Why The Way You Pay Is Important Abroad

As many college students know, study abroad or other international education opportunities are a great way to round out their personal and professional experience. Still, you don’t want to get caught without a way to pay — and get paid — while you’re overseas.

Many countries don’t accept credit cards with the frequency of the United States, and those that do often use machines that aren’t compatible. To get around that, look into other modern payment methods.

Prepaid Cards

Cards like the Reach card are a great way to have the control of using cash with the flexibility of using credit cards. In addition, the ease of using prepaid cards often transfers abroad. These cards are accepted wherever their equivalent credit cards are accepted.

This is especially key when traveling abroad, where keeping track of exchange rates can get tricky. By putting the amount of money you can afford to use on the card ahead of time, you’ll know exactly how much you can spend.

PayPal

PayPal is another great modern way of making and receiving payments while abroad. You won’t have to worry about giving out your bank information, and you can transfer money to whatever account you wish at your own convenience.

Figuring out a way to make payments, especially while you’re abroad, can be stressful. Utilizing modern methods can help you get a handle on it.

It might seem as if it takes two relatively unrelated topics and combines them together. Photography and Traveling. However, some local community colleges and major universities are using this as a great way to have students explore the wonderful world of photography and be able to explore the rest of the world.

The basics of these style of classes are simple. Students sign up for a course that is hosted through the local college or university. In most cases it has a title such as “Scotland: Through Photographs” or “Japan: A Look Through a Lens”. The course will contain a set amount of classroom time that is usually devoted to teaching the students how to operate their camera, how to use light to their advantage and other finer points of photography.

After all the basics of photography are learned the class will then take a two to three week study abroad opportunity to the location of the class. This is where the students get to put their photography lessons to go use and capture some amazing photographs of the location that they traveled to.

Unlike traditional study abroad classes the actual learning and lessons are done at the local college. Instead the traveling that is required for the class is similar to a vacation than a class. There are still certain elements that must be done in order to receive a passing grade for this class such as photographing certain landmarks and attending certain seminars. However, the learning is a lot less intense than that of a traditional study abroad program.

Local community colleges and major universities and colleges have started to pick up on this study abroad opportunity with hobbies. Besides photography other classes that have been offered in a similar fashion to this include a nursing program, teaching, cooking, fashion design and some sports related classes. Imagine being about to study, further a hobby and enjoy traveling to an exotic location all in one!

With the rise of the internet, many colleges and universities are uploading video classes for online education programs such as earnmydegree. The availability that the internet gives the world of education helps a great number of students who would otherwise not finish their degree. Since many of the top professors cannot teach at every university or college, video course through the online education program are ideal for giving students the information that the students need to be successful. But what if you as an English speaking student in the United States of America taking a course in another language? How can you be a successful student and understand the video of your professor teaching you when you can’t speak the language? How doe you even begin deciding if this form of online education course is right for you? As you consider all your options for your online education, here are tips and tricks to make this process easier on you since you will have you hands and ears full trying to keep up.

1.      Choose an online education course that is in your strongest subject area if you want to take  a course in another language. When taking an online education course in a foreign language, you need to be very familiar with the subject matter. This will help you understand the language and the course.

2.      Use internet features that will enhance the online education course. Since may of these educational videos are on YouTube and various video sites, you have a the awesome of feature of pause—do not be afraid to use the pause feature. While you are watching the streaming video for the online education course, have some translation websites open and minimized so when you need to pause your video; you can and look up words you may not understand. This means you can learn all about the online education and the language the professor is speaking. That’s like getting two classes for the price of one!

Choosing to take an online education course in a foreign language may sound intimidating, but you will gain a multi-cultural experience and learn a new language. That right there are more than enough reasons to try an online education course in another language.

Imagine visiting the glorious city of Rome, touring its grand cathedrals, walking its ancient winding streets. But yet if you were studying there to get your degree! Alas, studying broad is an expensive endeavor. With the value of the American dollar and European Euro dropping in worth, many students are having difficulties financing their dreams of going abroad to get a college education. Many students dream of coming to America, attending a prestigious university, and graduating with honors; however, this dream is expensive and out of reach for many families. When these students add up the costs—food, transportation, books, tuition—they usually give up the dream, until now. Now, the internet has given these would be foreign exchange student a new kind of experience—taking online classes toward their online education degrees!

An online education is a new concept that was created for the demands of an international college education experience. These students can form an international study group for any online education course. Imagine going to class with other students from Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, or China. You can exchange information about the online course but also  exchange information about each classmates’ culture, traditions, and daily experiences. Best of all, you can get this international experience without leaving the comforts of you favorite lounge chair.

Online educational courses are budget friendly ways of gaining an international experience. You do not have to spend money in applying for a visa, passport, plane tickets, daily transportation fees that you would accrue if you were living in the foreign country. Plus, you get to meet more people and from different countries through online education courses. What a great use of your time and money to enroll in the international experience of an online education course.

Colleges and Universities with Arab Studies programs are part of MESA.

Due to the prevalence and global influence of the Middle East and especially considering the recent political climate involving the Middle East, there has been no dearth of Middle Eastern studies in recent years. Most accredited institutions, particularly those that have large humanities or anthropological departments, have at least one Middle Eastern major course of study available.

List of Schools that offer Arab Studies Programs

Most, if not all schools that offer Arab Studies programs are also members of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA). Boasting 58 members, the institutions that are current members of MESA are:

• Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
• American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS)
• American University in Cairo
• American University of Beirut
• American University of Kuwait
• American University of Sharjah
• Boston College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bunker Hill Community College
• College of William & Mary
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• Foundation for Iranian Studies
• Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
• Georgetown University, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
• Georgia State University
• Harvard University
• Iara Lee & George Gund Foundation
• ILEX Foundation
• Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS)
• International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
• Johns Hopkins University
• McGill University
• New York University
• Ohio State University
• Portland State University
• Princeton University, Program in Near Eastern Studies
• Princeton University, Institute for the Transregional Study of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia
• Stanford University
• Syracuse University
• The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq (TAARII)
• Tufts University, Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies
• Tufts University, Program on Southwest Asia & Islamic Civilization
• University of Arizona
• University of Arkansas
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of Exeter
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Toronto
• University of Utah
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Villanova University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Yale University
• American Institute of Afghanistan Studies (AIAS)
• United States Naval Academy

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Advantages to studying Arab culture are professional, social, and personal.

Demand for Arabic Cultural Studies Background

Currently, there is a large demand for individuals fluent in Arabic with a deep understanding of the many cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. The study of different languages helps students and professionals obtain greater scholastic knowledge and increase opportunities both professional and personal. Additionally, studying Arab culture broadens the scope of global understanding by facilitating new experiences and traditions not normally understood or encountered.

Prevalence of the Arabic Culture

Over 300 million people speak Arabic across several countries, each having their own unique cultural traditions and lifestyles. Studying Arabic culture puts the student or professional at the forefront of current affairs at a time when understanding and translation is desperately needed. There are a myriad of job opportunities available for those who have studied Arabic culture as well as those fluent in the language. As the primary Islamic language, Christians, Jews and other denominations and ethnicities, also speak Arabic.

Personal Benefits of Arabic Cultural Studies

Despite the complexity of the Arabic language and culture, it is a rewarding experience that results in a plethora of worldly adventures and opportunity. Those who’ve formally studied the culture and language go on to write books and article pertaining to their experience, influence the perspective on Middle Eastern and North African relations in regards to their native countries, contribute valuable input to public issues and debates, assist governmental entities in understanding the culture and language, and garner advanced knowledge about a culture.

The advantages of studying Arabic culture are plentiful and helps facilitate global awareness and understanding. Presently, Arabic is one of the major world languages and is instrumental in promoting global cooperation and unity.

The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies is an academic center that belongs to Georgetown University in Washington D.C. It acts as the only center of its kind that concentrates solely on Middle Eastern culture. It is funded through private contributions and gifts from various Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Libya. Although it is a general education center, it acts as a university school, in that it offers major courses of study. It also has a public affairs program that includes invited speakers, over 75 annual events, and an annual two-day symposium. The faculty is very active, writing for various renowned publications and travelling the world to engage cultural studies projects.

The Purpose of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies

Scholars of Georgetown University established the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies in 1975.

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Careers for an Arab Studies Major

Careers for an Arab Studies major are very diverse.

Careers for any major area of study could be divided into two categories: careers that are directly related and careers that require competencies procured indirectly through a major. While the prior stratification may seem pretty direct, the latter could be obscure, even surprising. In fact, with a little creativity, the possibilities resulting from indirect competencies could be almost limitless.

Direct Relationship with Arabic Studies

Courses that directly relate to Middle Eastern studies include:

• Foreign Service Officer
• Foreign Student Advisor
• Professor
• Historic Site Administrator
• Interpreter
• International Relations Specialist
• Customs/Immigration Officer
• Customer Relations Representative
• Translator
• Public Information Officer

Indirect Relationship with Arabic Studies

Obtaining a degree in any cultural study suggests that many other aptitudes have been learned in addition to cultural nuances. Those who are well versed in a foreign culture understand social relationships, how cultural perspectives evolve and what influences culture. This Arabic Studies program can lead to a myriad of careers, including:

• Admissions Counselor
• Advertising Account Executive
• Attorney
• Business Manager
• Consumer Advocate
• Human Resources Specialist
• International Consultant
• International Banker
• International Trade Specialist
• International Relations Specialist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Politician
• Peace Corps Employee
• Writer/Author
• Government Agency Administrator
• FBI/CIA Agent
• Foreign Service Officer
• Import/Export Specialist
• Cultural Affairs Officer
• Corporate Trainer
• Consultant
• International Conference Planner
• Public Policy Specialist
• Publications Specialist
• Nonprofit Administrator
• Market Research Specialist
• Lobbyist
• Journalist
• Civil Rights Commission Administrator

Of course, the curriculum for any major in every school varies. There may be an equivalent course here or a varying course there. However, they are largely the same; for those schools that offer Arabic studies majors, they aim to ensconce students with a general understanding of the Arabic culture by offering classes that touch upon most subjects that comprise a culture. This refers to anthropological studies, historical studies, international relations studies, related demographics studies, religious studies, political studies, media studies, and language studies. The only exception to this would be specialized majors, such as “Arabic Religious Studies since the Emergence of the New World.” In this case, courses will be limited to religious and historical studies with a light sprinkling of other cultural aspects.

Anthropological Studies

Anthropology is the study of humanity therefore, classes that refer to anthropological studies are topics that could not be learned any other way than through anthropological applications. For example, in what region of the world did a demographic originate? How did the influences of where that culture lived, what it ate, and how it lived shape how its members’ appearance, perspectives, lifespan, etc.? They are the basic building block of coming to truly understand any culture. Examples of anthropological classes are as follows:

• Exile and Diaspora in the Middle East
• Peoples of the Middle East
• Culture and Society (of the Middle East)
• Perspectives of the Holocaust (of Middle Eastern People)

Historical Studies

Historical studies are a necessary component of any topic. They answers the question of where and how the subject originated, how its concept evolved with further understanding, and how the topic under study evolved with historical events. Examples of historical studies courses are as follows:

• Land of Israel/Palestine throughout the ages
• Studies in (Middle Eastern) History
• Persianate Histiography from Medieval to Early Modern Times
• The First Millennium of the Islamic Near East

International Relations/Political Studies

In order to understand a culture, one must learn about its relationship with the world at large. It is very relevant whether a culture is generally hostile or whether it has been weather-beaten by war and strife. The way a culture interacts with the world can help students infer how other cultural aspects collectively manifest. Some international relations courses are:

• Special Studies in International Politics (for Middle Eastern people)
• Advanced Topics in International Relations
• The World of Islam
• Islamic Sources of Conflict Resolution

Related Demographics Studies

Every culture has been influenced by at least one other culture. Thus, one would find courses for such cultures in order to learn a summary of that culture as well as how it relates to a major area of study. With such knowledge, students can begin to lines of cause and effect for Middle Eastern people, but they can also learn lines of distinctions between cultures with similar histories or appearances. Such courses include:

• From Genghis Kahn to the Taliban: Modern Central Asia
• Kurds: Social, Cultural, and Political Identity
• Ancient Egypt: Religion and Culture
• Ethnicity and Culture in Greco-Roman Egypt

Religious Studies

If a culture isn’t most influenced by its religions, then its secondary influence is religion. This concept is one of the most powerful driving forces of any culture or demographic and continues to be as of 2010. Usually the locus of major changes, movements, and cultural activity from jubilation to wars, religion is a critical competency to understand any culture. These classes could be:

• Ancient Israel/Hebrew Bible Seminar: Methods and Theory
• Christianity and Hellenistic Civilizations
• The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke
• Introduction to World Religions: Near East

Media Studies

A cultures art and literature is its heartbeat. Providing just as much, if not exceedingly more intuition than other topics, art and literature courses are some of the most important for a cultural major. Not only does it provide an account of the culture in its own words (ethnographically speaking), but it also holds aspects of every other topic. Examples of such courses include:

• Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
• Communication Media
• Modern Arabic Literature in Arabic
• Introduction to Modern Hebrew Literature

Language Studies

How a culture communicates is indicative of how it collectively thinks. Learning a language can help students to better understand a corresponding culture as well as have the capacity to communicate with members of that culture to gain firsthand knowledge. Subsequently, learning a culture’s language can prove very effective. Such classes include:

• Intermediate Classical Hebrew
• Elementary Modern Standard Arabic
• Colloquial Levantine Arabic
• Business Arabic

Choosing a college program may not seem so important at first, but as one transitions into his or her third year, it becomes imperative. Given that the purpose of attending college is to prepare one for the professional world, it is obviously best to choose a major that coincides with career interests. However, many have not decided what would be the optimal career. Others are interested in more than one career. Indeed, there are those that know exactly what field he or she would like to get into, but do not know precisely what position. Of course, there are those that know exactly what they want to do down to the letter, but due to the detail with which majors (and sub majors) of stratified, a decision may still be difficult to make. But, lament not; there is hope.

Don’t Know What To Do At All

For those who have no idea what career in which he or she is most interested, a best friend is the internship. These are academically mitigated unpaid positions in professional firms that give students firsthand experience with working within a given field. These experiences can be priceless and, more importantly, can lead to permanent positions. Most curricula require that a student engages in at least one internship prior to graduation, but for those who truly have no idea what he or she wants to do, more than one, or even several, may be in order.

Interested in Multiple Careers

Those who are intrigued by more than one career would benefit most from a double major. A double major may sound intimidating, but thanks to online learning and elearners doubling up on course work can be made a lot easier. This academic accommodation gives students the capacity to study more than one discipline in a streamlined system that is fashioned to avoid overwhelming the student (although those who do engage double majors must maintain healthy ambition nonetheless). In tandem with internships (at least one for each field of interest), one can certainly make an informed decision upon graduation. Alternately, one may opt to choose a career that integrates both competencies, which can prove highly lucrative.

Not Sure What Position to Take

Although this may seem like a limiting factor, a student who is not sure what position he or she would like to fill within a given field can still successfully complete college without making this decision. Provided courses are usually general in nature and will accommodate most positions, rendering the choice good but unessential planning. Furthermore, internships and certain courses may offer some intuition as to what would be the best direction to take following graduation.

Can’t Choose Out of All The Variations of the Same Major Offered

Some institutions offer rather impressive major areas of study, which can be confounding for some students with only a general interest. This does not need to a limiting factor, though; often, the best choice to make is the most general area, which can be transferred to a more concentrated focus further down the line. This is because most credits within the same school of a University transfer automatically, rendering a different selection relatively seamless.

Do Not Want to Make a Decision Yet

For those who prefer to save that important decision for later, a wide selection of courses in the Humanities may be the best option. Studying English or a foreign language can bolster professional skills without a concentration on a particular field, building educational aptitudes while keeping one’s options open. The options that are available after attaining such degrees can be surprising. Federal institutions, particularly the CIA, have particular interest in those who studied Arabic or Arabic Culture, for example.