Monday, August 30, 2010

My Uni Experience: Ah Bajan Trini T'ing!

A Bajan and a Trini
Everyone thinks that Bajans and Trinis don't like each other. But I beg to differ. I suppose, in theory we should not like them for real. They deprive us of our flying fish. They talk funny. They dare insinuate and even boldly argue that Carib is better than Banks. And yes, they probably do quite deserve the label of ‘Tricky-dadians'.

But still, I have a soft spot in my heart for them. In fact, I'll go further and shamefully confess...I love Trinis. There, I said it!

It wasn't always so. Please, let me explain my downfall. To be honest, I blame Mona - that's not another Trini, that's UWI.

I went through my first year there pretty much impervious to the charms of those oily people from the southern Caribbean. But then in my second year and again in my third, hordes of them descended upon UWI - to do geology, to do mass com, to do actuarial science...but most of all to brainwash good Bajans like myself.

The student balancing act

Waitress Serving Drinks

It used to be that university was the final step before entering the workplace. However, for increasing numbers of students, it is now at university that the first steps are made into the world of work, in all its gritty glory.

According to a report on student employment, ‘All Work and Low Pay' published by The National Union of Students in the United Kingdom, the number of full-time students working in paid employment rose by 54% between 1996 and 2006. The figures are eye-opening. The numbers of working male students increased by 47% during that time, while for female students, this increase was 67.5%.

Most work in low-paid jobs in retail and hospitality - some 40 % in retail and 21% in hotels and restaurants. Average salaries ranged from £6.21 an hour in retail and £5.70 in hospitality for men to even less for women - £5.98 in retail and £5.51 in hospitality. 

Most also work long hours considering that they are also full time students - the average was 14 hours per week. Some work even longer. At least 20% worked 15 to 20 hours per week and a further 20 % worked 20-plus hours.

So why do they do it? Why may you well end up doing it?

There are two main reasons, both having to do with need. They are the need for experience and the need for money.

A 'how to' guide on scholarship application

Clipboard with pen and form


You have the transcript of your grades - stellar, of course.

You have your references and testimonials - all glowing, naturally.

You have in mind exactly what you are going to say during your interview before various demanding panels - it's all well thought out, earnest and compelling, obviously.

So you have everything you need for the scholarship application process, right? Read on for some useful advice on how to prepare yourself to go get other people's money. It may surprise you.

 Take time, make time.

Applying for scholarships is not for the impatient. It can be a long, tedious process of applying for many different scholarships, pestering the same pool of folk over and over again for testimonials and of endless essay writing.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

What's that degree worth? Not much for some former EDMC students

Photo credit: Misty Keasler for Businessweek
There was a sobering story in the August 5 edition of Businessweek about how former students of the for-profit colleges  run by the Education Management Corp (EDMC).

You've definitely heard of these schools - the chain of Art Institute schools such as the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale are among their group and they are the second-largest chain of for-profit colleges after the University of Phoenix folk.

According to Businessweek's report, EDMC is under attack from former students and from government officials over the quality of its degrees and the tactics it uses to attract students.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) Sir Louis H Lockhart Scholarship

Worth: Tuition, fees, books, supplies and/or equipment required for the programme.

Offering Organisation: Antigua Commercial Bank

Requirements: Applicants must be citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. Preference is given to applicants who are enrolled in or have been accepted by an accredited college, university or vocational educational institution. Preference will be given to completion of the final year of the study.

Contact: Legal/Secretariat Department, Antigua Commercial Bank,

Thames & St. Mary’s Streets, St. John’s, Antigua

More info: Antigua Commercial Bank

Deadline: May 31

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship

Worth: US $26,000 or its equivalent.

Offering Organisation: Rotary Clubs of Barbados

Requirements: Applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary Club. Applicants must have completed at least two years of university of college course work or must have a secondary school education and been employed for at least two years.

Contact: rotarybarbadossouth@gmail.com

More info: Rotary Club of Barbados

Deadline: August 31

Barbados National Oil Company Limited Scholarship

Worth: BD$30,000 (US$15,000)

Offering Organisation: Barbados National Oil Company Limited

Requirements: Available to Barbadian citizens pursuing studies in Petroleum Engineering at the University of the West Indies. Applicants must provide evidence of enrolment or acceptance and must be registered as full time students. Applicants must be under the age of 25 when the scholarship is first awarded and must have and maintain a passing grade of a B average of a GPA of 3.3. Applicants must agree to an internship during the summer vacation.

Contact: The Human Resources Manager, Barbados National Oil Company Limited, Woodbourne, St. Philip Tel 420-1498: Email brendahinds@bnocl.com

More info: As above

Deadline: August 13

Fulbright Science and Technology Scholarship

Worth: Full tuition and other fees, airfare, personal maintenance allowance

Offering Organisation: Government of the United States

Requirements: Offered globally. Applicants must have a GRE quantitative score of 700 or better (out of 800). A GRE subject score is also required from applicants who plan to study biology, biochemistry, call and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. The award is for PhD. studies in science, technology and engineering.

Contact: Juanita Lynch, Information Resource Associate at (246) 227-4102 or email at lynchjh@state.gov or fax (246) 429-5316

More info: US Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarships

Worth: Full tuition and other fees, airfare, personal maintenance allowance

Offering Organisation: Government of the United States

Requirements: Open to nationals of Barbados and OECS states

Contact: Juanita Lynch, Information Resource Associate at (246) 227-4102 or email at lynchjh@state.gov or fax (246) 429-5316

More info: US Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

Deadline: July 15

Fulbright Faculty Development Scholarship

Worth: Tuition for up to two years, monthly personal allowance (varies according to location), book allowance, health insurance, round trip airfare and other study-related expenses related to graduate study.

Offering Organisation: Government of the United States

Requirements: Available for graduate study to teachers and professors nominated by institutions of higher education in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Contact: Juanita Lynch, Information Resource Associate at (246) 227-4102 or email at lynchjh@state.gov or fax (246) 429-5316

More info: US Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

Deadline: early May

Chinese Government Scholarships

Worth: Full tuition or research fees, basic learning materials, accommodation, living allowance, emergency medical care, comprehensive medical insurance, an initial settlement subsidy and an initial inter-city travel allowance. A monthly living allowance is paid at the following rates:

Undergraduates: 1400 yuan

Chinese language students: 1400 yuan

Master’s degree students: 1700 yuan

Doctoral degree students: 2000 yuan

Offering Organisation: Government of the Republic of China

Requirements: Available for undergraduate and postgraduate studies up to the doctoral level for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago for programmes offered in China. At least one year’s language training in Chinese is required. Undergraduate candidates should be under the age of 25, while postgraduate candidates should be under the age of 35

Contact: Your local Ministry of Education

More info: Chinese Scholarship Council

Deadline: Early March

Brazilian Postgraduate Scholarships (PEC-PG)

Worth: Full tuition for a postgraduate programme within any field of expertise, as long as the chosen post-graduate course issues nationally valid diplomas and airfare back to own country.

Offering Organisation: Government of Brazil

Requirements: Candidates who have already taken part in the PEC-G programme may not apply for the PEC-PG unless they have returned to their own country for at least two years. Non-Portuguese speakers will be required to take a 1 year intensive language course for the first year. Applicants will be required to produce evidence of ability to finance their expenses while in Brazil. Applicants will be required to provide for their own support in Brazil which is estimated at a monthly minimum of US$400.

Contact: The Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your island – click here for the full list check 

More info: Brazilian Government portal


Deadline: March/April

Brazilian Undergraduate Scholarships (PEC-G)

Worth: Full tuition for an undergraduate programme within any field of expertise, as long as it is available at Higher Education Institutions (IES) registered with the program. Currently 89 IES partipate in the program

Offering Organisation: Government of Brazil

Requirements: Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 23, have concluded secondary education or similar course and must be from a developing country that has an educational and cultural agreement with Brazil. Non-Portuguese speakers will be required to take a 1 year intensive language course for the first year. Applicants will be required to produce evidence of ability to finance their expenses while in Brazil. Applicants will be required to provide for their own support in Brazil which is estimated at a monthly minimum of US$400.

Contact: The Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your island – click here for the full list check 

More info: Brazilian Government portal

Deadline: June

Fulbright Senior Scholar Program

Worth: Round-trip economy international airfare for grantee only. A one time grant of US $10,000 USD. Grantees only will be covered under ECA Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE).

Offering Organisation: Government of the United States

Requirements: Available to university and college faculty with a minimum of a master’s degree and three years’ university teaching experience and professionals with at least five years of professional experience. Grants will be awarded for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months are for scholars and professionals from countries of the Caribbean and Central America to conduct research in the United States. Priority will be given to research projects in the following areas:

Sustainable Development: a) education, b) environmental studies, c) urban planning, d) public health/mental health, e) economic growth, trade and business administration, and f) migration.

Democratisation: a) governance and institutional strengthening, b) political science/public policy, c) law and administration of justice, and d) civil society/NGO development.

Contact: Juanita Lynch, Information Resource Associate at (246) 227-4102 or email at lynchjh@state.gov or fax (246) 429-5316

More info: US Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

Deadline: October 1

Sunday, August 8, 2010

All universities are not equal... Check the accreditation first!

One of the most important things to check for when selecting a college or university is to find out whether it's accredited.
Close-up of an abundance of American dollar notes and a diploma with ribbon

While many institutions show their best face when trying to attract students, it is in your interest to do some investigation.

After all, it makes no sense going and working hard for a degree only to find out that your island does not recognise the qualification and you're basically back at square one!

The national accreditation body in your country is usually a good place to start. They can tell you whether the institution's qualifications are recognised or whether you will have to do any translation courses to supplement your training.

Barbados
Barbados Accreditation Council - http://www.bac.gov.bb/
123 A&B, "Plaza Centrale"
Roebuck Street
St. Michael BB11080
(246) 436-9094 or 436-7636
info@bac.gov.bb

Make the most of your money at university

Graduation cap and checkbook


Want to know how to make the most of your money at university? Just ask those who have been there, done that! We asked a mixed group of college grads:

What financial advice do you wish someone had given you before you went to university?


Andrea King, City University, London '05

Explore ALL financing opportunities at home, including talking to your own parliamentary representative and business or civic leaders in the field of study and the Ministry of Education's higher education division six and seven times.


Take your lunch with you. The canteen/cafe prices are deceptive!!! Especially tea!!!

Check your school email box every day for employment opportunities.

Definitely ship books and papers by barrel. Do it three weeks prior to departure if possible. Exchange or donate winter clothing with/to charity shops.

Jerome Sealy, New York Institute of Technology, New York City '98
Cheques from Barbados take 5 business days to clear so if you’re broke and you get a cheque from home, you’re still broke.
Getting a part time job as a desk manager (signing in people to the dorm after hours) was invaluable - you get to do your homework and get paid. I bought my entire entertainment system in one semester with that job.

For Educators

Teacher instructing students in classroom


At the Caribbean Education Source, our aim is to offer a holistic, all-round brilliant higher education guide for this region.

Hence, in addition to the information we have for students and parents, we offer resources and guidance for international educators.

The Caribbean is a dynamic and developing region with lots of exciting potential for international education institutions. The region has made the shift from agricultural economies to knowledge-based economies such as tourism, off-shore banking and oil production. Hence, this has spurred high levels of government investment in primary and secondary education. In Barbados, education takes up some 17% of the annual budget.

This has resulted in ever-increasing numbers of students pursuing tertiary education, both within the Caribbean and overseas.
When it comes to university attendance, the region punches above its weight, with more students from the English-speaking Caribbean enrolled at American universities than those from countries with much larger populations such as Australia, Brazil and Germany.

In light of this, the CES is offering international student advisors vital resources with which to better understand the Caribbean educational environment.

On this site, you will find links to Essential Exams, explaining the various qualifications Caribbean secondary schools and community colleges work with and descriptions of the various Caribbean tertiary institutions. You will also find lots of news about Caribbean students all over the world, links to Caribbean student associations and a page with links to Caribbean accreditation agencies.