This is why living or studying in #China or translating from Chinese – English. . . . Apparently this was supposed to say ‘Copy Business Hours’. Instead it says ‘Check toilet’ ππ Most translators are like this! Even #Google translate sucks with Asian languages π *For anyone visiting #China I recommend #HanpingLite. It’s a great dictionary. If you’re in #Korea, I recommend #codegent Korean Lite app. π
Using #Alipay to order #TakeOut Food in #China π π΄
IMAGE 1 – Placing your order
1. Open Aliplay
2. Choose the ‘e’ that says ‘Take-Out’
3. On the next page you’ll see a longlist of restaurants offering services. #pizzahut is in my picture. But you Also have #KFC #mcdonalds #burgerking #Chinesefood and more! (YES, MCDONALD’S DELIVERS IN CHINA!).
4. Pick the place you want.
5. The next page will have a list of #food offered with pictures (THREE CHEERS FOR PICTURES!!!)π
6. Click the + symbol next to what you want. It goes into your cart.
7. When You’re done, Click the green button on the bottom of the screen.
IMAGE 2 – Paying & Address
8. The next screen is important.
At the top you’ll see a box with the location symbol (marked 1 on the second picture I posted). CLICK this box.
9. For the first time, ask a #Chinese speaker to add the address (and other popular addresses) for you. It will save it in a list. In the future just pick the address you want it delivered to from the list.
10. Check the estimated delivery time right below the location button (Mine says 18:22 because #China uses 2400 time.)
11. If You’re Happy Click the Green button on the bottom and pay.
IMAGE 3 – Tracking Delivery
12. Go back to the home screen of Alipay – Choose ‘e’ for take-out again
13. You’re back to the List of restaurants. On the bottom toolbar, You’ll see a Square (2nd button) that I circled in pink. Click it.
14. Now you’re on a List of orders You’ve made. Choose the Chinese words next to the order.
15. Tada! Now you have the estimated delivery time and a gps map showing you where the driver is.
DELIVERY.
16. They usually call you when they arrive at your door. I Can’t speak Chinese well π so I text them ‘δ½ ε₯½.ζζ₯δΊ’ which means basically ‘Hi, I’m on my way’. Can’t promise It’s accurate Chinese, but they always understand it. π
You DON’T have to pay the driver, delivery fees were in the original cost π
It’s several steps and tricky to figure out, but I was starving a while back and learned on my own of necessity ππ΄
Hope it helps someone else!! β€οΈ
#travel #tech #Technology #foodie #hungry #fastfood #delivery #International #lifeabroad #apps
Happy Dragon Boat Festival! Today in #China we are celebrating the Duanwu #η«―ε festival! It’s been a Holiday here for more than 2000 years!
It celebrates the Famous #poet #quyuan. Devoted to #China π¨π³, he wrote beautiful poems about its history, nature, and people. When the invading Qin armies approached, he chose to drown himself rather than see his beloved country fall. Although they sent out many #dragon boats to look for him, they could not save him in time.
So to commemorate his memory, every year they eat #η²½ε (aka Zongzi), a sticky #rice #treat wrapped in banana leaves. And the big cities send out Dragon #boats for big battles and races on the lakes and rivers! Cool!
WHAT HOLIDAYS HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED?!?
Yay! Not! 4 students at my University have been confirmed to have #tb π· We’ve had an outbreak before and it isn’t pretty. 20,000 students and more teachers have to be tested and checked. π±
#Diseases like this aren’t uncommon in some countries still. We’ve now had #Cholera, TB, and some other issues in the 3 years I’ve lived abroad.
So if you #travel or #studyabroad or #teach internationally, be careful. Wash your handsπ, wear the #masks π·, Avoid coughing or sneezing people π. Only eat food you’ve seen cleaned or well-cooked foodπ΄. Drink bottled or boiled water β. Wash any dishes in boiling water, even at restaurants where dishes come wrapped! Sleep, take your vitamins, and drink orange juice!
#China #tourist #sick #health #safety #travelsafety #stayhealthy
Just registered for the GMAT! Wish me luck! I’ll officially be taking the exam on February 7, 2017 at 8:30am in Henan, China.Β
Yep, that’s right. Most standardized American college entrance exams are offered in international locations. In fact, many international schools also utilize these exams for admissions and scholarship criteria. For example, I’m looking at schools in Asia, and most of the accredited big ones ask for either the GMAT or the GRE.Β
Β So if you want to study abroad in fall of Senior Year or last year of Undergrad, you can still take the all-important exams you need for your future. Β Or if you’re an international student looking to study in the states, you can find one in your area hopefully.Β
The ACT is one of the two main undergraduate school entrance exams. Most universities accept either the ACT, SAT, both, (or on the very rare occasion) neither. It is up to you to research your potential universities and verify which exam they require. They are not major specific-all majors need to take it.
Format (as of 2016-2017) -the ACT has four primary parts (Math, Reading, Science, and English) as well as an optional written portion.Β The EnglishΒ portion covers grammar, punctuation, and structure. TheΒ MathΒ portion covers basic algebra, trig, and calculus questions. TheΒ Reading portion asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc. TheΒ Science portion is lessΒ science and more logic. It asks you to take data and analyze it to answer their questions.Β Β TheΒ Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.
Notes:Β Unlike the GMAT or computer-based GRE in the US, the GRE internationally is usually the “paper format.” Meaning you have to sign up for a specific date (often only a few times a year) to go take the test in hand-written form. Then, because scores are not calculated online, you will have to wait for your scores (as much as 4-6 weeks later). Β SO READING INSTRUCTIONS IS IMPORTANT!
Cost: $51 (for International locations)
Next Date: April 8, 2017 (Register by March 3, 2017) or June 10, 2017 (Register by May 5, 2017).
List of International LocationsΒ Β **To Register for International Locations, you must make an account on the ACT website and register through that.Β
The SATΒ is one of the two main undergraduate school entrance exams. Most universities accept either the ACT, SAT, both, (or on the very rare occasion) neither. It is up to you to research your potential universities and verify which exam they require. They are not major specific-all majors need to take it.
Format (as of 2016-2017) -theΒ general SAT hasΒ four primary parts (Math, Reading, Writing & Language, and Essay).Β The Writing & LanguageΒ portion asks you to analyze things you read–correcting logic issues, strengthening or weakening the argument, finding errors, etc.. TheΒ MathΒ portion covers basic algebra and elementary calculus/trigonometry questions. TheΒ Reading portion asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc.Β Β TheΒ Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.
WARNING – I’ve heard a lot of bad things about the College Board exam centers in China. I have absolutely no background in other countries – but I do NOT recommend taking the SAT in Mainland China or Hong Kong. Β Friends or students taking the exam here or in Hong Kong report never receiving their grades, being told to wait as much as 6 months for scores (and then still not getting them), scores being thrown out because “someone cheated,” not being given the full time to take the exam, not being provided with all the materials needed for the exam, questions not being answered, and more. Β When students (some US citizens included) attempted to call the College Board in Hong Kong and ask for information, the first question they were asked is where they were from. When they said China, the office immediately hung up on them. Several reported similar issues. One of my friends was actually late applying to schools, despite taking the exam early, because her first scores never came and they just told her to re-take the exam again. Β
Cost: $45 * without essay | $57 *with essay Β (there is an addition “fee” for international students changing by region. Africa and the Americas pay an extra $35. Β East Asia / Pacific pay an extra $53. Β Europe and Eurasia pay an extra $38. Β Middle East is $47. South and Central Asia is $49).
Next Date: January 21, 2017 (Register by December 7, 2017) or May 6, 2017 (Register by March 22, 2017).
List of International LocationsΒ Β **It is not offered in March outside of the United States. You may have to obey special national rules for the SAT which vary country-by-country. The SAT does provide international examinees the option of having an “international representative.” However if you do this, you must registerΒ by paper andΒ by the early deadline. They alsoΒ cost money π Β Here is their “Tips for International Registration.”
The GRE is a basic graduate school entrance exam used largely for all majorsΒ not including Medicine, Business, and Law. So basically all arts and sciences. It’s definitely the most popular and the most commonly taken exam of the lot.Β Schools accepting the GRE internationally
Format (as of 2016-2017) – the GRE has three separate parts (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing). The Verbal Reasoning portion is split into Reading Comprehension (read the essay and answer questions about it),Β Text Completion (fill in the blank), andΒ “Sentence Equivalence (word definitions – Β can you put in the correct word). Β TheΒ Quantitative Reasoning portion is mostly math and logic questions. Β TheΒ Analytical Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.
Notes:Β Unlike the GMAT or computer-based GRE in the US, the GRE internationally is usually the “paper format.” Meaning you have to sign up for a specific date (often only a few times a year) to go take the test in hand-written form. Then, because scores are not calculated online, you will have to wait for your scores (as much as 4-6 weeks later). Β SO TIMING IS IMPORTANT!
Cost: $205 (or $220 in China – why, I don’t know.)
Next Date: February 4, 2017 (Register by December 23, 2016 or pay a late fee).
List of International Locations where the Paper-based General GRE is offered.Β **To Register for International Locations, you probably need to look for testing centers and dates under the “paper version.”
The LSATΒ is the graduate school entrance exam used students entering Law Schools.Β
Format (as of 2016-2017) – the LSAT has five separate parts (Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, two Logical Reasoning sections, and a Writing portion). Reading Comprehension asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc. Tests your ability to analyze, understand, and apply what you read to other information. TheΒ Analytical ReasoningΒ portion is what many of us call the “logic” portion. It’s like those old games you used to play (M is married to S. S is not married to T or J. X married on Tuesday but is not married to T. Who married who and when). TheΒ Logical ReasoningΒ parts provide you with information and asks you to analyze what you read and draw conclusions, explain, or provide the logical theory underlying what you read. TheΒ Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.
Notes:Β Most schools want you to take the exam before December, in order to get your scores on time.
Cost: $180. (If you are applying to a US school, you’ll probably also buy the CAS paperwork compilation system which is $175). Β
Next Date:Β Varies significantly by country and region.Β
List of International Locations where the LSATΒ is offered.Β **Some countries only offer the exam on certain days, not all of them.Β
The MCATΒ is theΒ graduate school entrance exam used for Medicine programs.Β
Format (as of 2016-2017) – the MCAT has four separate parts. TheΒ Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living SystemsΒ portion tests biology, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. TheΒ Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems tests biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, and physics. Psychological, Social, and BiologicalΒ Foundations of Behavior SystemsΒ will test psychology, sociology, and biology as it relates to sociological threats to heath. Critical Analysis and ReasoningΒ portion is basically a Reading Comprehension section. Β Mixed within the first three parts will be questions testing you on specificΒ Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning SkillsΒ
Notes:Β
Cost: $310Β (goes up to $365 about 1-2 weeks before the exam). Applicants at international locationsΒ must pay an extra $100 no matter what.
Next Date: January 19, 2017 (Often vary by country).
List of International Locations where the Paper-based General GRE is offered.Β **To Register for International Locations,follow the same instructions as domestic registrations. Make an account on the AAMC website first.
The GMATΒ is a graduate school entrance exam used largely Business Schools. Some MBA programs accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT, but not all.Β
Format (as of 2016-2017) – The GMAT has four parts (Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing).Β TheΒ Analytical Writing asks you to write an essay analytical response to a question they give you.TheΒ Integrated Reasoning will provide with a set of information and data. Then you will be asked a serious of questions based on that info analyzing your ability to evaluate, comprehend, and utilize it. Β TheΒ Quantitative is similar but focuses on math and logic. You might be given a set of facts and then you are asked to find the truth that fits all those facts. TheΒ Verbal Reasoning tests you ability to correct sentences, answer reading comprehension questions, analyze and answer questions using what you read.Β
Cost: $250Β (+VAT – depending on Country)
Next Date:Β You Choose. Β Each testing location and country will have different exams. Rather than the ACT, SAT, etc where a bunch of people take it together in a testing scenario, the GMAT and computer-based GRE are more individual. You must first choose your testing location. Then look at the dates and times available at that center.
List of International Locations where the GMAT is offered.Β **Each country has specific requirements and taxes they will apply. You need to read the “country-specific instructions” before applying.
The number of Americans who study abroad in credit-earning programs has more than tripled in the last two decades to reach a high of nearly 304,500 in the 2013-14 academic year, and the number studying in non-European countries has nearly doubled in the last decade to 118,625, the Institute of International Education said.
βThe problem is educating students in something they are not used to thinking about,β said InΓ©s DeRomaΓ±a. She is director of international health, safety and emergency response for the University of California systemβs Education Abroad Program, which sends 5,600 students, from all 10 campuses, overseas annually, including to remote areas.
Road fatalities are a risk for young people everywhere. They are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults in the United States and worldwide, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization show. But the concern for educators is that students heading abroad may not consider some uniquely local risks of road travel β particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where W.H.O. figures indicate about 90 percent of the globeβs road-traffic deaths occur.
I tossed over in bed, uncomfortable and although exhausted, unable to fully fall asleep. My phone sat beside me, vibrating from texts. I heard movement outside of my door, quick steps, and feet hitting the staircase. My frustration grew, knowing I had to be up in a few hours to drive to Slovenia for the weekend. I finally sat up, trying to see if my roommate was having trouble sleeping as well. She wasn’t in her bed. I quickly slipped on a sweatshirt and made my way downstairs.
Turning the corner into our living space I saw almost half of the people in my program huddled together around our TV. No one spoke, no one even saw me enter the room. They watched the shaky cameras, the nervous newscasters, the pictures of horrified people. They watched as Paris officials reported the numbers: 130 dead, hundreds wounded.
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was too young to understand the gravity of the situation when thousands of Americans were killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. But at 20 years old, sitting among my peers and witnessing destruction in a city I had left just a week before, I understood. We sat for hours. Other than texting loved ones back home to reassure them that we weren’t in France anymore, we hardly spoke, but we sat together in solitude and shock.
As the night crept towards morning I asked the group I was supposed to travel with about Slovenia. If we were going to go we had to sleep, to get rest to wake up early. A few outright said they wouldn’t travel. A couple more said their parents didn’t want them to go. And the others just seemed confused about a course of action. We ultimately decided to cancel and all retreated to our beds.
But again, I tossed and turned. I thought of sitting beneath the Eiffel Tower, swaying in a hammock and eating lavender macaroons. I thought of sipping a Moscow Mule and dancing until 2 a.m. in a nightclub off of the Champs Elysees. I thought of the Louvre, the crepes and the winding streets. And I thought of the horrendous loss of 130 people.
But I also thought of fear. I thought of terrorism, a term that had always brought to mind images of dark rooms, closed doors, and hatred. And I thought of the goal of the people who had just torn through Paris. A terrorist’s goal is to terrorize and by not traveling we were allowing them, in some ways, to win.
I spent over five more months in Europe traveling to countless countries with my friends and experiencing some of the most incredible moments of my life. Study abroad is so much more than country hopping, pub-crawls and voluntourism. Study abroad is not just about being on vacation.
The terrorism did not end in Paris. It spread to the tourism hotspots of Belgium and Istanbul and continues daily throughout the Middle East. At times, I wondered about our safety as students abroad. We live in a world where I cannot make my way through a full day without hearing about another death or attack or bombing, stretching around the entire world. I am not saying we have to abandon caution or rational action, but we must find a balance. We must find a middle line to walk, between safety and living life to the fullest without letting fear inhibit us. . . . . .
Awesome! The British Travel site Cheap Flights (http://www.cheapflights.co.uk) has created an infograph helping travelers get ahold real human beings when calling an airline for help.Β
Frequent travelers are all aware of the aggravation and time wasted whenever you have to call an airline to get help. Sometimes it’s all but impossible to find your way through the system (especially if the trusty “press 0 for operator” doesn’t work. πΒ
So Cheap Flights putΒ together this sheet to tell you what buttons to push if you want to get ahold of a person. Great Idea!
Studying abroad is one of the more exciting things to experience in college. It gives you a chance to see the world while possibly earning college credit along the way. You learn about different cultures and become more aware of the world around you.
Most people regret the decision to not study abroad while they can. They regret not going out of their comfort zone and leaving for a new experience and large perspective. Although, all of this is wonderful, but before considering studying abroad, looking into where you want to go, for how long, and any other things that are necessary should be priority number one. Continue reading
Student Ramblings 