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Should Your Kids Go to University Abroad?

September 11, 2022 By Anne

Going to college is an option for people of any age, but most university students are young adults just leaving the nest. Everyone wants the best for their children, and this leads many parents to encourage their children to pursue university. If your kids have decided to go down the route of higher education, then it’s up to you as parents to support them.

One way that you can support your children is by doing your own research and helping them to make wise decisions about their future. This doesn’t mean taking complete control of their future. After all, this is their first step into adulthood and independence, but you should be ready to offer advice.

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College Options

When considering college, it’s important to think about what kind of career or industry appeals to the potential student. Different universities specialize in different subjects, and more prestigious universities can lead to fantastic opportunities, especially if your child manages to make connections with the right people.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should only go for the most prestigious options. These universities are heavily sought after, which means that the competition is fierce. Other colleges might not be as famous, but they may be more attainable or offer other perks that a prospective student might look for.

As well as prestige and the type of course that your child wants to go for, you should also consider practical matters, like the cost of living in the area and the likelihood of them finding work and accommodation. If your child manages to get a scholarship for a certain university, then that will likely sway their decision.

Finally, you might consider leaving the country altogether and going to a university abroad. If your child does go for this option, then they should still be discerning. For example, you can check out the American International University of Kuwait Reviews to see if it would suit your child.

Why Go International

International university might be a nerve-wracking option. After all, your child isn’t just leaving home, but they’re also leaving the country. However, going to college abroad has plenty of benefits, which might just sway students in its favor.

First of all, there’s the obvious benefit that living in another country is a whole new experience for your child, which helps them to grow into a more well-rounded and independent person. They can learn about a different lifestyle, culture, and even pick upb the local language.

An international university offers opportunities that domestic universities might not have. Your child can find work in an industry that might not be well supported at home. Even if they decide to come back to their home country, the fact that they’ve made that leap and potentially learned a new language looks far better for their CV.

Your child will also meet new people and potentially make lifelong friends all around the world. They’re only young once, so being able to take these opportunities is always a great option.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

How To Pull Off The Ultimate Pot Luck At Home

September 8, 2022 By Anne

A potluck is a great way to get friends and family together for a meal without having to do all the cooking yourself. But if you’ve never hosted a potluck before, it can seem like a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you pull off the ultimate potluck at your home.

1. Choose a theme

One of the first things you need to do when planning a potluck is to choose a theme. This will help you focus your menu and make sure that all the dishes complement each other. Some popular themes for potlucks include regional cuisine (like Italian or Mexican), comfort food, or seasonally-appropriate dishes.

2. Make a list of what you need

Once you’ve chosen your theme, it’s time to make a list of what you’ll need. This includes both ingredients for the dishes you plan to make and any serving items or utensils you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to ask each guest to RSVP with what they’re bringing, so you can avoid having too many of the same dish.

3. Prep ahead of time

One of the keys to a successful potluck is to prep as much as possible ahead of time. This includes chopping vegetables, pre-cooking meats, and making sauces or dressings. By doing some of the work in advance, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your own party.

4. Set the table

It’s important to have a beautiful and inviting table setting for your potluck. This doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but it should be well-organized and appealing to the eye. Consider using color-coordinated place settings or festive tablecloths and napkins.

5. Make sure there’s enough food

When it comes to potlucks, it’s always better to err on the side of too much food rather than not enough. No one wants to leave a party feeling hungry, so make sure you have plenty of food to go around. This includes both main dishes and sides, as well as snacks and desserts.Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings is a definite must!

6. Offer non-alcoholic beverages

While some potlucks may revolve around drinking, it’s important to offer non-alcoholic beverages as well. This way, everyone can enjoy themselves regardless of their personal preferences. Some good options include soda, juice, and water.

7. Keep things organized

Another crucial element of a successful potluck is organization. This means having a plan for how the food will be served and making sure that all the dishes are labeled. You may even want to create a seating chart to avoid any confusion.

8. Don’t forget the music

No party is complete without music, and your potluck is no exception. Make sure to have some tunes playing in the background to help create a festive atmosphere. You can either use a streaming service like Pandora or Spotify or create your own playlist.

9. Make it a potluck-themed party

If you really want to go all out, you can make your potluck into a themed party. This can include decoration, games, and even prizes for the best dishes. By turning it into an event, you’re sure to please all your guests.

10. Cater for kids too

If you have kids, it’s important to make sure that they’re taken care of as well. This can include having a few kid-friendly dishes on hand or setting up a kids’ table with coloring books and crayons. Childminders can also be a welcome addition to potlucks with kids. By catering to the little ones, you’ll ensure that everyone has a good time.

11. Take photos

With all the delicious food and happy guests, your potluck is sure to be a success. Don’t forget to take some photos to capture the memories—you’ll be glad you did. Set up a photo booth or have someone designated to take pictures throughout the party.

12. Have fun!

Last but not least, don’t forget to have fun! Even though potlucks require some extra work on your part, they’re still meant to be enjoyable. So relax, enjoy the company of your friends and family, and savor all the delicious food.

Bonus Tip:

If you’re really short on time, you can always order food from a catering service. This way, you’ll still be able to host a potluck without all the stress. Just be sure to specify that it’s a potluck when making your reservation, so they know to expect multiple dishes.

There you go!

Potlucks are a great way to enjoy good food and company without having to do all the work yourself. By following these tips, you can be sure that your potluck will be a success. And who knows, it might even become a new tradition.

Anne

Busy Isn’t An Excuse To Neglect Your Health

August 22, 2022 By Anne

Too many people use the fact that they are busy an excuse to neglect their health. They have busy lives and they don’t want to put the effort into thinking about the way that they are treating themselves. We get it, there are not enough hours in the day but this does not mean that you should neglect your health. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to consider your health, even when you’re busy. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.

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Exercises At Your Desk

If you sit down for long periods of the day, for instance, if you have an office job then you may find yourself seizing up quite a bit. It is not good for your body, nor is it natural for you to sit for long periods. Humans weren’t made for sitting down, we were built for intense jobs that involve a lot of movement such as construction. However, if you do have an office job then you can still get moving throughout the day. If you don’t have time in your schedule to take regular breaks, you could instead do exercise at your desks.

Change Up What You’re Eating

It is essential you are watching what you eat, if you eat too much junk food then this can lead to weight-related conditions such as diabetes, heart-disease, and strokes. If you are unsure of how to lead a healthier lifestyle then a good place to start is finding healthier alternatives to your snacks. An example of this could be swapping crisps and biscuits for vegetable sticks. If you are unsure of how to take it further, speaking to a nutritionist could help you get back on the right track.

Seek Help For Pain

Are you in pain? Humans should not experience any pain on a daily basis, unless they have been diagnosed with a condition that causes this. However, this is not something that is necessarily common. If you are in pain, you should be speaking to your medical professional so that they can do something about it. Your doctor will be able to refer you to specialist care if they feel as though you need it. An example would be if you are experiencing back pain that refuses to leave and nothing is working to treat it. In this case, you may be referred to chiropractic care in order to diagnose the cause, and get the help that you need.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do in order to promote your health even when you’re busy. We know that this isn’t an easy thing to do, and we know that you may only manage small changes at a time, but any positive step is a good one. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you manage to keep better control of your health.

Anne

4 Tips for Moving Abroad with Your Family

August 20, 2022 By Anne

The thought of moving abroad can be exciting, especially if you are going with your loved ones. It is always amazing to visit new places, learn about new cultures and interact with people from different backgrounds. So it’s not surprising that 8.7 million Americans are living abroad. Whatever the reasons, you want to make the relocation a positive experience for your family. Below are some top tips to consider when moving abroad with your family.

Do your homework

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Researching is crucial for moving from your home country to unfamiliar territory. Even for the adventurous family, you can’t skip this step. Learning about employment, education, lifestyle, healthcare, culture, and things to do is advisable. The internet offers many resources to learn almost everything you need about a new country. However, never limit your research to travel websites and brochures, as they will only paint a rosy picture of the destination. If possible, contact other foreigners, ideally those from your own country living there, and ask specific questions.

Go on a test trip

Moving with family can be a rollercoaster. You can never be sure how prepared your family is, especially if you have young kids. It makes sense to take them on holiday to the country you intend to move to. A test trip can be extremely beneficial if you are unfamiliar with the location and uncertain how your family will respond to living there. Even if for a brief time, you can still learn much about what to expect when you move. It is worth mentioning that many people usually focus on the positive aspect of a new area when on vacation. However, the experience could be different when living there permanently.

Consider the housing type

Housing type may vary from country to country. For instance, residential properties in some countries may offer more amenities than others. So before you move, learn about the housing types available in the destination you are moving to. You will also have to consider your lifestyle and how your family will be affected. For example, if your family is accustomed to living in a large house with a garden, they may dislike the idea of living in a flat or apartment when they relocate. Moving to a condominium building with new amenities can be more appealing. Home-hunting can be complicated, especially when you are a foreigner. Fortunately, you can do a few things to make the search easier, including hiring an estate agent.

Make your house a home

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Most ex-pats may have to wait longer for their belongings to be shipped to their new country. However, you can expect your possessions to be moved faster when using reliable moving services such as North American Van Lines and many others. Until then, you can use the time to relax and explore your new environment. Afterwards, you can focus on making the new house your home and help your family readjust and build positivity and excitement about their new city.

Amid the chaos of the move, you can restore some normalcy to your life by adhering to traditions and routines from your previous residence. For example, you can have a meal together like a family, share family rituals, and stick to routines that help your family feel more together.

Anne

Changing Your Career Path Later in Life

August 20, 2022 By Anne

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Changing your career path is a daunting prospect at any time, not least later in life. So be sure to look before you leap and consider some of the following options that could help you out.

Get the Qualifications You Need for Switching

Almost all careers require some form of formal education and/or training. And learning new skills later in life is much harder than when you’re young. However, with the determination to change your life for the better, nothing can stop you. That being said, gaining the relevant qualifications can be a challenge before you even start a new job. Fortunately, you can attend college and courses at any age. And you can even add to existing qualifications and credits with interdisciplinary studies that aim to tailor your learning towards specific fields and sectors.

Research the Roles You Think Will Make You Happy

Perhaps you just want to break away from an unrewarding role that you know isn’t doing anything to improve your life. Like 90% of people, you probably dislike your job. Yet many of us stay for security or because of the fear of change. So you are to be congratulated for being brave enough to take steps to make yourself happier and better off. But making such drastic changes requires carefully considering what you want to do. Therefore, you need to spend time researching jobs that suit your skills and personality and meet your financial requirements.

When it comes to researching for the roles you think you might fit into, be sure to read through the person specification and job description to see if you would be a good fit. You don’t want to waste anybody’s time, including your own if you don’t have what the company is looking for. If you have experience in a certain field then it may be worthwhile looking for something related to that. You could also get some inspiration from people who have been there and done that. For instance, if you are wanting to get into education then Danny Swersky is the man you need to read about.

Think if Changing Your Career Path Is What You Want

Further to making a decision and researching new roles that you feel are better for you, you must consider if it’s really what you want. In the worst case, you could move from one unfulfilling role to another. But some of the things that could make it easier to decide, include the following:

Carefully consider the role you want that will fulfill your work, home and money needs.
Think about what activities will make you enjoy your day until retirement.
Identify any transferable skills that will help your new career options.

Finding a job you love is a challenge for almost everyone, so consider the roles that challenge, offer advancement, and put your skills to use. In addition, of course, it’s helpful to consider careers with day-to-day activities you know will make you happy to get out of bed each morning.

Make Sure Your CV/Resumé is Suitable

Gaining new qualifications for your new job is only half the challenge. Following studying and training, you need to begin the process of actively looking for a job. And this starts with making sure your CV or resumé is up-to-date and suitable for the role you want. Be sure to include transferable skills, relevant experience, and your new qualifications. Additionally, try not to use a blanket CV for each application, and get into the habit of tailoring your CV to the jobs for which you apply. Recruiters are good at spotting generic resumés and might reject them.

Actively Look for a Job and Practice Interview Skills

On average, it takes between three and six months to find a new job when switching. And this time can vary greatly depending on the state of the sector and its recruitment criteria. For example, cybersecurity is notoriously picky because it looks for specific courses and qualifications, irrelevant of experience. However, don’t be discouraged, since your new life could depend on the next letter. In the meantime, it’s helpful to practice interview skills based on the role you want. Think of possible questions and answers, and rehearse with a family member.

Summary

It’s a long process when changing your career path as you get older. But you can help yourself by getting new qualifications, considering where you want to go, and persistent job-hunting.