Has anyone who applied for AID Summer 2011 in Taiwan received a phone call interview?
My friend told me that someone from AID Summer 2011 called her yesterday (March 28th) and interviewed her fully in mandarin. They have not called me yet. The program said that applicants will be notified on Thursday (March 31st) if they made it in or not. If I don't receive a phone call interview by Wednesday, does this mean I most likely did not get into the program? AID Summer is a month-long summer program where student volunteers (usually high school students but also college students) teach English to underprivileged kids in Taiwan.
Other - Education - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
i applied too and i haven't been called.. but i wouldn't write us out as accepted yet. my sister did the program in 2009 and she didn't have to do an interview in mandarin. :) does your online account say anything? mine hasn't as of yet and i've been checking all day, haha. i really want to get in. >< anyway good luck to you! :]
2 :
I applied to and the results haven't come out. It's really irritating! It's supposed to be out today and I'm buying my ticket for Taiwan today (since its cheaper buying it before April 1) and I don't know when to book it for since the results aren't out yet! Anyone know around what time today its supposed to come out?
3 :
I applied for this as well! I've been refreshing the Aidsummer page since 12pm. Best of luck to all of us!
4 :
I also applied!~ thank God im not the only one!!! I was freaking out, seeing that the admission status was not updated! but i guess everyone is experiencing the same situation. Hope we will all make it:)
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
From UK student visa to Work Visa or more?
From UK student visa to Work Visa or more?
Hi. I am studying in London at the moment and I am graduating next June. I am originally from Taiwan and have been here on a student visa. I have recently found out that my school is not eligible for the International Graduate Scheme even though they told me before they were, now they say no. My school is a private institution (Istituto Marangoni), its headquarter school is in Milan but now has a branch in London. I need to stay in UK after studying to work and it is very upsetting to find out I cannot apply to the Graduate Visa Scheme. Can someone please tell me if there is another way? My school also told me that I will be receiving a 'BA' like degree which I just now found out it's a diploma that's 'equivalent' to a BA but I don't think it's going to help me when I apply to the Home Office. Can someone please tell me if I have any options or is there absolutely no possibility for me to stay here and work after school? Any help would be really appreciated! a little more detail: I am currently doing an internship with Liberty of London, would that help when I apply for my visa? In response to the first answer, what kind of visa were you referring to? Or does that apply to any visa? I am very confused about the whole visa process in general: Is it the employer that applies for me and they pick up the cost or do I apply for it, using employer as reference and I pick up the cost? Thank you so much, I know it's a lot..I've also emailed Home Office but they haven't gotten back to me..so I thought I'd try it here...
Immigration - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Just make sure you give 2 reliable references when applying for your visa. UK immigration will usually contact both of them to make sure you are who you are... If everything is ok then I don't see there being any problems...
2 :
hi dear.. go on this web address http://ukvisa.com/, it is very helpfull in your case..
3 :
I would suggest, if you visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/ and try to check if you can convert your student visa into work. Usually, now its not possible to exchange your student visa into (permit based) work visa. But it is still possible for Graduate scheme of course. There used to be another scheme called TWES for students finishing degree level education in UK, you may need to check about that as well. Good luck.
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Thursday, November 7, 2013
Can I put a hold on my student loans for a Montessori training course?
Can I put a hold on my student loans for a Montessori training course?
I am attending a teacher training program in Taiwan. I will be a full time student from now until December. Can I put a hold on my student loans while I take this training? It is a training program through the American Montessori Society. ( www.amshq.org ) and is also approved by the North American Montessori Teacher's Association. ( www.montessori-namta.org ) I would like to put my student loans on hold so interest does not build up (and I will not have to make the minimum payment) and pay some off of them while I am taking the courses. Please let me know. Any official web site references would be helpful as well. Thank you! Matt To Jones C: It's terrible that a question cannot be asked without there being any SPAM messages coming through. Reported and, hopefully, your response will be deleted.
Financial Aid - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You should contact the student loan company to inform them that you are returning to school, then ask what they think.
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I am attending a teacher training program in Taiwan. I will be a full time student from now until December. Can I put a hold on my student loans while I take this training? It is a training program through the American Montessori Society. ( www.amshq.org ) and is also approved by the North American Montessori Teacher's Association. ( www.montessori-namta.org ) I would like to put my student loans on hold so interest does not build up (and I will not have to make the minimum payment) and pay some off of them while I am taking the courses. Please let me know. Any official web site references would be helpful as well. Thank you! Matt To Jones C: It's terrible that a question cannot be asked without there being any SPAM messages coming through. Reported and, hopefully, your response will be deleted.
Financial Aid - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You should contact the student loan company to inform them that you are returning to school, then ask what they think.
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Friday, November 1, 2013
Which foreign exchange program is safe and reliable?
Which foreign exchange program is safe and reliable?
I want to be a foreign exchange student my sophomore year (during the summer) and I want to go to Korea or (mainland) China or Taiwan. My parents are skeptical about letting my live with strangers, and I've checked out a few of the "top" program sites but I'm not sure about which program to pick. Which program has the best reputation and is the safest? Also what are some of the requirements for being an exchange student? Also is it possible to get scholarships for it?
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
not mexico
2 :
My answer to this question starts out the same way my answer to your last question starts, so you can skip the next two paragraphs if you remember that answer. YFU (Youth For Understanding), AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations, although a few others are making their way up that list. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for almost 60 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. If you choose another organization, please make sure that it is is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. While it is possible that a good organization is not listed with them, it is less likely and I would advise doing more research on anyone that is not listed with them. (All the above was in my answer to your previous question.) Who has the best reputation? That depends on who you ask. Generally speaking, you should be just fine with any of the above. Who is the safest? Again, you should be fine with any of the above. The selection of organizations going to Taiwan is a little limited, but YFU does have programs to Korea or China. Some of the 'official' requirements for being an exchange student are: generally good physical and mental health (if you have an allergy to something, that's fine, but do make sure to put it on any application); at least 15 yrs old (some countries won't take anyone who will be over 18.5 while on exchange); good grades; teacher recommendation; the ability to get a passport and visa; and a few other things that are so minor that I can't think of them at the moment. Some of the 'unofficial' requirements: the ability to laugh at yourself; the willingness to adapt; the willingness to accept someone else as your family; etc. There are competitive scholarships available. Again, I can only speak for YFU, but in a typical year, about 500 American students will go overseas with YFU and about 300 of them will have full or partial scholarships. Check out the website for more information. If I may make a suggestion, I would recommend that your parents check out the website and/or talk with a staff member/volunteer/former exchange student/parent of a former exchange student. All host parents will have a screening process they go through. (And trust me, as long as everyone (especially you) has their heart in the right place, the host family will not be a stranger for long! I hope this helps. Again, good luck to you no matter what you choose!
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I want to be a foreign exchange student my sophomore year (during the summer) and I want to go to Korea or (mainland) China or Taiwan. My parents are skeptical about letting my live with strangers, and I've checked out a few of the "top" program sites but I'm not sure about which program to pick. Which program has the best reputation and is the safest? Also what are some of the requirements for being an exchange student? Also is it possible to get scholarships for it?
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
not mexico
2 :
My answer to this question starts out the same way my answer to your last question starts, so you can skip the next two paragraphs if you remember that answer. YFU (Youth For Understanding), AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations, although a few others are making their way up that list. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for almost 60 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. If you choose another organization, please make sure that it is is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. While it is possible that a good organization is not listed with them, it is less likely and I would advise doing more research on anyone that is not listed with them. (All the above was in my answer to your previous question.) Who has the best reputation? That depends on who you ask. Generally speaking, you should be just fine with any of the above. Who is the safest? Again, you should be fine with any of the above. The selection of organizations going to Taiwan is a little limited, but YFU does have programs to Korea or China. Some of the 'official' requirements for being an exchange student are: generally good physical and mental health (if you have an allergy to something, that's fine, but do make sure to put it on any application); at least 15 yrs old (some countries won't take anyone who will be over 18.5 while on exchange); good grades; teacher recommendation; the ability to get a passport and visa; and a few other things that are so minor that I can't think of them at the moment. Some of the 'unofficial' requirements: the ability to laugh at yourself; the willingness to adapt; the willingness to accept someone else as your family; etc. There are competitive scholarships available. Again, I can only speak for YFU, but in a typical year, about 500 American students will go overseas with YFU and about 300 of them will have full or partial scholarships. Check out the website for more information. If I may make a suggestion, I would recommend that your parents check out the website and/or talk with a staff member/volunteer/former exchange student/parent of a former exchange student. All host parents will have a screening process they go through. (And trust me, as long as everyone (especially you) has their heart in the right place, the host family will not be a stranger for long! I hope this helps. Again, good luck to you no matter what you choose!
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Monday, October 28, 2013
I'm moving to Taipei next year. What are somethings I should know?
I'm moving to Taipei next year. What are somethings I should know?
I am being a foreign exchange student in Taipei, Taiwan next year. I am from a small town and have never been anywhere near Asia before. What should I expect? and what cool things are there to do?
Taiwan - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Learn to feel comfortable taking public transportation admist a horde of people you can't understand and signs you can't read. Get a basic Chinese phrases book with audio CD, and develop some communication skills. Good luck to you! :^)
2 :
It is the capital city of a province of China
3 :
Chinese writing are simplify picture. Basic word look at it, you should able to guess its meaning.
4 :
Stick to the major roads, and for transportation, use mainly the Taipei city subway system, which is very convinient and have english signs. Also, make sure you know about what bus to ride to your university. um, for food, most major chain restaurants have english or numbers to order from. if you want some more local food, have a taiwanese friend take you. shopping for cloth is really easy, as there r clothing stores like everywhere. but market stalls might try to cheat u so only go to legit stores like Net or something. American clothing stores are all overpriced so dont go to them. if you need to go to church, there are english services at a couple of churches across the street from National Taiwan University (get off at Gonguan station in subway i believe) and if your a white person, dont be afraid to ask people directions in english because people will try their best to help you. You might wanna look for other nonasian foreigners or taiwanese american (you can tell by cloth and skin tone and hair style) to help you, as they probably speak english well. oh and drinking age is only 18 so that might be good. but dont expect many hot guys. not many hot guys the last time i went (though im a guy saying this so i might not be very accurate)
5 :
Keep an open mind. It's probably going to be a cultural shock at first. Taipei is a populated metropolitan with some real good mass transit system in place - lightrail/subway and buses are common. All of the MRT stations and signs will be in English so you shouldn't be too lost. Make lots of friends and explore Taipei. Don't be afraid to try different kind of food. :D
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I am being a foreign exchange student in Taipei, Taiwan next year. I am from a small town and have never been anywhere near Asia before. What should I expect? and what cool things are there to do?
Taiwan - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Learn to feel comfortable taking public transportation admist a horde of people you can't understand and signs you can't read. Get a basic Chinese phrases book with audio CD, and develop some communication skills. Good luck to you! :^)
2 :
It is the capital city of a province of China
3 :
Chinese writing are simplify picture. Basic word look at it, you should able to guess its meaning.
4 :
Stick to the major roads, and for transportation, use mainly the Taipei city subway system, which is very convinient and have english signs. Also, make sure you know about what bus to ride to your university. um, for food, most major chain restaurants have english or numbers to order from. if you want some more local food, have a taiwanese friend take you. shopping for cloth is really easy, as there r clothing stores like everywhere. but market stalls might try to cheat u so only go to legit stores like Net or something. American clothing stores are all overpriced so dont go to them. if you need to go to church, there are english services at a couple of churches across the street from National Taiwan University (get off at Gonguan station in subway i believe) and if your a white person, dont be afraid to ask people directions in english because people will try their best to help you. You might wanna look for other nonasian foreigners or taiwanese american (you can tell by cloth and skin tone and hair style) to help you, as they probably speak english well. oh and drinking age is only 18 so that might be good. but dont expect many hot guys. not many hot guys the last time i went (though im a guy saying this so i might not be very accurate)
5 :
Keep an open mind. It's probably going to be a cultural shock at first. Taipei is a populated metropolitan with some real good mass transit system in place - lightrail/subway and buses are common. All of the MRT stations and signs will be in English so you shouldn't be too lost. Make lots of friends and explore Taipei. Don't be afraid to try different kind of food. :D
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Monday, October 14, 2013
High school in Taiwan?
High school in Taiwan?
Im going to Taiwan for my junior year through Rotary. I will be the second student ever to go there through Rotary and im really excited. I was wondering what kinds of classes a high school in Taiwan would have. Also, any other useful information would be really helpful!
Taiwan - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
About the same as the American system has; but in Mandarin. Some writing classes; some science classes; some math classes; some indoctrination to worshipping Confucious and claiming that Sun Yat Sen had great ideas for China and you should forget about being Taiwanese because you got invaded and owned 60 years ago and shut up and get in line, cut your hair and wear your uniform for the jobs that were in demand 40 years ago type classes. You know, the usual bollocks and lies every nation state tries to spoon feed you and make you into a nice, compliant sheep. Edit: sorry about the raging. It isn't that bad. You caught me on a grouchy day. High School in Taiwan tends to be tedium interspersed with periods of study and terror. But 99% of it is tedium.
2 :
Congratulations on your being selected for such an honorable appointment! Classes cover most of the same subjects you would encounter in the USA. Instruction will be exclusively in Mandarin Chinese. I hope you can read and write in the language. The workload is likely to be greater than you are used to; there will be lots of reading and memorization, followed by many tests. Advice: Use your English skills to assist those who are struggling in English, in exchange for them assisting you in the subject in which they excel. The bright side is... many are going to want to be close to you as a friend.
3 :
Get ready for tons of homework.
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Im going to Taiwan for my junior year through Rotary. I will be the second student ever to go there through Rotary and im really excited. I was wondering what kinds of classes a high school in Taiwan would have. Also, any other useful information would be really helpful!
Taiwan - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
About the same as the American system has; but in Mandarin. Some writing classes; some science classes; some math classes; some indoctrination to worshipping Confucious and claiming that Sun Yat Sen had great ideas for China and you should forget about being Taiwanese because you got invaded and owned 60 years ago and shut up and get in line, cut your hair and wear your uniform for the jobs that were in demand 40 years ago type classes. You know, the usual bollocks and lies every nation state tries to spoon feed you and make you into a nice, compliant sheep. Edit: sorry about the raging. It isn't that bad. You caught me on a grouchy day. High School in Taiwan tends to be tedium interspersed with periods of study and terror. But 99% of it is tedium.
2 :
Congratulations on your being selected for such an honorable appointment! Classes cover most of the same subjects you would encounter in the USA. Instruction will be exclusively in Mandarin Chinese. I hope you can read and write in the language. The workload is likely to be greater than you are used to; there will be lots of reading and memorization, followed by many tests. Advice: Use your English skills to assist those who are struggling in English, in exchange for them assisting you in the subject in which they excel. The bright side is... many are going to want to be close to you as a friend.
3 :
Get ready for tons of homework.
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Monday, October 7, 2013
What do you think of plans to open up Taiwanese universities to Chinese (PRC) students?
What do you think of plans to open up Taiwanese universities to Chinese (PRC) students?
Would Taiwan's democratic and freethinking society make an impression on PRC students? Would some PRC students conduct clandestine activities in Taiwan? Is the issue more complex than all of this?
Taiwan - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I think it is a good idea, personally. With appropriate oversight and standards testing for incoming students. If they are found to be doing clandestine activities it should be a fairly simple yank of the cord to send them home for minor infringements and much easier to get some hostages for more complex serious security breach situations for better leverage against major inpingements. Its a fairly easy set up. A Win-win situation as the Chinese like to say! I do believe that seeing how debates can be civil (at least among NORMAL people, not paid entertainers who should be on channel Z pretending to fight) can help impact the Chinese view of democracy. I also believe that as China is integrated into a global setting, you need to show mutual respect for all research (that is legitimate) and have access to their research as well, which having mutual interaction allows the rest of the world to do. It is just rude to sign up to WTO and free trade and not allow the future leaders of Taiwan an equal playing field with China. It may not be in Taiwan's interest in some ways, but with a few tweaks to legislation (all spots go first to Taiwanese who get over 85% average on high school or university access tests, if extra spots are available for Chinese who wish to enter, as long as they also can get over 85% and have the funds -possibly at an increased rate of cash, as Canada does for its overseas trainees.) I think it is better for more opportunities for friendly interaction between the two countries future leaders to help stave off un-necessary hostilities based upon ancient historical schisms between two obsolete groups of grandparents. Currently university aged Taiwanese have a completely different system and method of thought than the current group of Chinese and this opening up can only reinforce that difference. Personally I think all the DPP hype and histronics for this situation change are counter-productive and make Taiwan appear insular, small minded and a bit racist. It does not help the opposition cause to act like a bunch of back-woods hicks without any personal belief in their own students abilities. It also could foster some open debate and force the Chinese to try and back up their claims with evidence in an arena that is open and not controlled by them. Many minds and mistaken ideas would be changed IMO by spending time and seeing how people here can express dissent. However, the obvious foil to this idea is that the Chinese students would work with subversive elements to undermine several ideas and do acts of terrorism against the free people of Taiwan. Well, nobody ever made a cake without breaking eggs. Its called LAW ENFORCEMENT. Start enforcing the rules that do exist, or get rid of the unrealistic laws that cannot be enforced and suddenly everyone in Taiwan wins! Students from all over the world should be allowed to (non-violently) express their opinions. It doesnt mean many people here would agree with them when they start shouting at random people on the street "we own you! Start using simplified you rebels!" They might get some dirty looks and be more prone to getting beat up at the pubs, however. (But they have the right to say what they wish...) If the student from China can read traditional Chinese or speak english well enough to access a university here, then they should be welcome to take a crack at it. All intellectuals should be welcomed. EDIT: I feel that all technical fields should be open. If you want China to stop depending on/ stealing/ thinking illogical thoughts about domination you need a level playing field. Yes, TW loses out some of its engineers getting jobs and doing stuff for China in the short term, but if China can actually have intelligent people CAPABLE OF CRITICAL THOUGHT and who want a FREEDOM TO RESEARCH NEW IDEAS who have been trained in a proper rigourous setting, then you have yourself a new class to replace the obviously illogical groups who currently supress everything in that country. God bless bachelor's degrees but they are not much good for getting real leadership and advancing a country. They are good for recording and training languages, perhaps. But not much good at anything else that will be needed in the future.
2 :
Lot of considerations should go into this. I find it highly improbable that two or three years education in Taiwan can undo years of mind poisoning that they have undergone in China. Remember that students in mainland China are still indoctrinated with hatred towards Japanese and read history books that are altered to suit Communist Party ideology. While China itself doesn't allow any demonstration by foreign students on their own soil, these Chinese students who study abroad have been found to engage in vandalism and demonstration, exploiting the free society abroad for their own gains. Taiwan will have to adopt a very cautions approach on this issue, weighing all pros and cons.
3 :
Agreeing with Matt's and Melanie's precautions and guidance, I'd like to add: Do not allow them into anything other than Bachelor's Degree programs; no advanced studies (particularly in key industries such as the IT sector). Other than that added restriction, I think the shared experiences between Taiwanese and Chinese students might serve to bolster support for greater cross-strait cooperation and a further acknowledgement that China and Taiwan are separate countries.
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