in Italy - 2

2008-01-23T07:29:00.001-08:00

Information on student welfare services at italian universities and highter education institutions

Universities, other higher education institutions, the regional EDISU offices ( ), and the Autonomous Provinces supply a series of services and facilities for higher education students to remove economic and social obstacles which limit access to higher education.
(EDISU= Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario. There is such an agency in each Italian region; it has the task to set up and run the necessary student welfare services in conformity to the current legal provisions).

The services offered are divided into two categories:

1. Services for all students: canteens, access to libraries, reduction of ticket prices for public transportation, access to the University Sports Centres (C.U.S.);
2. Services ad personam: grants, accommodation, facilities for the disabled, part-time activities. These benefits are attributed sometimes by competition, sometimes on student’s request.

The Guida dello Studente, published at the beginning of each academic, generally in October, year at the care of most higher education institutions, includes complete and detailed information about each degree course and teaching activity, but also describes the types of services in offer at each study site.
Grants

Some facilities and financial support are offered to those who otherwise would be without the necessary means. Candidates must give proof of possessing adequate merit.
The benefits consist in:

* grants, both ordinary and special;
* grants for research work towards dissertations and final degree projects;
* grants to encourage post-graduate studies.

Part-time jobs

Universities generally offers their students a maximum of 150 hours/each in part time rewarded activities. Students who are regularly enrolled and have passed the examinations required each year can apply for these part time jobs. Students who have not received the E.DI.SU. grants have priority.
Counselling and Tutoring Service

Universities promotes a series of initiatives to help students, by providing them with information: on degree courses, other teaching/learning opportunities, and job placement, etc. This service is related to the three phases of the student's career:

* Counselling on entry;
* Counselling during the study course;
* Counselling on outgoing to help transition to the labour market.

Job, stage and placement

Job, stage and placement offices of higher education institutions facilitate contacts among companies/job opportunities on the one side and students on the other, both during their study course and on leaving.
International Relations Office

The International Relations Office of the various institutions:

* promotes and manages the institutional participation in European exchange and co-operation programmes, such as Socrates and Erasmus;
* draws up bilateral conventions for partnerships with foreign higher education institutions;
* gives information on programmes, grants and co-operation schemes at an international level.

The Socrates-Erasmus Programme

The project ERASMUS, within the framework of the SOCRATES Programme, promotes and governs the exchange of students who wish to spend a period of time at higher education institutions of an EU member state other than their own. Those institutions are eligible which have signed a written cooperation agreement with the students' home institutions. During the period spent the host country, the student is required to carry out the educational/research activity approved by the home institution before departure. The length of the period to be spent abroad depends on the agreement signed by the instituions concerned. Nevertheless, it may not be less than 3 months or longer than 12 months.
Assistance and support for students with disabilities

Most higher education institutions promote initiatives to favour integration of disabled studentsas: e.g. service of accompanying persons to help them reach and move within the respective institutions, other forms of general support. Students with disabilities can contact the Counselling and Tutoring Service of their individual institutions for information on opportunities already in place, and to learn how to make the most of the benefits available at each study site.
Cultural activities

Universities and other higher education institutions may allocate funds to encourage cultural activities organized by their own students. Their chief purposes are:

* promote the development of studies and research, in such fieldes as visual arts, music, theatre, cinema, etc.;
* promote and organize meetings, conferences, group activities;
* encourage international exchanges.

Canteens

This type of service is available to all students. For those who benefit of regional grants the service is free, the others pay a low cost depending on income and merit.
Housing

To enable students coming from outside the chosen study site to attend their study courses regularly, the local EDISU supplies places in hostels or flats. Should the number of students with a right to housing be greater than the number of places available, then places are allocated according to a priority list or according to the chronological order of the applications submitted.
Medical care

Medical and pharmaceutical assistance for foreigners in Italy is regulated by international agreements and treaties. To benefit of such assistance, foreign students, are required a specific documentation.
Normally EU students must have a certificate (E111 or E128 model) issued by their National Health Authority that will cover first-aid and medical assistance in Italy. When they arrive in Italy this certificate must be validated by the local health agencies (ASL).
Non-EU students must have a health insurance policy; this may be made either at their arrival in Italy with a private Italian insurance company, or before their departure with an insurance company of their respective countries; in this second case, students had better contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home countries for further information on existing agreements on medical assistance.
Language centre

The Language Centre of each institution develops and co-ordinates language facilities. It provides language courses for the students enrolled at the institution concerned, for those on international exchange programmes, and for the institutional. The Language Centre provides a fundamental support service by facilitating learning processes and encouraging students to keep on improving their language competences.
Sport

The Sports Centre (C.U.S.) promotes physical activities with regard to the institution commitment in the field and, to the physical and educational well-being of its students. It offers the necessary facilities and promotes sport courses for beginners and professionals. The centre promote institutional participation in competitive and federation activities.
Office for public relations (U.R.P)

The Office for Public Relations (U.R.P.) provides information on institutional planning, counselling and job-placement; it also manages some of the services offered by the institution concerned.

Study in Italy

2008-01-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

Definitions and characteristics of higher education institutions: non-university sector
Academies of Fine Arts
(Accademie di Belle Arti)

The main purpose of academies of fine arts is to provide education and training for the practice of artistic professions. They offer the highest level of traditional art education under State supervision. Engaged in education, specialisation and research in the artisitc sector, academies also carry out related production activities. They are endowed with juridical personality and enjoy full autonomy (statutory, teaching, scientific, administrative, financial and book-keeping). They set up and run 1st level programmes (admission by school leaving qualification and entrance exam) as well as advanced and specialisation courses, on completion of which they award specific academic diplomas at 1st and 2nd level as well as diplomas of advanced or specialization studies, or of training to research in artistic fields.
Higher Schools of Design
(Istituti Superiori per le Industrie Artistiche-ISIA)

ISIAs are State institutions of advanced education, specialisation and research in industrial and visual design; they also carry out related production activities. ISIAs have juridical personality and enjoy full autonomy (statutory, teaching, scientific, administrative, financial). ISIAs set up and run 1st level programmes (admission by school leaving qualification and by a competitive entrance exam), advanced and specialisation courses; they award academic diplomas at 1st and 2nd level as well as specialization diplomas, diplomas of training to research, of advanced studies (diplomi di perfezionamento), or Masters, all of them in design.
National Dance Academy
(Accademia Nazionale di Danza)

The Academy runs courses for the education and training of dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers. In addition to the traditional techniques of the statics and motion of the human body, the academy teaches also the modern technique of bodily harmony and eurhythmy. It used to award the following diplomas: licensed dance teachers, choreographers, and solo dancers. As a consequence of the 1999 reform of higher education in the arts and music, the Academy new teaching regulations provide for the setting up of 3-year 1st level programmes, and 2-year 2nd level ones.
National Academy of Drama
(Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica "Silvio D'Amico")

It runs courses for prospective stage actors and directors. Admission is based on a public competition, which consists of three different parts and is open to candidates between the age of 18 and 25, except for foreigners and observers. Courses last 3 years; participants' number is limited, daily attendance is compulsory; curricula include general cultural subjects as well as technical and specialistic ones related to acting and direction. The academy also runs some "special" programmes.
State Music Conservatories and Recognised Music Institutes
(Conservatori di Musica e Istituti Musicali Pareggiati)

Music conservatories are State institutions belonging to the system of advanced education, specialisation and research in the arts and music (AFAM). They have juridical personality and enjoy full autonomy (statutory, teaching, scientific, administrative, financial). Their objectives are the promotion of higher education, specialisation, and research in music, and the development of related production activities.
Recognised music institutes are non-State institutions which have been recognised by ministerial decree through comparison to music conservatories.
Higher Institutes for Musical and Choreographic Studies
(Istituti Superiori di Studi Musicali e Coreutici)

Music conservatoires and recognised music institutes will assume this name once fully transformed in conformity to the the AFAM reform law.
Higher Institute for Choreographic Studies
(Istituto Superiore di Studi Coreutici)

The national dance academy will take on this name when transformed in conformity to the AFAM reform law.
Art Polytechnics
(Politecnici delle Arti)

The AFAM reform law envisages the establishment of art polytechnics, consisting in consortia of higher education institutions in the arts and music and universities which decide to cooperate on the basis of their proximity and of the complementariness and possible integration of the respective study programmes.
Higher Schools for Language Mediators
(Scuole Superiori per Mediatori Linguistici)

These higher schools are the former higher schools for interpreters and translators (SSIT) as transformed in conformity to the Ministerrial Decree No. 38 of 10 January 2002. They award qualifications equivalent to all legal effects to 1st university degrees in class 3 (class of Laurea degrees in sciences of language mediation). Study programmes last 3 years, i.e. 180 university credits. Their main objectives are: 1) provide students with sound academic education at higher level, both general and specialistic, in at least two foreign languages in addition to Italian, and in the respective civilisations; 2) develop specific technical language skills, written and oral, for professions in language mediation.
Programmes of Higher Technical Education & Training
(Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore)

Courses of higher technical education & training (IFTS) were established by Law No. 144 of May 1999. They are meant for young students and adults holding a school leaving qualification who, employed or unemployed, wish to specialise for a quick transition to or a requalification in the labour market. IFTS programmes last min. 2 to max. 4 semesters (from 1,200 to 2,400 hours), and lead to professional profiles with a high employment rate; they are jointly designed and run by universities, centres for postsecondary vocational education and training, upper secondary schools and businesses, often gathered in consortia. Set up taking into account both national standards and the local needs of individual Regions, IFTS courses include practical training "on job" for at least 30% of each curriculum. On course completion, a certificate is awarded, valid in the whole national territory; the student's workload it expressed in credits so as to make the qualification valuable for further studies, even if later in life.
National School for Cinema
(Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia)

The "Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia" (CSC), also known as Scuola Nazionale di Cinema, is a private foundation with juridical personality. CSC, an institution of higher education in cinematography, aims at developing the art and techniques of cinema and audiovisual production by running basic, advanced, and updating courses, and by promoting research and experimentation in the film and TV sectors. Its teaching activity is finalised to the education and training of future professionals.
Central Institute for Restoration
(Istituto Centrale per il Restauro)

The Central Institute for Restoration in Rome offers 3/4-year courses in conservation of metals and other materials of archaeological finds, and in conservation of paintings and their supports, of architectonic surfaces and related materials.
School for Restoration of Mosaics
(Scuola di Restauro del Mosaico)

The School, located in Ravenna, offers a specialistic 3-year programme in restoration of mosaics which is open to Italians and non-Italians; admission is based on a very strict competition.
School for Conservation and Restoration of Precious Stone Materials
(Opificio delle Pietre Dure)

The Workshop for the conservation and restoration of precious stone materials (Florence) has set up its own School which offers 3-year courses in fields related to the Workshop main specialisations: stone materials, mosaics and works in hard stones, terracotta,metalwork (goldsmithing, bronzes and antique weapons), furniture and engraving, gilding and polychrome wooden sculpture, paintings, murals, paper, textiles (tapestries and cloths).
Central Institute for the Conservation and Restoration of Damaged Books
(Istituto Centrale per la Patologia del Libro "Alfonso Gallo" )

The Central Institute for the restoration of damaged ancient books runs short advanced courses open only to professionals who have already acquired a considerable level of competence in the sector. The Institute also offers a basic course for the specialised training of prospective young professionals.
Foundation for the Conservation and Restoration of Ancient Books and Documents
(Fondazione per la Conservazione e il Restauro dei Beni Librari)

The Foundation offers a two-year programme open to candidates from EU member states (max. 15). Applicants must be under 25 years of age, hold an Italian school leaving diploma or a foreign comparable secondary qualification, possess adequate knowledge of written and spoken English and Italian, basic knowledge of Latin, knowledge of chemistry and physics, and pass a selective entrance examination.
After the two-year basic course, students may take a one-year advanced course (Corso di Perfezionamento), and receive a statement of advanced specialised education and training (Attestato di Perfezionamento) as restorers of ancient books and documents.

Schools for Archiving, Palaeography and Diplomatics
(Scuole di Archivistica, Paleografia e Diplomatica)

Schools for Archiving, Palaeography and Diplomatics are State institutions of university rank. They are established at the state archives of the following cities: Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Mantova, Milan, Modena, Naples, Palermo, Parma, Perugia, Rome, Turin, Trieste and Venice.
Military Academies and Institutes for the Police
(Accademie Militari e Istituti di Polizia)

Programmes for the education and training of future officers in standing military service are offered by institutions such as the Aeronautic Academy in Pozzuoli (Naples), the Academy of Customs Officers (Bergamo), the Naval Military Academy (Livorno), the Army Academy (Modena). The State Police avail themselves of the Higher Institute for the Police in Rome. The Penitentiary Police Force are trained at the Higher Institute for Penitentiary Studies (Rome), the state Foresters' Corps take advantage of the School for non-commissioned cadet officers and foresters. Admission is always by school leaving qualification and public competiton.
Regional postsecondary professional education and training
(Formazione Professionale Regionale)

Non-university higher education offers other training opportunities that are devised for the the new professional profiles required by the production system and for the further specialisation of those already existing. Such postsecondary opportunities build up the channel known as "regional professional education and training" (FPR), since it falls under the responsibility of the Regions. FPR programmes may be jointly financed by national and EU resources; in fact, they may be established with the support of the European Social Fund, of the Italian Ministry of Labour and of the Regions themselves.

Study In Italy / University Colleges

2008-01-18T05:16:00.000-08:00

Study In Italy / University Colleges

Bari

I.P.E. (1 centre)

Bologna

CEUR (4 centres)
RUI (1 centre)

Catania

ARCES (1 centre)

Genoa

RUI (2 centres)

Milan

CEUR (1 centre)
Collegio di Milano (1 centre)
RUI (3 centres)

Modena

Collegio San Carlo di Modena (1 centre)

Naples

I.P.E. (2 centres)

Padua

Don Mazza (2 centres)

Palermo

RUI (1 centre)
ARCES (1 centre)

Parma

CEUR (1 centre)

Pavia

Almo Collegio Borromeo (2 centres)
Collegio Ghislieri (2 centres)
Collegio Nuovo (2 centres)
Collegio Universitario "S. Caterina da Siena" (2 centres)

Rome

CUIR (2 centres)
RUI (4 centres)
Don Mazza (1 centre)
Tardini (1 centre)

Turin

Einaudi (4 centres)

Verona

RUI (2 centres)
Don Mazza (2 centres)

Collegio Universitario di Torino “Renato Einaudi” (Turin)

2008-01-18T05:15:00.000-08:00

Collegio Universitario di Torino “Renato Einaudi” (Turin)

The Collegio Universitario di Torino“Renato Einaudi” is a non-profit association founded in 1935 and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, University and Research; each year it hosts approximately 750 university students enrolled in degree, research degree, masters and doctoral programmes. Admission is competitive and on merit and income bracket. Successful applicants pay annual fees which are proportional to parental income; some places are exempt from fee regulations. To retain a place at the college students must achieve an established number of credits and exams, as laid out in the regulations, with an average of at least 24/30. Details on entrance requirements can be found on the college website www.collegioeinaudi.it

The college offers broad opportunities for cultural, leisure and sporting activities in which students are encouraged to take part; all guests take turns in benefiting from subscriptions to the main theatrical and musical events held in Turin.

Each year the college awards a degree prize to the two students with the best degree results in medicine and science and 20 awards for summer study periods abroad. The 5 residential halls are all mixed and are situated near the main academic sites.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single study rooms with telephone for incoming calls and Internet access; roughly two thirds of the rooms have en-suite bathrooms; catered dining service or use of fully equipped self-catering kitchens located on each floor; laundry service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: 2 libraries, computer rooms with Internet access, study rooms, music rooms with pianos, drafting rooms, TV lounges, gyms, table tennis rooms; chapel

Cultural and formative activities: internal courses, conferences, cultural and sporting activities.

Fondazione Comunità Domenico Tardini

2008-01-18T05:14:00.002-08:00

Fondazione Comunità Domenico Tardini

The Fondazione Comunità Domenico Tardini university college was founded in 1946 by Monsignor Domenico Tardini, the future Secretary of State to Pope John XXIII. The college welcomed and supported in their studies, talented children and young adults, as well as orphans and students from poor backgrounds.

In 1980 it was turned into a university college and is run by the Domenico Tardini Community Foundation, made up of alumni engaged in universities and the professional field. Cardinal Achille Silvestrini is the president of the Foundation and Professor Angela Gropelli its vice president.

The Foundation is located in Villa Nazareth in Rome. Admission is not fee-based, as specified in the statute of the Foundation. It welcomes male and female students from low-income families, who have shown outstanding performance at school. Successful applicants can register in state, private or papal universities after receiving thorough, individual guidance on the most appropriate course of study.

In addition to their university studies, students are expected to undertake a rigorous, integrative journey towards their personal development. The residences also play host to graduates who show exceptional skills in their post qualification courses, specialising in masters and postgraduate programmes.

Taking inspiration from the parable of talents in the Gospel of St. Matthew (Matthew 25, 14-30), the college helps to shape young adults who use the natural gifts they have been given responsibly.

The Foundation operates along three principles: the Christian meaning of existence; respect for individual freedom; the importance of knowledge.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single-, twin- or three-bedded study rooms, shared bathrooms, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily cleaning of communal areas, laundry and ironing service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library, main lecture theatre and conference rooms, computer room, drafting room, playing fields and gym, newspaper reading room, TV lounge; garden and lawns, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: study guidance, tutoring, career counselling, international exchanges, foreign study grants, annual foreign language and computer courses, theology courses, lectures and seminars on specialist topics, conventions, conferences and meetings.

Collegio Universitario “Don Nicola Mazza” (Padua, Rome, Verona)

2008-01-18T05:14:00.001-08:00

Collegio Universitario “Don Nicola Mazza” (Padua, Rome, Verona)

The Collegio Universitario “Don Nicola Mazza” is a non-profit association legally recognised by the MUIR in 1954. The College owns residences in Padua, Verona and Rome and positively welcomes young, male and female students free of charge or at subsidized rates. It delivers services and facilities so as to create a proper study and living environment. The College endeavours to promote cultural, social and religious initiatives designed to develop a conscientious awareness and responsible commitment to Church issues and problems of the society and also to enrich students’ personal and cultural skills development.

When a student accepts a place at the College he/she undertakes to play an active role in the life of the College and participate in the projects on offer. Steady progress in one’s studies and personal dedication are assessed on a yearly basis to hold a place at the College. The colleges become places where the student can get the best out of University life and where the prestige of a degree is enhanced by the goodwill of each student and by interdisciplinary skills which are essential for a rapid entry into the professional field. Admission to all Don Mazza University colleges is competitive and careful consideration is given to merit, personal ability and dedication and to the assessment of parental income.
Services and facilities

Residential services: single-, twin- and three-bedded study bedrooms with telephone, en-suite or shared bathroom; breakfast, lunch and dinner in dining hall; coffee room or kitchen available on each floor; bed linen is provided and changed regularly, laundry facilities, room cleaning service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library and periodical room, main lecture theatre, conference rooms, lecture rooms; study rooms, computer rooms with Internet access, film and video library, music room, newspaper reading room, TV lounge; gym and playing fields, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: Tutoring service, assistance in study methods and psychological support; foreign language courses with European certification; computer courses (ECDL certified); annual programme of cultural events; courses accredited by the University; career counselling; voluntary and social work; student groups and committees in charge of running the various activities and events organized by the College; distance support of projects in the developing world; support for students taking part in the SOCRATES and ERASMUS schemes for study abroad; study grants available to enable students to conduct research for their degree thesis abroad.

Associazione CUIR (Rome), Livingston Italy

2008-01-18T05:13:00.000-08:00

Associazione CUIR (Rome)

The Associazione “Collegio Universitario Internazionale di Roma” (hereinafter CUIR) is a non-profit association established in Rome on 13th September 1990.

It has a real concern for the care and support of Italian and foreign university students which is developed through its cultural and teaching activities. CUIR offers students a wide range of courses and opportunities to develop key skills on a professional and personal level thus supplementing the academic skills taught at university. Currently, the college hosts 82 male students from 29 different countries and several university lecturers. It is situated in the Trastevere area of the city and is within half an hour’s bus journey from the main university faculties. Approximately 15 students are selected each year on the basis of an entrance examination (one written test and an interview). Selection criteria include school or university curriculum, a psychometric test and a knowledge of languages.

The College plays a role in many projects and ventures involving cooperation and voluntary work throughout Europe and around the world. Together with 14 other institutions from 11 European countries, CUIR has, in fact, founded a network called International Cooperation Net (ICNET), which promotes student initiatives of a cultural and voluntary nature throughout Europe. One of these initiatives is “Solidarity Day” which aims to increase sensitivity to the issue of voluntary work, as well as a work camp in Nicaragua, to help people hit by Hurricane Mitch. Together with three European NGOs: the Austrian ICEP (Institut zur Cooperation bei Entwicklungs Projekten); the Portuguese ISU (Instituto de Solidariedade e Cooperação Universitária); the Italian ICU (Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria) it is part of the EU-approved project for the “Reinforcement of the awareness of Business and Industry’s Social Responsibilities in European Universities”.

Its purpose is to promote an awareness among university students of the social obligations facing companies working in developing countries.

In the same way, the Collalto Cultural Centre – via Emilio de’Cavalleri, 7/A – founded and run by CUIR, organises activities for high school and university students in Rome.
Services and facilities

Residential services: single- and triple-bedded study bedrooms with shared bathroom; daily breakfast, lunch and dinner; weekly change of bed linen, weekly laundry and ironing service, minor repairs and daily room cleaning service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library with 25 reader places, 3 study rooms with 120 places, computer room with 10 places and 15 Internet connection points, garden and 2 chapels (one dating back to the 18th century). All rooms and facilities can be accessed by students with mobility impairments.

Cultural and formative activities: tutoring, courses on study methods and languages, conferences, conventions and meetings with professors and lecturers as well as with visiting speakers from the worlds of commerce and industry, voluntary work and social promotion schemes, international exchanges.

Collegio Universitario “S. Caterina da Siena” (Pavia)

2008-01-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

Collegio Universitario “S. Caterina da Siena” (Pavia)

The proposal for a female university college to match Pavia’s illustrious “historical” colleges was put forward in the 1950s by Pope Paul VI, then Archbishop of Milan, and was accomplished in 1973 on the initiative of the Diocese of Pavia. It was turned into a Foundation in 1991 and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. From the outset, the college has worked towards promoting social understanding and cultural skills, offering students the opportunity to train and develop academic and personal skills both within and outside of their university curriculums, in an atmosphere of cooperation and participation which remain important features of the college community.

The College is one of the founder members of Pavia’s University School of Advanced Studies (I.U.S.S.) together with the University of Pavia, the University Colleges and the Ministry of Education, University and Research. College students may choose to apply for advanced courses at the Senior University School organized by the I.U.S.S. The College also cooperates with the University and the I.U.S.S. in organizing new, experimental postgraduate programmes. It holds courses from the Advanced School of Integrated Formation (S.A.F.I.) for postgraduates at the University of Pavia as well as lectures in the international Masters in “Cooperation and Development”.

In addition to interdisciplinary cultural and academic initiatives, which are also open to the public, in 2002/2003 the College launched a university course in Human Progress and Sustainable Development, recognized by all of the University’s departments and open to all students; during the current academic year (2003/2004) a new course in Comparative Literature and Literary Translation has been launched, accredited by the University’s Arts and Philosophy Faculty. St. Caterina’s college occupies a modern building set in spacious gardens in the historical town centre and is close to the University itself and other university colleges. St. Caterina welcomes Italian and foreign students registered in any of the University’s faculties and also houses graduates following further study programmes.

It has 85 places (10 of which are reserved for female graduates, scholarship holders, and other postgraduates at the University) awarded on the basis of an entrance exam (one written and two oral tests, depending on the faculty) which is assessed by university lecturers.

To retain a place at the college, students are required to pass the exams for the current year with an average of at least 27/30. Each year the College distributes grants for study trips abroad and plays host to foreign students visiting Pavia on University exchange schemes. Students from low-income backgrounds benefit from reduced fees or are exempt from payment.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single study rooms with en-suite bathrooms, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library, computer room, state-of-the-art conference room, spacious garden, newspaper reading room, TV lounge.

Cultural and formative activities: conferences, seminars, internal foreign language and computer courses, tutoring, internal courses and courses accredited by the University of Pavia.

Collegio Nuovo - Fondazione Sandra e Enea Mattei (Pavia)

2008-01-18T04:55:00.000-08:00

Collegio Nuovo - Fondazione Sandra e Enea Mattei (Pavia)

The Collegio Nuovo was established in 1978 thanks to the generosity of Sandra Bruni Mattei, an industrial entrepreneur who wished to privilege the social and cultural development of talented and motivated female undergraduates. Aware of the growing position of women in the community, the founder laid the basis for the creation of a rich and stimulating international environment, in which dedication, diversity, creativity, and cross-disciplinary expertise allow the students to develop all-round skills aiming at standards of quality and excellence. The College provides comfortable living and study conditions: a modern environment with a warm and friendly atmosphere in which social and cultural life thrive alongside academic endeavour. Its cultural programme complements the teaching activities carried out at the University of Pavia and also attracts outside students and members of the public. Study grants and exchanges with numerous foreign partner institutions are amongst other opportunities that shape the students’ development. In addition to promoting talent, the Collegio Nuovo supports the most deserving students by reserving a number of places that are exempt from fee charges or by applying subsidised rates.

The College is set in spacious parkland in the heart of a new area housing the the University’s scientific and technological departments. The College hosts 115 Italian and foreign female students who excel in the selection procedure demonstrating ability, dedication and social skills. Admission is through a national public examination (minimum required school leaving mark:80/100) consisting of one written and two oral tests. A separate residential block for graduates was opened next to the College in 1998. This independent unit houses 50 male and female graduates enrolled in doctoral or masters programmes or in university schools of specialization. The Collegio Nuovo is one of the founder members of the University School of Advanced Studies in Pavia and is the seat of the International Master’s Degree in Science and Media Technology.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single-study rooms with en-suite bathroom, telephone and free Internet access, full 7-day catering service, kitchenettes on each floor, weekly room cleaning and laundry service, emergency medical assistance. The graduate apartments also have self-catering facilities.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: multimedia main lecture theatre, 2 multimedia lecture rooms, library (8.000 books and 30 periodicals), 3 computer rooms, free Internet access, 3 study rooms, newspaper reading rooms, TV lounges, video library (600 films), indoor gym with sports courts, outdoor tennis courts and playing fields, spacious garden with wireless connection to Internet.

Cultural and formative activities: courses accredited by the University of Pavia (Digital and multimedia communications, Semiotics of the arts, Specialization courses in medicine and surgery, In-depth courses on allergies, migraine), study guidance and tutoring services, internal courses in computer studies and foreign languages, conferences and meetings with leading members from the world of business, industry and culture, also open to outside students, foreign exchange schemes (New Hall, Cambridge, Universities of Heidelberg and Mainz), study grants to facilitate further studies in Europe and the United States.

Collegio Ghislieri (Pavia)

2008-01-18T04:53:00.001-08:00

Collegio Ghislieri (Pavia)

The Collegio Ghislieri was founded in 1567 by Pope S. Pius V. and falls under the patronage of the Italian President. It is acknowledged by the MUIR as an “Institute of outstanding cultural qualification”. This sixteenth century building is situated right in the historical centre of Pavia, not far from the main seat of the University and the Arts faculties. It houses approximately 200 male and female students. A separate residential block, not far from the Schools of Science, was set up a few years ago for graduates following post qualification programmes.

This residence (Ca’ della Paglia) plays host to 40 graduates in 40 self-contained studio apartments and also provides a room cleaning service, internet and a computer room. Ghislieri College is a founder member of the University School of Advanced Studies and is the seat of the School for the Integrated Management of the Environment, the School in Nuclear Technologies and Ionizing Radiation and the School in Methods for Complex Systems Management.

The College is also the seat of the School of Specialization for the Legal Professions, together with the University of Pavia and the Bocconi University in Milan. Admission is through national public examination (minimum school leaving mark: 80/100) with one written and two oral tests. Details of the examination can be found on the college website www.ghislieri.it. Student upkeep is to a large extent sustained by the College as the required fees are proportional to parental income; many places are entirely exempt from payment.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single study bedrooms (many with en-suite bathrooms, some rooms accessible by students with mobility impairments), full seven-day catering service, room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: a well-furnished library (100.000 books), two computer rooms, free Internet access (also from individual rooms), newspaper reading room, TV lounges, film library (1200 films), gym, tennis court and playing field.

Cultural and formative activities: internal foreign language courses (beginners and advanced), in-depth subject talks, conferences and seminars on various issues including current affairs, tutoring services, international exchange schemes with Europe (St. John’s College, Cambridge, St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, The University of Geneva, Zurich, Mainz, Maximilianeum College, Munich) and the United States (University of Oregon), study grants to facilitate further studies in Italy and abroad, opportunities for work placements in companies, modern and classical music concerts.

Ghislieri College also organizes, funds and coordinates university courses (Courses on the Principles of Logic and other courses from the School of Medicine), which are accredited by the University of Pavia.

Almo Collegio Borromeo (Pavia)

2008-01-18T04:51:00.000-08:00

Almo Collegio Borromeo (Pavia)
The Collegio Borromeo, founded by Saint Charles in 1561, is one of the most magnificent buildings in Lombardy. Designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi known as ‘il Pellegrini’, the college looks onto the River Ticino and is set in delightful gardens which also host a botanic garden. It was described by Vasari as a ‘palace of Knowledge’.

It has played host to thousands of students from the University of Pavia. Some of its most illustrious students include Federico Borromeo, Agostino Bertani, Carlo Forlanini, Contardo Ferrini and Cesare Angelini who, over the years, have honoured the Sciences and the Arts, not to mention the moral and civil obligations of our culture and society. Today, the College houses approximately 100 male students, who are admitted on merit and retain their places by maintaining standards of academic excellence.

Students can develop their full potential here thanks to internal in-depth, complementary courses, foreign language courses, the School of Ethics and also thanks to an outstanding cultural and musical programme. Some of these teaching programmes are accredited by the University of Pavia. Post qualification graduate courses include the European School of Advanced Studies in Materials Science, the Centre for Study and Research into Ancient Law and a Masters in International Finance.

These courses are held at the College and are jointly promoted with the University of Pavia’s School of Advanced Studies. Postgraduate students and researchers from the adjacent ‘C. Ferrini’ graduate residence act as student tutors.

The Alumni Association also offers helpful guidance to students on outside employment. Students are housed in single study bedrooms, all provided with Internet access. Other facilities include a dining hall, library, computer room, gym, football fields and tennis and basketball courts.

The College recruits approximately 20 undergraduates each year and admission is competitive. The entrance examinations (one written and two oral) are held in September. Successful applicants may qualify for special economic treatment including exemption from fees where applicable. During the academic year all students are required to complete the exams for that current year achieving an average of at least 27/ 30.
Services and facilities

Residential services: single study bedrooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner (weekends included), daily room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library, computer room, Internet access in all rooms, periodical room, playing fields and gym, newspaper reading room, TV lounge, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: study guidance, tutoring, conferences, internal courses, concert season, courses in fundamental and applied ethics, International Masters in Materials Science (ESAS), Centre for Studies and Research into Ancient Law (CEDANT), Masters in International Finance (MIF).

Collegio Universitario Arces (Catania, Palermo)

2008-01-18T04:48:00.000-08:00

Collegio Universitario Arces (Catania, Palermo)

The Collegio Universitario Arces promotes activities aimed at developing the full potential of students, focusing on their future professional life as active members of society, aware of ethical issues, sensitive to social needs in the workplace and open to new frontiers of knowledge.

In the excellent climate of the Segesta and Alcantara Residences, the ARCES College offers specific programmes which enable students to complement their university studies with courses designed to bring together their choice of profession, academic career, balanced personal growth and cultural knowledge of the humanities.

The University Residences offer courses in the humanities which accompany and supplement scientific and technical courses. They are also committed to supporting students in planning an appropriate professional training programme with links to the workplace, training opportunities and work placements both in Italy and abroad. Students may also choose to take part in summer school, interdisciplinary meetings, voluntary work and international cooperation ventures.

Each Residence has an Counselling Centre which effectively and efficiently coordinates counselling and tutoring services and promotes a rigorous, formative programme designed to meet demands from business and industry. This programme, organized by ARCES, includes masters degrees, specialization courses and grants for short, student placements in companies abroad. Students applying for a place at the Residences have to pass an aptitude test consisting of a written test and an interview.

Each year the ARCES University College awards bursaries to deserving students and to students based upon economic criteria.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single- and triple-bedded study bedrooms; daily breakfast, lunch and dinner; laundry service: weekly change of bed linen, laundering and ironing of personal clothing, minor repairs; daily room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library and periodical room; main lecture theatre; two study rooms; multimedia room; film hall, film and CD library; common room, music room, newspaper reading room, TV lounge; chapel.

Collegio Universitario “Don Nicola Mazza” (Padua, Rome, Verona)

2008-01-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

The Collegio Universitario “Don Nicola Mazza” is a non-profit association legally recognised by the MUIR in 1954. The College owns residences in Padua, Verona and Rome and positively welcomes young, male and female students free of charge or at subsidized rates. It delivers services and facilities so as to create a proper study and living environment. The College endeavours to promote cultural, social and religious initiatives designed to develop a conscientious awareness and responsible commitment to Church issues and problems of the society and also to enrich students’ personal and cultural skills development.

When a student accepts a place at the College he/she undertakes to play an active role in the life of the College and participate in the projects on offer. Steady progress in one’s studies and personal dedication are assessed on a yearly basis to hold a place at the College. The colleges become places where the student can get the best out of University life and where the prestige of a degree is enhanced by the goodwill of each student and by interdisciplinary skills which are essential for a rapid entry into the professional field. Admission to all Don Mazza University colleges is competitive and careful consideration is given to merit, personal ability and dedication and to the assessment of parental income.
Services and facilities

Residential services: single-, twin- and three-bedded study bedrooms with telephone, en-suite or shared bathroom; breakfast, lunch and dinner in dining hall; coffee room or kitchen available on each floor; bed linen is provided and changed regularly, laundry facilities, room cleaning service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library and periodical room, main lecture theatre, conference rooms, lecture rooms; study rooms, computer rooms with Internet access, film and video library, music room, newspaper reading room, TV lounge; gym and playing fields, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: Tutoring service, assistance in study methods and psychological support; foreign language courses with European certification; computer courses (ECDL certified); annual programme of cultural events; courses accredited by the University; career counselling; voluntary and social work; student groups and committees in charge of running the various activities and events organized by the College; distance support of projects in the developing world; support for students taking part in the SOCRATES and ERASMUS schemes for study abroad; study grants available to enable students to conduct research for their degree thesis abroad.

Fondazione Collegio San Carlo di Modena

2008-01-18T04:45:00.000-08:00

Fondazione Collegio San Carlo di Modena

The Fondazione Collegio San Carlo (recently restored from an early seventeenth-century teaching institution founded in Modena) is a private, non-profit institution with a wide social reach. It is situated in the historical centre of the city and, along with the adjoining Church of San Carlo, is one of the city’s most prestigious Baroque buildings. As outlined in its Statute, the Foundation places the personal development of its students amongst its priorities along with research into social and religious sciences.

To this end, in addition to the university college reserved for students registered at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, it hosts the international School of Advanced Studies in ‘Science and Culture’ for Italian and foreign postgraduates, the Cultural Centre and Religious Studies Centre which promote public research and study programmes, the Library and Archives. In 1970 the university College – founded in the seventeenth century as a Collegium Nobilium- resumed its original role in the pursuit of academic excellence.

It is open to students enrolled at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and is situated in the historical town centre: therefore, all faculties can be reached within 20 minutes at most. It is a mixed college with 60 places, approximately 10 of which are competitive. Five scholarships are awarded to students with the best average results and lowest income. New recruitments (based on an assessment of the applicant’s curriculum and performance at an interview) are restricted to freshmen; a third of the places are reserved for Arts students; to retain a place at the college students have to take part in the compulsory formative programmes that the College organizes and demonstrate a lively involvement in the college community.

They also have to reach the standards of merit established in the regulations (pass exams totalling at least 28 credits by the summer session with an average of 25/30 or over). The College ensures efficient and effective student support through constant tutoring assistance and by supplementing the university syllabus with specific courses and internal activities designed to enrich the student’s personal and professional formation
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single study rooms with Internet access; refectory service (breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday); laundry and ironing service; weekly change of bed linen, daily cleaning of communal areas.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library (34.000 books and 1.300 periodicals); lecture and study rooms; computer room, areas designated for leisure activities, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: tutoring, internal courses, English language courses with native speakers and multimedia supports; computer courses; courses on the use of bibliographic tools; seminars and conferences; guided tours; work placements in companies.

Collegio di Milano (Milan) in Italy

2008-01-18T04:44:00.002-08:00

Collegio di Milano (Milan)

The Collegio di Milano opened in February 2003 thanks to a joint effort between Milan’s seven universities and several public and private institutions. The aim of the college is to offer an outstanding, interdisciplinary cultural and personal preparation to a selected group of undergraduates, post-graduates and researchers.

The central feature of the College is its Cultural Programme which places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary expertise. The College offers courses that encourage skills development both within and outside of the curriculum and which envelop both our humanistic culture and the principles of science. The College also promotes work placement schemes in various companies and institutions backing the project and can thus complete students’ training by giving them the opportunity to gain first hand experience in the workplace .

The College is situated in a 7,000 sq.m building on a 23,000 sq.m. campus. It recently underwent restoration in keeping with Marco Zanuso’s original architectural design.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in 100 single-study bedrooms, each with en-suite bathroom and balcony, 10 guest rooms for visiting professors, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, light-refreshment service, daily room cleaning service, weekly change of bed linen, medical assistance.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: Library, lecture rooms, conference rooms, study rooms, main lecture theatre; video-recording and videoconferencing systems; “mobile wireless” data network, fully equipped gym, sports facilities and parkland.

Cultural and formative activities; lecturers’ club, cultural events programme, lectures, meetings and talks with guest speakers from the fields of business, theatre, films and journalism; tutoring, foreign university exchange schemes, workshop sessions (languages, art, current affairs issues), calendar of events and exhibitions (theatre, music, photography, cinema, painting).

Fondazione CEUR in Italy

2008-01-18T04:44:00.001-08:00

Fondazione CEUR (Bologna, Parma, Milan)

The Fondazione CEUR (European Centre for University and Research) was established in 1990 due to the will and dedication of university professors, entrepreneurs and professionals. Its legal status was acknowledged by ministerial decree in December 1991. The Foundation’s main goal is “to develop the cultural understanding of students within the field of university and research, above all through teaching and guidance given by the colleges and university residences, through encouraging research and scientific cooperation between young students and lecturers”(Art. 2 of the Statute).

Personal development should not be limited to the mere acquisition of notions or skills-albeit essential- but should also encourage an open-minded attitude towards the real world, faithful to the spirit of ethics and research. It is this very spirit that fuels the Foundation’s various initiatives which are organized so as to complement the students’ preparation and broaden their fields of interest and research in a culturally and scientifically open atmosphere.
Services and facilities

Residential services: accommodation in single- or twin-bedded study bedrooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner (Sunday excluded), room cleaning three times weekly, weekly change of bed linen.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: conference room, study room, library and periodical room, data points allowing free Internet access; gym, rehearsal room, playing field and film hall.

Cultural and formative activities: conferences, tutoring, language and computer courses, study trips abroad.

Fondazione RUI / Study in Italy

2008-01-15T06:21:00.002-08:00

Fondazione RUI (Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Palermo, Rome, Verona )

The university colleges of the Fondazione Rui – a non-profit organ founded in 1959 –provide an environment where students can develop their potential on a personal, cultural and academic level.

Various services are offered to help students in their studies (tutoring; study and career guidance; study methods). These services are also open to numerous external students and are designed to offer a cultural service to young adults and the society at large.

The colleges are committed to enriching the development of students’ personal skills by organizing courses which complement programmes taught at the various university faculties. In this way, they contribute to the all-round development of each individual student on a human, cultural, professional and religious level.

Since 1998 the Foundation has hosted the School of integrated university formation (Sdif) which organizes courses together with the academic, business and industrial world.

The Foundation cooperates with universities in teaching validated programmes that lead to university awards. Each year the Foundation distributes scholarships for places at all of its colleges to applicants on a national placement list which reflects merit and parental income. Entry applications must be submitted by mid-end September (see website).
Services and facilties

Residential services: accommodation in mostly single study bedrooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily room cleaning, weekly change of bed linen, ironing service.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: main lecture theatre, study room, chapel, library with periodical section, data points providing free Internet access, drafting rooms, gym and film library.

Cultural and formative activities: conferences, tutoring, language courses, study groups, informal meetings with lecturers and members of the professions, voluntary and social work, international exchanges, foreign study grants.
Fondazione RUI

Collegio di Milano / Study in Italy

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Fondazione CEUR

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Collegio Universitario Arces / Study in Italy

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Fondazione RUI / College List in Italy

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Fondazione / College List İn Italy

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Study in Italy I.P.E College

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I.P.E. – Istituto per Ricerche ed Attività Educative (Bari, Naples)

The I.P.E. was founded in Naples in 1979 on the initiative of a group of university lecturers, entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to “helping young students gain access to education, culture and jobs”( art. 1 of its Statute), by distributing scholarships, carrying out research projects and promoting University Colleges. Over the years, the I.P.E. has also organized scientific conferences, masters programmes and courses in higher studies, guidance on university study programmes and career counselling. Records of the cultural events and philosophical and scientific conventions held at the college have also been published. It became a non-profit making association in 1981 on proposals made by the Ministry of Education (D.P.R.374/81 of 1/6/1981) and was acknowledged shortly afterwards by the Ministry as a “legally recognized University College”, being the first such institution in Southern Italy to be included in this list. Currently the I.P.E. administers colleges in Naples, Rome, Bari and Salerno.
Services and facilities

Residential services: single- and three-bedded study rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms; full catering service; bed linen provided and changed weekly; laundry and ironing service, minor repairs; daily room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library and periodical room, study rooms, computer rooms, drafting and lecture rooms; spacious common room with TV and newspaper reading corner; film and CD library; gardens, pleasant green spaces, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: tutoring, faculty clubs and internal courses; conferences, conventions and meetings with members of the professions, entrepreneurs and university lecturers; courses on study methods; work placements in companies; study holidays and weekends in Italy and abroad at other partner institutions; career counselling; complementary activities: screening of films, trips, sports, excursions; voluntary and social work; international exchanges; foreign study grants.

Living in Italy

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Living in Italy

In this section of the website information is available to help you organise your life in Italy. You will find details on such basic needs as accommodation, sanitary assistance, safety, etc., as well as on other topics for the profitable management of your leisure time (e.g. public means of transportation for travelling within the Italian territory).

In the page entitled "Travelling in Italy" a description of the various Italian regions is available; this is a useful tool meant for your guidance when choosing a university site in Italy as well as when planning how to spend your leisure time. It is worthwhile to better know the country: Italy is not large but very rich in art treasures and beautiful landscapes. Even by very short travels, you may enjoy the opportunity to visit new interesting places.

Travelling in Italy

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Travelling in Italy: sightseeing

Italy is known as the “Bel Paese” and it is a truly beautiful country that creates lasting memories for everyone who visits it. There is so much to see from the famous cities to the many beautiful villages, from the beaches and the countryside to the mountain regions and the lakes.
It is impossible to mention all there is to see in Italy since each region has so much to discover and explore, each beautiful in a very different way. Here below are just a few points of interest to give you a feel for some of the different regions from North to South.

Aosta

The Aosta region, close to the French border, has some of the most famous and spectacular mountains in the Alps. Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa create a breathtaking panorama and provide endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts who can hike and climb in summer and ski in winter.
Piedmont

Piedmont region (Piemonte) borders with France and Switzerland and is famous for its wonderful Alpine scenery and ski resorts, as well as its many first class wines and gastronomic delights including truffles, cheese and excellent meat. It is a region full of monasteries abbeys and convents. Turin is the main town, famous for a religious relic known as the Holy Shroud once owned by the Royal family of Savoy, but also for its world renowned Egyptian Museum.
Trentino Alto Adige

The Trentino Alto Adige region lies to the North East and is made up of two provinces. One is Trentino, mainly Italian speaking and its capital is Trento. The other province is Alto Adige, mainly German speaking and its capital is Bolzano. This province home to another mountain range, perhaps less famous than the Alps but certainly no less spectacular. Tourists flock to the Dolomites in winter for skiing and in summer for hill walking and mountain climbing.
Lombardy

Lombardy (Lombardia) is home to the city of Milan, famous all over the world for its fashion houses, but the region also has many artistic and architectural treasures such as the Cathedral (“Il Duomo)” and Leonardo’s Last Supper painting in Milan, the medieval town of Bergamo and the Ducal Palace in Mantova with frescoes by Mantegna. Lombardy also is home to the famous Italian lakes, Lago Maggiore and Lake Como.
Liguria

One of the smallest regions is Liguria with the main town of Genoa, home of Christopher Columbus, the navigator who discovered America. Liguria has a beautiful coastline along the Mediterranean, dotted with villages perched high above the sea such as the famous Cinque Terre as well as many picturesque harbours including the very prestigious port of Portofino.
Veneto

The Veneto region is most well known for the city of Venice with its canals and gondolas, the Bridge of Sighs and the beautiful Piazza San Marco. The region is also famous for the town of Verona, the city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Here concerts and operas are performed in the summer in the ancient Arena. It is only a stone’s throw from the Lago di Garda, the Lake that lies half in Veneto and half in Lombardy.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s most famous city is Trieste, once a main trading port for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When the Romans were here, their port was Aquileia but the sea has since receded and the town now lies inland. Another town well worth a visit is Udine, once under the rule of Venice and with many buildings reminiscent of that period.
Emilia Romagna

Heading south the next region is Emilia Romagna, one of the most famous gastronomic regions of Italy so make sure you have time to enjoy some of the wonderful regional specialities while here. The main town is Bologna, home to the ancient University, and full of churches, museums and historical buildings. Other towns well worth a visit are Modena, Ferrara and Ravenna. Rimini lies on the coast and is one of the most popular Italian seaside resorts, especially for young people and families.
Le Marche

Between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Coast lies the region called Le Marche, often unknown to many travellers. Italians enjoy the many beach resorts around the towns of Pesaro and Ancona here in the summer but the region offers much more. There are many lovely towns to visit such as Urbino, a beautiful Renaissance city, but also wonderful inland mountain countryside and nature parks.
Tuscany

Tuscany is home to the leaning Tower of Pisa, the Piazza del Campo in Siena where the Palio is held, and the magnificent and well-maintained architecture of Florence, one of Italy’s most visited cities and birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The region is full of fascinating historical towns and villages such as Lucca, San Gimignano, Pienza and Volterra set in the famous Tuscan countryside which make Tuscany one of the richest artistic regions in Italy. It also has its own coastline and is a favourite holiday destination for many Italians.

South of Tuscany lies the less well known region of Umbria, with its magnificent rural landscapes and the wonderfully preserved towns of Perugia, Gubbio, and Assisi.
Lazio

Rome, Italy’s capital, is also the main town of the region known as Lazio. Rome, the Eternal City, is a walking museum of history, art and architecture. The ruins from Rome’s glorious past are situated in the city centre itself and include the monumental Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Rome is also famous for its wonderful squares and fountains such as the romantic Piazza Navona with Bernini's fountain of the-"Four Rivers", the Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain, all in the heart of the city and within walking distance of one another.
No visit to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign state, where you can take part in a religious mass in St Peter’s square and visit the fabulous Basilica and Museum.
You should also find time to travel outside Rome where there is also so much to see. In particular the region is home to what remains of the ancient Etruscan civilisation, which dates back to before Rome was founded.
Campania

The Campania region is famous for Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi coast, the islands of Capri and Ischia. The coastline of the Bay of Naples offers spectacular scenery and Naples may have a reputation as a loud and chaotic city but it is a town well worth visiting. It is full of wonderful churches and historical buildings from the past but it also has a very lively and colourful present!
From here you can take a trip to Mount Vesuvius, the active volcano that wiped out the towns of Pompei and Ercolano in 79 A.D, two sites definitely not to be missed on a visit to this region.
Abruzzo

The regions further south are often less visited by international tourists although there is now growing interest in this part of Italy too.
Abruzzo has the Apennine mountains, home to the National Park of Abruzzo where you can follow mountain trails and perhaps catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, including some rather shy bears. There are also beautiful towns to visit, such as L’Aquila with its fine architecture, Sulmona considered the most beautiful town in the region with its Gothic and Renaissance style of buildings and Chieti with its wonderful views across Abruzzo to the sea.
South of Abruzzo is the small region of Molise., Many people visit Termoli, a popular beach resort with a lovely old town. From the harbour of Termoli you can take the boat across to the Isole Tremiti, uncontaminated islands that lie just off the coast. The main towns of the region are Campobasso and Isernia.
Puglia

Puglia at the heel of the Italian boot, has wonderful landscape and beaches as well as castles and towns of historical interest.. Lecce in particular is well worth a visit for its baroque houses and churches.
Basilicata has for a long time been an underdeveloped region but is of considerable historical interest. One town worth a visit is Matera where you can visit the caves in the rocks that until recent times were used as houses. It also has fine beaches to enjoy in the summer months.
Calabria

Calabria is another region that is perhaps less well known by international visitors although it is a popular holiday destination for Italians since it offers both mountains and a wonderful coastline. It received international attention recently when the famous Greek Bronze warriors were retrieved from the seabed.
Sicily

Sicily is the sunkissed island with a wonderful climate all year round, but it is also a very interesting historical island. Invaded and conquered over the centuries, it offers a wealth of sightseeing from Greek temples and Roman ruins, Norman castles and Byzantine domes. After visiting these wonderful monuments, you can relax on the beautiful golden beaches, or climb Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano.
Sardinia

The largest Mediterranean island after Sicily is Sardinia. This island is a favourite holiday destination among Italians and hosts growing numbers of international tourists each year. It has some of the finest beaches and sea in Italy and many Italians will tell you there are no better beaches anywhere in the world. It is a truly beautiful island with its many medieval towers and castles and many examples of traditional culture.

LIVINGSTON HISTORY

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LIVINGSTON HISTORY

The Force Homestead Museum, 366 South Livingston Ave., is open to the public the second Sunday of each month for tours conducted by members of the Livingston Historical Society. In addition, private tours may be arranged by calling Helen Shumsky of the Historical Society at 973 992-3017.

Built in 1745 by the Force family, early settlers in Livingston, the original home consisted of one large room and a loft area. The house was expanded in 1800. The home contains a fireplace in nearly every room and is furnished with period pieces and articles including grandfather clocks and spinning wheels donated by Livingston residents.

In 1702, settlers from Newark purchased a tract of land that encompassed the areas now known as Caldwell, Livingston and West Essex. They paid 130 English pounds to the Lenni Lenape Indians. In 1811, seven hamlets — including Teedtown (now Livingston Center), Northfield, Morehousetown (Livingston Circle), Cheapside (Livingston Mall), Washington Place and Squiertown (Route 10 Circle) got together and petitioned for the formation of The Township of Livingston.

Livingston was named in honor of William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey and a framer of the Constitution. Livingston served as governor for 13 terms before he died in 1790.

William Livingston

Livingston's first town meeting was held on February 5, 1813. At this meeting, the people decided that the town should be run by a major and a township committee. About 100 people, mainly farmers, lived in town at that time. In the early years, farming and lumber were the main sources of income for the township. Shoemaking became a major industry during the Civil War. The dairy business became Livingston's leading industry after the Civil War and remained so well into the 20th century.

The first school in Livingston was built in 1783, a one room schoolhouse on Northfield Road where Roosevelt Plaza is today. The population grew slowly because the town was not close to a primary rail line. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, which runs through Livingston, was the first turnpike, or toll road, in New Jersey. Starting in the 1800s, stage coaches made what was then a one day trip from Newark to Morristown. Between 1813 and 1920, it increased from 1,000 to 1,500.

The area became a commuting suburb after the invention of the automobile and the construction of hard-surfaced highways. After World War II, housing developments replaced farms and many people moved to Livingston. The town grew very quickly; in 1950, there were 9,932 people, and in 1960, the population had jumped to 23,124 people. It peaked in 1970 with 31,653.

In 1957, a new form of government, a Council-Manager form, was started in Livingston. A Town Council made up of five Livingston citizens was also created. Each year a mayor is chosen from among the members of the council.

According to the 2000 census, Livingston has a population of 27,391 people. Today's residents enjoy a comfortable suburban lifestyle with easy access to New York City and other areas of New Jersey. Interstates 80 and 280, the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and Route 24 are all close to Livingston. Prospective residents can choose from a variety of homes. The town boasts a highly rated public school system. It has six elementary schools, two middle schools and a comprehensive high school that received the US Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award in 1998. The town's recreation program includes two community pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and playgrounds, youth and adult athletics. Livingston's quality of life excels in large part because its residents are active in more than 30 community boards and organizations.

Undergraduate studies in Norway

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Undergraduate studies in Norway
Today most students entering an institution of higher education for the first time are pursuing a Bachelor's degree, or a professional degree programme like engineering, law or medical studies. As a foreign student you also have the possibility of obtaining an undergraduate level degree from a Norwegian institution if you meet the application requirements. Foreign students may also apply for a number of undergraduate courses not leading to a degree.

Bachelor’s degree
A Bachelor's degree is awarded by all the state universities, specialised university institutions, university colleges and several of the private institutions. It is normally obtained after three years of study.

The two national university colleges of the arts offer a Bachelor’s degree of four years’ duration.

Currently there are very few Bachelor's programmes that are offered in English at Norwegian institutions.

The "Høgskolekandidat" degree
("University college candidat degree")
The "Høgskolekandidat" degree is obtained after two years of study. This degree may be built upon to obtain a Bachelors degree. The degree is offered at some state university colleges and a few private institutions. Please note that the number of subject areas that are available under this degree is limited.

Currently there are no "Høgskolekandidat" degrees offered in English

What can I study in Norway?

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What can I study in Norway?
Whether you are just standing on the doorstep to higher education or are a higher level student looking to specialise within a subject area, Norwegian institutions can offer courses and programmes tailored to most needs. Look up and discover our unique student experience!

“Education for all” is the basic principle of the Norwegian education system. Regardless of social background, ethnicity, age or religion, persons should have equal opportunities to pursue a higher education degree. We encourage you to explore the various programmes offered at our universities and university colleges.

Quality assurance
Accessibility should not compromise with quality. Thus, in Norway we have a rigorous system for quality assurance in higher education. In order for Norwegian institutions to offer accredited programmes they either need an institutional accreditation or receive accreditation for individual courses based on a set of quality criteria. The accreditation is granted by an independent agency that performs a thorough evaluation prior to granting an accreditation.

Norway - in compliance with the principles of the Bologna process
When studying in Norway you are also studying in a country that has fully implemented many of the principles of the Bologna process. This includes a 3+2+3 degree system, diploma supplements and the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). So when you have finished a degree or course(s) at a Norwegian institution, you hold papers that are transferable to many other countries.

Where can I study in Norway ?

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Where can I study in Norway ?
You can find institutions of higher education located all over Norway. The major cities can have both a university and various university colleges. In addition to regular programmes like humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, every institution has their own specialty areas. Combine your academic interests with an exciting geographical location!

Depending on where you are currently enrolled there is also the possibility of coming to Norway via existing mobility programmes or institutional agreements. If your country/home institution is participating in an agreement or programme, we feel confident that you will be able to find a Norwegian institution that can provide you with the environment you need to pursue your highest ambitions

Living in Norway

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Living in Norway
Norway is one of the three Scandinavian countries in the Northern part of Europe. With a population of 4,6 million Norway is not among the most crowded places on the planet. But we very much enjoy the space and our diverse nature, and visitors are often astonished by Norwegians' active way of life. So don't get surprised if your Norwegian friends insist on going hiking, even if the weather maybe is more suitable for staying in the sofa.

Explore the unknown and challenge your own limits - the people of Norway has never been afraid of going their own ways. A thousand years ago the Vikings sailed their ships south to the Mediterranian, east to the Black Sea and all the way west to Greenland, and many historians claim they even made it to New Foundland in North America.

Today, Norway is a modern country where our explorative mindset is geared towards technology, innovation and developing a knowledge based society. We also continue to further develop our oil & gas industry, fisheries and traditional industrial areas.

Thriving on the top of Europe
Norway is a European country even though we are not part of the European Union (EU). But through the EEA-agreement we are fully integrated with the large European community in regards to everything from trade and economy to education and research. And as a participant in the Schengen agreement, travel to and from Norway is easy for people with legal residency in another Schengen country.

For the last four years the United Nations (UN) has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. This annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime, but also factors like human rights and cultural freedom. Norway is weighed high for its high literacy rate in addition to educational levels and material wealth.

Cold country? Warm people!
Ok, the cat is out of the box - there are no palm trees in Norway! But in the summer we enjoy periods with warm weather, and due to the Gulf Stream the coastal areas are rather mild in the winter time. Nevertheless, you should bring warm clothing when visiting Norway in the winter.

Norwegians have a reputation of being somewhat introvert and difficult to get to know. But this should just be perceived as a first impression misunderstanding. Norwegians are generally both welcoming and open minded towards foreigners. If we don't take the first step, don't be afraid to approach us for a conversation. We have a direct way of communicating and often speak out our opinions.

The Stress of Cancer: Seeking Support

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The Stress of Cancer: Seeking Support

Learning that you have a diagnosis of cancer is usually a traumatic experience. And following the shock of diagnosis, people have to face treatment decisions and side effects, changing personal relationships and uncertainty about their future.

"Stress can appear at every stage of the disease, at diagnosis, during treatment and after treatment," says Josée Savard, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada. While some stress is expected to accompany a diagnosis of cancer, Dr. Savard and other experts say that people with cancer should monitor their stress levels to make sure they are not crossing the line into depression and anxiety, which are conditions that can interfere with someone's quality of life and even their health status.

Stress vs. Anxiety and Depression
Most of the research on the psychological impact of cancer has been conducted in women with breast cancer. It's estimated that between 22 and 50 percent of women with breast cancer are depressed, while 33 percent have acute stress disorder and 3 to 19 percent have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition seen in people who have experienced traumatic events such as natural disasters or military combat.

A Canadian study published June 14th in the British Journal of Cancer found that almost 38 percent of its 3,095 participants—who included people with breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer—met the criteria for distress levels that should be treated. But almost half of these patients had not sought psychosocial support, primarily because they weren't aware of support services or because they didn't think they needed them.

According to study author Linda Carlson, PhD, a clinical psychiatrist with the University of Calgary/Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Alberta, Canada, not getting help can have major repercussions. "If people don't feel like they can talk to anyone, their distress just snowballs over time," she says, adding that people with untreated depression and anxiety often end up visiting doctors more often.

That snowball effect may be one of several reasons patients find the post-treatment period stressful. "Some patients find it most difficult when treatments end because they feel they're not fighting anymore and they don't have the support of their medical team," Dr. Savard says.

Getting Support
Sometimes people with cancer find that the friends and family they thought they could rely on aren't offering them the support they need. In fact, cancer can sometimes expose existing cracks in relationships, particularly in couples. "For couples who were functioning well before cancer, the cancer will usually have a minimal impact on their relationship, or even improve it. In couples who had difficulties before cancer, it will generally create more problems," Dr. Savard explains.

Other times, Dr. Carlson says, people don't want to overburden their friends and family with their worries and may feel pressure to stay upbeat. And those friends and family members don't always know what to say or how to be helpful, especially if they haven't faced a life-threatening illness themselves.

Many people with cancer find the support they need in psychotherapy. Depending upon someone's personality and preferences, they may choose one-on-one psychotherapy or a support group of their peers that is led by a mental health professional, such as an oncology social worker. A study published in May 2001 in The Archives of General Psychiatry found that support groups helped reduce distress in people with metastatic cancer, primarily by helping them face their advanced disease on an emotional level. (Because the concerns of people with early stage and advanced cancer are so different, separate support groups are often found to be helpful for participants.)

"Supportive treatment, whether it's individual or group therapy, allows people to express their concerns and fears," Dr. Carlson says. "There's this myth that you have to be positive all the time when what's really important is that people are able to express their feelings, whatever they are."

Support groups and psychotherapy are also available to the family and friends of people with cancer. People with cancer and their families can find psychosocial support though their hospital or cancer center, or though support and advocacy organizations such as the American Cancer Society and The Wellness Community and CancerCare, which offer online support groups led by health professionals.

Other options available to people with cancer include hypnosis and guided imagery, where you relax by focusing on a positive mental image. Biofeedback, a technique that helps people learn how to relax, works with bodily functions such as breathing and muscle tension. If it's feasible, mild aerobic exercise can also provide energy and a mood lift. Some people, especially those who have had anxiety disorder or depression in the past, may need antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help them cope.

Cancer is an isolating experience, Dr. Carlson says, but reaching out for support can help people living with the discomfort and uncertainties of cancer gain reassurance and a better quality of life.

National Cancer Institute's Symptoms of Depression Having a depressed mood for most of the day and on most days:

Loss of pleasure and interest in most activities
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Nervousness or sluggishness
Tiredness
Feeling of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Poor concentration
Thoughts of death or suicide

More Than Mood Swings: Bipolar Disorder in Teens

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More Than Mood Swings: Bipolar Disorder in Teens

Parents are often exasperated by their moody teenage children. After all, teenagers are known to be irritable, to sleep a lot and to resist authority figures. So how can a concerned parent determine when a teenager is just being a typical teenager and when their child has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder?

In teenagers, symptoms of bipolar disorder can include dramatic mood changes within a single day and may have different symptoms than adults. Below, Barbara Geller, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses how to recognize and treat bipolar disorder in adolescents.

What is bipolar disorder?
It's defined like other psychiatric disorders across the age span in a manual called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The specific definition for what we now call bipolar disorder, but used to be called "manic-depressive" illness includes certain symptoms that patients must have to make a diagnosis.

People have to experience both depressed and manic episodes. For example, to fit the depressed part, they would need to be sad, to lose enjoyment in usual activities, to have trouble sleeping and eating, to be guilt-ridden, suicidal. To fit the manic part, they'd have to have elation: a mood of being happy as if the most wonderful thing in your life is happening except it's on a day that's like any other day. Families often describe it as Jim Carrey—like behaviors: silly, giddy, joking without an apparent reason.

People with bipolar disorder also get very grandiose. In adults, it may be developing business schemes that are unlikely to work so they wind up maxing-out credit cards. They have very active personal lives and may have multiple marriages. They seem to be able to go without sleep and are very social.

When does bipolar disorder usually first appear?
It's really only been in the last decade that people have started to pay attention to diagnosing bipolar disorder in young children and early adolescents. So many adults looking back can describe that they had the illness, but it may not have been recognized at that time. It's estimated from current studies that maybe as many as half of adults who have bipolar disorder had their onset before age 17.

How is the bipolar disorder different in younger children?
In adults, what people are used to thinking is that there will be a discrete episode with a clear onset and a clear offset. You generally have mostly a high or a low, and people function somewhat better between episodes.

What we see in the younger population is they have continuous illness for years, but on a daily basis, they can be both high and low. So they may spend four hours of the day high and giddy and silly, and it's very infectious and amusing, and maybe another four hours of the day morose, gloomy, not wanting to be with friends and thinking of hurting themselves. You see these very rapid cycles shifting from extreme high to extreme low on a daily basis, day in and day out, year after year.

And in children, the high manifests a little differently because children are not likely to max-out credit cards or have had four marriages by the time they're seven or eight. So what we look for in children is being super happy, as if it were Christmas morning or the day you're going to Disneyland, except it's the average day in school.

What are some of the risk factors for bipolar disorder?
The biggest factor is that it seems to run in some families. Bipolar symptoms also can occur with use of certain prescription medications such as steroids, with some illicit drugs such as cocaine and with various brain diseases such as stroke, tumors and trauma.

What are some of the warning signs in teenagers?
What families may notice is an exaggeration of all the stereotypes of what we say teenagers do. So we think of teenagers as being irresponsible and being irritable, but the child with bipolar disorder may suddenly decide, "I'm not going to school. They're not teaching me anything. I'm going to be President of the United States anyway, why do I have to go to school?" They have very grandiose behaviors that are out of keeping with reality.

They can also get very hypersexual. We think of adolescents getting very interested in the opposite sex, but bipolar adolescents will feel an urgent need to have multiple partners. They'll begin using very sexy language in inappropriate places. At school, they may write it on the blackboard.

How can parents distinguish between a moody teenager and someone who might have a mood disorder?

It's extremely important for parents to get a professional evaluation if they have any suspicion. The worst that will happen, if it's unfounded, is they will have spent a little time and money. But if it is not evaluated, and you let it go on, it can devastate a child's life. There will be multiple suspensions from school. They can get sexually transmitted diseases because they have unsafe sex. They can very rapidly go into a depression and get very suicidal and act on it. So it's very important, especially in families where a family member has bipolar disorder or has depression, for parents to get consultations at the first sign of any suspicion.

Are teenagers with bipolar disorder more likely to have drug and alcohol problems?
There is a very high rate among people with bipolar disorder of using alcohol and drugs across the age span. Parents have to be very suspicious because a child who's using drugs may seem like they're just having "the normal moodiness of adolescence."

There are some common things to look for. For example, drugs cost money and the family may find that items are disappearing from the house. A child may ask to borrow Mom's jewelry, and it somehow gets lost. Or they borrow electronic equipment, and what they're doing is selling it so they can afford their drugs.

What treatment is recommended to teenagers with bipolar disorder?
There are three classes of medication that are used for bipolar illness across the age span. The antimania drug lithium is the mainstay, and lithium is especially good if somebody else in the family with bipolar disorder has responded to it. The second class of drugs is called anticonvulsants because they were originally developed to treat epilepsy. And the third class of drugs is called neuroleptics.

It's very important to educate the family about the illness and to let them grieve. The last thing they want is for one of their children to have the illness. Then you can help them adapt and take part in the child's treatment. You also have to educate personnel at the school so that the expectation about the amount of work that the child can do is geared toward what the child can manage.

How well does medication control the disease?
Some kids do very well and become indistinguishable from other children as long as they take their medication regularly. The medication essentially has to be taken indefinitely, as it is in adults. Most who take it regularly will have fewer hospitalizations and suicide attempts, and they will be able to hold jobs better and have more stable personal relationships. For others, bipolar disorder is very difficult to treat, and it can be months of trying to find the right combination of treatments.

Are there strategies for helping teenagers stay on their medication?
Strategies have really not been formally researched and developed. This is a very important area for future research. For example, will there be Web-based programs the patients can go to? One thing that we find very helpful to do with adolescents is to grieve with them. The way parents have to mourn the loss of a child who's well, the children themselves have to mourn the loss of their former well self.

But grief hurts a millimeter less every day, so we usually can tell them that six months from now, it'll be more automatic just to take the medication and go about your other business.

Adults Coping with Trauma: An Expert Perspective

2008-01-12T18:30:00.001-08:00

Adults Coping with Trauma: An Expert Perspective

By: Daniel S. Weiss, PhD

The psychological challenges that confront us when we are exposed to catastrophic or traumatic stress can be seen in our faces and postures almost immediately. During the recent terrorist events, hands covered mouths or eyes and faces were averted from the scene. Voices said "Oh no!!", "This can't be real", and "I don't believe it." These actions and utterances are common responses to traumatic stressors. They are the mind's automatic attempt to integrate and assimilate the brutal and initially unbelievable reality of a traumatic event, into a familiar psychological world.

Psychology's Lost its Balance
Most of us function with certain assumptions about the world and our surroundings. We assume that our worlds are safe and predictable. Exposure to traumatic stressors like the events of September 11th, or an earthquake or a flood, rudely punctures this psychological bubble of invulnerability. Our normal assumptions are ruptured, and our understanding of the "rules" of daily living are shocked and upset. The term "upsetting" is apt, because not only do we experience strong emotions in these times, we actually lose our balance psychologically. This loss of stability and psychological equilibrium are what we aim to regain as we experience the waves of emotions in the weeks and months that follow our exposure. Exactly what each of us feels will be different, but there are clearly commonalities.

One important point to know and to remember is that the natural, common, and normal reactions that you experience may feel quite painful and may make you wonder if your mind is playing tricks on you. In the vast majority of cases, your reactions are normal, even if they are very strong and upsetting.

The Reactions to Trauma
There are three kinds of experience that most people have after witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event.

Intrusion
Most disturbing to many are the vivid visual images that intrude into conscious awareness without any particular trigger. Termed "intrusive phenomena" these include experiences such as bad dreams or nightmares, anxiety or fear when exposed to reminders of the trauma, painful thoughts about what happened, and, in extreme cases, losing track of the present and feeling like what happened is happening again. These intrusive phenomena are part of the process of incorporating the distressing change in what reality is, into our world view.

Avoidance
It is also common to turn away from traumatic events and avoid coming to grips with what has happened. The avoidance can take the form of social isolation, not thinking or talking about the traumatic event, or less adaptive activities such as using alcohol or drugs to avoid painful thoughts and feelings. Frequently our own protective defenses take over, and we just feel numb.

The natural course of coming to terms with a traumatic event involves oscillating between intrusion and avoidance. We flip back and forth over the course of minutes as well as over the course of days and weeks. We think we are doing better but then we experience another wave of grief or sorrow or fear. The episodic nature of the intrusion and avoidance is to be expected and is just a reflection of the process of trying to regain psychological balance.

Hyperarousal
The third natural response to trauma is hyperarousal, and comes from the "fight or flight response", which is part of our evolutionary heritage. Those who are personally involved in a tragic event commonly experience continuing hyperarousal. This is manifest in disturbed sleep, trouble concentrating, being easily startled, and being overly watchful, on guard, and jumpy. The hyperarousal response makes sense from the perspective of natural selection-those who stayed alert and on guard after danger threatened were more likely to survive and reproduce than those who put their head back down into the sand.

Thematic Concerns
After the recent tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC, you may have heard a number of the following refrains:

"I feel so sad and bad for those who perished." "I'm worried that things are never going to be the same." "I'm frightened for the safety of my children-what if something else happens?" "I feel so powerless." "I want to do something, anything, to help." "I never thought that something like this could happen." "I am so enraged and furious, I'm beside myself." "My troubles feel so small in comparison, I feel guilty about asking for help." "I just had to talk to people, to tell them how I felt."

The primary task for each person who has lived through a traumatic event is to come to terms with what it means to him or her. We bring different life histories and experiences to bear, and we will not all have the same reactions. Grief, guilt, loss of control and helplessness, rage, fear, and anxiety about the event, are all common reactions after exposure to trauma.

Moreover, our main concerns may shift with the passage of time, after things have settled down, or with new information. Helplessness may turn into anger for one person, while for another the desperate need for revenge morphs into sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss and isolation. Thus, just as intrusion and avoidance oscillate and change, the preoccupations can be volatile, changing rapidly or changing more gradually.

Some mental health professionals present processes like grieving or coming to terms with trauma as following a set sequence of phases or processes. And though there are common themes, and typical symptoms and reactions to trauma, there is no universal course that recovery follows. It is important, consequently, to be comfortable with being at whatever place you find yourself, and to not be alarmed if others around you are at a different place.

Coping Techniques
One of the best ways to cope with the effects of trauma is to do something that most of us find we want to do naturally-tell our story to others who want to listen.

Communicate
Talk to those who want to and are able to listen. Be aware that there will be times when others aren't able to or don't want to listen. Similarly, listening to others will help you cope-both listening and telling bring people together, let them feel understood, and counter feelings of isolation and alienation, feelings that may easily arise after trauma. Help others if helping doesn't deplete you-but be sure to take care of yourself so you can effectively help others.

Protect yourself from information overload
Another way to cope is to turn away from the information overload periodically-turn off the television or radio, and stop surfing the Internet for the latest bulletin. Our need for information is driven by our need to regain a sense of control, but when the world is still rocking, real control is not yet available.

Be prepared for future catastrophe
Make preparations to be better prepared for future catastrophes or disasters-this is an arena in which authentic control is available. For example, for those who live in earthquake country, work out a plan to have an out-of-state point of contact, so when local phones are down, scattered family members can each call and give a location update.

Avoid 'escapist' behavior
Finally, avoid alcohol, drugs, or immersion in work as a way to distract yourself from the traumatic feelings. Better to deal with the painful feelings as they happen than to put them aside.

Seeking Professional Help
Time is the great healer for those exposed to trauma. If your reactions intensify with the passage of days and weeks and months, or your reactions simply don't begin to remit, then it is wise to consider seeking professional help from a mental health expert. In the early days and weeks after the event, medication for help with sleep can be immensely restorative-but consult a physician before taking sleeping pills.

Posttraumatic stress disorder
Those with the most intractable and severe symptoms following trauma suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, which can be diagnosed only after at least one month post trauma.

Research in the field has shown that those with a history of prior trauma, prior adjustment problems, or extremely strong emotional reactions during and immediately after the trauma are at somewhat higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder than others, but the increased risk is not substantial.

Some of my own work has shown that those whose reactions during and immediately after the trauma were characterized by stark feelings of unreality, palpable disconnection from bodily sensations, a sense of watching what was happening to them as if it were a movie or play, or a profound chaos and disorganization, are also at somewhat increased risk for a more difficult recovery.

Nonetheless, this same research has also shown that the vast majority of those exposed to traumatic events eventually regain their balance psychologically and move forward in the world-albeit a world that is forever different from the world they knew before the tragedy occurred.

Acceptance of the fact that the world will never be quite the same after a trauma is the most critical task of coming to terms with the trauma

What The Most Dangerous Job In The World Taught Me About Coping With Stress

2008-01-12T18:29:00.002-08:00

What The Most Dangerous Job In The World Taught Me About Coping With Stress

I just got through reading some troubling news in the New York Times this morning.

62% of employees now say that work-related stress leaves them overwhelmed and overtired.

And for many of us, who bring work home from the office, the problem is even worse.

So what’s going on?

Why are most of us so stressed?

I’ll tell you what a major part of the problem is… lack of job security.

I remember as I was growing up, my father only had two jobs. He was a high school teacher for the earlier part of his life, and later on he went into the real estate profession.

Two jobs, and they spanned his entire lifetime!

And the one career change he made was something he wanted to do. He didn’t make the change because he was losing his job as a teacher. In fact, the school district wanted him to stay.

But that’s a far cry from the way things are today. In fact, the days of job stability, and working for a single employer for your entire working career are long gone.

You’ll probably change jobs at least 11 times before you retire.

Downsizing, rapid business expansion and outsourcing are terms that we’re all too familiar with.

Before I got involved in the health industry and started my own indoor air quality business back in 1996, I’d already held 5 jobs in 5 completely different industries.

I worked as a telecommunications technician (in the Army), as a framer, on the green chain at 2 separate lumber mills, as a farm hand and finally as an Alaska fisherman for seven years (which was the hardest and most stressful job I ever had).

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “You must’ve been a problem employee”.

But the fact is, nothing could be further from the truth.

I was in fact a model employee for every company I worked for, and never left a single employer on bad terms.

For example…

I began working as an Alaska fisherman in 1988. My main motivation for doing this was the money. Quite honestly, that’s the only reason I took the job.

And if you’ve ever seen that movie “The Perfect Storm” or watched those shows on the discovery channel, you have an idea of what it’s like to fish in Alaska.

My own story isn’t much different and it taught me why being an Alaska Fisherman is know as “The Most Dangerous Job In The World”.

The winter of 1995 had been an especially bad winter in Alaska. Fishing boats and fishermen's lives were being claimed by the Bering Sea almost weekly.

I was working on the outside deck after dark and we were in an unbelievable storm. It was the worst I'd seen in my 7 years of fishing. The kind of thing you only see in the movies.

I was scared to death!

But I had my own way of dealing with my fears. I'd never look out at the horizon when we were in a storm like this because I didn't want to see the big picture. I didn't want to know how high the waves really were. So I'd just concentrate on my job, which was to get all the fish onto the boat. As long as I did my job, and didn't look up, I could almost convince myself that the storm wasn't that bad.

While this certainly wasn’t the best way to deal with stress, at the time, it was the only way I knew how.

As always, the captain was in the wheelhouse driving the boat. His job was to keep an eye on me and watch for the dangerous rogue waves that would come out of nowhere and slam into us broadside. He'd tell me if I was in any real danger.

And then it happened!

I heard the captain's thundering voice over the intercom system.

Kevin! Hit the deck!

Before I could react, I was buried under a wall of water that hurled me all the way across the deck of the boat, face first into the railing on the other side.

When the water settled, and I realized what had happened, my immediate thought was, "Thank God I'm still on the boat" The impact had knocked out my front teeth and caused serious facial damage, but at least I was still alive, and on the boat.

If that wave would have lifted me just a few inches higher, I would have been thrown right over the top of the railing into the freezing waters of the Bering Sea. And there's one thing I knew for sure. In a storm like that, there's no way in hell the captain would have got that boat turned around in time to save me. I would have died right then and there.

It was at that moment I decided my life as an Alaska Fisherman was over.

While it was a great experience, I’ve never regretted my decision to leave the fishing industry. I just didn’t want to deal with that much stress in my life.

Decades of research has linked stress to everything from heart attacks and stroke to diabetes and a weakened immune systems, and none of us want to deal with that.

I’ve since found much better ways to deal with stress, and you can too by using the resources on this site.

How To Destress Your Life Naturally

2008-01-12T18:29:00.001-08:00

How To Destress Your Life Naturally

The World's Top Anti-Aging Specialist

What would you say if I told you that a lot of today's stresses are not environmental!

You'd probably say, "What are you talking about! If so and so wasn't doing this and my boss wasn't doing that and he kids listened better I would be a lot calmer!"

Well that is probably true, but your ancestors had to deal with disease starvation and wild animals which had to be very stressful!

I don't think A.D.D. and Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia were survival advantages!

My point is this: As I've said before Food is the most powerful drug ever invented. And the biggest missing in our diets if Omega 3 fatty acids.

With the proper amount of fish Oil Omega 3 fatty acids in your body you will notice you are a lot calmer and much more able to handle stress creatively!

A while back I talked about the effects of stress on longevity and health. All of it was bad!

Well, I have recently uncovered some additional evidence that Omega 3 fatty acids are needed for us to respond properly to stress.

And I mean serious stress, like the kind our ancestors faced, AND the version of it we face today!

Undoubtedly this is how our ancestors survived the tremendous stresses in their lives.

In all of the cardiac studies with fish oil it shows there is an inverse relationship between fish oil intake and death and development of heart attack in humans.

We have talked in the past about all kinds of reasons for this: the blood thinning effect of fish oil via platelets, the direct anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil on the formation of clogged heart arteries.

The latest research suggests that Fish Oil has adaptogenic properties with regards to the human response to stress.

This includes a direct effect on a very primitive part of the human brain called the brain stem. It is from this area that nervous discharges happen.

One type of nervous discharge is called "sympathetic".

This funny name refers to the type of nervous discharge that causes blood vessels to tighten blood pressure to go up and people to get anxious and stressed out.

It also leads to increased cortisol which is the hormonal equivalent of suicide by stress!

Fish oil attenuates this type of discharge and allows the body to respond in a graded sensible manner instead of a ballistic blast.

Most of you are aware of fish Oil's effects on the brain as well. I've referenced many studies in the past on depression and behavioral modification with Fish Oil via serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals.

Another very cool and very healthy thing happens when adequate fish oil is present in the system.

The body starts using fat preferentially as a fuel during times of mental and physical stress.

So there you have it! Improve your brain chemistry, buffer your body's ability to handle both mental and physical stress, burn more fat, reduce cortisol and the illness it is associated with including aging!

What more could you ask for! Make sure you go to the site and order as the winter flu season comes upon us and take advantage of the beneficial immune effects that fish Oil can also give you!

Living in USA

2008-01-12T18:26:00.000-08:00

Living in USA

You will find this section a useful guide to living in the United States throughout your stay in the USA. It explains everything from the basics, such the US monetary and banking system, to the intricacies of clothing sizes and national holidays. It also includes tips on how to stay safe, secure, and healthy.

Housing
Upon arrival in the USA, you will need to find a place to stay. Look here for advice on finding accommodations, leases and landlords, and hooking up utilities.

Transportation
Learn about the weird driving habits of Americans, from driving on the "right" side of the road to the Pittsburgh left turn. There are also tips about bicycles, taxicabs, and public transportation.

Money and Banking
Read about US coins and bills, the need for checking accounts and credit cards, and traveler's checks and exchange rates.

Shopping
Find out about everything from sales tax to saving money and clothing sizes to alcoholic beverages.

Mailing and Shipping
The US Postal System is one of the least expensive and most efficient in the world. Unfortunately, this means you will get a lot more junk mail. If you need to post a letter or ship a package, find everything you need to know here.

Safety and Security
This section will teach you a few simple precautions that can help protect you from crime and let you know what to do in case of an emergency.

Health Care
It is important that you read this section, because the United States does not provide free socialized medicine. International students are required to have health insurance in order to matriculate in college.

Families with Children
If you bring your children with you, you will need to know about day care and the US school system.

Entertainment
Here are our picks of good tourist attractions for international students, a discussion about student discounts, and basic information about television, newspapers, and magazines.

Apply for a mobile phone in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:37:00.001-08:00

* Check if your employer gets corporate discounts.
* Bring your employment pass and passport (and a company ID if you're getting a corporate discount).
* Buying the phone is independent of the service contract. You can decide to buy a new handset later on if you like (and you'll get a promotional price if you're willing to commit to a couple of years' service).
* Another option is to get a prepaid phone card. This works well if you are only in Singapore for a short period, or if you're based in another country but frequently travel to Singapore. You may also want to explore a prepaid card if you've been keeping two phones (a Singapore phone, and one from your home country) - special prepaid phone cards can help you get lower rates for calls and text messages to and from your home country.
* If you're from the Philippines, the Singtel Kababayan Card (also called the Kabayan Card) offers a cheap way to keep in touch with Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers. Offers include v019 IDD calls to Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers in the Philippines at local airtime rates, and free incoming calls. It's cheap for your friends and family back home too - Globe subscribers can text you for just one peso, and both Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers can call you for P7.50 per minute.
* Check out the Kababayan card overview at the Singtel website, or check the FAQ for the latest rates and offers.

Apply for a credit card in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:36:00.002-08:00

Bring your passport, your employment pass, and a company ID. Most standard credit cards require a minimum annual income of $30,000 - sometimes more. Some banks may require a copy of a recent payslip to prove your income.

The government has recently relaxed some banking regulations, allowing banks to offer credit cards with no minimum income requirement. These cards have a maximum credit limit of $500. One such card is Citibank's Citi Clear Card. Watch out, though - although there's no minimum income requirement, interest on outstanding balances is a whopping 28 percent.

Another good option for those under the minimum income requirement is a debit card. Various banks offer Visa and Mastercard affiliated debit cards, with no minimum income threshold.

You'll be spoiled for choice in Singapore when it comes to credit cards. There are lots of good offers. Almost every card offers some kind of rebate and a bunch of freebies.

* Citibank can give you your card in 3 hours if you have all the requirements.
* DBS, as of our last check, requires you to send in the application form by mail.
* UOB's Ladies Card is my favorite because it provides two free gym passes for California Fitness each month.

Schools and Admission Process in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:36:00.001-08:00

If you have kids who will be studying in Singapore, you may want to start researching Singapore schools before you arrive. In particular, figure out which schools you like and check for vacancies early, because this may determine in which areas you should try house-hunting. We've heard a few stories of families that signed a tenancy agreement, and then had to move after a month or two because they couldn't find school vacancies in the area for their kids.

For information about the school application process and requirements, visit the Foreign Student Information page on the Ministry of Education web site.

Children on a Dependent’s Pass and studying in a qualified school are exempted from needing a Student Pass.

Check the Ministry of Education application form and consult with your prospective schools regarding the documents you may need to produce to enroll your child. For example, in some cases schools may require inoculation or vaccination records. Get these ready before you leave your home country, as it may be difficult to coordinate with your home doctor or your child's previous schools once you're overseas.

Supermarkets and Delis in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:34:00.002-08:00

Supermarkets

Singapore's supermarkets are amply stocked, but if you don't have a car it will be tough getting all that loot back home. Standing in a taxi queue for 20 minutes with loads of groceries isn't my idea of fun, so we order ours online and have them delivered.

* Cold Storage bill themselves "the fresh food people" and true to their word, they deliver perishables and frozen items, in addition to regular non-perishable groceries.
* NTUC Fairprice uses SingPost to make deliveries. This cuts down on costs but means they can't deliver perishables.
* Carrefour doesn't seem to offer online shopping (or at least I can't find a link), but they do deliver for free if you spend $150 or more when you shop at the store.

Delis

Looking for gourmet ingredients?

* Corduroy & Finch has a deli, bar, and cafe at 779 Bukit Timah road, near Sixth Avenue. They sell a mind-blowingly rich chocolate mousse.
* Culina stocks an assortment of wines, cheeses, and cocktail party staples - including bite-size pre-made pastry shells for hors d'oeuvres. They also sell sun-dried tomato foccacia bread and yummy onion bagels. Culina has branches at Park House (21 Orchard Boulevard, #01-23), Bukit Timah (617 Bukit Timah Road), and Dempsey Hill (Block 8 Dempsey Road #01-13).
* Jason's Marketplace is run by Cold Storage and has several branches in popular shopping malls.
* Jones the Grocer is an Australian chain with a branch at Dempsey Hill (Block 9 Dempsey Road #01-12). They stock a variety of flavored oils, including garlic oil and vanilla oil. For candy buffs, they've got huge slabs of thick chocolate fudge and nougats.
* The Cellar Door, at 611 and 619 Bukit Timah road, has both a restaurant and a deli. Try their dips, yum.
* Tierney's is at Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene near Bukit Timah road.
* Still looking for more places? Check out this list of Singapore delis and good food sources.

Livingston Singapore

2008-01-10T02:34:00.001-08:00

Feel like staying in for the evening?

* Dabao.sg will pick up orders from a selection of restaurants and well-loved hawker stalls, for a flat $3-5 charge.
* Familiar fast-food places deliver too. McDonald's delivers 24 hours a day (6777 3777), with breakfast deliveries available from 4 AM to 10:45 AM. Pizza Hut (62 35 35 35) often has promotional offers - check their web site for the latest deals. KFC's phone number is 6222 6111.
* Did you know that Starbucks delivers? Strangely enough, they don’t seem to mention it on their website - but Starbucks stores distribute handy delivery menus listing all the usual drinks plus a few sets that include pastry or sandwiches. They’ll deliver with a minimum spend of $20; delivery services may not be available during peak hours. To place an order, call your nearest Starbucks store and ask if they’ll deliver to your location.

Looking for somewhere to eat after a late night at work or a long night of clubbing? These restaurants and eateries are open 24 hours - or at least until early morning.

* Spize (River Valley, 6 pm - 6 am). 409 River Valley Road. Near popular nightspots and often packed with clubbers.
* Swensen's (Orchard, 24 hours). 270 Orchard Road, #01-06, Park Hotel Orchard.
* Coffee Club (Orchard, 24 hours). 323 Orchard Road.
* McDonald's (multiple outlets, 24 hours). They deliver 24 hours a day, too.
* The Roti Prata House on Upper Thomson (Central North, 24 hours). 246M Upper Thomson Road. Crispy prata, yum.
* Fong Seng Nasi Lemak (West, 6 am - 4 am). 22 Clementi Road (near Kent Ridge Bus Terminal / Pasir Panjang road). Both Fong Seng and the Cheese Prata Shop, below, are popular with students from nearby NUS.
* The Cheese Prata Shop (West, 24 hours). 18 Clementi Road (near Kent Ridge Bus Terminal / Pasir Panjang road).

Food in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:33:00.000-08:00

Curious about Singapore cuisine? Try some of these local dishes.

* Cereal Prawns. You're probably thinking, what the heck? Yes, these are prawns crusted with oatmeal or bran flakes - it sounds funny but tastes great. Try the classic version complete with shells (yes, they’re edible) at No Signboard or have the prawns pre-shelled for you at Fatty's at Burlington Square, 175 Bencoolen Street.

* Chicken Rice, or Hainanese Chicken Rice as it's sometimes known. Roasted or steamed chicken, accompanied by a flavorful serving of rice cooked in chicken broth. Chicken rice is traditionally served with three sauces - chilli sauce, pounded ginger, and a thick dark soy sauce. It's served with a bowl of soup, and sometimes includes a pile of sliced cucumber. Wee Nam Kee at 275 Thomson Road (across the street from Novena Church) is a popular place for chicken rice. Tian Tian Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown is another good choice.

* Chilli Crab and Black Pepper Crab - no first-time visit to Singapore is complete without trying these huge Sri Lankan crabs. Don't miss the yummy Chinese buns, called mantou, that traditionally accompany chilli crab. We like the crab at Jumbo and No Signboard.

* Durian. It's impossible to be ambivalent about this fruit, you either love it or you hate it. As one tourist described it - "tastes like heaven, smells like hell." The durian smell is so strong, it's banned in hotels and on public transport. And don't even think about taking one on a plane! Most Singaporeans are crazy about durian, though, and will happily take you to try some if you mention you've never tasted it. For the less adventurous, you can also try durian in less potent forms - in durian cakes, tarts, puffs, candy, and ice cream. The Geylang area is known for durian stalls (and, well, for other things too...)

Choosing a place in Singapore

2008-01-10T02:31:00.000-08:00

Once you've viewed a few properties, it's time to make a selection. Here are some things to consider when choosing a place to rent.

* If you're not planning to buy a car, find a place that's commuter friendly. Places within walking distance from the MRT are best for getting around, but that convenience comes at a premium. If you don't mind living a little further away, you can often find cheaper units that are well-served by multiple bus routes. By the way, "walking distance" in Singapore is highly subjective. Check Streetdirectory.com to gauge the actual distance to the nearest MRT station.
* If you're looking at older buildings, be wary of en-bloc potential. There's been a slew of en-bloc sales recently, where condo unit owners band together to collectively sell a building to a developer who then tears it down and builds a new condo. This is a cash windfall for the owner, but as a tenant this could mean you'll be house hunting again a couple of months after moving in!
* Before paying a premium for condo facilities, ask youself - do you really need that gym, pool, or tennis court? Quite a few condos have pools about the size of a large bathtub, and you'll get dizzy from turns before you get any decent exercise. If you don't plan to use the facilities often, you can save some rent and make use of Singapore's extensive community facilities instead. You can query the Singapore Sports Council's list of facilities, although you'll need to register before you can make an actual booking.
* If you’re planning to rent an entire HDB flat (rather than just one room in a shared flat), make sure your landlord has approval from HDB. A common (but illegal) practice is for landlords to rent out their HDB flat without HDB approval, keeping one room locked. The locked room is supposed to be "proof" that the owner continues to reside in the flat, but this won’t save you if HDB officials come to check. Better to be safe than take the chance of losing your deposit or having to move unexpectedly. One of our readers, Vishwadeep, passed along a cautionary story of unscrupulous landlords or agents pressuring tenants to leave the rented flat without refunding their deposit - if you’ve rented the flat illegally, you will not be able to complain to HDB about such tactics.
* An easy way to make sure your landlord has approval to rent out their HDB flat is to ask to see a copy of the approval letter, when you go to view the unit.

Good-bye Rabbit, Hello Dragon

2008-01-10T02:30:00.001-08:00

Only one month to go, and the Year of the Dragon will be upon us. Shogatsu, the transition from one year to the next, is undoubtedly Japan’s biggest holiday period. Here are a few things you can expect:

A BLIZZARD OF POSTCARDS

While most Anglophone Westerners will soon be filling out stacks and stacks of Christmas cards to mail to friends, relatives, and acquaintances, the majority of Japanese will be doing something very similar with nengajo — New Year greeting cards. In years past I have done both nengajo and Christmas cards, and I am here to tell you that nengajo are better. Here’s why:

First, they’re cheaper. A nengajo is the size and shape of an ordinary post card. They don’t require envelopes and cost less in postage than Christmas cards do. Also, you can buy nengajo with the postage printed right on them so you don’t even have to lick a stamp. Best of all — at least according to a certain friend of mine — is that there’s nowhere to insert a form letter.

Second, they come in more variety. Nengajo themes change annually on a twelve-year cycle. That’s because each year in Japan is related to an animal of the Chinese zodiac. For example, 2000 is the Year of the Dragon, so everyone will be sending out dragon-themed cards this year. Last year was the Year of the Rabbit, so the available nengajo were adorned with cartoon rabbits, watercolor rabbits, woodblock print rabbits, and photographed rabbits. Because 1998 was the Year of the Tiger, I saw one nengajo on which a tiger in running shorts was handing off a relay baton to a similarly dressed rabbit. So, the rabbit may also come back for a curtain call this year, but all of the nengajo I’ve seen so far feature only dragons.

Another source of variety is the fact that although most people buy their nengajo at stores, a large minority makes their own. (This is true with Christmas cards, too, but I think it is more common with nengajo.) A postcard may not sound like much of an artistic canvas, but people do make the most of it. Some draw their own designs, others carve their own printing blocks, and many show off their calligraphy. Family photos are not unusual, especially if there has been a new baby during the year. A small number of families even have their kids do the designing

Third, nengajo can make you rich. The Japanese post office runs a lottery every year based on the serial numbers of pre-stamped cards. The winning numbers are published in every newspaper during the first week of the year. The only prize I’ve ever won was a booklet of commemorative stamps from the last Year of the Horse, but that was thrill enough.

One of the few drawbacks, however, is that regardless of how early the cards are mailed, the post office saves them all up to deliver in bulk precisely on January 1st. So, if someone mails you one and you forgot to send one to them, you will have no time to cover up. You’ ll just have to send them one late. Another potential pitfall is that families inmourning should not be sent nengajo. But just in case you didn’t realize that the mother-in-law of a casual acquaintance had died during the year, mourning families usually send out their own black-bordered postcards in early December to ask you not to send any nengajo, and to explain why you won’t be getting one from them.

OSECHI-RYORI

Almost every worthwhile holiday on earth is associated with its own special foods, and New Year in Japan is no exception. Soba is especially popular because the long noodles remind people of long life. Eating soba during the holidays therefore supposedly increases your chances of surviving the coming year.

More distinctive than soba is osechi-ryori, or “New Year Cuisine.” This “dish” is actually a three-day supply of food served in a stack of lacquer boxes. It includes numerous small servings of many different items, each carefully prepared and pleasing to the eye. Like soba, most of them have some symbolic value. For example, golden candied chestnuts express a wish for wealth — or at least a more prosperous year than last.

Most osechi items are dried, pickled, candied, or otherwise preserved. In this way, the box can be left unrefrigerated in a household’s living room for several days for everyone to nosh on. With mom freed from her usual kitchen duties, the whole family can spend a few days together at home in an atmosphere of complete relaxation.

Of course, preparing the osechi in the first place was a huge project in itself for the traditional Japanese mother, and it required culinary skills that are no longer common. For this reason many families these days enjoy commercially prepared osechi. It has to be ordered in advance and can sometimes be quite expensive, but at least it fulfills its intended purpose.

THE ONE-EYED LIMBLESS WISH-GRANTER

The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect on what you want to achieve in the next chapter of life, which is why Americans like myself make (and break) so many New Year resolutions. Japanese with wishes to fulfill often invoke a higher power … in the form of a roly-poly egg-shaped doll.

His name is Daruma, and centuries ago he was a Buddhist monk who spent so much time absorbed in meditation that his arms and legs were said to have melted away. His eyes are very round, very white, and very large. They occupy most of his face, which in turn occupies the upper half of the ovoid dolls that represent him. The lower half is usually covered with red and white stripes. He’s basically just a giant head.

People often buy Daruma dolls at the beginning of some big project, or at the beginning of the year. When making their wish, people paint a black pupil in one of the doll’s empty eyes. When the wish is granted or success is achieved, they paint in the other eye. Until then he remains half-blind.

Kita-in temple in Kawagoe, Saitama is famous for its annual Daruma festival during the first week of the year. People from far and wide come to turn in their old Darumas and buy new ones. The old ones are burned in a bonfire, along with a variety of last year’s other good-luck charms. I went to the festival one year in the company of a bilingual friend to interview random strangers who were dropping off their old dolls. What had they wished for? Did they get it?

Almost everyone had wished for the exact same thing:

“Happiness for my family.” Only a few had asked for something more specific, such as that their adult children would finally get married or that their family would have a safe vacation in Hawaii. With only one exception, everyone said that they were satisfied with the results. The single dissatisfied party was a woman who complained that the Daruma had failed to bring her luck because a fire had destroyed half of her house. But who knows? Without the Daruma, maybe the other half would have burned down, too!

RELIGIOUS FOR A DAY

I can predict with a high degree of certainty that nearly every man, woman, and child in the entire Japanese archipelago is going to visit at least one shrine or temple during the first week of 2000. I can predict with nearly equal certainty that very few of them will be back again before 2001. This is a little ironic because the practice of visiting a temple or shrine at this time of year is called “hatsumoude,” which means ” FIRST temple visit.”

Christian churches usually save their most elaborate services for the high-attendance days of Christmas and Easter, but shrines are the same at Shogatsu as they are the rest of the year. At temples the only added frill is that the bell is tolled 88 times around midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each reverberating tone is meant to drive off one of the 88 evils that are said to beset mankind. The typical temple bell is a bronze object the size of a phone booth. When struck with a stout log, the result is a divine din.

Other than that, it’s the usual drill. You approach, you toss some coins in the offertory box, you clap your hands together, you bow your head for a moment of silent prayer. You leave. Normally the whole procedure takes less than two minutes.

If this takes considerably longer at Shogatsu — hours, in other words — it is only because of the crowds. When I paid a visit to Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, Saitama two years ago, there were about 30 police officers on hand for crowd control. This probably worked out to one policeman for every 1,000 visitors.

A crowd that large tends to be slow-moving and tightly packed. It’s not easy to drop your coins right into the collection box, so a lot of people just hurl a fistful of change in its general direction when they think they are within seven or eight meters of it. The temples and shrines try to provide larger targets by rigging up temporary lumber-and-canvas baskets the size of small cars, but people in the front ranks of the crowd feel an intermittent hail of coins bouncing off of their heads and shoulders.

One of my Japanese friends told me what I hope is an exaggerated story about his impious brother. The brother wore a sweatshirt to hatsumoude, pushed its hood back, and then stood for a long time at the front of the crowd in a pose of intense prayer. By the time he left his hood was bulging with money.

I hope that you enjoy your New Year holidays however you observe them, but this is one form of celebration that I don’t recommend. Aside from that bit of advice, you’re on your own!

Happy New Year.

Kotoshi mo Dozo Yoroshiku.

APPENDIX: Animal Years, 1901-2020 by Tom Baker

1901 Ox –1961
1902 Tiger 1962
1903 Rabbit 1963
1904 Dragon 1964
1905 Snake 1965
1906 Horse 1966
1907 Sheep 1967
1908 Monkey 1968
1909 Rooster 1969
1910 Dog 1970
1911 Pig 1971
1912 Rat 1972
1913 Ox 1973
1914 Tiger 1974
1915 Rabbit 1975
1916 Dragon 1976
1917 Snake 1977
1918 Horse 1978
1919 Sheep 1979
1920 Monkey 1980
1921 Rooster 1981
1922 Dog 1982
1923 Pig 1983
1924 Rat 1984
1925 Ox 1985
1926 Tiger 1986
1927 Rabbit 1987
1928 Dragon 1988
1929 Snake 1989
1930 Horse 1990
1931 Sheep 1991
1932 Monkey 1992
1933 Rooster 1993
1934 Dog 1994
1935 Pig 1995
1936 Rat 1996
1937 Ox 1997
1938 Tiger 1998
1939 Rabbit 1999
1940 Dragon 2000
1941 Snake 2001
1942 Horse 2002
1943 Sheep 2003
1944 Monkey 2004
1945 Rooster 2005
1946 Dog 2006
1947 Pig 2007
1948 Rat 2008
1949 Ox 2009
1950 Tiger 2010
1951 Rabbit 2011
1952 Dragon 2012
1953 Snake 2013
1954 Horse 2014
1955 Sheep 2015
1956 Monkey 2016
1957 Rooster 2017
1958 Dog 2018
1959 Pig 2019
1960 Rat 2020

AMERICAN INTERLUDE

2008-01-10T02:28:00.002-08:00

Recently I returned to my native country, the United States, for the first time in three years. Having become used to life in Japan, I knew that America would probably have some surprises for me. They began before I even left, at Narita Airport.

TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK

“What I’m looking forward to is getting back to the States and reading a newspaper with a REAL sports page,” said a loud voice about a dozen spaces behind me in the check-in line. “They’ve got lots of basketball coverage here. The Japanese are crazy about basketball, I don’t know why, nobody plays it here. But they just ignore football. There’s nothing in the newspapers about football. They just don’t care.”

Yes, Americans are loud. At least some of us are, and I’ll admit that I’m one of them. However, it seems that a lot of Americans will get loud with anyone, whereas I prefer to talk to people I already know. I believe that Japanese newspapers do have REAL sports pages because they cover baseball, soccer, sumo, and other sports that the Japanese public is actually interested in, even if American football isn’t one of them. However, it never crossed my mind to say so to the man standing behind me in line because I don’t know him.

Whoever he was, he was less constrained than I, for the next thing he said to his companion was, ” So, you’re flying from here to…?” The two were obviously total strangers, but the second man’s monosyllabic replies didn’t keep the first man from gabbling on and on.

In Japan, I get chatted up by total strangers about twice a year, and it’s usually some drunken old man on a late-night train who wants to practice his Occupation-era English. The fact that I’m a big scary foreigner might have something to do with it, but I never see the Japanese grabbing each other’s lapels for surprise conversations either. During my week in the US, though, I was conversationally approached by at least ten different people. For example, I rode several buses, and three of the drivers wanted to talk to me.

Sometimes this talkativeness was uncomfortable. One day while my father and I were shopping at a large discount drug store in Colorado, he asked me to look for some lip balm. An old woman spun around suddenly and exclaimed in our faces, “Floor mats, that’s what I’m lookingfor! I need some floor mats for my car, and they don’t have them here!”
On a flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco the woman sitting next to me was full of questions which I answered as briefly as possible. She had dirty hair, baggy eyes, swollen lips, and a large protruding glob of what might once have been bread stuck in her upper teeth. I’m afraid I may not have been successful in controlling the expression on my face, so she soon turned back to her traveling partner. He was a pale, thin young man with large eyes, a large Adam’s apple, and an NRA (National Rifle Association) baseball cap which had a swatch of Episcopalian rainbow ribbon safety-pinned onto the side. Despite his near-total silence, she kept up a steady stream of chatter across half a continent. She clearly had a case of what the American writer Michael Chrichton has described as “verbal incontinence.”

American chattiness is not necessarily a bad thing, though. Had I been thinking more clearly, I could have turned it to my advantage. My first few days in the US were spent in Minnesota, the state whose governor is former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura. I am currently trying to sell a review of Ventura’s autobiography, and I easily could have could have pumped the Minnesotans I met for their opinions on the job he has done so far. Unfortunately, I was so taken aback by the idea of strangers talking to me that I brushed off some people who could have been helpful. In Colorado, I saw my father make a potentially useful business contact with someone who began talking to us at a bus stop. About rocks, of all things. And then a few of the loquacious strangers were just plain interesting, such as the septuagenarian skier who spoke to my parents and me on a chairlift.

This sort of thing must have happened to me in America before, but I never noticed it. After three years in quiet Japan, it came as something of a shock.

COLISEUM-STYLE ENTERTAINMENT

One person who didn’t speak to me was a Minneapolis taxi driver who was more interested in listening to his morning radio program. When I left America three years ago, the comfortable and usually intelligent humor of radio acts like Harden and Weaver (older Washingtonians will know who I mean) was already a thing of the past. Morning radio had come to be dominated by jarring, lowbrow, short-attention-span ” morning zoo” programs that were sometimes zany but often just obnoxious. The taxi driver and I were listening to one of those.

The hosts of the program were having a contest. Whoever called in from the most unusual location would win a pair of tickets to a New Year’s Eve extravaganza. The caller on the line during my taxi ride said she was phoning from Dennis Green’s house. The hosts immediately got very excited, but it took me a few minutes of listening before I realized that Dennis Green was the coach of the Minnesota Vikings football team. The caller was the baby-sitter for Green’s three-year old daughter.

Feigning disbelief, the hosts told the baby-sitter to put the child on the line to prove it. They proceeded to interrogate her about her father. Most of the questions (like “What’s your daddy’s name?”) left her sounding very confused and slightly frightened. (To a three-year-old, daddy’s name is Daddy. Even I know that.) When she finally admitted that her favorite color is purple, apparently the team color, they left her alone.

I hope the baby-sitter got fired. I was shocked that someone entrusted with taking care of a child would show her off as some kind of freakish curiosity. I was also disturbed that the radio hosts didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with what they were doing. I was even more disturbed by the idea that a large chunk of the public regards this kind of thing as legitimate entertainment.

However, this problem is not limited to the United States. Here in Japan, on July 23rd, 1999, a domestic airline flight was hijacked by a man with a knife shortly after it took off from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. The pilot was stabbed to death. Television reporters immediately raced to the pilot’s home to ask his wife what she thought of this, and that is how she learned what had happened to her husband.

About fifteen years ago, a video called ” Faces of Death” was controversial in America because it showed film footage of executions, suicides, and fatal accidents. These, days “reality TV” programs showing much the same thing have become commonplace in both the US and Japan. It is true that most of these programs are produced in the United States, but the fact they have found an audience in both countries is a bad sign for everyone.

FUNNY MONEY

Before going to America, I had read that the paper currency was being redesigned. I had even seen a few of the new $100.00 bills in Japan. However, upon being handed several crisp new $20.00 bills at the currency exchange desk I was surprised by how weird they felt. I don’t know if the US is now using of new type of paper or if I had just gotten used to the feel of Japanese currency, but they felt stiff and a little rough. It was odd.

Odder still was the fact that I actually flinched the first time an American cashier handed me my change. My first purchase was an 80-cent postcard. Handing over a dollar, I received two dimes. They were so tiny that after three years away my sense of touch no longer recognized them as coins. They felt more like collar buttons or watermelon seeds. Even the Japanese one-yen coin, a small aluminum disk of almost no value, feels more substantial in the hand.

On top of that, there are now at least six different versions of the US quarter in circulation. The quarter is a 25-cent (25 yen, or 0.25 euros) coin that has George Washington on one side and an eagle on the other. Usually. In 1999, the US Mint issued five different versions of the quarter. The Washington side has been slightly redesigned, and the eagle is gone. In its place you can find one of five different designs representing the first five states to join the Union: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. In 2000, five more quarters will be released, representing Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia. This will continue until every state has one. Ten years from now, there will be over fifty different 25-cent coins in circulation, and still more if the occasional drives for DC or Puerto Rican statehood have succeeded by that time.

The Pennsylvania coin is dignified enough, with a goddess of some sort extolling ” Virtue, Liberty, Independence.” Can’t argue with that. The Georgia coin looks like a video arcade token, with a plump, deeply cleft peach framed by a map of the state’s borders. Perhaps when Iowa’s turn comes around, their coin will carry a diagram of an ethanol molecule.

Before I get carried away, I should point out that a similar thing is happening in Japan, though on a smaller scale. This year will see the introduction of the first new Japanese paper currency in decades, and a new coin as well. Japanese coins have floral designs, while paper money has portraits of intellectuals. The 1000-yen note, for example, carries a portrait of Natsume Soseki (1867-1916), the author of many famous novels including ” Botchan,”
“Kokoro,” and ” I am a Cat.” The 10,000-yen note features Yukichi Fukuzawa, (1835-1901), a Meiji-era Westernizer who wrote over 100 books. In between is the little-used 5000-yen note, bearing the likeness of the little-known Inazo Nitobe, who was a bigwig in the League of Nations.

The newest intellectual to join this lineup is a woman, but it’s revealing to see how far back in time they had to reach to find her. She’ s Shikibu Murasaki (c.978-c.1026), author of ” Genji Monogatari” and star of the soon-to-be-released 2000-yen note. ” The Tale of Genji,” as it is often called in English, is widely considered to be the supreme masterpiece of Japanese literature. Given that, and considering that her nearest modern competition would probably come from the insipid Banana Yoshimoto, I’d have to say that she’s an excellent choice.

As for coins, the large and heavy 500-yen piece is being redesigned this year, but for reasons more practical than esthetic. The 500-yen coin is worth $4.90 (4.88 euros) but it has the same size, shape, weight, electrical conductivity, and general appearance as the Korean 500-won coin, which is worth only 45 yen (44 cents or 0.44 euros). Criminals have been taking advantage of this similarity in increasing numbers by importing large quantities of Korean coins which they use to dupe Japanese vending machines. Many of them don’t even bother making a fraudulent purchase. They just drop 500 won into the machine, hit the ” cancel” button, and receive back over ten times as much money as they put in. It’s a very quick and profitable but totally dishonest procedure which the owners of vending machines don’t like. As a result, nearly all of the machines have been equipped with coin slots too small for the large coins to fit into. This is inconvenient for the public and vexing to the government, which understandably doesn’t like to see its coinage rejected. This is especially true in Japan, which probably has more vending machines per capita than any other country on earth.

Hence, the new coin. The biggest difference in its appearance will be a slightly yellowish color due to the use of a new metal that will change the coin’s electrical conductivity, thereby helping machines to recognize it. There will also be a new feature inside each of the large zeroes in the number 500. It won’t exactly be a hologram, but the newspapers says that a ” hologram-like” design will appear in each of those spaces.

TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS

After washing my hands in a public restroom in the US, I discovered that Americans are still drying their hands with a type of hot air blower that I have come to regard as old-fashioned. It has a big round nozzle that emits a jet of warm air. You have to stand in front of the machine for the better part of a minute rubbing your hands in the stream of air before them are reasonably dry. The newer Japanese machines don’t use a round stream of air at all. Instead, they shoot out a very thin and highly concentrated SHEET of hot air that is so powerful that it actually produces a dent where it touches your skin.

My parents found this concept disgusting when I tried to describe it, but I persist in thinking it’ s pretty cool. Once or twice though the sheet of air is usually sufficient, but I like to put my hands in again and again so I can watch the dent move up and down my skin. I know it makes me look weird, but people think that about me anyway, so why worry?

Another technological breakthrough that was absent in America was fully automated ski lift tickets. In the US it is apparently cutting edge stuff when the lift attendant uses a scanner to read the bar code on your ticket. In Japan, though, the lift attendants never bother with your ticket because the gates to the lift area can read a magnetic card in your pocket all by themselves. If your card is valid, the gates will open and let you into the lift area.

Thinking about it now, it occurs to me that neither of these systems is much of an improvement over the old-fashioned way of having a large date stamped on your ticket in ink.

Slightly more practical is the “Wax Boy”
service available at some Japanese ski resorts. It’s a coin-operated ski-through hut located right on the slope that will wax your skis while you wear them.
To those who view the US-Japanese relationship primarily as a rivalry I say: don’ t let Wax Boy and the souped-up hand dryers get ou down. There are still some areas in which Japan clearly lags behind. For example, despite all their vaunted techno-prowess and alleged service-mindedness, the Japanese still haven’t discovered how to make an ATM work on holidays or after 9:00 PM on weekdays.

It seems we still have a lot to learn from each other.

Sumo in Japan

2008-01-10T02:28:00.001-08:00

In wooing his mate, a male pigeon fluffs up his feathers to make himself look larger than he really is. Hey baby, look at me! I’m the biggest bird on the block!

Likewise, a sumo wrestler strikes dramatic poses when he confronts his opponent before a bout. Squatting with legs akimbo and arms spread wide, his body language says, Behold! I’m huge! You haven’t got a chance.

Then he draws himself up to his full height, which in the case of one of the current champs is 204 cm (6′8″). Leaning his enormous torso to one side, he raises his opposite leg high into the air. The message is clear. My bulk may be equal to that of your whole family, but I’m still agile enough to balance it on one foot! Prepare to lose!

At least, that’s how I’ve always interpreted the posturing of sumo wrestlers about to fight. On a psychological level I’m sure it actually works that way — the glaring titans certainly make the most of it — but I recently learned that the historical purpose of these gestures was to make the combatants look LESS threatening.

A dozen centuries ago, sumo was a form of dueling. Noblemen with a dispute would send a couple of their bodyguards into the ring to sort things out. The original purpose of the arm-spreading and leg-lifting routine was to show that neither fighter had any weapons concealed on his person. (This may also explain why they fight in a state of near-nakedness.)

I learned this interesting tidbit last month when I attended a sumo basho, or tournament, for the first time. There are six basho every year, and half of them are held in Tokyo at a venue near Ryogoku station on the Sobu Line. The others are held in different regions of Japan. Another interesting fact I learned — the hard way — is that the cheapest seats are the best. The others get you only slightly closer to the action for a much higher price. Luckily, the arena is so small that even the nosebleed seats offer a pretty good view.

At 2,100 yen ($19.80 or 19.80 euros), the cheap seats at a basho may be the best entertainment value in Japan. The first match among the lowest-ranking rikishi (wrestlers) is at 8:00 in the morning, and the fights don’t stop until the yokozuna superstars do their thing at 6:00 in the evening. You may stay for as long as you like, but if you leave the building they won’t let you back in.

Fortunately, there’s no reason to leave. There’s a small restaurant in the building, and the two snack bars provide a decent array of munchies that can be washed down with the available beer, sake, and whiskey. You can also buy a wide range of “sumo-nirs”

– thanks to my friend Tony for that awful pun — including autographed posters, framed handprints of big-name rikishi, and even a set of chocolate sumo dolls. I found sumo to be fun from the very start, but I couldn’t help noticing that my own enthusiasm increased after I had polished off a bottle of sake and a bag of shredded squid. After my sumo companions and I finished a round of salami and beer, we were well primed to root for the yokozuna.

Rikishi are divided into numerous ranks, with yokozuna being such an exalted one that there are times when no one holds it. In the past three centuries there have only been about 60 yokozuna. Currently there are four, which has led more than a few observers to conclude that the sport is top-heavy at the moment, and that perhaps the rank is being awarded too often. To become a yokozuna, a rikishi must win two consecutive basho and display certain intangible qualities to impress the authorities of the sport. A decade ago, modern sumo’s most beloved figure (and the fattest rikishi ever), the American-born Konishiki, complained that racism was behind his failure to attain yokozuna status despite the numerous tournaments he had won. He may have had a point at the time — no gaijin had ever made it as far as he had, and some officials were openly uncomfortable about it — but this is no longer the problem it was. Two of the current yokozuna, Musashimaru and Akebono, are hulking Hawaiians, and the prestigious ranks just below yokozuna include another American, an Argentine, and two Mongolians. Meanwhile, Konishiki has gone on to become a very successful television personality.

Sumo is sometimes derided by Westerners as fat men in diapers shoving each other, but anyone who actually sees it and pays attention soon discovers otherwise. Some matches are decided by mere shoving, but most involve an array of techniques such as feints, holds, and throws that are much more interesting to watch. The loser is the one who is forced out of the dohyo (ring) or who touches the ground with any part of his body other than his feet.

Sometimes a rikishi is forced to the very edge of the dohyo, which has a slightly raised border. Gripping the border with his toes, he can make one last effort to save himself from being shoved out, and he sometimes succeeds. The crowd goes wild when this happens. Another technique for a wrestler in this desperate spot is to deliberately fling himself backwards out of the ring, pulling his opponent with him. Executing a twist as he falls, he tries to make his opponent hit the ground first. Most matches are over in seconds, but others go through several reversals before being finally decided. One match that my friends and I watched was so close — the wrestlers hit the ground side by side at the exact same moment — that the judges ordered them to start over.

The notion that sumo wrestlers are fat is largely true, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. In moments of exertion it is often possible to see muscles rise out of the fat like great fish rising to the surface of the water — and then submerging again. This is especially true on the arms. Also, it is surprising how often the belt of a rikishi’ s loincloth looks a surreal dividing line between two completely different people. Since the most strenuous part of sumo is propelling a heavy opponent away from oneself, rikishi often have impressively muscled buttocks, hamstrings, and calves, regardless of the fat that may be riding around their top halves.

Ten years ago, during my first period of residence in Japan (I’m in my second now), it seemed as if sumo wrestlers would soon be muscular all over their entire bodies. The biggest star of the time, outshining even Konishiki, was a guy named Chiyonofuji. He had dislocated one of his shoulders several times, and had taken up weightlifting in the hope that larger muscles would shield the joint from further injury. As a result, he had a truly distinctive physique gave him more in common with bodybuilders than with his fellow rikishi. Everyone back then wondered who would represent the future of sumo: the ultra-fat Konishiki or the ultra-buff Chiyonofuji?

The jury is still out on that question, but the Konishiki camp has the definite edge. Most of today’ s rikishi are simply enormous, especially in the top ranks. Takanohana, one of the reigning yokozuna, is like many of today’s rikishi in that he has characteristics of both types: a roundish belly but powerful shoulders. Several others, though, are clearly in the Konishiki mold. Fellow yokozuna Musashimaru and Akebono, for example, weigh 224 kg (494 pounds) and 235 kg (518 pounds) respectively. Musashimaru looks like a bear getting ready to hibernate, and Akebono had large breasts that flow around to form silhouette-altering rolls of fat under his armpits. The up-and-coming Miyabiyama, who has scored several amazing upset victories lately, weighs 177 kg (390 pounds) at the age of 22 and has a pear-shaped body topped with a pear-shaped head.

The one wrestler in the elite division who clearly follows in Chiyonofuji’s footsteps is Terao, who is 111kg (245 pounds) of nearly solid muscle. He’s a big favorite with the crowd. He’s one of my favorites too because he’s still going strong at the age of 36, making him the oldest active rikishi by far. Terao looks like he’s 25. In contrast, the 28-year-old Musashimaru looks like he’s in his 60s and will probably have his first heart attack before his reaches Terao’s current age.

One possibly hopeful sign for the future is that the anonymous wrestlers of the lower ranks who fought in the early hours of the tournament include a many more who are muscular than who are fat. It will be a good thing, in my view, if these are the ones who move up in the seasons to come.

HANGING OUT WITH THE CATS

2008-01-10T02:27:00.000-08:00

Have there been any nuclear accidents in Canada lately? Last week I saw some truly frightening animals from that country when I visited the cat zoo.

Yes, the cat zoo. You already knew, of course, that there is a cat art gallery here in Japan, so why not a cat zoo? In fact, this country boasts at least two such zoos. One of them, in the Kinugawa area of Tochigi-ken, is called Wan-Nyan Mura (Woof-Meow Village). The other, more conveniently located in southern Tokyo, is called Nekotama (Cat-Tama, so named because it is just a few blocks from the Tama River).

A Japanese cat fancier of my acquaintance put me onto this place, and she gave me a coupon for 200 yen off the 700 yen (US $6.54 or 6.80 euros) price of admission when I said it sounded interesting. Like many cat fanciers here, she does not actually own a cat. Her apartment is too small, and there are rules against pets. The relatively high rate of three-generation households also cramps the style of some would-be pet owners. I know a guy who still doesn’t have a cat at the age of 40 because his mom won’t let him have one.

Those who are catless but wish they weren’t can get their fix of cooing and cuddling any day of the week with a visit to Nekotama. There’s a bulletin board just inside the entrance covered with snapshots of recent visitors holding cats. One of them was a stocky guy in a black leather vest with no shirt on underneath it. He was wearing a bandanna on his head, mirrored sunglasses, several days worth of stubble, and a goofy grin as he cradled a Tabby in his massive arms. It goes to show you never can tell.

Most of the visitors on the day that I was there were young women on their own or with boyfriends in tow. Exclamations of “Kawaii!” (Cute!) could be heard on a fairly steady basis. Cute is big in Japan. Of course, no one said “Kawaii!” in front of the display case housing those horrid and unfortunate Canadian things.

They, and several other distinctive breeds, were housed in glass-fronted pens that were meant to resemble Western-style living rooms, complete with chairs, tables, and (non-functioning) fireplaces. The largest of these was occupied by a pair of nearly identical Turkish Angoras called Silky and Milky. A sign helpfully explained that one of them had blue eyes and the other one had green eyes. Both of them kept their eyes closed. There was also a cute creature called a Scottish Fold whose ears are folded over, and a pair of odd-looking pug-nosed cats. My own personal favorites were the dark and velvety Russian Blues, who would have made lovely pets or lovely gloves.

And then there were the Sphinxes. The female of the pair had such bright yellow fur that it looked synthetic. She had very little of it. Her gray and heavily wrinkled skin was showing through so clearly that her hide had the look of a much-trampled carpet that should have been replaced years ago. Her mate was even more grotesque. He had no hair at all except for an electrified-looking crewcut between his radar-dish ears. He had a lot more skin than he really needed, and most of the excess was hanging from his neck or draped around his shoulders. I couldn’t help noticing that his scrotum — which I overheard other visitors commenting on as well — would not have looked out of place on a considerably larger animal. A Great Dane, perhaps. Worst of all was his tail. Long, gray, lumpy, and totally hairless, it resembled nothing so much as a misplaced section of intestine. The effect was particularly shocking when he sat upright with his tail coiled over his abdomen. It was as if he had just committed seppuku with his own claws. Yuck.

I wish I could say that I spent more time gazing at the elegant Silky and Milky, but that just wouldn’t be true. I was surprised to learn that the Sphinx, in spite of its name, is a Canadian breed. The land of polar bears and arctic hares, of mink and beaver and Mike Myers’ chest wig, has given the world a hairless cat. How unpatriotic can you get? The voyageurs must be rolling in their graves.

Eventually I did tear myself away to see what else Nekotama might have to offer. There were two enclosures where visitors could actually encounter cats in person to stroke and hug them to their hearts’ content. The visitors’ hearts, that is. The cats themselves were kept on leashes and seemed a bit harried by all the attention. I also found these rooms a little too crowded myself, and since I was not on a leash I left.

My last stop was — of course — the Nekotama gift shop. As one might expect, this is a vast emporium of cat coffee mugs, cat calendars, cat paintings, cat stationery, cat cookies, cat keychains, cat toys, toy cats, cat refrigerator magnets, cat lamps, cat umbrellas, and so on.

What caught my eye was the Nekotama brand of herbal tea that includes catnip as its main ingredient. I had heard that this is an herb that is supposed to affect cats in the way that champagne affects people. Since then, I have been told by a couple of cat owners that it makes their pets roll around on their backs and drool, so perhaps champagne is not a sufficient analogy. Whatever catnip is, though, everyone agrees that felines love the stuff.

Hmmmm.

I stood around for a while thinking about how I should ask my question, and then approached the cashier when no one else was nearby. “Can only cats drink this?”

She was very quick to correct me. Cats CAN’T drink catnip tea because they have an aversion to hot beverages. I should have known. After all, the term “neko-jita” (cat tongue) is how the Japanese describe a person who doesn’t like their food or drink too hot. In any case, Nekotam’As catnip tea is intended primarily for human consumption. The cashier went on to say that if I drink it while my cat is in the house, the smell will make my cat love me very much. She then did a convincing pantomime of a cat cozying up to someone who smelled irresistible. She added that if I poured a little of it into a shallow dish and let it cool, then my cat would probably join me in enjoying the tea.

I decided not to tell her that I didn’t have a cat.

So, my plan now is to wait for my next free and sunny day, brew a pot of tea, and enjoy it on the outside steps of my apartment building. I’ll bring a shallow dish and an extra cup and share it with whatever human or feline neighbors happen to come by. As long as no Sphinxes show up, I’ll count the experiment as a success.

KABUKI IN KHAKI

2008-01-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

In a green field just outside the Indonesian city of Palembang, a freshly landed Japanese paratrooper comes up in a crouch, already leveling a pistol at his first opponent of the day. The blue sky behind him, filled with the white parachutes of his descending comrades, looks like an ocean full of jellyfish.

This dramatic scene is a detail from a 1942 propaganda painting by Goro Tsuruta. Since the end of the Great East Asian War (which you might know as World War II) until this month, the painting had not been shown in public until this portion of it wound up on the cover of the September 4th issue of the Japan/Korea edition of Newsweek. The headline read: “The Art of War: A New Exhibition Challenges the Japanese to Face Their Painful Past.”

This is a perfect example of overblown headline writing. On the one hand, the exhibit was significant because it was supposedly the first time that a collection of Japanese war propaganda art has been shown publicly here since the surrender. On the other hand, it ran for only six days in a one-room basement gallery on a quiet Tokyo side street. When some friends and I visited it last week, we found a small group of old men who were apparently hanging out there all day. We stayed for about an hour ourselves. During that time, the exhibit had only two other visitors, a pair of Japanese men in their twenties who stayed for only a few minutes. Hardly a nation-changing event.

There were only about 30 works on display, and the first ones we saw were a collection of ten pencil sketches of soldiers by a guy named Kuribara Makoto. They were tattered around the edges and some were grease-stained, so we all assumed that Kuribara was a soldier himself, and that he made these sketches to kill time in the trenches. Most of the soldiers are sketched either from behind or in rear quarter-profile. All of them are stark figure studies, showing a man and sometimes his gun; there is no background at all. The usual pose was a man lying on his belly with a gun held in front of him and the soles his boots toward the viewer, or casually crouching against a rifle with its butt on the ground and barrel in the air: exactly the attitudes you would expect to find weary soldiers in if they were guarding a piece of ground somewhere on a day when nothing was happening. It was easy to imagine Kuribara on such duty himself, taking the afternoon to sketch his view of the guys ahead of him.

This was the most surprising thing about the works on display: only a handful portray any violence. None of them seem to even show a dead body (although my friend Tony and I had an argument about whether a certain figure in one painting was dead or just lying down). Aside from Kuribara’s rumpled figures and a few gore-free battle scenes, most of the paintings show plain or handsome young men looking clean and neat and calm in their new uniforms. The intended effect was to inspire confidence and pride, but today’s viewer can only regret that so many of those guys never got much older.

As for the battle scenes, it is interesting to note that only one of them (”Kota Baru” by Nakamura Kenichi) showed soldiers on both sides of the fight. This is an ink-wash drawing that shows a group of uniformed Japanese soldiers dramatically slashing into the enemy ranks with long swords. No blood appears as the faceless enemies (British or Malaysian) fall off to the sides, and the only gun in the picture is unused in the background. It’s kabuki in khaki. A few tiny planes in one corner of the sky offer the only confirmation that this is indeed the 20th century.

Only one other painting shows enemy soldiers. It depicts the British defenders of Hong Kong as seen by the Japanese attackers. It is apparently just before sunrise, and the viewer is charging a hilltop machine gun nest beneath a canopy of camouflage netting. The city lights and glimmering harbor of Hong Kong are just within sight over the shoulder of the hill. Judging by the panic-stricken expressions on the two visible British faces, the goal is attainable.

There is only one picture of the home front, a rather melancholy scene in which three generations — grandmother, mother, and little boy with war toys — huddle on a tatami floor while the mother opens a scroll that was delivered along with a military medal in a small box. The medal is the telling detail. It wouldn’t have been sent to these three if the man of the family were alive to wear it. It doesn’t seem to fit the theme of pro-war propaganda.

Nearly all of the paintings are artistically realistic. One of the exceptions, which was probably the largest picture on display, is an impressionistic portrayal of some traditional Japanese comic dancers entertaining the troops in China. The artist’s thick brush strokes are perfect for the large and deliberately silly figures of the performers who dominate the left side of the painting, but they reduce the audience of soldiers on the right side to a sea of grotesque and clownish smiles. At first I wondered if perhaps the artist was deliberately subverting his own message by making the soldiers so ugly, but then I decided not. The audience (not the performers) is lit from above by a bare light bulb in a metal hood. The cone of light cast by this bulb, bright white at the top and fading into darkness below, looks exactly like Mount Fuji topped with snow. It dominates about one third of the canvas. The soldiers are smiling so wildly because, as the Fuji-light symbolizes and the dancers attest, this part of China has BECOME Japan.

In addition to the paintings, there were also twenty or so official photo portraits of the artists themselves. In most cases, the guys (and of course they are all guys) don’t look military at all but rather like stereotypical artists with pointy goatees, disheveled Trotsky manes, and dangling cigarettes. Most of them are posed in front of their work. One guy is slumped over a table as if exhausted. His chin rests in the crook of his left arm while his left hand fingers the hair on the side of his head. His right hand rests on the table with a cigarette smoldering between his knuckles. The table is practically buried under dozens of paintbrushes, pencils, and artistic tools. The entire wall behind him is covered by a mural he seems to have just completed. It looks like a busy highway after a strafing. Vehicular wreckage is everywhere and people are dashing about in a panic. The artist’s large, innocent eyes are turned up toward the camera beneath his bushy brows. Look at me, his expression says. I’m sensitive. I’m bohemian. I’m Imperialistic Japan.

The only one whose photo didn’t fit this pattern was Kuribara, the pencil-sketch artist. He is shown in the field, standing with a large sketch pad balanced on one arm as he draws a row of three soldiers who are seated on the ground in front of him. He wears the same uniform that they do. The top half of his face out of the picture, as if the photographer were more interested in the three men sitting on the ground. The bottom half of his face is obscured by the shadow of his hat. This visual anonymity was oddly fitting, since we were left to wonder whether Kuribara was an official war artist from the start, or a talent discovered in the ranks. There’s no way to know, since the show included no biographical or historical explanations and the only information offered about each painting was title, artist and date. Perhaps the exhibitors thought that too much editorializing would be risky.

As an interesting postscript, the exhibit concluded with a pair of postwar street scenes by an artist whose simple and humorous style resembled a grungy version of that of Sid Hoff, the American children’s book illustrator. Hung side by side, these two wide canvases at first seem to represent one continuous street. That may be the intention, but closer inspection reveals a time difference between them. The first picture is immediately after Japan’s surrender, and the second is during the early days of the Occupation. The first picture shows thoroughly beaten Japanese soldiers trudging home, while the second shows robust and cheerful American soldiers entering the scene. One is entering a bordello. Everything is in ruins in the first picture, but the second has a new building under construction in the background even while most of the people seem to be living outdoors. In the first picture, people are lining up at a wooden shack to receive rations. In the second, there is still no grocery store but fish and grilled squid are being sold on the sidewalk. In the first picture nobody is working, but the second picture shows a tiny spark of industry in a group of men who have opened an outdoor shoe-repair shop. The first picture shows a few people shirtless and barefoot, but in the second picture everyone is fully dressed — although fully dressed in rags for the most part.

Life is far from perfect is either picture, but the direction of progress is clear. These last two paintings tell us that, despite the brave images in the rest of the exhibit, things began to go right only after Japan lost.

Living in Trinity, Texas

2008-01-09T03:54:00.000-08:00

Living in Trinity, Texas

The unoffical name of Trinity is Trinity Peninsula. Trinity is surrounded by three sides of Lake Livingston. The Sam Houston and Davy Crocket Natonal Forest is nearby. Trinity can offer a great day of fishing. With approxitately 40,000 acres of private and National Forest hunting is available for deer and other game.

Trinity is located on the north side of Lake Livingston in Trinity County. It is the largest town along the shores of Lake Livingston. Trinity is a growing community which offers small town charm. Trinity has population of 2,721. It is a melting pot of longtime residents and people who have moved in from all over the country. Young and old alike can enjoy living in Trinity.

You can enjoy gift, or antique shopping. If your hungry, you can eat at one of their 16 restaurants, or stay in their hotel or bed and breakfast. Trinity has the only hospital that is located very close to the lake.

Camp Cullen, a YMCA Camp and Camp Olympia are located near Trinity. Both camps are assicoated with the Houston independent School District. Visitors can enjoy swimming, water sports, and horseback riding.
For those looking for the paranormal, the Parker House, claims to have ghosts. It was featured in the book titled “Texas Guide to Haunted Restaurants, Taverns and Inns.” by Robert Wlodarski and Jane Powell Wlodarski. Visitors have reported doors opening and closing, and lights going on and off by themselves. Others have said that they have had the sensation of being touched.

Livingston Riverside in Texas

2008-01-09T03:52:00.000-08:00

Livingston Riverside in Texas

Riverside is a small town with a population of about 500. It is located about 80 miles north of Houston or 180 miles south east of Dallas in Walker County. The town is in the Piney Woods near the north shores of Lake Livington. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so you can enjoy watching many of the local deer, fox, and reptiles. Tourists can enjoy camping at one of the nearby campgrounds, watersports, and fishing.

Since Riverside is located on the Trinity River bed, you can catch a wide variety of fish. Black Bass, Crappie, Catfish and White Bass can be found in all sizes in the creeks near Riverside.

Living in Point Blank in Texas

2008-01-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

Living in Point Blank in Texas

Point Blank is located 85 miles north of Houston. It's population of 559 which makes it the third largest town in San Jacinto County.

Point Blank has its own Post Office, Library with high speed internet access, San Jacinto County Annex 4 building, and a fire department that has a helicoptor landing pad.

Most of the housing in Point Blank is located on or near the shores of Lake Livingston. It is a perfect place to relax, and fish, or enjoy watersports.

Point Blank was originally called Blanc Point. It was named by a Florence Dissiway, the governess of R. T. and Henry Robinson. R. T. Robinson established the first store in Blanc Point. The first post office was established in 1884. The population remained stable at 75 until Lake Livingston was built.

Point Blank was the home of Govener George Taylor Wood. In 1839, he moved with family to Texas, settling in this area. He was a member of 6th Congress of the Republic of Texas.
Many of the small coves located in Point Blank are great places to fish. Old Hwy 190 roadbed goes into the water in Point Blank, which is always a great place to find fish.

Onalaska, in Texas

2008-01-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

Onalaska, Texas

One could say that the heart of Lake Livingston is Onalaska. It is located on a peninsula extending out into the lake. Onalaska has the Trinity river bed on the east side, and Kickapoo creek on the other. Many pictures that are associated with Lake Livingston are taken of the bridge that crosses Lake Livingston at Onalaska.

Onalaska is the home of many communities that are located on the shores of Lake Livingston. It's location 80 miles north of Houston, and 200 miles south east of Dallas, makes it an ideal place for weekend or vacation homes.

While visiting Lake Livingston, Onalaska is a perfect place to stop. You have several restaurants, nearby campgrounds, marina's, and a motel.

Great fishing can be found by the bridge that crosses Lake Livingston. The old Hwy 190 roadbed is also near by, which is a great place to catch fish. It is also a great place for water sports. When the wind is making waves on one side of the bridge, the other side can be calm. If you have a boat, a public boat ramp is located on the south east corner of the bridge.
Picture of an Alligator

On rare occassions in some of the coves that have a creek near Onalaska you may catch a glimpse of an alligator. Most of the time, the alligators are content on living in the creeks, and they generally do not venture into the main lake area. Most alligators, tend to stay away from humans, but if you do see an alligator, never appoarch it. Always enjoy the view from a distance.

Onalaska is rich in history. The town was founded in 1840 as a farming community. With the arrival of the Carlisle mill, the population in Onalaska grew. It became known as the largest sawmill in Texas. When the forest depleted in 1920, the sawmill closed, and Onalaska became a small Texas town. When Lake Livingston was completed in 1969, Onalaska once again began to grow.

Wildlife can be found in the woods near Onalaska. Most of the time, the homes around the lake see the everyday wildlife like squirrels, and turtles. At night time, you may see possums, and armadillos.

If you like viewing birds, Onalaska is a great place. You can find igrets, ducks, hawks, cardinals, blue jays, and occassionaly an eagle. Many of the homes around the lake have humming bird feeders. The humming birds usually start visiting in early May, and leave the lake area around the end of Sept.

Livingston, Texas

2008-01-08T04:35:00.001-08:00

Livingston, Texas

Livingston is located just 15 miles west of Lake Livingston on US Highway 190 and 75 miles north of Houston. It is now the county seat of Polk County. The only Indian reservation in Texas, the Alabama-Coushatta tribe, is located near here.

In October 2002, Livingston celebrated it's 100th birthday.

Livingston has continued to grow, and is the largest town in Polk County. It has over 40 restaurants, 9 hotels. Shopping includes, Baskins, Sears, Van Huesen Factory Outlet, and Walmart Superstore.

The Barney Wiggins Memorial Park is located on the south side of Livingston and serves as the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Rainbow's End Escapees Club National Headquarters is located south of Livingston. Many people enjoy the RV facilities located here.

Livingston is rich in history. It was founded in 1846 and incorporated 1902. Livingston is the home of several historical markers.

Polk County Museum is located at 514 West Mill Street in Livingston. It is one of the finest small museums of local history.

During Civil War, it had only 600 voters in 1860 but sent 900 soldiers into the Confederate Army. Throughout the war, old men, women, children and slaves produced food and cotton for support of the war effort.The Civil War was supported by all, even Cheif John Scott of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe fought in the Civil War. Join Livingston in the Civil War Re-enactment each year at Pedrigo Park.

Livingston is the birthplace of Margo Jones, who is famous for directing "The Glass Menagerie."

Livingston has recently built a $25,000,000 state-of-the-art hospital. It continues to grow in the healthcare industry. Livingston also offers a nursing facility.

In 1990 the population was 5,019.

The Polk County Enterprise, established in 1905, continues to serve Livingston and Polk County residents

Huntsville, Texas

2008-01-08T03:40:00.000-08:00

Huntsville, Texas

Huntsville is a town that has something everyone. It is the county seat of Walker County, and the home of the Walker County Fairgrounds. Texas State Penitentiary is located in Huntsville. It is the home of Sam Houston State University. Located just south of Huntsville is the Sam Houston Visitors Center and Statue.

Huntsville is located approximately 70 miles north of Houston and 171 miles south east of Dallas. It is surrounded by forests, several lakes, and ranch land.

Huntsville is one of the larger towns around the Lake Livingston area. Downtown is home to antique stores, galleries, shops and museums.

If you like museums, you can visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex, Texas Prison Museum, Gibbs-Powell Home Museum, and H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran Museum.

With over 30 places to eat, you will never go hungry. It has several department stores including Baskin's, Beals, JC Penny's, Sears and Walmart. If you need a place to stay, Huntsville has 9 hotels, and 9 bed and breakfast.

Huntsville State Park is 2000 acres that adjoins the Sam Houston National Forest. You can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and nature viewing. If you are interested in diving, you can dive at the Blue Lagoon Dive Center.

According to the 2000 census the population of Huntsville is 35,078.

Texas greatest hero, General Sam Houston lived in Huntsville and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Each year visitors come to Huntsville to visit the monument, and pay respects to his grave. You can also visit the Sam Houston Visitors Center and Statue located just south of Huntsville.

Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville. Approximately 13,000 students are enrolled each year. The university offers 84 undergraduate degree programs, 57 masters' programs, and doctoral programs in Criminal Justice, Educational Leadership, and Forensic Psychology.

Living In Huntsville In Texas

2008-01-08T02:31:00.000-08:00

Huntsville, Texas

Living In Huntsville In Texas

Huntsville is a town that has something everyone. It is the county seat of Walker County, and the home of the Walker County Fairgrounds. Texas State Penitentiary is located in Huntsville. It is the home of Sam Houston State University. Located just south of Huntsville is the Sam Houston Visitors Center and Statue.

Huntsville is located approximately 70 miles north of Houston and 171 miles south east of Dallas. It is surrounded by forests, several lakes, and ranch land.

Huntsville is one of the larger towns around the Lake Livingston area. Downtown is home to antique stores, galleries, shops and museums.

If you like museums, you can visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex, Texas Prison Museum, Gibbs-Powell Home Museum, and H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran Museum.

With over 30 places to eat, you will never go hungry. It has several department stores including Baskin's, Beals, JC Penny's, Sears and Walmart. If you need a place to stay, Huntsville has 9 hotels, and 9 bed and breakfast.

Huntsville State Park is 2000 acres that adjoins the Sam Houston National Forest. You can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and nature viewing. If you are interested in diving, you can dive at the Blue Lagoon Dive Center.

According to the 2000 census the population of Huntsville is 35,078.

Texas greatest hero, General Sam Houston lived in Huntsville and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Each year visitors come to Huntsville to visit the monument, and pay respects to his grave. You can also visit the Sam Houston Visitors Center and Statue located just south of Huntsville.

Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville. Approximately 13,000 students are enrolled each year. The university offers 84 undergraduate degree programs, 57 masters' programs, and doctoral programs in Criminal Justice, Educational Leadership, and Forensic Psychology.

Living In Coldspring In Texas

2008-01-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

Coldspring, Texas

Living In Coldspring In Texas

Coldspring is the county seat of San Jacinto County. It is located 70 miles north of Houston. Coldspring is located near Lake Livingston. It is a perfect place to go camping. Almost 85% of the land around Coldspring is National Forest. Coldspring is a small town with a population of 691.

In downtown Coldspring you can enjoy shopping for gifts, antiques and collectables, or dine in one of their 8 restaurants.

If you like genealogy, visit the Coldpsring Courthouse. You can find several different types of old records at the couthouse including land records, probate, and marriage records.

Coldspring is the home of the San Jacinto County Fair and Rodeo in September. It also hosts a varient of festivals and events throughout the year. Every fourth Saturday from March through November Trades Day are held at the San Jacinto County Courthouse Square.
Coldspring is rich in area history. There are over 2 dozen historical markers. Take a trip to Coldspring's old town. There you can see old buildings, and get an idea of how it was to live in early Texas. You can see Jackson's General Store which was built in 1870, Ellisors corn crib was built in 1840, Camilla's post office which was built in 1927, the Old Waverly two room schoolhouse, and an old house, and a quilt shop. Just a few steps way you can see th Old San Jacinto County Jail which was built in 1886. In the opposite direction is the Hangmans Tree

Living In Blanchard In Texas

2008-01-08T02:29:00.000-08:00

Blanchard, Texas

Living In Blanchard In Texas

Blanchard is located 82 miles north of Houston in Polk County. It is a quiet community, and is relatively small with a population of 200 year round residents.

Many of Blanchard's homes are located on the shores of Lake Livingston. It is a perfect place to relax, and enjoy fishing and water sports. While visiting Blanchard you can usually enjoy the prettiest blue water located within Lake Livingston. Blanchard has a wonderful small park for picnics and launching your boat.

If you enjoy fishing, Blanchard is a great place to catch white bass. Old highway 190 goes into the water at Blanchard Park. White Bass fishing is great along this highway.

Blanchard is about 6 miles from the town of Livingston, where you can enjoy shopping, and dining.

Lake Livingston Wildflowers

2008-01-08T02:28:00.003-08:00

Lake Livingston Wildflowers

During the spring, your drive to Lake Livingston can be very pretty. Along the roadsides, you can see bluebonnets, indian paint-brush, indian blanket, and buttercups. Some of the roadsides around Lake Livingston also have a spectacular display of wildflowers.

Bluebonnets are the Texas state flower. You can view them from March to early May. They appear along many roadsides. The bluebonnet was named due to its resemblence to a bonnet. It grows from 15-24 inches.

Indian Paint Brush bloom from March to May with a peak blooming season in April. Most of the Indian Paint Brush's growing near Lake Livingston are a bright scarlet.

Indian Blankets bloom from April to July. These flowers are red, orange, and yellow. They were named for the resembalnce to the colors seen in Indian Blankets.

The Buttercup is a light pink flower with a white and yellow center. They bloom from April to June. During past years you can see many Buttercups lining the roads near Lake Livingston.

Lake Livingston Wildlife

2008-01-08T02:28:00.001-08:00

Lake Livingston Wildlife

Lake Livingston is the home of abundant wildlife. White tail deer roam the shores. Foxes can be found in the forests around the lake. If your out at night you may come across a possum, or racoon. If you like lizards, and have a hard time spotting them during the day, at night time they tend to climb on buildings. Squirrels are abundant and can be spotted everywhere.

Birds can be spotted everywhere. Some of the most common birds that you can see are cardinal's, blue jays, humming birds, road runners, turkey vultures, eagles, little blue heron, snowy egrets, seagulls, and ducks. Many of the homes around the lake have humming bird feeders. The humming birds usually start visiting in early May, and leave the lake area around the end of Sept. Bring your binoculars, and enjoy your bird watching adventure at Lake Livingston.

Every area around Lake Livingston has some sort of wild life. You can find wild life even in the residential areas. In some areas, deer roam the yards of the homes. Take some time on your next visit to Lake Livingston, look closely into the woods, you may be surprised at the wild life that you can spot. During the day, deer often lie in the woods and are not easy to spot. The best time to spot deer is early morning or at dusk.
Picture of Fox

On rare occasions in some of the coves that have a creek you may catch a glimpse of an alligator. Most of the time, the alligators are content on living in the creeks, and they generally do not venture into the main lake area. Most alligators, tend to stay away from humans, but if you do see an alligator, never approach it. Always enjoy the view from a distance.

Remember that all wildlife are just that, wildlife. Enjoy seeing the wildlife from a distance. Even the cutest animals can pack a powerful bite.
In the water, you can find birds, and alligator. On your next boat ride, look closely at the shore, you may find a deer, fox, raccoon getting a drink of water. If you watch the water, you may see a turtle coming up for a breath. There are several species of snakes around the lake including water moccasins.

Lake Livingston Hazzards

2008-01-08T02:27:00.001-08:00

Lake Livingston Hazzards

All lakes have hazzards that you should be aware of, and Lake Livingston is not any different. Lake Livingston is a very large lake. If you are boating you could find yourself in the middle of the lake with the shore a long distance away. Be sure that you have life jackets for all members of your party, along with all state regulated items for your boat.

Like all lakes, you need to beware of the weather. Storms can come up suddenly. Wind can cause high waves, which can make navigation difficult for small boats. If you are taking a boat trip, be sure to have an up to date weather report.
Lake Livingston was a man made lake in 1969. When the lake was filled, all of the trees were left. There are many hidden underwater trees. If you plan on water skiing or using
Picture of alligator
your jet ski, please make sure that you have surveyed the area that you plan to enjoy your water sport for the hidden underwater trees.

Lake Livingston is the home of numerous alligators. The alligators seem to be the most active during mating season. May and June seem to be the time of year that you will encounter the most alligators. The alligators tend to stay way from humans, but please be aware of the danger that an alligator may create for you and your family.

Like all lakes in Texas, occassionally you may come across a water moccasin.

Places to visit near Lake Livingston

2008-01-08T02:25:00.000-08:00

Places to visit near Lake Livingston

Lake Livingston State Park

Located near the town of Goodrich off of FM 1988. The park offers rental shelters, RV hook-ups, horseback riding, paddle boats, hiking trailsl, and a lighted fishing pier. Online reservations can

Lake Livingston Dam and Bridge

Located on FM 3278 by Camilla. The dam contains 90,000 surface acres of water. The dam was completed in 1969. Floodgates on the spillway are designed to handle over three times the volume of water during the largest flood in the history of the Trinity river.
Coldsping Old Jail Museum

The Old Jail Museum was built in 1887. The jail is noted for a rare but never used hangman's trip. The Museum will give you an idea of how the early settlers lived. It contains forest implements, household articles, and much more.
Coldpsring United Methodist Church

Located on Highway 150 at Cemetery Street. It was built in 1858 and then moved to its present location. In 1973 it was restored to the 1870 period. It is believed to be the oldest Methodist Church in continuous use in Texas today.

Polk County Memorial Museum

Located at 514 West Mill Street in Livingston, this Museum houses information on Native and American Pioneers, Civil War, Trinity River Boats and Life in the Timber County.

Lake Livingston History

2008-01-08T02:23:00.001-08:00

Lake Livingston History

The Lake Livingston dam was completed in 1969. Construction of the dam began in 1966 by Forest and Cotton, Incorporated. The dam stretches over 2 1/2 miles with an average height of 55 feet. Approximately 110,000 cubic feet of concrete was used in its construction The flow of the dam, is based on the flow of the Trinity river. The lake covers more than 90,000 acres. The city of Houston and Trinity River Authority own the water rights. For water level information and rain fall information visit the Trinity River Authority website.

Lake Livingston Texas

2008-01-08T02:21:00.000-08:00

Lake Livingston

Lake Livingston is a perfect place to relax, and enjoy yourself. You can fish, camp, boat, sail, or jet ski. There is abundant wildlife around the lake, so take a day and discover the local inhabitants.

Located just 80 miles north of Houston and 175 miles south east of Dallas, it makes a great place for a weekend trip or year round vacation home.

Lake Livingston is the 2nd largest lake located within the borders of Texas. It is 39 miles long and at it's widest point it is 7 miles. With 450 miles of shoreline, Lake Livingston is never crowded. It covers 93,000 acres and has been dubbed a "Water Wonderland". There are many beautiful homes, and campgrounds surrounding the shore's.

Within the Lake Livingston area, there are 4 different counties including, Polk, Walker, San Jacinto, Trinity.

Lake Livingston has several small communities located along it's shores. Making them a perfect place to live or visit. So if its a weekend cabin, or retirement hide way, that you are seeking, come and enjoy Lake Livingston.

The parks on Lake Livingston offer over 5,000 campsites and 100 boat launching ramps. Lake Livingston State Park, and Trinity River

Authority Parks: Wolf Creek Park, and Tigerville Park (day use only) are excellent places for camping. You will find some excellent dining and lodging facilities located around the lake in nearby communities. (The links to Lake Livingston State Park and Wolf Creek Park are provided as a courtesy. Reservations are made through the park systems and not this website.)

Lake Livingston has a good climate to enjoy visiting the lake at anytime of year. During the summer it averages 92 degrees, winter averages 55 degrees, and spring and fall average 75 degrees.

The lake is kept at a constant level by the Trinity River Authority. The lake has an average depth of 23 feet. Near the dam is the deepest point of the lake at 90 feet.

If you travel to Lake Livingston during the spring, you will enjoy a very colorful view. Almost all of the roads coming into Lake Livingston display Texas Wild Flowers.

Hurricane Rita

The lake is finally full, and has recovered from the impact of Hurricane Rita. Due to the level of the lake being low for so long, the banks now support a lot of new vegetation. The vegetation should provide a place for the baby fish to hide providing fisherman with a great opportunity to catch fish. Catfish can be caught on warm days.

Mortgage And Financial Services in London

2008-01-08T02:19:00.001-08:00

Mortgage And Financial Services in London

Living in London has made an arrangement with Pall Mall Wealth Management to deal with all their mortgage and financial queries. The directors of Pall Mall Wealth Management were the original founders of Living in London.
Mortgages

The mortgage service is normally reserved for private clients of Pall Mall Wealth Management. Pall Mall Wealth Management does no external marketing because the strength of their service ensures existing customers keep returning and recommending new ones. So it is exciting that by special arrangement, you as a client of Living in London, can qualify for a truly bespoke mortgage planning and broking service that is second to none.

Telephone Jane or Sarah 020 7407 8787 to begin an informal discussion. Email sarah@pmfi.co.uk.
Financial Services

We know that busy successful people don't always have the time and expertise to look after their own financial affairs as well as they would like. If this is the case, we can help. Pall Mall Wealth Management is an Independent Financial Advisor, you will be dealing with one of the directors of the company and this will ensure a personal and efficient service, expert and unbiased advice is available in the following areas:

* Retirement Planning
* Investments and Savings
* School Fees Planning
* Inheritance Tax Planning
* Succession planning
* Life and Health Insurance

We often work in conjunction with your lawyers and/or accountants to affect the best solution for you. All our advisors are qualified to provide advice on investment, pension and protection products. There is no charge for an initial consultation to establish your requirements.

Getting a National Insurance Number

2008-01-08T01:50:00.001-08:00

Getting a National Insurance Number

Getting a National Insurance number is, along with getting a bank account, probably one of the most frustrating experiences of all time. If you're only going to be in the UK for a short period, like under a year, I wouldn't even bother getting it. I got mine after working in the UK for over a year and I'm pretty sure I wasn't taxed at a higher rate while I was numberless.

But if you've got the time, a lot of patience and plan on working in the UK for awhile, you should get your NI Number. Your first port o' call should be Inland Revenue. You should be able to locate your local office and get their phone number.

This is where the nightmare begins... once you get a contact number for your local Inland Revenue office you'll have to try to get ahold of a person. This never happens and you're meant to leave a message for an employee to call you back, usually on the same day or next. When they call, they'll ask you for some details including your home address and where you're from. At this point they'll set up an appointment to meet face-to-face and send out a letter advising what you'll need to bring to the meeting.

The basic rule is - bring every type of ID you can get your filthy little hands on!

I'd lived in London for a year and a half before going to this meeting and even I was anxious about whether I'd have enough information for them. The basic rule is - bring every type of ID you can get your filthy little hands on! This might include a letter from your employer, proof of address or a letter from your landlord, your passport (if you have more than one you'll need both), bills with your name on them, and your first born child.

I waited about an hour past my scheduled interview time, so don't expect to be able to get in an out quickley. You'll probably have to take at least a half day off of work which is frustrating in itself. At the interview, you basically sit in a room while an official looks at your documents and fills in an application form for you. They then take bulk copies, send it all away, and 4-6 weeks later you'll be sent a National Insurance card in the post.

In the meantime they'll give you a letter stating that you've applied and are waiting for your number to be issued. So if your employers are hassling you about getting your NI number, this will appease them until it arrives.

Meeting People in London

2008-01-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

Meeting People in London

London might seem a daunting and scary place full of strangers at first, but in my experience it's very easy to meet people here. Loads of people in their 20's flock to London on working holiday visas from Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, so there will be lots of people in the same boat as you who will be looking for mates.
Live at a Hostel

If you arrive and don't know a single soul as I did, your best bet for meeting like minded people will be to stay in a backpacker's hostel for awhile. While it'll be more expensive than finding a bed in a house, it's a great way to meet lots of people quickly. Many hostels have people staying long term, so chances are good that a core group will be formed for you to hang out with and you might meet people to lease a house with or even one person to be a roommate.

I would 100% recommend staying at the Barmy Badger Backpacker's in Earl's Court on arrival if you think staying awhile in a hostel is up your alley. I stayed there my first five months in London and another friend of mine stayed about six months and we both had fantastic experiences and met some great people.
Move into a Sociable Sharehouse

Moving straight into a house will save you money in the long run, but you run the risk of isolation if you find that you don't get along with your new housemates. Before you move in, try to gauge whether or not your potential new housemates are friendly and sociable. Moving into a place where everyone hides in their rooms or does their own thing isn't really going to help you meet new people. Larger sharehouses tend to be party places and are good for meeting lots of people.
Join a Sports Team

Once you're settled in a house or hostel you might find that you only really hang out with people you live with. If you want to branch out a bit and make some friends outside your living quarters then I'd say join a sports team. There are loads of leagues around for pretty much every sport you can imagine. I played netball over the winter and met lots of Aussies and Kiwis in the process and played softball in the summer and met mostly North Americans and English people. Most leagues will give you a choice between competitive teams and social, so if you're in it for a bit of exercise and a lot of drinking and fun, social leagues are fantastic.
Go on an Organised Tour

Another great way to meet lots of people is by taking a tour. I'm not a big fan of organised tours but it can't be denied that they're popular with people who are on their way to live in London. Many people choose to do a bit of travelling before they arrive and move to London right aftertaking a tour around Europe. Most people I've met who have taken Contiki Tours talk about how much fun they were, but more than that, how many people they met and stayed in touch with once they got settled in London.
Become a Nerd

If all else fails, you can always count on the trusty ol' internet. There are lots of networks for expats in London including groups for Canadians and Americans abroad, social networks based on the area you live, groups based around hobbies etc. The Gumtree community section is a good place to start.

What to Expect in London

2008-01-08T01:48:00.000-08:00

What to Expect in London

It might seem like a scary thing - moving to such a huge place, maybe without knowing a single soul - but London is so crammed full of travellers that it's a very easy place to find your feet and get set up.

There is a well-established traveller's community in London consisting mainly of Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans who have come in search of good times and to earn the mighty UK pound. Because of this, London is a unique place for travellers to live and work as most people who come here on a two year working holiday visa tend to stay for the full two years. This gives you a chance to really get to know people over a long period of time, creating relationships and memories that really last.
If you're broke, there are loads of free museums and great walks around the city passing by famous landmarks.

London is a busy place but full of anything you could hope for. Any activity you want can be found here somewhere - any club, sports group, language course, art class... anything! If you want them to be, every day can be filled with activites, or you can just chill at home with your new friends or head down to the local pub for some quiet pints and watch some football. If you're broke, there are loads of free museums and great walks around the city passing by famous landmarks. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's always something to do here, so you'll never be bored.

If the city seems to be getting too much to bear, as it sometimes can, then there are loads of parks around and lots of places within the UK to escape to. Even better... flights between London and most major cities in Europe are cheap, so escaping for a weekend or longer isn't going to blow your budget.

The Church

2008-01-08T01:47:00.000-08:00

The Church

If you're in London and up for a good time then you will probably find yourself in Church on more than a few Sundays. Located in Kentish Town, this Church isn't for the faint of heart. It is specifically for those of you out to worship booze, bare asses and titties.

Set up years ago, The Church has become a legend in London. Open from noon to 4pm every Sunday, it packs people in, feeds them booze by the bag full and spits them out into the streets of North London while the sun is still shining.

But what is it, exactly? Imagine a club packed with mostly Aussies, Kiwis, and South Africans on their worst behaviour and you have The Church. Most will probably still be going from the night before, and most will probably shuffle off to the Walkabout or Redback afterwards for more debauchery. Drinks at The Church are sold three at a time for £7 and are kept in plastic bags that you are meant to tie around your belt.

The entertainment consists of an old dude on a stage telling a few jokes, strippers, drinking game contestants, freaks, and drunk chicks intent on flashing their tits to the entire crowd.

Everyone in the place is blind drunk - you pretty much have to be for it to be bearable. Empty drink cans are tossed on the ground and by the end of the day you're surfing around on thousands of them, barely touching the sticky floor beneath. The entertainment consists of an old dude on a stage telling a few jokes, strippers, drinking game contestants, freaks, and drunk chicks intent on flashing their tits to the entire crowd. Just in case there's not enough chests being bared on stage, there's also a cameraman whose job is to zoom in on cleavage and freeze the shot on a giant screen for the boys to gawk at for a few seconds before moving on to the next pair.

The Church is about as feral a place as you will find in London but loads of fun if you are drunk enough. It's a bit of a mission to get to and the tube ride home is quite eventful. The last time I made my way home on the Northern Line there was a guy in a gorilla suit having a dance off with a guy in a tutu. Add in a few more guys doing back flips, a few renditions of Waltzing Matilda and a couple piles of spew and you know that Church has just been let out.

Be afraid. It will shock and appaul but be a realy good day out all at the same time!

The Redback Tavern

2008-01-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

The Redback Tavern

If you live in west London, especially if you live with Australians, you will find it very difficult to go too long without stepping foot inside the infamous Redback Tavern. Don’t bother trying to fight it because you will end up there at one point or another and chances are, given enough snakebite consumption, you might even enjoy yourself!

The ‘Reddy’ is open ??? nights a week with Tuesdays and Thursdays being good nights for getting on the piss cheaply. Spirits on Tuesday and Thursday are £1.50 before 9pm and that’s great motivation for getting down to the pub early, grabbing a table and loading it up with drinks to sophisticatedly sip on for the rest of your civilised evening. Or you could grab a few pint glasses, pour your drinks in and spend the night guzzling quadruple pints of Bundy and coke like the alcho that you are. The choice is yours.

Sundays are another great day for a bargain and will give you an excuse to start drinking early, if you need an excuse. During the summer there’s a free BBQ out back on the sandy patio with sausages, hamburgers (that taste suspiciously like toothpaste) and cheap drinks specials that end at 6pm. After that the crowds are ushered inside to the dark confines of the bar, the band kicks off and sweaty bodies dance badly to some scream-a-long rock songs and power on until midnight despite promises that you’d only have a couple drinks and go home when the BBQ ended.

Fridays and Saturdays are also busy nights but without the tempting drink discounts and lure of free food. After any Reddy session it seems to be a requirement to move across the road to Babylon Pizza for some drunken conversations, table dancing, last ditch efforts at hooking up, and some greasy food.

The Reddy is filthy, feral, and loads of fun and if you haven’t had your sandaled feet blackened and a white top stained pink with flying snakebite at this legendary venue then you haven’t truly experienced London, antipodean style.

Oyster Card Explained

2008-01-08T01:40:00.001-08:00

Oyster Card Explained

The Oyster card is a piece of plastic that's the same size and shape as a credit card and is used as a form of electronic ticketing for the Underground, buses, trams, Docklands Light Railway and some National Rail routes. You gain entry to stations or onto buses by swiping the card within about 3 inches of a yellow circular reader. When swiped successfully the thing beeps and the gates open or the bus driver waves you on.

The cards can be purchased at Underground ticket windows, some National Rail stations, online, or at certain convenience stores around London. The card can be topped up at these places or it can be set to top up automatically.

You have to pay a £3 deposit for the Oyster card but if you buy a weekly or longer pass at the same time then there's no fee. If you want to buy a monthly or annual pass you have to fill in a registration form.

You can still travel without an Oyster card with paper tickets but you will be charged a much higher fare. For example, a single bus journey costs £1 with an Oyster card but it costs £2 to buy a paper ticket. A one-way tube journey within zone 1 costs a ridiculously high £4 but is only £1.50 with Oyster.

The system is very easy to use but some of the pricing can be confusing due to fares changing during peak and off-peak travel times and the availability of daily, weekly, monthly, annual and pay as you go type fares.

Getting Around London

2008-01-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

Getting Around London

London is a mind-bogglingly huge city and getting around can be a chore. The first thing you should do is buy an A-Z map book. There's a pocket-sized version that covers central London, but if you intend on living here, you're better off getting the medium-sized version which will cover more than just zone 1 and will be handy when you've looking for houses.

The best web site for help getting around London is Transport For London. There's a really handy journey planner that will tell you how to get from place to place, how long it takes, and how much it costs. You can also look at tube and bus maps. If walking is more your style, check out a Streetmaps.co.uk, an invaluable site for generating streetmaps. Just put in the post code or street you're looking for and there you go!

The Underground

When you first arrive, you'll probably end up taking the Underground (also known as 'the tube') into the city from Heathrow. If you fly into Gatwick or Stanstead, there are buses and trains that'll take you to the city centre, but from there it's likely you'll need to jump onto the Underground to get where you need to go.

...there are few things worse than being on the tube during rush hour, nose to armpit with your fellow commuters on a hot summers day...

Most people have a love/hate relationship with the tube. When it's working, I think it's amazing! It covers much of London and is very easy to use. But when it's not working, it can be a nightmare. I think there are few things worse than being on the tube during rush hour, nose to armpit with your fellow commuters on a hot summers day, and stuck in the tunnel because of a signal failure. But whether it's working or not, chances are you'll be seeing a lot of it, so get used to it!

Buses

The Tube only runs until about 12:30am so if you want to stay out later, you'll have to learn how to ride the bus! Some buses run all night and, though the service is drastically reduced, you'll probably still abe to get where you need to go with a little effort. I avoided using the buses as long as possible but eventually had to figure them out when my usual Tube line was out of use for two months in 2003. They're actually really handy once you figure them out and will save you from having to shell out for black cabs to come home from the city after the tube stops.

Cabs

Black cabs in London are quite expensive, so if you do need to take a cab your best bet is to keep the number of a mini-cab company stored in your phone. They're cheaper, private companies that use regular cars. They're not allowed to wait in the streets for business, so if you're approached by a private car trying to give you a ride home, they're not legit and have been known to be dangerous. Official mini cabs are only allowed to take business through phonecalls or at their stands.

Living in Acton

2008-01-08T01:34:00.001-08:00

Living in Acton

by Kirsty Henderson

It's a bit hard to believe that hundereds, maybe even thousands of Australians, Kiwis and South Africans would travel to the other side of the world only to end up living in a community together - but that's exactly what happens! The community is West London, specifically the Shepherd's Bush and Acton areas and it's crawling with them!

Earl's Court used to be well known as the Aussie hotbed in London but, being on the edge of zone one, things have gotten too expensive for the hard living, often broke Australians and their fellow Kiwi and South African antipodean brothers and sisters. Their operation has been pushed further west and many have found a home in Acton.
Acton is well stocked with very large, old houses which are perfect for cramming as many people in as possible.

Acton is well stocked with very large, old houses which are perfect for cramming as many people in as possible. Leases are taken out, people are added, dossers arrive, common rooms are converted to bedrooms, bunkbeds are added and next thing you know a 6 bedroom house will very likely be home to anywhere from 10 to 20 people looking to skimp on accommodation costs in order to have more to spend at the pub.

If you go out to a pub in Acton you are bound to meet as many antipodeans as locals, especially in the infamous Redback Tavern which caters specifically to the crowd. The Southern Cross, The Puzzle, and the Askew further up Uxbridge Road are also popular spots and a good night out - especially if a sporting event from down under has been on during the day.

Acton is fairly spread out but served well by buses so getting around it is easy. It feels like a small community unto itself and has an identity of it's own. I definately wouldn't consider living in Acton if you're looking for an authentic English experience, but if you want good times, good friends, some great nights out at the pub, lots of house parties and cheap accommodation then it's the place to be for sure.

Living in a Party House

2008-01-08T01:30:00.001-08:00

Living in a Party House

By Kirsty Henderson

People come to London for all sorts of reasons and meeting loads of people and partying hard ranks right up there with saving money and travelling to Europe as much as possible. Unfortunately, the partying hard bit sort of conflicts with the saving money bit which sort of puts a damper on the travelling to Europe bit.

But fear not! There's a way to do all three. In London's major antipodean areas like Acton, Shepherd's Bush, and Willesden Green you'll find lots of giant houses packed to the rafters with party animal working holidaymakers. The theory is that the more people you cram into a house, the less rent each of you will pay and the more money you'll have to spend on writing yourself off every weekend. Plus you'll have so many people living there that you can have an instant house party whenever you feel like it.
The House

A good party house will be big, have a backyard, lots of toilets, a couple showers and will be pretty average when it comes to the world of cleanliness. There will probably be broken cupboards, smashed floor tiles and other victims of house parties of the past. It's likely that the house will have had a lease running for several years with a huge amount of people passing through the doors. The lease could still have people on it from 3 years ago who nobody knows but seem to appear in the occasional photo on the photo wall. You'll probably be getting mail from dozens of people you've never heard of. In short, it'll be a place much loved by its past and current residents but will horrify your parents if they ever decide to visit their darling in London.
Housemates

You can have the perfect party house but if it's full of people that don't get along then it will be a terrible experience. You'll be living in a crappy place with crappy people and everyone will be miserable. But if you get things right and have a house full of people who get along and are on the same page then you'll be in for some good times. It's really important for everyone to be pretty laid back and easygoing. If little things like getting jumped on in the middle of the night by drunken friends or having your milk pinched now and then are going to set you off then you'll probably want to find somewhere quieter.
Roommates

To keep rents low you'll probably be sharing with at least another person in your room. It's pretty common to have triples and when things get really extreme the bunk beds will make an appearance and quad rooms will be created. You'll be living in close quarters so trying to get an idea of whether you'll click with your potential roomie is really important. When it works it can be great and your roommate will be your best friend but when it goes bad things can get really uncomfortable.
Booze, Drugs and Sleepless Nights

Be prepared for lots of crazy nights and people staying up all weekend. If you join in it won't seem so bad, if you're completely sober it has the potential to be unbearable. If the idea of drugs makes you feel uneasy then living in a party house might not be for you because they're in large supply in these surroundings.
Landlord

Cramming silly numbers of people into a house is almost always done without the landlord's permission. In fact, even if your landlord did approve of it, it would still probably go against fire safety laws and who knows what else. So the trick is keeping your landlord happy. Most will have a vague idea that their house has more occupants then it should but as long as they keep getting their rent cheques on time they won't hassle you. It's sort of a don't ask, don't tell sort of thing. Party houses tend to want as little to do with the landlord as possible and don't want him coming around at all so when something's broken it's pretty common for everyone to just chip in some money to fix it rather than risking a landlord visit.
Neighbours

If you're in a typical London neighbourhood with terraced housing and backyards that are practically on top of each other and you enjoy impromptu Tuesday night parties, your neighbours will probably not like you much. If you're lucky, you'll be sandwiched in between two other party houses and life will be good but it's more likely that you'll be getting visitors now and then from your neighbours or the noise police. It really is a good idea to keep your neighbours happy by keeping everyone inside at night, the doors closed and the music at a reasonable level. If you're well behaved most of the time and your neighbours are ok then it's a good idea to warn them about any big parties you might be having. Assure them you'll still try to keep the volume down past a certain hour and leave a contact number.
Noise Warnings

If you can't keep your neighbours sweet then you'll start getting visits from the Council noise police and soon after you'll be getting noise warnings through in the post. At first they won't seem too bad but after a few warnings they'll start threatening £5000 fines. Chances are good that your landlord will get a copy with a threat of a fine as well so he'll be on your case to get things under control.
Summary

Living in a big, messy, party house full of drunken antipodeans isn't everyone's idea of a good time but you'll have an instant group of people always up for a party and will probably come away with some lifelong friends and some crazy memories. If you can pull together a good house and a great bunch of housemates then you'll be in for some of the best times of your life!

Things to Check Before Choosing a Sharehouse

2008-01-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

Things to Check Before Choosing a Sharehouse

You've been pounding the streets of London looking at shithole after shithole and have finally come across a place that is in a good location and doesn't look like it's about to collapse. The people giving you the tour say if you want it, it's yours but before you jump at the chance, make sure you ask a few questions or your seemingly great houseshare could turn into a nightmare.
How the Bills are Paid

Nothing can divide a once friendly household more than arguments over money, and bills are usually at the root of it all. Have a brief chat to the person giving you the tour about how bills are dealt with. There are usually two systems in place: pay the bills as they come in, or pay a flat monthly rate into a kitty and use that to pay the bills. Paying into a kitty seems to work the best because everyone knows how much they owe each month but you have to make sure the person in charge is on top of the bills and is trustworthy.

Paying the bills as they come in can create problems because many of the largest bills (gas and electricity) are paid quarterly. So if you've just moved into a place and all of a sudden a £250 gas bill arrives a couple weeks later, it's pretty unlikely that the people who've just moved out will have left any money. This means that you could have to pay up for months that you weren't even in the house. Some places might make you pay only a portion, but then this leaves the other housemates having to pick up the slack. If a kitty system was in place the money for the bills would have already been collected from the people who moved out.
Landlord and the Lease Situation

Moving into a place with a useless landlord that takes 100 years to fix anything is fine if nothing ever breaks. But in the world of sharehouses this usually isn't the case so ask to see if you can get an idea of what the landlord is like. It's good to have an attentive landlord but you don't want them hanging around all the time either.

One of the most important things to check is when the lease expires and if it's likely to be renewed. You don't want to move into a place, pay £500 in bond to the person whose bed your taking only to find out that the lease is up in a few months and nobody intends on renewing it. This will mean that you'll have to find a new place in three months and that you'll have to deal with the landlord in order to get your bond back, rather than just getting it from the next person to move in. To get your bond back you'll have to hope that the house is in the same state it was when the original people moved in and you'll also have to give it a good clean before turning it over to the landlord and hoping they don't deduct £10 for a missing fork or £100 for an overgrown back yard. It's always easier to be out of a house before a lease expires, just try not to be the sucker than moves in.
Noise

If you're a light sleeper then you probably won't want to move into that place with the rail track running right beside the house. Same goes for buses… they can be noisy so if you're on a main street you might not want to be in a room at the front of the house. Watch out for churches too. On a Sunday morning they're evil, pure evil! Why some of them insist on ringing their bells 50 times before noon will remain a mystery. I think it's to torture those sinners who dare want to sleep off a hangover on Sunday morning.
Safety at Night

As nice as your potential new house might be, you'll also have to consider how nice the surrounding area is. There's no point moving into a place where you'll be a prisoner in your own home after dark. Having to go to the shop in pairs to get a pint of milk after the sun has gone down is just not cool. Getting mugged on the walk back from the night bus to your front door at 2am is even less cool. Nowhere in a big city like London will be 100% safe, especially after dark, but do a bit of research before committing to that house in Harlesden or across the road from a massive council estate.
Housemates

As important as all of the things listed above are, nothing is more important than choosing good housemates. It'll be difficult before actually moving in, but there are a few things you can try to suss out before you commit. If you're a clean freak, have a look around the place and try to get an idea of whether your fellow housemates are slobs, tidy or somewhere in between. Most houses will tend to have a big cleanup before showing people around so this might be a tricky one to figure out. But the really messy houses don't usually put in an effort, so what you see is what you get. So if you're a messy bugger then a house like this might be more up your alley. There's nothing more annoying than feeling like a guest in your own home because you have to clean everything you touch two seconds after using it.

Try to have a chat with as many of your potential housemates as possible to try and get an idea of where they all are in their London lives. People can tend to go through different stages during their two years in London generally starting as party animals and then gradually moving towards quieter times as they try to save up for trips abroad or for going home. If you've just arrived and want to hit the Redback every weekend, you won't want to be living with a house full of people who spend their weekends watching DVDs because they're saving for their trip back home. Or the opposite, if you're looking for a quieter place to give your liver and bank account a rest, you won't want people blasting the music till 4am and leaving the place looking like a bomb site every Sunday morning.

Living in a Sharehouse

2008-01-08T01:21:00.001-08:00

Living in a Sharehouse

The easier and more common option is to rent out a bed or room in an already established flat. Usually there will already be an ongoing lease in place and sometimes the leaseholders might no longer even live at the house. Sharehouses tend to go through a lot of occupants and you'll probably pay your bond to the person whose bed you're taking and be required to fill your bed when you're ready to leave in order to get your own bond back.

Chances are good that you'll probably spend most of your time away from work with your housemates and that they're the ones who'll become your good friends in London, so take a bit of time to make sure you'll get along with them. You should definately meet at least your roommate and try to gauge whether or not you'll get along because they've got the potential to become your best friend or your worst enemy. If you like your quiet, make sure not to choose a party house like mine!

If living in close quarters with a complete stranger sounds a bit daunting, then it might be a better idea to try and meet a roommate in a backpacker's hostel before making the move into a house. Empty twin rooms seem easier to come by than one single bed in a twin room, so it might save some house hunting hassle in the end as well. If you've got a good job or don't want a roomy then there are plenty of single rooms about, but they'll cost you.

You'll also want to consider the size of the house you're moving into. I lived in a party place with 14 residents and usually at least two dossers, so there was always something going on and things were lively. Large sharehouses tend to attract party types so you'll have to be sure you're up for some crazy times and won't get pissed off if people are loud on a Thursday night after a session at the Redback. Choosing a house with just a few people will have its benefits, but you'll have to make sure you get on wih everyone or you might risk feeling isolated.

Living in a Backpackers Hostel

2008-01-08T00:59:00.001-08:00

Living in a Backpackers Hostel

If you’re a new arrival to London and aren’t lucky enough to have friends here already with a crusty couch for you to sleep on then you’ll have to come up with some other plan. Finding a house before you arrive is pretty much impossible since any decent potential housemates will want to meet you before committing to living with you. Anyone who plans to take you on site unseen are probably dodgy.

So you’ll need to find somewhere to lay your weary, unemployed head for awhile while you sort yourself out – that’s where backpacker’s hostels come in. In London and many cities around the world where people come to stay for awhile, hostels aren’t just for tourists passing through for a few nights. They also cater for long-term residents and many in London will offer a discounted weekly rate. Some hostels will even have more long stayers than backpackers.

There are lots of different types of hostels to choose from in areas all over the city. They range in price from about £15-25/night but many will do weekly rates that can be as cheap as £60 and as much as £100 for a bed in a dorm room. You can expect to be sharing a room with 3 to 7 other people so expect for things to get a little cozy. Try to make sure to find a hostel with a kitchen (and a good amount of fridge space!) as eating out every night will kill your budget fast. You should also look for a place with sturdy bunks and some personal storage space in the dorms, an outside area with BBQ for the summer, a decent common area to chat to people or watch TV, decent security without going overboard, and a good mix of other long term stayers.

Earl's Court is a popular place for newly arrived backpackers and is the location of my favourite London hostel, the Barmy Badger. This place is small, homely, clean, and central. I stayed at the Barmy Badger for my first five months in London and had a great time. At £85/week for a bed in a six-bed dorm room it was far from cheap, but it's in zone one and I found it very easy to meet people here. If you want a large place, try either St. Christopher's Inn, the Generator, or Piccadilly Hotel. These places are all very central but there will be a lot more tourists passing through and, as a result, they’ll feel less like a temporary home and more like a proper hostel.

Compared to getting a room in a sharehouse, living in a hostel will tend to be more expensive. In some cases you will be paying twice as much in rent and won’t be getting any privacy. Plus you have to consider that hostels charge by the week and most houses/flats charge by the month and many jobs pay by the month so during those dreaded 5 week months, you’ll be out of pocket. Don’t get all excited before you arrive and book a hostel for weeks in advance. Just book your first night or two and then if you’re not happy you can shop around for a new place to stay without the hassle of trying to get your money back.

If you come over alone and don't have any friends in London already, a stay at a hostel is a good way to meet lots of people in a short amount of time. There are usually plenty of people who are in the same boat as you who will also be looking to meet a group of people. You might even end up finding people to lease a house or share a room with.

Choosing a Suburb to Live In

2008-01-08T00:57:00.002-08:00

Choosing a Suburb to Live In

London is a huge city and the first major thing you'll want to do is decide which area you want to live in. For most of us fresh of the plane, living in the city centre isn't an option unless you're staying at a hostel or working at a live in job in a pub or hotel. But that’s ok because as you venture away from the city centre you’ll see that London is surrounded by some pretty cool suburbs, each with their own character.

Most new arrivals tend to go west. Places like Acton, Shepherd's Bush, Fulham, and Hammersmith are packed with antipodean working holidaymakers. Few venture out east but if you'd rather meet locals and steer clear of fellow backpackers then east could be a better option. But if you want to abuse your body and do it up at Aussie pubs or house parties every weekend then you'll want to make sure you're in an area that's full of people with the same mentality and pubs that cater to that crowd.

A commute of an hour each way to work isn't uncommon, but you won't want it to be much longer than that.

If you don’t already have a job, make sure you get one before committing on housing because a commute from Acton to Greenwich every day will be a bit of a bitch. A commute of an hour each way to work isn't uncommon, but you won't want it to be much longer than that. Also keep in mind that certain tube lines are notoriously crappy (District and Northern) and others are considered very good (Jubilee) so try to avoid bad, overcrowded tube lines if you can.

Price should come into consideration as well with south and east London generally being less expensive than west and north. Also, the further from the centre you go, the cheaper your rent will be (with some exceptions) but the longer and more expensive your commute will be.

Where you decide to live will have a huge impact on your London experience so have a look at my London area guide and choose wisely!

Accommodation in London

2008-01-08T00:57:00.001-08:00

Accommodation in London

Sorting out a place to live will be the first thing you'll have to do on arrival in London. That doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to find a house straight away though, you've got a few options to think about.

If you've got friends living in London already, call them! Even if they're friends of friends of friends, finding a couch to sleep on when you first arrive will save you a load of money and is a good way to meet some friends quickly. Dossing on a couch isn't ideal, but the usual dosser rate of £5/night in rent is difficult to pass up.

If you don't know a soul then you'll probably find yourself at a backpacker's hostel forking over anywhere from £70 to £100/week to share a room with 3 or more strangers. It might seem bad at first as you watch your hard earned savings line the pockets of your hostel's owner, but it's not all bad. Hostels are great places to meet other new London arrivals who are as excited about everything as you are and who will probably make excellent partners in crime down at the pub by night or sightseeing buddies by day. The trick is finding a good hostel full of long term residents. Many people find themselves living in hostels for much longer than expected.

Once your stay on your friend's couch wears out or once you can't handle dorm living anymore, you'll want to find a place of your own. Before you do this you'll have to decide on a few important things. First will be to decide where you'll be working. An hour commute each way to work isn't uncommon in London but any more than that and you'll probably be miserable so try to find a place to live that doesn't turn your daily commute into a mission. Bing close to work isn't the only factor though and you'll want to think about which area of London suits you best.

Next, you'll need to decide if you want your own room or if you're happy sharing. Room sharing will bring your rent down a lot but you'll also lose out on privacy so you'll need to weigh up whether the savings is worth it. Living in a big, crappy house with a lot of people will be cheaper than a place with only three rooms and three housemates so you need to think about what's more important - comfort or saving money on rent. But living in a sharehouse can be loads of fun and is great for new arrivals who want to party their faces off.

Finding a bed in a decent house can be a nightmare because there will be loads of other people searching and all the best places will have a lot of competition. If you find yourself looking at a busy time of year for new arrivals then you'll often be interviewed and it will feel like a popularity contest. The Gumtree is a good place to start but this is where everyone looks and the affordable places in good locations will have lots of other Gumtree users wanting it. The Loot costs £2 and has a large rental section with less of a focus on antipodeans. For a small registration fee you can gain access to properties at Easy Roommate, Housepals and Flatmate Click. There is likely to be less competition for places listed on these sites since there's a fee for use so if you're having no luck on The Gumtree then this is a good option.

If you're not happy with moving into an already established sharehouse and would rather have a bit more control, you can always get a few friends together and lease a house on your own. This is more complicated that just renting a room in an existing house but you'll have a choice of who moves in and will have more control. Downside is that you'll have to be able to scrape together a bond of 4 to 6 weeks and will have to prove that you're working.

Finding a place to live in London might seem a bit confusing before you arrive but once you get here you'll see that the city if full of travellers and is very well set up to make the transition for new arrivals really easy.

Having a Social Life Without Going Broke

2008-01-08T00:56:00.001-08:00

Having a Social Life Without Going Broke

The easiest way to save lots of money in London is to shun all social activity. But you’re not in here to live like a hermit and there’s too much going on around the city to be able to do that. Being smart about planning nights out will mean you can live it up without living paycheque to paycheque and always being broke.
London Freebies

London is full of free things to do. Many of the main museums and art galleries are free, the city is packed with architectural sites which don’t cost a cent to gawk at. A walk along the Thames is a great way to spend a day as is just wandering around a new neighbourhood and getting yourself acquainted with your temporary hometown.

During the summer the city puts on all sorts of free events scattered around the various parks. You’ll be able to find all sorts of sports days, concerts and festivals from May to September happening somewhere in the city, the trick is staying on top of all the events. Grabbing a few mates, an eskie full of beers and lazing around in your local park on those rare sunny days is another cheap day out.
Eating Out

There are tonnes of fantastic places to eat all around London, not just in zone 1. In fact some of the best places to grab a bite are way out of the centre and away from all the touristy restaurants of Covent Garden and scary looking pizza stands of Leicester Square with high prices and low quality. Look on the net for some reviews and you’re sure to find some locally owned, family run and affordable restaurants in your area.

If you want to have a few drinks with your meal, keep on the lookout for BYO places. For around £1 corkage per person you’ll be able to bring in drinks of your choice which will make a really cheap night out of spending the evening at a restaurant. For example you can get a green curry at my favourite Thai place in Acton (Royal Siam Orchid) for £6. Combine that with some cheap and nasty wine purchased at the Tesco next door and you’ve got yourself semi-civilised a night out for a tenner.
Pubs and Clubs

First tip would have to be to drink intelligently. Let’s not confuse that with drinking responsibly because I would never suggest that. Be smart, buy cheap drinks from your local off license and have a few tasty beverages before you head out for the evening. Even better, take advantage of the UK’s lack of public drinking laws and crack open a beer while you’re walking to the pub or even on the tube. Getting nicely boozed before you hit the town will save you loads but don’t go too crazy beforehand or you might be denied entry to wherever it is you’re going.

Sneaking alcohol into a club has never really been my cup of tea but some of my friends used to do it all the time and get away with it. But be aware that if you’re caught you’ll be booted out for sure.

Get to know which places in your area offer drinks specials. Happy hours will be a lifesaver, especially if you’re inclined to head to a city pub after work, and quite often run for longer than just an hour. Cocktails can be as much as half price so get in early and load up on drinks before stumbling home.
BBQs and House Parties

No matter how much of a cheap bugger you plan to be on a night out, going out is always going to cost more than staying in. Fortunately antipodeans in London love to party and if you’ve got a big circle of friends you should be able to find some mischief to get into almost any weekend.

Opening a UK Bank Account

2008-01-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

Opening a UK Bank Account

The only thing nearly as frustrating as getting an NI Number is getting a UK bank account. Bank staff seem to take great pleasure in giving you misleading information, making you have to come back to them loads of times hoping that one day, you might have enough information to open an account.

I was lucky because I was able to get a bank account with the Bank of Scotland up in Glasgow very easily. All I needed to show was some ID, proof I was employed and proof of address. I used my passport, a letter from my temping agency, and a handwritten envelope from my mum that had come from Canada with a letter in it. Proving your address can be the tricky part for new arrivals, and I was so incredibly lucky that the letter from my mum was enough. I'm pretty sure that 99.9% of banks wouldn't have let me open an account with that.

The only major problem with this new account of mine was that the cash card I was issued with - a 'Solo' - is only good for use in the UK and can't be used overseas. I enquired about getting a card I could use elsewhere but was told I had to have been resident in the UK for three years.

In London opening an account is far more difficult. There are so many travellers in the city and the banks are onto us. To open an account with Barclays, I had to have Bank of Scotland statements for three previous months as well as a utility bill or something similar to prove my address. It wasn't enough that my address was on my old bank statements. To make things worse, I had to arrange an interview, taking time off work to sit down with a consultant who went over all of my documents before granting me an account. By the end of the ordeal I think I had shown her three months worth of bank statements, a gas bill with my name and address on it, my passport, and a letter from my employer.

I decided to fill in a creditcard application and was amazed when a Barclays Visa card arrived at the house a few weeks later. I was also issued with a Visa Electron cash card which isn't very good as you can't usually use it on the internet. The best card to get is a Switch or a Visa Delta. Barclays also has Visa Delta cards but, even though they felt I was worthy enough to get a creditcard, they wouldn't issue me with Delta which is essentially just a cash card! Can't understand it.

If you want to pass by all the red tape of the world of banking in the UK then I'd suggest getting in touch with First Contact. This company will, for a fee, somehow make getting a bank account much easier. It doesn't seem fair that you should have to pay to be able to get a bank account quickly, but if you've just arrived and don't have proof of address then this might be the only option.

London Startup Costs

2008-01-08T00:53:00.000-08:00

London Startup Costs

London is an expensive place, there’s no way around it, but it’s all made worse when you’re spending your home currency and see your savings halved (or worse!) the minute you step off the plane. So how much money does it take to survive in London until you start bringing in a steady paycheque in the mighty £? It depends on loads of different things so keep reading and you should be able to come up with an amount that’ll see you through those early days of job hunting.

Accommodation Options

Many people who move to London have friends who’ve already made the move. This is especially true of the Aussies and Kiwis who seem to have invaded West London. If you’re one of these lucky people then get on the phone and find yourself a couch to stay on! Dossing at a mate’s place until you find your feet is so common that there’s even a standard rate to pay to stay. Most places will charge you £5/night for the privilege of crashing in the lounge when you first arrive. While not ideal, it’s a great way to start out as you’ll instantly be connected with your mate’s group of friends and you’ll save a load of cash that can be put to a better use such as bond money or beer.

Dossing - £5/night

If you don’t know anyone in London, you’ll probably find yourself spending your first week or two in a backpacker’s hostel. If you can find a good one (I recommend Barmy Badger in Earl’s Court) then you will probably have a great time. Hostels are very social and you’ll meet plenty of people who are in the same boat as you and might even find some people to lease a house with. There are no up front costs with a hostel (except maybe a £5-10 key deposit) but staying long term will take a big bite out of your wallet. Many have weekly rates but these will start anywhere from £70-100 for a dorm room of 4 or more people so it’s not exactly value for money if you’re into your privacy.

Backpacker's Hostel - Dorm Bed - £70-100/week

Renting a place is a lot more economical than staying in a hostel long term but there are some significant start up costs to consider that will totally destroy your once mighty savings. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to find a cheap room in London but it depends on where you live, with how many people and how much of a dump the place is. If you share a room with one or two other people in an old, massive sharehouse with 15 people crammed into 6 rooms it will obviously be much cheaper than if you have your own huge room in a huge house with only a couple of housemates. The major killer though with renting is the first month’s rent and bond. Most places will require you to fork over a month’s rent in advance as well as another 4 to 6 weeks rent as a bond. This could end up being anywhere from £700 to over £1000 up front, depending on how ghetto a place you end up in.

Renting - Twin Share - £50-90/week + bills + 4 to 6 weeks bond

Many people move to London to take advantage of being able to travel cheaply to Europe and beyond. There are always people looking for someone to fill their beds while they’re away travelling, sometimes for just a week and sometimes for as long as 4 months or more. Renting short term is a great way to escape from the expense of staying at a hostel but without having to pay the huge up front costs of officially moving into a house (although some might ask for a small bond as security if they’ll be away for awhile). Generally the people letting their beds will just be looking to cover their rent, bills and council tax while they’re away and sometimes they’ll even take a loss on the rent if they’re having problems finding someone. You could come across some good deals if you keep your eyes peeled.

Short Term Renting - Twin Share - £50-90/week + bills (usually no bond)
Transportation

The cost of transportation in London is hideously expensive, especially when you convert that £2 one-way bus journey back to your home currency. There really is no way around forking over loads of money to get around the city unless you take your life into your own hands and decide to cycle to work, or unless you’re one of those lucky people who finds a job close enough to walk to. Once you’re working and getting a steady paycheque, transportation will just become another monthly bill and won’t be as big a deal. But for newcomers the prices will shock and appal and the only thing you can do is reduce the damage as much as possible.

The first thing you should buy on arrival at Heathrow is an Oyster Card. It’s pretty much a silly name for a swipe card style travel card. Transport for London are trying to phase out paper tickets and are encouraging the use of Oyster cards by offering discounts on fares purchased on the card. For example, a single bus journey with Oyster costs £1 but is £2 without. A one-way tube journey within zone 1 costs a ridiculously high £4 but is only £1.50 with Oyster. Get an Oyster Card!

Travelcards can be bought either as paper tickets or on your Oyster Card. Travelcards can be daily, weekly, monthly or annually. Buying a weekly Travelcard will be much cheaper than buying daily tickets and monthly will save you a little bit more as well. It’s probably a bit risky buying a monthly Travelcard straight away since when you first arrive, you probably won’t know where you’ll be working and living so it’d be a shame to buy a 3-zone Travelcard when all you needed was a bus pass. Travelcards cover all transport on the Underground from Zones 1 (central London) to D (out in the sticks) with varying prices depending on how many zones you need to cover.

Zone 1-2 Travelcard - Daily £6.60 / Weekly £23.20 / Monthly - £89.10
Zone 1-3 Travelcard - Daily £7.80 / Weekly £27.40 / Monthly - £105.30

If you have a Travelcard, bus travel for all zones is included but if you won’t need to travel on the Underground then getting a bus pass is a cheaper option. Be aware though that even if you take the bus to work, there will probably be other times where you’ll need to take the Underground and you’ll have to pay for these journeys on top of your bus pass so it’s worth working out how much you think you’ll spend to see if a Travelcard is a better option.

All Zone Bus Pass - Daily £3.50 / Weekly £14 / Monthly £53.80

Prices rise every January, usually by quite a lot. The prices above are for 2007 and will undoubtedly be higher in January. Check out Transport for London for the latest fares.
Food

Eating in London can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. If you grab takeaways or head out to dinner every night you’ll be pretty screwed pretty fast but if you stick to buying a week’s worth of groceries at a cheap supermarket then you’ll be able to stretch your money pretty far. Ready meals tend to be pretty expensive but buying meat and fresh veggies isn’t as pricey as you might think and a week’s worth of healthy food can be purchased for under £20.

Buying food from corner stores isn’t really too practical as they don’t tend to have much selection and any veggies are usually of dubious quality. Plus they’re a little more expensive than an average supermarket. One exception is beer. A lot of corner stores have pretty good deals on cans of beer, a standard one being 8 Foster’s for £6.

Cheapest Supermarkets: Iceland, Somerfield, Asda
Moderate: Morrison's, Sainsbury's
Expensive: Waitrose, Marks and Spencer
So How Much Will You Need?

Well this depends totally on your situation. Assuming you’ll look for work straight away and stay with friends until you get your first paycheque you could survive on £500 for that first month but you won’t have enough to move out and it’d probably take a few months to save up so you’d better hope your friends don’t kick you out!

But if you don’t know a soul in London, you'll have to live in a hostel and won’t have anyone to show you the cheap eats and drinks of the city. Plus, you'll probably end up hanging out centrally in places near your hostel and central London stores will be a bit more costly than those on the outskirts so day-to-day eating will cost a bit more. Keep in mind too that fridge and freezer space is limited in hostels so you won’t be able to stock up on groceries and will probably end up buying microwave meals and takeaways a few times per week. And to top it off, hostels are social places and there will always be someone up for a boozy night out meaning you’ll either have to exercise some serious self control and risk becoming an outsider, or join in the hijinks and blow your budget a bit. In this situation you'd need £750 minimum for the first month.

If you're more likely to want to find a house straight away then you'll be looking at anywhere from £500 to over £1000 on your first month's rent and bond alone so adding living expenses you'll need anywhere from £1000 to £1750 if this is the situation you think you'll find yourself in. Plus be careful not to arrive with loads of money to put down on a house and then get caught up in London life. Spending £1000 is very easy if you find yourself hitting the town. You'll have a great time in the process, but at the end you'll still be without a place to stay.

The Migrants' Guide to Living in Calgary

2008-01-08T00:13:00.001-08:00

The Migrants' Guide to Living in Calgary

Geography
Calgary is a prairie city of around 1 million inhabitants. It sits in a vast, brown coloured plain in Southern Alberta. The Rocky Mountains rise dramatically to the west - about an hour away by car. Calgary's latitude - 51 degrees north - is similar to London, Paris, Seattle and Vancouver. It enjoys long days in summer but has long nights in winter. Calgary is semi-arid - hence the brown landscape. Sitting on the prairies, it enjoys plenty of sunshine with low rainfall.

Character
Of all Canada's provinces, Alberta's character is most like the USA. Alberta has cowboy boots, rodeos, cow festivals, and American spellings. Its government is to the right of Canada's other provinces. Alberta has a reputation for socially conservative attitudes - some describe them as "redneck" attitudes.

Business and Jobs
Alberta has the lion's share of Canada's oil industry. Its reserves - in the form of oil-sands - are estimated to be twice Saudi Arabia's. Projections in 2006 show a labour shortage of 100,000 workers in the next few years. Calgary is one of Canada's wealthiest cities.
building

Low taxes have brought many businesses to Calgary. Small businesses in Alberta pay just 16 percent tax. Calgary's unemployment rate is 4 percent, lower than other Canadian centres.

Calgary continues to grow rapidly. New housing developments and infrastructure projects abound. The city's building industry is healthy with a good supply of construction jobs.

The oil industry and its suppliers pay some of the highest salaries in Calgary. The government, universities and schools aren't as generous with their money but offer reasonable salaries and good conditions of employment.

Despite the low unemployment rate, getting well-paid work has proved difficult for many migrants when they first arrive in the city. Many of Calgary's employers seem to look first for a local employee. If they can't find a suitable local employee, employers will consider employing a migrant.

If you have specialist, in-demand skills in the oil and gas industry, you are less likely to have difficulties.

Getting low paid work is easier.

There is no sales tax in Alberta. Shoppers in most of Canada's provinces have to add sales tax to their purchases, ranging from 7 percent in British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to 15 percent in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Alberta and Calgary's public finances are very healthy and the standard of healthcare compares favourably with other parts of Canada.

Environment and Getting Around
Despite the oil industry, Calgary has a very clean environment.
park

There is little litter and the air is refreshingly clear and crisp. In 2004, Mercer carried out a survey of quality of life in cities around the world. The survey rated cities for many features, including environment. Calgary had the highest score in the world for a clean environment, with a rating of 166, followed by Honolulu, Helsinki and Katsuyama in Japan on 154.

Calgary also has some wonderful, extensive parkland with unvandalised playgrounds. The parks have attractive paths and cycle routes - especially parks on the Bow River.

Calgary's public transport is reasonably good.

The c-train (a light railway) is reliable and runs from the suburbs into downtown Calgary. The c-train is powered by electricity generated by windfarms. Within downtown Calgary you can travel free on the c-train. Outside downtown, there are free park-and-ride-car-parks for the C-train and on buses.

Park and Ride car parks feature free plug-in block heaters. These heaters are needed in cold weather to preheat car engines before they can start. The c-train stations aren't enclosed which makes for some very chilly waits in winter.
cal-down (5K)

Most Calgarians prefer using their cars to public transport. City officials estimate that more than forty percent of downtown workers use the c-train regularly though.

Calgary's growth has outpaced the government's ability to cope. Infrastructure is falling behind population growth. This can lead to traffic jams during rush hour. People coming from larger cities in other countries will find the traffic relatively easy. Getting around is made harder by Calgary's many traffic lights. Some drivers' habit of tailgating can also be annoying.

Suburban developments have outpaced school construction. This has led to lengthy journeys for some children and overcrowding of popular existing schools. Children living in a school's zone are entitled to free bus travel if they live more than 0.8 km from their school.

Where to Live in Calgary
kids
As Calgary has boomed, migrants have flooded in from Europe, Asia and other Canadian cities. Suburban development has boomed too.

Calgary's housing is very affordable compared with Vancouver or Toronto. Its preferred residential areas lie in the North West and South West suburbs. These are closest to the Rockies with attractive mountain views.

The South East and North East, where the airport is situated, are quite industrialised and are less favoured locations.

Summing Up
To some migrants, Calgary feels isolated - an island city in the middle of a vast prairie. Unlike Toronto, there are no other sizeable towns and cities nearby. It's also a long, long way from the sea or sizeable lakes.

Most migrants, provided they can cope with the cool climate, find Calgary offers an extremely attractive lifestyle.

Calgary's Negatives

The long, cold winter.

The rapid thaw and slush when the warm Chinook wind blows in winter.

The short summer.

A lack of history, historical buildings, and culture.

Calgary's Positives

Low taxes.

Low unemployment.

Clean and beautiful, with a modern, attractive downtown, a good-sized meandering river, and the rocky mountain backdrop.

Clean air.

Chinook winds bringing mild days in winter.

Fantastic winter sports - with Canada Olympic Park.

Friendly people.

Affordable houses.

It's easy to "get away from it all" into a huge province with a small population

Canadian Employment and Earnings Details

2008-01-08T00:12:00.001-08:00

Canadian Employment and Earnings Details

In August, the Canadian average weekly earnings of payroll employees increased $1.13 from July to $772.59. The year-to-date growth, calculated as the average of the first eight months of 2007 compared with the average of the same eight months in 2006, was 3.1 percent.

In Canada’s largest industrial sectors, earnings grew for the first eight months of 2007 in manufacturing (+3.6%), health and social assistance (+3.4%), educational services (+0.9%), and retail trade (+0.2%).

Nationally, the number of occupied payroll jobs climbed 16,100 to 14,336,400 in August. Growth among the provinces varied, with Newfoundland, Labrador and Alberta recording the strongest gains.

The industrial sectors showing the strongest employment growth in August were mining, oil and gas extraction, real estate and rental and leasing (+1.5%).

Since December 2006, the biggest gain in payroll jobs has been in construction (+5.2%). Overall, payroll employment has grown 118,700 payroll jobs since the beginning of the year (+0.8%).

The average Canadian hourly earnings for hourly-paid employees was virtually unchanged in August at $19.01. The average Canadian weekly hours for hourly-paid employees was unchanged at 31.2 hours.

Canadian October Employment Survey

2008-01-08T00:11:00.001-08:00

Canadian October Employment Survey

Employment in Canada continued to rise in October, jumping an estimated 63,000, split between full and part time in a report from Statistics Canada . At the same time, the unemployment rate fell to a 33-year low of 5.8 percent, down 0.1 of a percentage point from September. Canadian employment has increased 2.1 percent (+346,000) so far in 2007, the strongest January-to-October growth in the past five years. October’s employment rate reached an all-time high of 63.7 percent.

October’s employment increase was in the service sector, most notably in health care and social assistance, “other services”, and public administration. However, this strength was tempered by losses in business, building and other support services, as well as accommodation and food services.

Wage pressure continued to build in October, with the year-over-year increase in average hourly wages estimated at 4.1 percent, still well above the most recent year-over-year Consumer Price Index increase of 2.5 percent.

Of all industries, health care and social assistance posted the strongest estimated employment growth in October. There was also an increase in “other services”, an industry that covers a variety of activities, such as dry cleaning and laundry services, electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance, as well as grant-making and giving services. As well, public administration added an estimated 20,000 workers in October, all in Ontario.

In contrast to the growth in the service sector, there has been overall weakness in the goods-producing industries, where employment has edged down since the start of the year. So far in 2007, significant losses in manufacturing have been almost completely offset by robust gains in construction and utilities. In October, utilities were the only industry in the goods-producing sector to show signs of strength. Utilities include electric power generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, and water supply and sewage systems.

Ontario
After slow growth throughout most of 2007, employment grew strongly in Ontario for the second consecutive month, up 32,000 in October, mainly in part time. So far in 2007, employment in Ontario has risen an estimated 1.7 percent, still below the national average of 2.1 percent.

October’s employment growth in Ontario was mainly in public administration and “other services”. The growth in public administration was due, in part, to the provincial election, which coincided with the Labour Force Survey reference week.

Quebec
Quebec’s unemployment rate in October remained at 6.9 percent, the lowest level in 33 years. So far in 2007, employment has grown 2.2 percent, spurred on by gains in construction, accommodation and food services, and “other services”. These gains have pushed the employment rate up, bringing it to a new record high of 61.2 percent in October.

Manitoba
In Manitoba, employment grew 0.6 percent in October, bringing the increase since the start of 2007 to 2.5 percent. In October, Manitoba’s employment rate reached an all-time high of 66.8 percent. The province also had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada (4.0 percent).

British Columbia
Although employment in British Columbia showed little change in October, it has grown 2.4 percent since the start of 2007, mainly due to strong growth in trade. In October, the unemployment rate in the province stood at 4.4 percent, among the lowest rates in Canada.

Alberta
Alberta’s employment was little changed in October. However, the province continued to have the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 3.4 percent, as well as Canada’s highest employment rate (71.5 percent).

Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, October’s employment increase (+5,300) was mainly attributable to full-time work. For the first 10 months of 2007, employment has grown mainly in information, culture and recreation, in health care and social assistance, and in professional, scientific and technical services.

Older workers lead the way
Employment increased by 32,000 among people 55 and over, with the gains distributed equally between men and women. The participation rate in October for Canadians aged 55 and over reached an all-time high of 33.8 percent. This was due in large part to older women, who in October had their highest employment and participation rates in at least three decades.

Canada home sales still strong

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Canada home sales still strong

Canadian resale housing activity edged back in the third quarter of 2007 from its peak in the second quarter but remains very strong, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

Sales activity totalled 129,451 units in the third quarter of 2007, a 3.2 per cent decline from the record set in the second quarter. The quarterly decline in activity reflects fewer sales in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Fewer transactions in those provinces more than offset a quarterly increase in activity in British Columbia.

Sales set new quarterly records in Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador in the third quarter of 2007. In line with Canadian resale activity, sales reached their second highest quarterly level ever in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

A total of 41,390 homes traded hands in Canada in September, a 3.7 per cent decline from August. Activity was down from August levels in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.

The Canadian residential average price rose 11.7 per cent year-over-year in the third quarter to $308,543. Average price reached the highest quarterly level on record in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Where Are The Main Places To Live In New Brunswick?

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Where Are The Main Places To Live In New Brunswick?

The three biggest cities in New Brunswick are Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton.

Almost half of New Brunswick's population lives within the metropolitan areas of these three cities and, for most people, the best opportunities for work can be found here. The major primary industries in New Brunswick are fishing and timber.

Saint John (Metropolitan population around 125,000) is the most industrial city in New Brunswick and perhaps the least picturesque.

Saint John is New Brunswick's principal port and manufacturing area. The port is ice-free in winter because of very vigorous tidal currents in the Bay of Fundy.

Saint John has faced difficulties as its older industries - like ship building - have been unable to compete in the world economy and have been closing. Current industries include brewing, electricity generation, transport / distribution, call centres and the largest oil-refinery in Canada.

Moncton (Metropolitan population also around 125,000) is a lively area with a mixture of English and French (30 percent) speakers and cultures.

Almost all of Moncton's French speakers are bilingual. A significant number of Moncton's English speakers do not speak French. It is easy to work in Moncton without speaking French but, if you are in business, it could prove useful.

Moncton is a growing centre for high-tech and service industries - including call-centres drawn by Moncton's bilingual workforce.

The Université de Moncton - a French speaking university - is based in Moncton and the city is well provided for in terms of shopping, schools and recreation.

Moncton and Halifax (Nova Scotia) are actively promoting a Moncton-Halifax growth corridor to try to enhance their mutual economies along with those of Truro, Amherst and Sackville en-route.

Moncton is home to New Brunswick's main airport, operating scheduled flights to Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton and Newark. Seasonal and charter flights operate to France, Germany, Florida, and Caribbean islands.

Fredericton (Metropolitan population around 80,000 - 85,000, depending on student numbers) is the capital of New Brunswick and sits, picturesquely, on the St John river.

In addition to government work, Fredericton is a university city, with good shopping facilities, schools, and recreational facilities. Fredericton is the home of two universities - The University of New Brunswick, founded in 1785, and St. Thomas University, a centre for Catholic liberal arts education.

Information technology based businesses are a growing force in Fredericton.

Fredericton's airport operates internal flights to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax and externally to Boston, Massachusetts.

Which City is Best to Live In? The commonly held view is that Fredericton and Moncton, with less heavy industry, are preferable to Saint John in terms of quality of life. In May 2007, the average price of a house in Fredericton was $157,000 and the average price in Saint John was $145,000.

Who Lives In New Brunswick?

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Who Lives In New Brunswick?

Most New Brunswickers have British Isles ancestry (English, Scottish and Irish) or French ancestry.

The province is currently home to a small migrant population. Less than 4 percent of New Brunswickers are migrants - a very small proportion compared with places like Toronto where almost half the people are migrants.

New Brunswick's population has seen fewer changes in its demographics than most other Canadian provinces in recent years. Figures from Statistics Canada show that visible minorities make up less than 2 percent of New Brunswick's population compared with around 15 percent for the whole of Canada.

Workers in New Brunswick are paid about 15 percent less than the Canadian average. People who are keen to pursue high-paying careers tend to move west.

Who Would Want To Live In New Brunswick?

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Who Would Want To Live In New Brunswick?

New Brunswick is an especially attractive immigration destination for downsizers - people who desire a simpler, no-frills lifestyle amidst a land teeming with lakes and forests.

Real estate in New Brunswick is amongst the cheapest in Canada. In May 2007, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average house price in New Brunswick was just $142,000.

Newcomers who have sold more expensive property elsewhere often find they can buy a house mortgage-free in New Brunswick.

In New Brunswick you get the chance to own an acreage of land that only millionaires can afford in some places and the opportunity to live in communities where people still genuinely help one another.

If you are money-oriented and want to find a high-powered, fast moving career path (and a cosmopolitan nightlife with trendy nightclubs and the like) New Brunswick is probably not for you.

Although New Brunswick does not have a dynamic economy - the unemployment rate hovers around 10 percent - its residents have the highest incomes of any of Canada's Atlantic provinces.

Living In New Brunswick

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Living In New Brunswick

New Brunswick lies on the Atlantic Coast of Canada and is heavily forested - about 80 percent of the land is covered with woodland inhabited by moose, bears and other wildlife.

Most people who move to New Brunswick find they are welcomed into very friendly communities.

Southern New Brunswick is home to the province's English speaking communities. French speaking communities - making up one third of the people in New Brunswick - lie in the northern part of the province.

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province.

New Brunswick is one of Canada's smallest provinces - about the same size as Ireland or Scotland or the Czech Republic. This leaves plenty of space for its 750,000 residents to enjoy the great outdoors and to build their houses.