Monthly Archives: September 2013

Japanese Language Program in winter 2014, with scholarship opportunity

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Japanese Language Program in winter 2014

in:  Camps   |   30.09.2013

Introduction

Following up on it summer 2013 program, the Meiji University Japanese Language Education Center will offer a short-term Japanese Language Program in winter 2014.

The program cultivates study of Japanese language, culture and society from various aspects.

Highly motivated participants can expect Meiji University’s up-to-date educational, media and support facilities to meet their every need. Japanese students will support your study of Japanese and join various events with you.

Why not come to central Tokyo and Meiji University this winter to learn “living” Japanese and Japanese culture?
Get ready for the exciting new experience that awaits you!

 

Apply Here

  Application Period: 2 September <Mon> -10 October <Thu> , 2013

 

Program Leaflet  –  Download Program Leaflet.

Program Length

13 February <Thu> – 27 February <Thu> ,2014

Eligible Participants

Undergraduate or Graduate students

Scholarship

Japanese Language Program has been selected as one of Student Exchange Support Programs (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan) sponsored by JASSO.
Meiji University will offer a scholarship on the last day of the program to participants who are either undergraduate or graduate students of Meiji University’s partner institution and meet requirements set by JASSO.

After applying for the program we will send the application materials to your e-mail address within 2 weeks. To apply for the scholarship, applicants need Official Transcript of the previous semester (With seal of your university on it. It has to be written in Japanese or English.)

Please be advised that JASSO’s final decision if the applicants can grant the scholarship or not will be done at end of January 2014. We cannot inform if applicants can grant the scholarship or not before paying the fee of the program.

Program Levels

Beginner’s 1 Class: 
For students with very basic knowledge of Japanese who can read Hiragana and Katakana. Can understand and use the basic Japanese. JLPT N5 level.
Beginner’s 2 Class: 
For students with basic knowledge of Japanese, able to understand and use beginner’s level Japanese.
JLPT N4 level.
Intermediate 1 Class:
For students understanding beginner’s level Japanese and who have started studying intermediate level Japanese. JLPT N3 preparatory level.
Intermediate 2 Class: 
For students understanding Japanese which is used in everyday situation for a certain degree. JLPT N2 preparatory level.

*JLPT: Japanese Language Proficiency Test
*The class will be decided at the placement test conducted on the orientation.

Number of Participants

55 students
(13-15 students/class. A class will be cancelled if there are fewer than the minimum required number of participant. )

Program Contents

  • Japanese Language Class (45min×42classes)
  • Field Study/Activity (3hours×2times)

*We will issue certificates of completion to the participants of the program.

Student Supporter

Undergraduate and graduate students of Meiji University will support throughout the program. They will join the Japanese class and accompany the participants to the field study and activity.
Offering an opportunity to communicate with students on the same generation is a big feature of this program and attracts favorable comment from participants from the past year program.

Supporting the affected areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami through sending the picture books

In the program participants will study about the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan on March 11, 2011. Participants will send a picture book with a letter to the kindergarten located in the affected areas to support the areas and the people.
We would like to ask your cooperation to bring the picture book (no second hand book) from your country with you and help the post-quake reconstruction.

Schedule (tentative)

 

Fee

 

*We may not be able to arrange the homestay due to your special requirements or circumstances. In that case, we will inform you one month before the program starts. Homestay Company will arrange a hotel instead and extra charges will be added. It is different from Course A’s hotel.
*You cannot change the course after paying the fee.

Application

  1. Please apply online from this website
  2. To decide which class is appropriate for you, please take Online Japanese Level Check Test. Meiji University will send you the information about the test to the e-mail address that you have registered. Please take the test within one week. (Scheduled date of sending the Japanese Level Check Test: 15-18 October, 2013)
  3. Applicants will be informed of the application result and the payment procedure via E-mail by middle of November. The due date of the payment will be within 7 days after receiving the e-mail.
  4. After the payment, we will send the homestay application form to students who have applied homestay. Please send it to the homestay agency.

Cancellation Policy

Please be advised that once your application has been accepted and you have paid the  fee, the following cancellation policy applies.
If you notify Meiji University in e-mail by:

・Nov 15, 2013 (Fri) <Japan Time> you will be reimbursed for 100% of the fees.
・Jan 15, 2014 (Wed) <Japan Time>you will be reimbursed for 50% of the fees.
・Feb 5, 2014 (Wed) <Japan Time>you will be reimbursed for 20% of the fees.
・Feb 6, 2014(Thu) <Japan Time>you will not be reimbursed of the fees.

– The cancellation policy applies for any reason whatsoever.
– Any handling or service fees incurred for refunding the fee will be borne by the applicant.
– It will take 2-3 months to reimburse the program fees.

 

Visa

Meiji University will not provide assistance in obtaining a visa except in the case of students of Meiji University’s partner institutions.

Please check the website of Ministry of foreign affairs before applying the program.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

* Cancellation policy will also apply for the cancel for not being able to take obtain the visa. Please confirm about the visa before paying for the program.

Notes

  1. In the event that maximum capacity has been reached for a particular class or program, you may be unable to enroll.
  2. The program schedule printed on the promotional leaflet may be subject to change.
  3. Participants in the program are required to purchase at their own expense traveler’s insurance to cover the period of their stay in Japan. Please Submit the copy of insurance certificate before the arrival.

Past Programs

Japanese Language Program (summer 2012)

Japanese Language Program (summer 2011)

Japanese Language Program (winter 2011)

Japanese Language Education Center/ International Student Office, Meiji University
1-1 Kanda-Surugadai,Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo,
101-8301,Japan
TEL：+81-3-3296-4488
FAX：+81-3-3296-4360

Key Tips for the Financial Aid Application Process

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You are receiving this email as a part of your free subscription to College Made Simple.

Dear College Made Simple Reader,

Did you know one of the most common mistakes families make in the financial aid application process is waiting to file taxes before completing the FAFSA?

We see it every year. Families wait until April – income tax month – to complete their FAFSA form.

Because financial awards are often first-come first-serve, you’ll want to fill out the FAFSA as close to January 1 as possible (that’s the earliest you can submit your FAFSA).

In other words – if you want the best shot of getting state or federal money, the sooner you submit a correct application, the better.

Of course that also means filing your taxes as soon as possible. I’ll talk more about that, and offer a few more important tips, in today’s College Made Simple.

– Scott

Key Tips for the Financial Aid Application Process

Taxes. As I mentioned, the earlier you submit your FAFSA, the better. That means providing your best approximations and estimates of income and taxes — based on pay stubs, W-2s, etc. Consider using your prior tax returns and current year-end pay stub to get estimated figures.

Remember, you can always make changes to your FAFSA — after your taxes are finalized. You do that by going online to the FAFSA web site and filling in the correct numbers.

By the way, a common tax error is reporting your taxes due instead of your total income tax. They sound similar but there is a difference.

Read the instructions carefully, and always consult a licensed tax advisor for any tax-related issues.

Follow the directions. While the FAFSA can seem confusing to many people at first, detailed instructions are provided for most questions.

Take note: Make sure you don’t leave any items blank on the FAFSA form. If the appropriate response is zero, then enter zero. Blanks could delay the processing of your financial aid information.

Also, when reporting income or writing dollar figures, do not write cent value. The reason: the extra digits can be counted as dollars. For example, $432.95 is read as $43,295.

Understand the EFC, income and assets. As you are probably aware, income typically counts against your Expected Family Contribution (your “EFC” – which is the amount of money the Department of Education believes you have available to pay for schooling) much more than assets do.

You’re expected to pay a higher percentage of income than of assets – exactly how much depends on who is doing the paying – the student, a parent, or another family member.

In other words, the smaller you can legally make your income, the better your financial aid package will likely be.

Also keep in mind that it’s the student who is expected to pay the highest percentage of income and assets – so reduce these (money that your child/student has) first.

Be honest. You may be tempted to fudge the numbers – even just a little bit – on the FAFSA. Just know this: the government could impose fines and up to 5 years of jail time, AND you could be required to pay back moneys received.

Worst of all, you may be declared ineligible for any aid going forward. In the end it’s just not worth it.

Finally, when it comes to the financial aid process, by all means, do as much research as you can.

And if you’d like the feedback of professionals who understand the “ins” and “outs” of the financial aid space, feel free to take us up on our Free College Funding Analysis, which we make available to help families determine a proper course of action as to what would be best for them in their particular situation.

It’s 100% free, and the worst case scenario is that you’ll learn exactly where you currently sit – and if there’s anything at all you can do to better your family’s situation.

To your college success,

Scott Weingold
Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC

EF Educational Tours Announces 2014 Global Citizen Scholarship Focused on Social Entrepreneurship in the New Global Economy

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U.S. High School Students Should Apply By November 1st to Compete for One of Fifteen Scholarship Spots to Shanghai, China

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — EF Educational Tours, the world leader in international education and student travel, today announced the 2014 Global Citizen Scholarship, an annual scholarship program designed to unite high school students from around the world by breaking down barriers of culture, language and geography, while helping students develop global awareness and 21st century skills.

This year’s Global Citizen Scholarship topic concentrates on social entrepreneurship in the new global economy, which is the area of focus for the 2014 EF Global Student Leaders Summit in Shanghai. Fifteen selected U.S. high school students will spend a week exploring China’s ancient wonders, while also learning about the country’s growth and development and how its leaders are supporting this economic change. At the two-day leadership summit in Shanghai, students will use design thinking strategies to investigate and innovate around issues related to global social responsibility, collaborating with hundreds of young global citizens from around world and learning from global economic experts, such as former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, Jr.

To apply for the 2014 Global Citizen Scholarship, high school students must create a video, digital media project or essay that addresses the following questions: If you had unlimited startup money, what socially responsible business would you create? Why are you passionate about this business idea? How would you balance making a project with making a difference in the world?

Students can submit their projects online through November 1, 2013 on EF Educational Tours’ Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/EFTours. For more information on the EF Global Citizen Scholarship, visit eftours.com/globalcitizen.

About EF Educational Tours:

EF Educational Tours is a pioneer in experiential learning, leading students abroad to encounter new cultures and languages firsthand. Its goal is to make international travel accessible to as many students as possible.

EF is the first international tour company to be accredited by six prestigious accrediting agencies, and its tours meet the same rigorous educational standards as the best schools across the country. EF is affiliated with key educational organizations, including the International Baccalaureate Organization and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

EF Educational Tours is part of EF Education First, the world leader in international education. For nearly half a century EF has worked toward its mission of breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography. EF’s North American headquarters are in Cambridge, Mass., though the company spans the globe with more than 400 hundred offices and schools in 55 countries and a staff of more than 34,000. For more information, visit eftours.com.

Media Contact: Shawna Sullivan(978) 273-8478shawna.sullivan@ef.com

SOURCE EF Educational Tours

A New Trend in the SAT and ACT

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You are receiving this email as a part of your free subscription to College Made Simple.

Dear College Made Simple Reader,

While the SAT is just as popular as ever, more and more students are now taking the ACT.

In fact the ACT just moved past the SAT for the first time ever.

According to The New York Times, 1,666,017 students took the ACT in 2012 – that’s about 2,000 more than those who took the SAT.

But that doesn’t mean the ACT is overtaking the SAT.

It turns out there’s a new trend toward taking both tests, in light of today’s college-bound students aiming to put their very best foot forward.

What’s more, this trend has students taking their better test a second time… sometimes even a third time.

So what are the biggest differences between the SAT and ACT – and should your child take both?

Let’s examine these questions…

– Scott

Breaking Down the SAT and ACT

First things first: you aren’t likely to score differently on these two tests. In study after study, students who took the ACT and the SAT scored in extremely similar percentiles on both.

And, since both tests are graded on a curve – your final score is basically just your percentile converted to another number – you aren’t going to cheat the system by choosing one over the other.

Keep in mind – today, virtually every college accepts both tests. The SAT is more prevalent at elite universities – but submitting the ACT won’t hurt your chances of admission. (In fact, a number of states now require high school students to take the ACT.)

That said, here are some key differences between the ACT and the SAT to consider…

1. Aim

The ACT tries to test knowledge of high school subjects – hence, the questions tend to be considered more straightforward. The SAT, by contrast, attempts to identify reasoning skills.

Rather than just test general knowledge, the SAT tests problem-solving and comprehension. Therefore SAT questions are considered slightly more obtuse than ACT questions.

2. Sections

The ACT has four long sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The SAT has 10 short sections, broken down into Writing, Critical Reading, and Math. The SAT has a greater emphasis on vocabulary, while the ACT focuses more on grammar.

3. Time

The ACT is 2 hours 55 minutes, with 215 questions, all multiple choice. There is also a 30-minute optional essay. The SAT is 3 hours 45 minutes, with 170 questions. Some questions in the SAT math section require answers to be written in a grid as opposed to multiple choice, and there is a 25-minute mandatory essay, which is at the beginning.

4. Essay

The ACT tends to give rather specific prompts for its optional essay (“What should X do about Y?”), while the SAT gives prompts that are more vague and more open (“Why do you think X acted this way?”).

5. Scoring

The ACT is entirely multiple choice – save the optional essay – while the SAT has a mandatory written section, and the aforementioned math section that requires answers be written in.

Also, the ACT has no penalty for wrong answers (reminder: answer every question – an entire point will be deducted if you leave an answer blank), while the SAT penalizes ¼ point for every wrong answer (another reminder: only guess in questions where you can eliminate one of the four options).

Finally, the ACT uses “Score Choice” – which only recently has been adopted by the SAT. That means your student’s “bad” score doesn’t have to be included on college applications.

As you can see, each test will appeal to slightly different students. It’s worth looking into whether your desired colleges have a preference for the SAT, the ACT, or both. But remember, you can’t go wrong with either.

To your successful college search,

Scott Weingold
Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC

Publisher, College Made Simple – The Free Educational Resource of College Planning Network, LLC

The 12th edition of the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law 2013/2014

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The 12th edition of the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law 2013/2014

in:  Contests   |   21.09.2013

Deadline: 10 December 2013
Open to: Interested students from all over the world
Prize: will help them build a professional profile already during their studies and prove their skills immediately upon entering professional life.

Description

The ELSA Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing of the World Trade Organization dispute settlement system. Interested students from all over the world will send in written submissions for the complainant and respondent of a fictitious case written by a WTO professional. After the written preliminary round, the teams will have the opportunity to present their oral submissions both for the complainant and the respondent in front of a Panel which consists of WTO and trade law experts.

 

There are Regional Rounds all over the world: the All-American Regional Round, the Asia-Pacific Regional Round, the two European Regional Rounds, and the newly established African Regional Round. The best 20 teams from all over the world will then be qualified to participate in the Final Oral Round which will take place at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

ELSA wishes to enable law students to deepen their understanding of law and practice their skills outside of the lecture halls of their universities and in an international environment. Participation in a competition such as the ELSA Moot Court Competition will help them build a professional profile already during their studies and prove their skills immediately upon entering professional life.

The 12th edition of the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law 2013/2014 is officially launched! The Case of this years’ moot problem,Aquitania – Measures Affecting Water Distribution and Sewage Collection Services, can be found in the section “preparation-The Case”.

Tuition Saving Tips

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from Fastweb.com

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Tuition Saving TipsSeptember 04, 2013

Oh, tuition. Some consider it a nasty word and rightfully so. It’s expensive and can hang over a student’s head throughout college and for years to come.

But there are ways to save on tuition – you just need to become savvy about it. It takes time and effort, but when you’re talking about that much money, it’s more than likely worth what you put into it.

Here are some simple ways to save money on college tuition:

1. Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Since you’re on Fastweb, that’s half the battle! Now you just need to apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Remember, the trick with scholarships is, the more you apply for, the more likely you are to win one!

Doubtful? Students really do win scholarships through Fastweb and we have a Wall of Fame to prove it.

Check it out – you could be the next winner!

Make sure you apply to any of your scholarship matches on Fastweb – it’s a great resource that matches you to the scholarships so you don’t have to do any searching on your own!

There are millions of scholarships available and, no matter what type of student you are, there are scholarships out there for you! You just need to take advantage of the opportunities provided and keep applying.

So many scholarships remain untouched every year because of a lack of applicants, which means the money is out there, you just need to put in a little effort to obtain it.

Similar to scholarships, grants are often considered “free money” because it’s essentially financial aid that doesn’t require repayment.

The main difference between a grant and a scholarships is that a grant is more likely to be need-based, while a scholarship is more likely to be merit-based or have more specific eligibility qualifications.

Both grants and scholarships can come from federal or state government, the college you’re attending or, even, private and non-profit organizations.

Find out the types of grants you’re eligible for and apply for all grants you meet the requirements for. After doing some research, you may be surprised at how many you meet the eligibility requirements to apply.

There is one stipulation with grants and scholarships, alike. Some require partial or full repayment if, for example, you drop out or don’t finish the semester the grant or scholarship was awarded.

In addition to Fastweb, your teachers, guidance counselors and financial aid office will be able to assist you in any questions you may have regarding where to apply, how to find grants and scholarships and evaluate your eligibility.

2. Summer Enrollment

If you enroll in summer courses each year, the length of time you’re in college will decrease. Also, you’re more likely to graduate within four years, which many college students are not able to do. This certainly saves money in the long run!

Depending on the college, summer courses are often cheaper than those in the fall and spring semesters.

3. Take More Credits Per Semester

This may not sound like it will save you money, but if you take the maximum amount of credits each semester, you’ll be sure to graduate on time, if not earlier.

Make sure you balance your course load in terms of difficulty level so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

But, remember, the closer you are to graduation, the closer you are to no longer having to pay tuition bills. Graduation means no more tuition, which is a great thing!

4. Financial Aid

Ever heard of the FAFSA? If you haven’t, the acronym stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

While the government giving you money sounds like a great idea, keep in mind that it’s usually in the form ofstudent loans that need to be repaid.

However, the good news is that taking out financial aid won’t charge you interest until you’ve graduated, which likely means you’ll be in a better financial situation (such as having a job) to repay the loans.

Fastweb has many resources on how to evaluate the right types of financial aid for you and answers to common financial aid questions so that you are able to make smarter student loan decisions.

5. Work-Study Programs

Many students don’t realize that they qualify for work-study. Actually, most do. Begin the process of finding out if you qualify by filling out the FAFSA form and meet with a college financial advisor to go over your options.

Most work studies consist of a few hours a week, working for the college at a reception desk or tutoring underclassman.

The money you would typically earn from whatever hours you put in the job is usually applied as a credit to your tuition bill. It’s really not a bad gig, especially considering you can earn tuition money from it.

So, why not just get a part-time job instead? Work study programs ensure that the money you earn goes directly to paying tuition, so you don’t have to deal with decisions of how to spend the money. Basically, it eliminates the temptation to spend your earnings on frivolous items.

It does take time and effort but you can save on tuition. Just research, apply and repeat as necessary!

$100 for writing your own thoughts?!

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YourTurn Collage
Hosted by ThreeSixty Journalism  
Marriage has been in the news a lot lately. Starting August 1, same-sex couples in Minnesota gained the right to marry. We want to know:How important is marriage to you? Do you see yourself getting married in the future? Why or why not?
 
Submit your essay at www.threesixtyjournalism.org/Marriage byFriday, November 15.
 
Cash prizes:
$100 for first place
$50 for second place
$30 for third place
 
Winners will be published on ThreeSixty’s website and in the December issue of the print magazine.
 
GOOD LUCK! We can’t wait to hear from you.
 
Questions? Contact Briana Gruenewald at 651-962-8225 orbriana.gruenewald@stthomas.edu

 

 

Click here to see past essay prompts and winners.

Affordability + adventure when you earn a degree abroad

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International Universities Day

International Universities Day
SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2013 12:00PM – 8:00PM EDT

Does attending college outside the country sound appealing? Join us on September 10th for International Universities Day, a free online event devoted to helping U.S. students decide if this experience is right for them. Log-in anytime between 12:00pm-8:00pm EDT to chat live with universities around the world, gain advice from study abroad experts, and video chat with current students earning their degree abroad to hear about their experiences. And enter to win a $1,000 scholarship!

Advantages of Interning Abroad
3:00 PM EDT
Speaker BioNadia Mubashar

Website Director, Go Overseas
University of Surrey Video Chat
3:00 PM EDT
College [Redefined]: 5 Key Facts about Study Abroad
4:00 PM EDT
Speaker BioJill Kruidenier

College Relations Manager, IES Abroad
Bath Spa University Video Chat
4:00 PM EDT
So You Want to Study Abroad. Now What?
5:00 PM EDT
In this session we will cover the reasons why earning a degree abroad may make sense for you and go over some differences between domestic and international education. This will include, but won’t be limited to, a discussion of the admissions process, on campus experience, and life after graduation.
Speaker BioTodd Worsham

International Business Development Manager, StudyAbroad.com
Study in the UK: 10 British Phrases You Need to Know
6:00 PM EDT
The British Council will be presenting study options in the UK including the British university system, funding your time abroad and the visa process.
Speaker BioJoey Kirk

Education Officer British Council