Information Systems in Banks Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Information Systems in Banks - Coursework Example The failure of the projects is only due to mismanagement of information systems. They recommended revising the system for companies' betterment. This research has been carried out as a project management task that mostly concentrates on information systems primarily focusing on banks. After going through the literature it has been noticed out that, though whole process is getting segmented in some of the approach for making the project more efficient but, due to inadequate flow between the sections and improper mapping total outcome is not coming satisfactory. Here, one business process model is proposed that can be implemented in finance companies for transactions easiness, efficient account handling and providing a common framework worldwide. One flow chart is also provided stating how simple transaction can take place with the proposed model. Finally, it is concluded with the theme, let information system can be maximally utilized into industries and we are in a position to cross another milestone. The future scope of this research can be developing another model which will incorporate many other constraints that have not been used here only due to tool unavailability. The main purpose of this research is to seek for the barriers that usage of Information System (IS) in industry like bank, construction etc are facing and analyze the applicability of project management approach to them. Land (2004) defined information system as system which aims to store and manage information. Informatization is a process of minimizing cultural and economic barriers by information and communication technology after proper transforming its economic and social relationships (Kluver, 2000). Informatization of a company results into reduction of total cost and this key knowledge has increased the possibility of organizations to use IT. Back and Moreau (2000) showed that the potential benefits of information management only can be fully maximized by making possible the information exchange throughout the organization and also across all its boundaries if it has any. For this reason, integration and preservation of project information is a vital thing. Due to the rapid change in business to make the company more flexible, a methodology is needed which can permit planning, analysis and redesign of a process after taking into account of the available technology and resources. In this report, role of IT in industry and their effectiveness in the growth of an organization are described. As Price System noticed that

Extreme sports Essay Example for Free

Extreme sports Essay The X Games is one of the more popular sporting events, where people gather to watch athletes compete in extreme sports. Some of these sports include skateboarding, mountain biking and motorcycle racing. The community around extreme sports can sometimes be seen as exclusive and particular when it comes to defining what an extreme sport is and who is a true extremist. Originally, I believe the extreme sport community created this division of athletics because they thought their sports did not fit in at a standard sporting event. Part of the reason some the extreme athletes participate in their sport is because they see it as  a way of defying the boundaries of what is seen as a typical sport. Most extreme sports are about pushing limits. Extreme sports are not conventional in the sense that practicing isn’t really necessary, a coach isn’t necessary, and the sports are very individualistic. Some of the extreme sport athletes do it for the adrenaline rush. They do it purely for themselves. Their reasoning contrasts to some of the other sports where lots of practice and coaching is essential for success. A lot of the athletes that compete in non extreme sports are focused on getting sponsors or when you’re younger, getting recruited for college. For the extreme sport community this is considered to be feeding into the capitalist society/culture. Part of extreme sports is about taking risks and not having anything to fall back on. The X games have put a strain on the extreme sports community because some seem to think that the event has altered the true goal of the sport, which is to take risks and to go against the mainstream culture. Some people seem to believe that it has become like the other sporting events, in the sense that there are now big sponsors and judges. They argue that the extreme athletes are no longer taking risks because they want to make  sure they can land the trick. The goal is no longer to try new tricks and push the bar, but its more about doing what you know will please the judges. This goes against what extremist originally wanted for the sport. It takes the risk out of it and you no longer do it for yourself but for the judges. The fact that there are sponsors is also a cause for controversy because some people see it as the athletes being sellouts. For example, Tony Hawk is famous skate boarder. He has a lot of sponsors, video games, and ads. Some say he is no longer a true extremist because of it. At the same time, what makes the sports in the X games more extreme than say diving or gymnastics? Both sports are very individualistic and there is a lot of a risk, yet they are not seen as extreme sports. I think the extreme sports community has tried to make their community too exclusive and extreme sports benefit from the X games and the sponsors and judges it brings. The event does bring aspects that were not originally a part of the sport, but the extreme sports community will grow now. Extremist can still continue to push limits and do the sport for themselves despite what others may think.

Essay --

CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY Children with a disability are children first Around 320,000 Australian children 0-14 years have a disability Disabilities that affect children are intellectual, psychiatric, sensory/speech, acquired brain injury and physical. The prevalence of profound or severe disability in children is gradually increasing1 , particularly among children aged 5-14. The main area of increase is intellectually disabling conditions, most reported as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AHDH).2 Also reported is a dramatic increase in the rate of diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorders (atypical neurological functioning) over the past decade.3 The majority of children with a disability live with their families During much of the 20th Century, children with a disability were provided with ‘whole of life’ services, usually in large, segregated institutional settings. The process of ‘deinstitutionalisation’ that has occurred over recent decades is one of the leading policy and structural transformations in health and community services of the last century. Between 1981 and 1996, the number of people aged 0-14 accommodated in institutions almost halved.4 Children with disabilities belong with their families, not in institutions, but families often require extra financial assistance and services to care for a son or daughter with a disability. Without such support, the impact of disability can impose significant pressure on parents and siblings and can lead to family breakdown. Most children with a disability go to the local school In 2001, using a narrow definition of disability that excluded children with specific learning difficulties, State Education Departments identified 114,250 st... ...rge multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia. NDS defines its purpose under two broad categories. Firstly, it works to increase the capacity of its members to operate efficiently and effectively through provision of information, networking opportunities, and corporate partnerships. Secondly, NDS exists to make the voices of people with disabilities and their service providers heard by governments at both state/territory and federal levels. By so doing, NDS influences public policy to deliver outcomes that are responsive to the needs of people with disabilities and their providers. NDS has a National Secretariat in Canberra and offices in every State and Territory. More information: Locked Bag 3002 DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6283 3200 Fax: 02 6281 3488 Email: nds@nds.org.au Web: www.nds.org.au Essay -- CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY Children with a disability are children first Around 320,000 Australian children 0-14 years have a disability Disabilities that affect children are intellectual, psychiatric, sensory/speech, acquired brain injury and physical. The prevalence of profound or severe disability in children is gradually increasing1 , particularly among children aged 5-14. The main area of increase is intellectually disabling conditions, most reported as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AHDH).2 Also reported is a dramatic increase in the rate of diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorders (atypical neurological functioning) over the past decade.3 The majority of children with a disability live with their families During much of the 20th Century, children with a disability were provided with ‘whole of life’ services, usually in large, segregated institutional settings. The process of ‘deinstitutionalisation’ that has occurred over recent decades is one of the leading policy and structural transformations in health and community services of the last century. Between 1981 and 1996, the number of people aged 0-14 accommodated in institutions almost halved.4 Children with disabilities belong with their families, not in institutions, but families often require extra financial assistance and services to care for a son or daughter with a disability. Without such support, the impact of disability can impose significant pressure on parents and siblings and can lead to family breakdown. Most children with a disability go to the local school In 2001, using a narrow definition of disability that excluded children with specific learning difficulties, State Education Departments identified 114,250 st... ...rge multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia. NDS defines its purpose under two broad categories. Firstly, it works to increase the capacity of its members to operate efficiently and effectively through provision of information, networking opportunities, and corporate partnerships. Secondly, NDS exists to make the voices of people with disabilities and their service providers heard by governments at both state/territory and federal levels. By so doing, NDS influences public policy to deliver outcomes that are responsive to the needs of people with disabilities and their providers. NDS has a National Secretariat in Canberra and offices in every State and Territory. More information: Locked Bag 3002 DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6283 3200 Fax: 02 6281 3488 Email: nds@nds.org.au Web: www.nds.org.au

Do Animals Have Language Essay

†Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way†(1) Language is humanity’s way of communicating with each other, there are over 6,500 different languages spoken around the world. Every language is communicated by two or more people. Every person can have a combination of languages. It all depends on what that person chooses to do. Some individuals believe that there is no communication without language. But many like myself, beg to differ. As I believe there are numerous ways to communicate, whether it is by speech, symbols or sound. A few might argue that speech and sound are the same thing, to me they are completely different. Yes we need to make sounds that represent the letter that make up the word, but in some languages the sounds are the words. For example the Xhosa language; spoken by approximately 7.9 million people of the South African population, it is a tonal language. I believe that animals communicate using the same technique. I see that certain animals have a specific sound for their specie. For example a dog’s bark, a cat’s meow, and the whale’s songs. They are all a series of sounds, to each other they are understood. Upon being put in the right sequence they convey the message to the other members of that specie. It is a language they use, that we cannot comprehend. The languages present here in Earth are very detailed and elaborate, because humans have a very complex life, they need a lot of words to make sense of it. Animals live very simple lives, needing to communicate when in danger, or directing others. That is why their languages are probably much more simpler than ours. Other animals communicate through dance, and movements. I consider this a language of its own, as these dances create symbols, and symbols are a language. This is still considered using language as a method of communication. So yes, I do believe animals have a language, through sounds. Although those language are most likely very simple, they are their way of communicating with each other. (1):http://www.google.com.sa/search?hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=596&q=language&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&ei=TbpMUMmDL4fvsgbWsYC4BA&ved=0CB0QkQ4

Research on Honey Pots with regard to proofing security

Battling hackers and technological experts who use their knowledge for stealing information and hacking can always be troublesome and costly. Why waste time, effort, energy and risk losing out thousands of dollars in profits. The use of honey pots and honey tokens can eliminate the need for such risks and enhance the security of the system. Honey tokens and honey pots are not computer systems. In fact, they are software that is designed to interact with unauthorized users and counter their activity. They give you the ability to allow hackers and crackers into the system and make them feel as if they have broken into the system. They hold false data that is kept there for that malicious user to use and steal. The honey pot then actively saves all the actions performed by the unauthorized user. Using such honey pots and combining it with the data on their actions, many potential takeovers can be subdued. Several malicious invasions can be countered using such honey pots, and at the same time, the illegal user commending on his capabilities on managing to break into the company’s security. A honey pot works by trapping the actions of an intruder by setting a fallacious database that has honey pots are just software that tackles crackers intelligently without them knowing that they have been tracked. The cracker can do whatever they like with data that is as fallacious as dummy data. There is no sensitive data provided to such a cracker and the hacker’s actions will be under review all the while he is snooping around in the system. They are relatively easy to install and do not require a lot of high technological cost or monitoring. But they are highly effective in countering illegal break-ins to sensitive data. As soon as there is an access to the system through any undefined way, the honey pot gets activated and provides the user with databases that is of no use to the company and is actually in place to fool the hacker. Therefore, Mr. Lloyd, given the obvious benefits of sugar coating an illegal user and then finding the security holes that they used in breaching the system, the company should consider implementing the honey pot system. Using this we can then fix our security holes so that they can stop other crackers breaching our security again. Bibliography 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What is honey pot? a definition from Whatis.com. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from Search Security Web site: http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid14_gci551721,00.html 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dynamic Honeypots Retrieved March 17, 2008, from Security Focus Web site: http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1731

Poet Saints essays

Poet Saints essays Teachings of the Poet-Saints Mira generally speaks of "the importance of the name of God and praises the True Guru in her poetry" (Hawley, 1977). Her poems are not complex in nature, and very fluid. The emotions explored in her work are those related to women; typically Mira explores the same type of issues, especially those related to a "young brides, marriage and woman's relationship to Krishna" (Mirabai, 1977). Mira often portrays herself as married to Krishna or Krishna as yogi in her work. Her poems somewhat defy different ideas in Hinduism however. Mira imagines her marriage to Krishna as a "liaison between two Yogis'" which goes against standard Hindi belief, because a yogi must leave behind his/her family and former life, therefore two would not be married to one another (Hawley, 1977). Many of these ideas are expressed in poem no. 177 by Mirabai. The poem begins with Mirabai exalting the Yogi, to be interpreted as Krishna, and she refers to him as "my friend, the clever one/ whose mind is on Siva and the Snake." Mirabai portrays herself in this poem as a yogini to the yogi. She talks of coming home, which can be interpreted as going with God, an idea that is prevalent in much of Hinduism. The themes of God and love are also very present throughout the poem. In line 8, the poet states "take me, guard me with your guardian mercy/ please." The message of this poem is that the author would do anything to be with the all-knowing yogi, including giving up her mind and body. God is all powerful and very loved according to the author in this poem. Images used in this poem include visions of prayer beads, jewelry, yogi cloth and rain. She uses these images to define her image of self in the poem, comparing the image of herself to the image of yogi. She talks of becoming a yogi in the following stanza: ...

Movie Romero Essays - Scar Romero, English-language Films

Movie Romero Essays - Scar Romero, English-language Films Movie Romero In the movie Romero, Archbishop Romero changes very much in his understanding of love and in his understanding of true conscience. At first Romero is just a priest who isnt really concerned about the poor and how they are being oppressed, but when Romero is chosen to be the new Archbishop his friend, who is assassinated, I think has a slight impact on him. But I think when his friend is assassinated is when he really starts to realize what is happening to the country of El Salvador and how the government doesnt want anyone to speak out about this. So, now Romero is starting to action against the government and tries to speak out against them. Here we see Archbishop Romeros true conscience and love grow for the people around him because we see him taking more action against the government. I think that Archbishop Romero defines love as helping others who are in need and others who need his help whatever it may be. We see Romero do this when he starts to lead the revolt in trying to te ll the El Salvadoran Government to stop oppressing the poor and treat everyone as human beings. I think Romero has to make a very big decision considering, the gorillas were sending out flyers that said Be a Patriot, Kill a Priest. The decision that Romero had to make was whether or not to help the poor or just be a puppet for the cardinals that selected him to be a puppet in the beginning. I think the thing that made Romero choose to help out the poor was the love he had for them. I also believe that it was the right (moral) thing to do whether he would have done what he did or not. It wasnt right for the rich to richer and the poor to just keep getting poorer. Romero made a really important decision when he decided to help out the poor because he now became an enemy against the government. Romero grew immensely throughout the entire movie, his love for the people and his conscience (soul, ego) grew as well. Our notes tell us that love requires work it is not just a feeling you have. Romero did a lot work to find his love; he also made a lot of sacrifices. Some of the sacrifices that Romero made were, going into the church when it was taken over by the military Romero still went in knowing that he may be killed, but I think the biggest sacrifice that Romero gave his people was that he gave up his life so that maybe someday they could be free. This resembles Jesus very much, because Jesus gave up his life so that all of our sins would be taken away. Romero is a very brave man for doing this, I dont know many people who would give their lives up so others could be free this is a very non-selfish act. In my opinion there should be more people like this on the earth because there are so many problems that the world has to deal with in this day of age. I think that Oscar Anglo Romero y Glades was a great man for dieing for something that he truly believed in. Romero may have hesitated for a while on what to do, but in the long run what he did to help out the country of El Salvador was a major impact for the government to change. I wish there were more people like Romero in the world today, because there are not a lot of people that would still die for what they believe in like he did. I agree with all of Romeros decisions except one, the one I do not agree with is, how he waited so long to do anything about the countries condition. I hope the people who oppressed the poor and were killing the priests get what they deserve on their judgment day, because what they were doing is totally wrong according to moral standards. In my opinion, the idea of liberation theology is not right. I believe that God, treats every person the same, unless like in

How to Apply for College in the US as an International Student

How to Apply for College in the US as an International Student SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips According to the Institute of International Education, almost 975,000 international students studied at colleges in the United States last year. If you’re hoping to be one of those students, then this guide is for you. To help you through the college application process, this guide will go over all the steps you need to take, from translating your transcript to taking the TOEFL. Before jumping into the process of international student admissions, let’s review how your application process is the same as a U.S. student's and how it’s different. Applying to College: International vs. Domestic Students As an international student, you'll largely take the same steps to apply to U.S. colleges as students from the U.S.You'll just need to add a few extra steps to account for differences in languages, school curriculum, andgrading systems. Below, you'll find an overview of the main similarities and differences between applying for college as an international student in the U.S. and applying as a domestic student. How Applying Is the Same Many of the steps you’ll take to apply to college in the U.S. are the same ones that domestic students take. You should apply to several schools to increase your chances of getting accepted. Eight to nine is a good number, but some students apply to even more. You’ll apply by an early deadline, usually in November of senior year, or a regular deadline, usually in January or February of senior. Some schools have even later deadlines that fall in the spring or summer. You might use the Common Application or Universal Application, both of which can just be filled out once and sent to several schools. If any of your prospective colleges don’t accept those applications, then you’ll fill out a separate one. Your application will contain your personal information, like your name and date of birth, as well as any extracurricular activities, jobs, or internships. You’ll also send a personal essay, one or more letters of recommendation, a transcript with your high school grades, and, for most colleges, SAT or ACT scores. A few colleges also ask you to answer supplemental essay questions, which call for shorter responses than your mainpersonal essay. The bulk of the application process is the same for international and domestic students, but international college students do have to take some additional steps. Read on to find out what these steps are. How Applying Is Different There are a few extra steps if you’re applying as an international student. First, you might have to take the TOEFL if you’re from a country where the official language is something other than English. The TOEFL (or its alternative, the IELTS) is a test that demonstrates your English language proficiency. Second, you may need to get your transcript and any other academic credentials evaluated by an approved organization. This evaluation puts your courses and grades into U.S. terms so that admissions officers can understand them. If financial aid is important to you, then you’ll have to figure out whether you can obtain aid directly from colleges. Federal financial aid is only available to U.S. citizens. You might also apply foroutside scholarships. Finally, you’ll need to sort out the legal requirements of living in the U.S. by applying for a student visa. Usually, you apply for your student visa after gaining admission to a college and accepting a place in the next class. Now that you have a sense of the unique requirements for international student admission, let’s dive into the application process, step by step. Read on to learn how each piece of the international student application fits together! How to Apply to College as an International Student Many colleges are seeking to make their campuses more globalizedand welcome international applicants. At the same time, there aren’t as many spots available for international students in the USA as there are for domestic applicants, so you shouldmake sure you understand the college process and can send off the strongest application possible. Colleges vary in their individual policies and requirements, but for the most part, they all ask for the same materials. Most collegesask forthe following: Application High school transcript SAT or ACT scores TOEFL scores Personal essay (and any supplemental essays) Letters of recommendation Many of these components take months or even years to prepare, so college planning should start early in high school. Let’s talk about each of these application components in detail, along with tips for preparing each. The Application You can think of your application - the actual forms that contain your personal information - as the umbrella that covers all the other documents you’ll send. Each school has its own application, but many accept the Common Application and/or the Universal Application. These are both free services that allow you to fill out just one application and send it to several schools. Colleges that don’t accept these applications, such asstate schools in California and Texas, have their own application systems. Regardless of whether you use the Common Application or a school-specific application, you’ll find that both look pretty similar. Applications will ask for your personal information, like your name, address, schools attended, and any extracurricular activities. If your school requires an essay, then you’ll usually paste your essay into your application. You may also invite recommenders via email to upload their reference letters. While creating an account and filling out your application is free, submitting it requires a fee. Some schools have no application fee while others cost as much as $80 or $90. The average application fee is around $35 to $40. If the fees are burdensome, you may be able to obtain a college application fee waiver from the colleges that you’re interested in. Below you’ll find a few more tips to help you prepare your college applications. Tips for Your College Application Preparing to apply to college is a process that can start at the beginning of high school. Colleges will look at all four years of your classes, grades, and extracurricular involvements, so it helps to consider your college goals as you make choices throughout 9th, 10th, th, and 12th grade. Most students apply to several colleges; typically, eight or nine is a good number. That way they can maximize their chances of getting accepted. Students usually apply to two to three safety schools, or ones where their credentials are well above that of the average accepted student. They also apply to schools to which getting accepted is more challenging - usually two to three match schools and two to three reach schools. The application forms themselves are not all that time-intensive. You should give yourself at least a month before your deadlines to fill them out and proofread for any errors. As an international student, you might be in a good positionto emphasize any language skills or unique multicultural experiences that you have. The aspects of your application that require months, if not years, of planning, are your SAT/ACT scores, TOEFL scores, essay, and letters of recommendation, as you’ll learn more about below. First, let’s consider another piece of your college application, your high school transcript. Depending on college policy, you might need to translate your transcript. High School Transcript To determine admission, colleges look closely at high school grades. To show schools this important information, you’ll send an official transcript. Usually, your school must send your transcript in a sealed envelope. For some schools, you can send your transcript directly. Others will ask you to get it translated and certified by an official credential service. If your school uses a different grading system than the 4.0 scale used in the U.S., then you may have to send off your transcript for evaluation. This transcript service may cost around $100. The company should be a member of NACES, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, like World Education Services, Inc. Some colleges will allow you to use unofficial translators. Tufts, for example, says â€Å"Acceptable translators include English teachers or other school officials, professional translators, or a local EducationUSA office. Students do not need to utilize credential evaluation companies of any sort.† Read on a few tips for sending your high school transcript to U.S. colleges. Tips for Your High School Transcript Colleges look at your grades throughout high school, as well as your course selection. They consideryour commitment to your academics, your progress in particular subjects, and the extent to which you challenged yourselfwithhigher level courses. Each college sets its own admissions policies, so make sure to research each school on your list about what it wants you to do with your transcript. You should be able to find this on the international admissions page on its website. If you can’t find this information online, you should email or call the admissions office directly. If you need to use an evaluation service, then you'll have toplan especially early. These services typically take about seven business days after receiving your documents. You might start the process about a month before your deadlines to make sure everything arrives in time. In addition to your grades, your SAT or ACT scores are another important part of your college application. Below we'll take a closer look at thestandardized testing partof your college applications. Schools may be very different from one another,so standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are usedto bridge the gap. SAT or ACT Scores For most four-year U.S. colleges, your SAT or ACT scores are an important part of your candidacy. Colleges consider both tests equally, so it’s up to you to decide which one you’d rather take. Some colleges additionally require SAT Subject Tests, though they usually waive this requirement if you send ACT scores. While you can self-report your scores on your application, you’ll need to send official score reports via your College Board (for the SAT) or ACT, Inc (for the ACT) accounts. If you send multiple score reports, many colleges will â€Å"superscore† your results, or take your highest scores by section and recombine them into the highest possible composite score. The SAT and ACT require lots of prep and planning, and we have tons of resources to help you achieve your target scores. For now, let’s go over a few of the most important tips for planning for these important tests. Tips for the SAT and ACT The SAT and ACT are challenging tests, and both require a lot of prep to do well. To start your planning, you first need to decide which test to take. Familiarize yourself with their similarities and differences, and choose the one on which you can gain the higher score. Then, you canset a goal for yourself. Determine your target scores based on personal goals and your colleges’ expectations. Most colleges publicize the average SAT or ACT scores of accepted students, and you can also find this information on PrepScholar’s database of schools by searching for "name of college + PrepScholar."Once you know the average, you can aim for an even stronger score to be a competitive candidate. You might start your prep with a timed practice test to gauge your current scoring level and diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. Depending on how much you seek to improve, you can figure out how long you need to study. A score improvement of only 30 points on the SAT may just call for about 20 hours of studying, for example, while a score improvement of a few hundred points could require over 150 hours. Lots of students take the SAT or ACTmore than once to achieve their target scores. As mentioned above, many colleges superscore your results,so you don’t have to worry about increasing your score in one section but decreasing in another. If retaking the SAT or ACT is in your plans, then you’ll need to leave yourself enough opportunities to retest. You might take the SAT or ACT for the first time in your sophomore year. That way, you can take it again as a junior, and even in the fall of senior year if you seek improvement. Your SAT and ACT scores show that you have the academic skills to succeed at the college level. If you’re a non-native English speaker, then you may also have to take the TOEFL to demonstrate that you have college-ready English language skills. Hope you're feeling chatty! The TOEFL will get you speaking in English. TOEFL Scores If your native language is something other than English, then you may have to take the TOEFL (or its counterpart, the IELTS) to demonstrate your English language proficiency. Unlike the SAT or ACT, the TOEFL is computer-based in most countries. Its scoring scale ranges from 0 to 120, and it tests your Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills. Many schools require a minimum TOEFL score. If you don’t have the requisite TOEFL scores, then the rest of your application doesn’t matter! The TOEFL is definitely a test to be taken seriously if you want to study at a U.S. college. Like the SAT or ACT, you could take the TOEFL more than once to achieve your target scores. Here are just a few examples of colleges with a TOEFL requirement. The TOEFL iBT is the internet-based test; the less common TOEFL PBT is the paper-based test, and its scoring scale ranges from 310 to 677. College TOEFL iBT TOEFL PBT American University 100 600 Boston University 95 550-600 Harvard 100 600 Northeastern 79-80 550 Penn State 90 550 UCLA 87 560 A few schools will waive the TOEFL requirement if you achieve a minimum score on the verbal sections of the SAT or ACT. Because these sections require strong English skills, they can sometimes act as a stand-in for the TOEFL. As with every other part of your application, you’ll need to research each college of interest to learn about its stance and plan accordingly. Below you’ll find a few more tips for planning for the TOEFL. Tips for the TOEFL As an international student, you may have the double challenge of prepping for the both the SAT or ACT and the TOEFL. You’ll have to set aside time to study for both tests and arrange a testing schedule that works for you. Like the SAT or ACT, you may want to start studying at least three months before your first test date. Set aside several hours each week to review with high-quality practice materials and take practice tests. The earlier you start, the more available test dates you’ll have to retake the TOEFL if need be. If you have strong language skills early in high school, then you might consider taking the TOEFL in 9th or 10th grade. Then you can devote even more timeto other tests and application components. If you wait until later in your high school career, then you should take the time to devise a study plan that balances your time between both the TOEFL and the SAT (or ACT). In addition to your grades and test scores, admissions officers are also interested in learning more about you as a person. One way that they accomplishthis is by reading your personal essay. Your college essay can be about whatever you want! This one about the megastore, Costco, got its writer into five Ivy League schools. College Essays Many 4-year colleges claim to use a holistic admissions process, in which they consider not just your grades and test scores, but also your personal qualities and motivations. One way that they get to know you as a person is through your personal essay. In your personal essay, you’ll typically be asked to reflect on a meaningful experience in your life and how it shaped your identity. What you choose to write about should reveal something significant about your values, and your essay as a whole will show your writing style and thought process. If you use the Common Application to apply to colleges, then you’ll choose one of five prompts for your essay. Here are just three examples of Common Application essay prompts: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. As you can see, the essay prompts ask you to share something personal and meaningful. Schools that don’t use the Common Application will likely have their own essay prompt. They might look similar to the ones above or simply ask why you want to attend the college and to describe some of your future goals. Some colleges, especially the more selective ones, will ask additional supplemental essay questions. These are shorter in length, perhaps a few paragraphs or less, and vary by school. They might ask why you want to attend the school or to talk about a favorite book or artist. Some are abstract, like Tufts’ question, â€Å"What makes you happy?† Others are kind of random, like the University of Virginia’s recent prompt, â€Å"To tweet or not to tweet?† Whatever the supplemental questions, they vary by college and should not be overlooked. Below you’ll find a few tips for writing your college essays. Tips for Your College Essays The college essay is a unique piece of writing. It requires you to be introspective and to share something that’s meaningful to you on a personal level. The best essays tend to zero in on a particular experience that reveals something significant about the writer’s identity. The personal essay’s a challenging assignment, so you should give yourself several months to work on it. You might take several weeks to brainstorm the right topic. Once you come up with a draft, you might share with teachers, friends, and families for feedback. Ultimately, though, the essay should be in your voice and stay true to who you are. As an international student, you may be able to bring unique multicultural experiences or language skills to campus. Your essay’s a great opportunity to share your perspective and show admissions officers why it should be represented on campus. Supplemental essays, while not as lengthy as the personal essay, are also an important part of your application. Probably the most common mistake that students make with supplemental essays is rushing through them and producing generic answers. Your supplemental essays should be specific and customized to each school.They’re typically an opportunity for you to show what you know about the college and your particular reasons for wanting to attend. While admissions officers learn about you from your personal essays, they also get to know you through your recommendation letters. Rather than hearing your voice, they hear what your teachers and/or counselor have to say about you. Ask a teacher who's happy to paint a flattering picture of you in her letter of recommendation. Letters of Recommendation The final important piece of your college applications isyour letters of recommendation. Requirements for reference letters vary; some colleges don’t ask for any, while others ask for one, two, or even three. Usually, colleges want to see one or two recommendations from teachers and one from your school counselor. If you don’t have a counselor, then you might get one from a principal or other administrator. You’ll choose your recommenders and ask them if they’d be willing to provide you with a recommendation. Then you’ll invite them to submit their letters through your online application. Your recommendation letters should speak to both your academic and personal qualities. Like your essays and the rest of your application, they should give admissions officers insight into your strengths and skills as a student, as well as your personality and character. In addition to our in-depth guides on recommendation letters for college, you’ll find a few tips below. Tips for Your Letters of Recommendation Just as you should give yourself plenty of time to write your college essay, you should give your recommenders sufficienttime to write your letters. You should ask your recommenders at least one month before your deadlines. You might also ask at the end of junior year. It’s best to ask teachers who had you recently and for a whole year; junior year teachers tend to be a good bet. If your teachers write in another language, then you’ll have to get your letters translated. The best letters come from educators who know you well, so you should ask teachers with whom you have a strong connection. You might also share your own thoughts and ideas via conversation and a â€Å"brag sheet,† a document you can prepare to help your teachers. You couldtalk aboutyour favorite classes, significant experiences, and academic and personal goals for college. For many colleges, your recommendation letters are a very important part of your college application. Admissions officers are sifting through many strong applicants and trying to gain a clearer idea of who you are as a person. Your recommendation letters are a great opportunity to showcase your positive relationships with your teachers and successes in school. Now that we’ve gone over the main parts of your college application - the application itself, transcript, standardized testing scores, essays, and letters of recommendation - let’s consider some final tips for applying to college as an international student. Keep these final tips in mind as you make plans togrow academically and personally at a U.S. college. Applying to College as an International Student: 3 Final Tips Applying to college is a complex process, and it becomes even more complicated for international college students due to additional steps, like taking the TOEFL and having your materials translated and certified. By familiarizing yourself with the entire process, you can make sure that you have enough time to prepare all your materials by the deadline. With this knowledge, you can produce a competitive application that will secure you a spot at a U.S. college. As you work your way through the steps, remember these three key tips. 1. Don’t Underestimate the SAT/ACT or TOEFL Doing well on standardized tests is important for all college applicants, and it becomes even more significant for international students in the USA. The TOEFL shows admissions officers that you have the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to succeed in college-level classes. The SAT and ACT, furthermore, show your academic skills and college readiness. These tests are meant to measure students on a level playing field, regardless of differences in individual high schools and curriculum (though of course, how well they do this is a matter of debate). Admissions officers may be unfamiliar with your school abroad, so they especially rely on these test scores to make sure you have college-ready skills. As discussed above, you should set aside several months to prep for each test and leave yourself additional test dates if you want to retest and achieve your target scores. If your sights are set on a U.S. college, then make sure you have the SAT or ACT and TOEFL scores to compete with other applicants. 2. Remember that Many Colleges Use a Holistic Process While test scores are important, remember that they’re not the only part of your application. Many colleges use a holistic process to admit students, in which they consider your personal qualities and impact in your school community. Admissions officers want to learn about your interests and pursuits in and out of school. They’re interested in your extracurricular involvements and any leadership positions. They want to see if you’ve done community service, volunteered, or worked a part-time or summer job. They also gain a sense of your role in your school community through your letters of recommendation. Admissions officers tend to be more impressed by deep involvement in a few areas than scattered participation in many areas. You might keep this in mind as you move through high school and choose your activities, as well as when you describe your involvements on your application. Ultimately, applying to college requires a lot of self-reflection about your identity and goals for the future. Think about what’s important to you and what you hope to achieve. Then, reflect this self-awareness through your essays and application as a whole. 3. Plan Early! Finally, the importance of planning early cannot be emphasized enough! There are a lot of moving parts that go into a college application, and none of them can be completed in a short time frame. Admissions officers are interested in all four years of high school, so planning early willhelp you make informed choices about your courses and involvements. For instance, you should try to challenge yourself in one or more upper-level classes and stick with an activity or two throughout your time in high school. Follow your interests and you may have a sense of what subject you’d like to choose as your major once you arrive at college. In the end, you college application will tell a story to admissions officers about your high school experience and identity. By planning early, you can make the most of these years with a goal-oriented, proactive mindset. All of your hard work will pay off when you send off a great college application that gets you accepted into your dream school! What’s Next? Are you figuring out where to apply to college? This guide will help you research colleges and find the best ones for you. Will you be taking the TOEFL and the SAT? Check out this comprehensive guide to learn about the TOEFL and SAT and how to prepare for both. Are you getting ready for the SAT? To help you prepare, we’ve compiled our best articles in the Ultimate Study Guide for the SAT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Mid term number one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Mid term number one - Essay Example He is the greatest combatant and fighter among the Achaeans. He is invincible because his mother, who is a goddess, dipped him in the River Styx when he was a baby. His only weak spot is his heel, which is vulnerable to any weapon (Pope). Achilles possesses a powerful awareness of communal responsibility, which initially is obvious in his apprehension for the chaos and disarray in the Achaean camp. A lethal disease is killing the soldiers, and Achilles is determined to find out why this is happening. The king, Agamemnon is doing nothing for the soldiers, so Achilles is determined to do something to help the soldiers. He orders the entire army to convene, which is against the order of the set of rules because the king is the only person authorized to assemble the army. Achilles determination to bring order in the Achaean camp is only successful to a degree, because he discovers the reason for the plague is the king himself who is responsible for the death of hundreds of soldiers. Apol lo eventually ends the plague, and Achilles pulls out his troops from the Achaean army, even after which, order does not return to the Achaeans (Pope). Although, both Achilles and Agamemnon share a common responsibility for the plague, Achilles shows ill-temper and is quarrelsome which diminishes the little bit of goodwill that does exist. Achilles is very angry that Agamemnon takes all the best war prices, although he does not fight on the battlefield to earn these prizes. In his anger, he tries to kill the king, but is prevented from doing so by the Goddess Athena (Pope). Achilles is justified in leaving the Achaean army because the king demanded and took the maiden Briseis, who is Achilles’ war prize. Achilles feels that this is an insult to him personally and can be compared to the kidnapping of Helen. He feels himself to be in the same situation as Menelos, and he thinks he is within his right as was the war against the Trojans. Although, Agamemnon tries to placate Achil les by returning Briseis along with other gifts, Achilles is still angry which shows that one of his major character flaws is his extreme and unnecessary pride. Achilles believes that the gifts offered by the king do not compensate for the offense that he has suffered, added to the fact that the kind had previously taken back given gifts, and he could do so again. Therefore, Achilles believes that the king is not sincere about his promise of more gifts. The relationship with the gods is unusual in the context because his mother was a goddess and his father a mere mortal. It is also unusual river god attempts to drown Achilles for his hatred of all Trojans and the desecration of their corpses’ by denying them burial rites as he did to Hector. It is important to note that that the River god is the only god that wants to punish him, but later the other gods also regards Achilles in the same manner as the river god because of his excesses against the Trojans. The River god wants to deny Achilles the rites of Greek burial and tries to smoother him in a deluge of mud. The Greek warriors regard Achilles as the most important combatant against the Trojans, and his sulking affects them as they depend upon him to lead them to achieve victory. When Achilles is sulking or in a bad mood,

Comparing and contrasing web and class learning Essay

Comparing and contrasing web and class learning - Essay Example It does not require the student to go to the school and attend regular classes, but it is done in one’s own comfort and one can gain much intellectually. This form of learning involves use of computer supported learning, virtual and also digital teamwork. The topic in the discussion is then transferred to the internet, privately owned computer network, extranet, CD-ROM, audio and videotape, and via satellite television (Prunuske, 2012). It is crucial to those who have no time to move from different places. It is an expedient way of training and learning. It is good for those who have a job to hold them during the day and still want to pursue their studies. This is because they can freely study from home after work or any time they are free without the pressure of attending classes. It is student focused form of training and learning. It authorizes all types of learners to get access the superlative materials, learning and referral resources, tutoring and teaching lessons from the instructors. In addition, with this program, no student is left out of the topic when he is willing either at home or even in hospitals. It just involves clicking into the internet (Prunuske, 2012, p. 14). This gives a chance to the learner to study any subject that he wills to. It does not matter where the instructor is located. It is also cheaper than regular learning therefore it is the best study method for those who are not financially stable. Classroom learning is the type of learning where students have to attend a place or a room selected for learning purposes. It is therefore very important for the learner to ensure that he is punctual with the lessons to ensure that they move together with the tutor and other students. It requires a lot of attention and concentration. It is the most used method by a large number of students especially where the technology level is low (Prunuske, 2012). The web learners will have time for

Future Factors associated with Combined Operations Essay

Future Factors associated with Combined Operations - Essay Example The efficiency of a combined arms operations is partially, if not entirely, dependent on the present and futuristic power of weaponry. This is a significant influence of the choice of methods that we implement in crushing the enemy. The ideal purpose of combined operations is to bring the joint groups together through a huge focused explosion of quick operations in selective segments. The nature of the hierarchy of the command and control over an opponent assist in creating conducive conditions to war success. It is of profound importance to give priority to the development and methodology of command systems and control due to it being the most feasible way of raising combat power and efficiency. "Improving preparation and training standards for command and control agencies on the operational level involves the resolution of a number of other complex problems arising from the command and control target per se, the diversity and dynamics of its internal and external connections, the continual structural development of the Armed Forces, the composition and functions of certain sub-systems, the substantial changes in the nature and methods of combat, the evolution of new means of warfare, a considerable expansion in the sphere of information warfare, and the need for close interaction with the formations of other military, law enforcement, security, and intelligence structures (Thefreelibrary, 2005)". Definition of capability objectives The authoritative guidelines are formed using these objectives resulting is a top-down approach. The emphasis then lies on those capabilities of a 3C that enable war combating and support missions. Strategy, Mission, Function and C3 are the four levels of capability levels. These objectives are derived from linking policy and military strategy, military requirements, forces and doctrine, and threat together for a common goal. Maintenance of standard with operations strategy concepts, mirroring of operational priorities and the weighing of overall performance can be done using this approach. The primary advantage of implementing system compatibility is to simplify the essential elements of communications. "There are schematics published that have implemented recommendations for C3 systems that could be procured. They produce implementation plans for a survivable, cost-effective capability that reflects the U.S. and allied missions and functions required to perform combined operations (Maurer, 1994)." In the uncertain environment of coalition operations, the information flow might be more confusing and difficult to winnow because of lack of familiarity and trust, cultural biases, and language barriers (Maurer 1994).

Organization behavior Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organization behavior - Case Study Example This is caused by the fact that people have different attitudes and different motivations in their endeavors. For instance, in this case, it can be argued that the two managers have different attitudes towards people. There are many learning theories such as behaviorism and humanism. Behaviorism for instance argues that people learn based on stimuli. If a person knows that his actions will cost them, they are likely to refrain from these actions. Other theories of learning articulate that individuals learn as a way of making their own knowledge. In the above case, it seems that Susan is a behaviorist and believes that if Don is made to suffer from his actions, he will change his bad behavior. On the other hand, Bob seems to subscribe to humanism as a theory of learning. As such, he believes that if given the right resources, Don will learn in order to meet his needs. Employees expect to be rewarded for their hard work and their contribution to the firm. Sometimes employees can contribute more to the firm than is required by their employment agreement. This is what Jackie has been doing because she has been going beyond her expected outcomes. However, in most cases, when the employees do this, they also expect the employer to go beyond his formal responsibilities when rewarding them. This passive agreement between the employer and the employee is called psychological contract and if one side breaches it, the other will feel demotivated. In this case, Steelfab Corp has failed to honor its side of the psychological contract with Jackie. To remedy this, Steelfab Corp must be able to meet its side of the psychological contract by rewarding her more for the work she is doing. This can be achieved by having a performance-based work environment where employees will be rewarded not based on how close they are to the seniors but in accordance to their con tribution to the firm. Amy should have assigned her a job description with proper roles. This could have

McDonalds in Cameroon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

McDonalds in Cameroon - Essay Example This essay discusses the issue of possibility to set up McDonalds in Cameroon, that is a country in Central Africa. The researcher describes the topic in five parts of the essay. It begins with an introduction of McDonalds, and then the Cameroon country itself. The researcher also analyzes the size of market of Cameroon that will likely follow or not follow the new product in the Cameroonian market. The third part of the essay will not only research on social and cultural acceptance of McDonald’s products, but also gives the required adaptations that would be necessary to begin with. The fourth part contains details on the legal and bureaucratic factors that include taxation, local manufacture, and imports. The essay ends with some recommendations concerning the project, and cite sweeping conclusions. In conclusion, the researcher analyzes the constant social revolutions in the Cameroonians and cases that include the improved health-awareness of humanity. In the long term, key menu diversification needs to include new and healthy foods could be termed as necessary if McDonalds looks forward to their customers to enjoy their foodstuff with clear principles. The fact that McDonald’s begins to vend fresh fruit with the traditional Happy Meal is a leading step towards a menu more appropriate to the changed surroundings, especially important to Central Africa region. The researcher hopes, that some of his recommendations can certainly help McDonalds to set up in Cameroon without any opposition.

Organization behavior Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organization behavior - Case Study Example This is caused by the fact that people have different attitudes and different motivations in their endeavors. For instance, in this case, it can be argued that the two managers have different attitudes towards people. There are many learning theories such as behaviorism and humanism. Behaviorism for instance argues that people learn based on stimuli. If a person knows that his actions will cost them, they are likely to refrain from these actions. Other theories of learning articulate that individuals learn as a way of making their own knowledge. In the above case, it seems that Susan is a behaviorist and believes that if Don is made to suffer from his actions, he will change his bad behavior. On the other hand, Bob seems to subscribe to humanism as a theory of learning. As such, he believes that if given the right resources, Don will learn in order to meet his needs. Employees expect to be rewarded for their hard work and their contribution to the firm. Sometimes employees can contribute more to the firm than is required by their employment agreement. This is what Jackie has been doing because she has been going beyond her expected outcomes. However, in most cases, when the employees do this, they also expect the employer to go beyond his formal responsibilities when rewarding them. This passive agreement between the employer and the employee is called psychological contract and if one side breaches it, the other will feel demotivated. In this case, Steelfab Corp has failed to honor its side of the psychological contract with Jackie. To remedy this, Steelfab Corp must be able to meet its side of the psychological contract by rewarding her more for the work she is doing. This can be achieved by having a performance-based work environment where employees will be rewarded not based on how close they are to the seniors but in accordance to their con tribution to the firm. Amy should have assigned her a job description with proper roles. This could have

Dining experience in a New York Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Dining experience in a New York - Essay Example The examination of Ninja New York is one which goes a step further with the services provided, not only for the taste and expectations in quality. This is furthered with creating a story behind the operations and management while displaying alternatives within the industry for those that are interested in the food and beverages. Examining how this particular operation has worked and the results which have occurred provide opportunities with those who are providing services in restaurants while examining challenges that this also creates. Analysis of Ninja New York The basis of Ninja New York immediately moves outside of the competition by creating a myth behind the food and beverages provided. The basis of this is to show a myth that is related to the ninjas in ancient civilization practicing until they found a secret and mythical village where they began to create magical and secret recipes. This main story line is able to build the main identity of the food and the approaches which are taken in the restaurant toward the food. The result is that the myth immediately creates a sense of curiosity and mystery toward the products provided while developing a brand image that stands ahead of other competitors that are also offering Eastern foods. The myth that is a part of this follows the understanding that the Ninja restaurant was already a part of Japan then was brought to New York. The result is the ability to create an atmosphere with the Japanese style of food. The restaurant does this by dividing the sections with the Ninja Village and the Rock Burn dining. This follows with the myth of the ninja, specifically with not making a mistake with the food otherwise one goes into the ninja chamber. These areas are designed specifically with the myth intact and to create an understanding of ancient Japan and how this relates to the food and beverages which are served. By doing this, there is an immediate expectation toward the quality of the food and the mystery whic h the restaurant has created behind this. The overall atmosphere which is created with Ninja New York follows with the expectations by the operations management to continue to create the atmosphere with the food and beverages as well as the presentation which one has. The training includes acting and moving like a ninja while serving others the food. There is also a training to study the menu ingredients, specifically because of the relationship to Japan that is created. The ninja food that is a part of the restaurant is based on having high quality food brought from Japan and which holds the same mystery and myth of the ninja concepts. The concepts include desserts, such as Ninja Art Desserts, including bonsai plants. The food and beverage continues with the right presentation and with being interactive, allowing the customers to move into the theme of the ninja arts through the food they are eating. For example, a dish made with crab and grapefruit has a sword in the middle. When this is pulled out, dry ice is released to make smoke. The ideas come from proposing creative ideas that move into the theme of the ninja, specifically which moves into the menu through a contest. The result is that the servers and chefs are able to become a part of the restaurant with the development of the food and

It is difficult for the reader Essay Example for Free

It is difficult for the reader Essay This Boys Life, set in America in the 1950’s, is a compelling memoir by Tobias Wolff, whom recreates the frustrations and cruelties faced throughout his adolescence, as he fights for identity and self-respect. During this period of time, America underwent major changes in the political and economic spheres, which in turn were responsible for its social makeover. Society in this time was geared toward family; marriage and children being part of the national agenda. The 1950’s was also an age of male dominance, where even if women worked, their assumed proper place was at home. Throughout the memoir, the protagonist, young Jack Wolff, makes it difficult for the reader to feel much affection towards him, as his actions prove to be troublesome and unruly. However, as the memoir progresses, Jacks struggle reveal the reasons for his actions which sequentially shape his character, providing the readers with understanding and sympathy towards his inexorable situation. The fraudulent lies and deceitful ways of Jack can be frustrating upon the reader; though we come to realise that he does this in order to be accepted by the people around him. Jack also engages in fights  and unfaithfully betrays his best friend Arthur, although it becomes evident that he only does this in order to gain Dwight’s approval of him. The lack of a real father figure in Jack’s life has a profound impact on him and his desperate attempt to develop his identity, which further supports the readers’ emotions of sympathy towards him. Jack lies relentlessly in order to escape the grim circumstances of his childhood. His life is fuelled with emotional neglect and verbal abuse; Dwight, his indignant step father, being the foremost cause. He desires of transforming himself into the person that he truly  wants to be; an image he believes will help him to belong and to be happy. The lies he tells are a constant source of comfort for him, as he relies on them to provide stability and hope in his otherwise unstable life. â€Å"I couldn’t help but try to introduce new versions of myself as my interests changed, and as other versions failed to persuade†, demonstrates an essential part of Jack’s character, as he lies in order to fit in. His identity would change with the different people he met, in order to meet their expectations of him and to obtain their acceptance. This  greatly contributes to the sympathy felt for Jack, as he renders the reality that he finds so difficult to accept as a young boy. Among many other lies throughout the memoir, Jack has the intention of creating a new identity for himself. â€Å"It was truth known only to me, but I believed in it more than I believed in the facts arrayed against it. I believed that in some sense not factually verifiable I was a straight-A student†. At this point, Jack takes his re-creation of identity to a new level. Jack is completely aware of what he is doing, although he does not stop. His incessant lies and then believing that they are the actual truth continuously reoccur throughout the memoir. This serves to show his insecurity of who he was, and his imprudent belief that he had the ability to become something better than what he was. Jacks fabricated attempts to re-create â€Å"new versions† of himself, reveal his instinctive lying nature, thus contributing to the annoyance the readers occasionally feel towards him. However, it becomes clear that Jack is confused; he wants to belong. This misperception, and yearn to fit in explicates why feelings of sympathy by the readers towards Jack are inevitable. Jack is forced to live with his violent stepfather Dwight. Dwight cruelly exercises authority over Jack, in order to create a sense of dominance over him â€Å"Dwight would dump a pile of nuts on the floor of the utility room and put me to work with a knife and pair of pliers until he judged that I’d done enough for the night†. Because of this, Jack is determined to prove to Dwight, himself and the reader that he is not the person Dwight defines him as. Jack is not hurt by Dwight’s accusations that he is a thief and liar because â€Å"I did not see myself that way†. However, when Dwight calls Jack a sissy, Jack thinks of Arthur, who is his best  friend and the biggest â€Å"sissy† in school, and remembers how the word sparked the fight between him and Arthur. Dwight treated Jack differently for a few days; with certain deference â€Å"Dwight took the calls and explained that the papers had been ruined in a fight, adding that his boy Jack hung a real shiner on the Gayle kid. † This was the only time he expressed a genuine interest in Jack that bordered on admiration, rather than disgust. Dwight was always associated with hatred and negativity, but because of this certain deference after he fought, Jack felt a certain connection to him as a father figure. He felt as though he finally impressed Dwight, and even felt loved because of Dwight’s respect towards him. This discloses that Dwight’s actions had significant influence over Jack, as he continued to engage in these violent fights, in order to demonstrate his masculinity to Dwight. Jacks violent nature is driven by his belief that he has to prove his masculinity to Dwight. This attests annoyance within the reader; as Jack claims he â€Å"defined myself in opposition to him†, he ironically shares the traits of Dwight, such as violence and his desire to be regarded as powerful and masculine. However, Dwight’s deference towards Jack after he fought contrastingly draws sympathy for Jack from the readers, as it reveals his desire to belong; his desire to be loved. Jack’s friendship with Arthur plays a significant role in the re-creation of his identity. Arthur was recognised as a â€Å"notorious sissy†, and because of this Jack worried of the social implications it would consequently have on him by being friends with Arthur. â€Å"To put myself in the clear I habitually mocked Arthur, always behind his back, imitating his speech and way of walking, even betraying his secrets†, demonstrates Jacks desperation to acquire acceptance  from others, even if it meant denying a part of himself- a friendship- that actually made him happy at times â€Å"but I had withheld my friendship, because I was afraid of what it would cost me†. Jacks betrayal of Arthur imparts anger in the reader, as he attempts to impress people who are not his real friends. However his confused identity and lack of self-confidence justify his disloyal actions, particularly because of the circumstances he was faced with at such a young age. Parental neglect plays an important role throughout the memoir. This is first evident in  the text when Jack says â€Å"after all, he was in Connecticut and we were in Utah†, signifying the substantial physical and emotional distance between his birth father and himself. Fathers play an important role in their child’s upbringing and development. Due to this lacking in Jacks life, the responsibilities of growing up prove to be difficult for him, evident through his confused identity and troublesome ways. Furthermore, Rosemary’s ex-husband Roy plays a significant role in shaping the way Jack thinks and reasons, particularly from such a young and susceptible age. â€Å"I thought Roy was what a man should be†, reveals Jack’s naivety at  such a young age; as Roy, abusive and indignant, was in fact the complete opposite of â€Å"what a man should be†. Wolff is once again faced with a man, Dwight, who abuses him and sets a terrible example for him. His violent nature plays a major part in Jack’s development, which ultimately forms his identity. Dwight’s actions have such an influence that â€Å"Jack† writes about Dwight’s voice being ever-present in his head and own voice, even as an adult; even as a father. â€Å"I hear his voice in my own when I speak to my children in anger†. The sympathy felt by the readers for Jack is inevitable, as his brutal childhood is left with him for the rest of  his life. Although Jack makes it difficult for the reader to feel much affection towards him on some occasions, the abusive, neglectful and violent experiences he is confronted with at such a young and vulnerable age conveys a sense of understanding, which in turn rouse feelings of sympathy towards young Wolff. Jack lies constantly; whenever he is presented with the opportunity to. This frustrates the reader is some instances. Generally though, reasons for this are understandable, such as his confused identity due to the violent and emotionally unstable life he lives. The violent fights he associates himself with, and the betrayal of his  Ã¢â‚¬Å"best-friend† Arthur, leave the readers in a position to question whether his motives can be justifiable. However, these fights and betrayal are a reflection of his desire to be accepted by others, and the masculine, powerful man Dwight’s expects him to be. The lack of a real father figure largely affects Jack and all aspects of his character, from his deceitful ways, to his violent involvement in fights. Because of this, compassion and sympathy prevails over the occasional frustration felt towards Jack by the readers. In supposition, Jack is a helpless child seeking a happy life; an identity he is truly happy with.

The Local Tourism Industry In Botswana Tourism Essay

The Local Tourism Industry In Botswana Tourism Essay 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND TO RESEARCH Botswana is a relatively small country located in Southern Africa, sandwiched between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. A landlocked country, however what it lacks in coastline, it more than makes up for in tourist attractions that have pulled in visitors from across the world. Known mostly for the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and its Bushmen, and the numerous wildlife sanctuaries and parks that are a host to numerous endangered species. With a population of approximately 1.8 million people, mostly Setswana speaking, it has enjoyed 40 years of independence and gained its reputation as one of the fastest developing nations since, transforming itself from one of the poorest in the world, to a middle economy country. These great achievements have propelled Botswana into recognition as one of the most politically and economically stable in Africa. For a long time, Botswanas economy has been heavily dependent on the mining industry, boasting over 75% of the countrys export earnings. Although the country is also rich in copper, nickel and gold, diamonds are the most profitable. They were first discovered in the late 1960s, and since, the industry has flourished and established itself as the worlds largest producer of gem-quality diamonds. This industry is in no doubt responsible for assisting in and facilitating the speedy development of the country. Other key sectors include the agricultural industry (exporting quality beef), textile and livestock industries, exporting quality beef. One of the most important objectives of government policy towards achieving its Vision 2016 is the diversification of the economy away from dependence on the mining sector. In recent years, the growing tourism industry has proven itself as a significant contributor to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic growth. With the countrys competitive advantage of its vast natural resources and offerings, it is automatically put it in a position where it can prosper not just regionally, but internationally as well. This growth and prosperity can be attributed to initiatives taken by the government in order to boost and improve the industry. Various strategies and policies have been implemented to try and spur private investment. It has initiated campaigns for the development and improvement of the facilities in the National and wildlife parks in order to preserve the environment and its ecosystems. Foreign investment is encouraged, although only if those wishing to do so conduct joint ventures with the citizens, to promote their involvement in the development of the industry. They introduced a policy which allowed both foreign and local investors in tourism, among other selected sectors, to receive grants from the Government, clearly gave a boost to investment in tourism All these developments have led to an increase in international visitors which in turn has led to an increase in the need for accommodation, and therefore an increase in the building of hotels and lodges. Extracted from FDI AND TOURISM: THE DEVELOPMENT DIMENSION, EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA. A United Nations Case Study 2003 The hotels that have been established are both locally and internationally owned, however research reveals that ownership is dominated by international companies and individuals. The most popular of these hotels are; Sun International (a South African franchise), Cresta Hotels (another South African franchise belonging to the TA Group), The Grand Palm and Mondior Summit (a member of the South African Mondior Company). In an ideal environment, it would have been the other way around, with industrial control fully domestic instead of dependent on foreign aid. The drawbacks of having an unbalanced ownership scale (or one that is not heavily domestic) in the tourism industry, include loosing vital revenues collected to foreigners and the inability of complete revenue maximization by the government and the citizens. The presence of these multinational hotel chains is evidence that the initiatives taken by the government to boost the industry are effective. However, only to a limited extent because in order for the industry to survive, they have to allow foreign investors to participate but this is pushing the industry into the hands of these foreigners and away from those who can benefit from it the most; the citizens. With this proposal, I intend to find out if there is a relationship between the large internationally owned hotels and lodges and the significantly smaller locally owned ones. 1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM The tourism industry in Botswana is still in its growth phase, with government programs dedicated to the upgrading and development of the areas that attract most tourists. The hotel industry is one that has seen considerable growth in relation to the governments policy. In order to help expand this industry, the government has favored foreign investment and made it easier for foreigners to invest on a long term basis with political and economic stability providing an ideal investment climate. As a result, the hospitality and accommodation sectors have seen numerous international hotels, lodges and hotel chains set up around the country. Although significant for a maturing industry, the abundance of internationally owned and operated establishments signals an inequality in the ownership when compared to the locally operated establishments. The industry is dominated by foreign proprietors and it seems they are overpowering local entrepreneurship. The irony of the situation is that in order for tourists to experience the genuine Setswana environment, they would have to place themselves in an atmosphere that would reflect the true Setswana lifestyle, and that is more than often found in a locally owned establishment. The success of these international hotels is testament to numerous situations, such as: the local hotels arent performing to meet the standards of the tourists Most of the internationally operated hotels around Botswana can be classified as 5star, and for the economically well-off visitor, luxury and comfort may play a larger role than experiencing the Setswana lifestyle in choosing where to stay. There is also a level of quality that can be expected when dealing with an internationally established and world renowned hotel that may cause visitors to automatically opt for it instead of trying out a local hotel. This is not to suggest that the local hotels are not up to par, but the unfortunately the reputation of an international hotel, far exceeds that of a local one. the tourists are not aware of their services As more and more of the world business is turning electronic, i.e over the internet, more and more tourists rely on the internet to inform them on where to stay, and the use of the travel agent as an intermediary between the hotel and the tourist is slowly becoming obsolete. It has taken a little bit longer for some businesses to realize the importance of the internet as a marketing tool, and its ability to help them reach out to potential customers. Many hotels have not yet come to this realization and it is this way that they missing out on opportunities by failing to expose themselves to a wider audience. Advertising plays an important role in determining the success or failure of a company and if it fails to run an effective marketing scheme then it will receive limited responses. Either of these situations results in loss of revenue for the local hospitality and accommodation sector and all those involved. These consequences have a long term domino effect, where one situation triggers the other, or one situation is the direct or indirect consequence of another. Such as: Managerial positions are dominated by foreigners The only posts reserved for locals are those with lower salaries General failure of the industry to contribute to the development of the local community and the eradication of poverty. 1.2.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT The local tourism market in Botswana is saturated by large foreign owned hotels and this is pushing the locally owned ones into the background. 1.2.2 RESEARCH QUESTION The purpose of this research proposal is to answer the question: What is the impact of the international hotel giants on the local accommodation and hospitality market? My intention is conduct a qualitative study by interviewing local entrepreneurs to get an in-depth and personal opinion on the role that these hotel giants play in the industry. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess the impact that international hotel franchises have on the local hospitality and accommodation market in Botswana. This study can be broken down into categories that when concluded, should give a clear understanding of the above mentioned issue. To recognize the relationship between the abundance of the internationally operated hotels and lodges and the scarcity of locally owned ones. To determine the impact that these international giants on the local hotels. To examine the repercussions that the international hotel chains have on the local tourism industry. To develop research in this area in order to recognize how the current situation can be overcome. 1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF RESEARCH The reason I have chosen this particular topic is because the tourism industry in Botswana is rapidly becoming a vital contributor to the countrys GDP, as the need for economic diversification away from the mining industry becomes more urgent. As a vital part of the economy, it is important that the public be aware of all aspects that contribute to its growth. By creating public awareness on how the local market is influenced by these foreign giants, it is my hope that they will take initiatives to be more supportive and more participative in the industry. Another reason for pursuing this topic is because research previously conducted has been limited and non specific, . . . à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ . RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The primary purpose of this research is to find out if and how the local entrepreneurs business has been affected by the international hotel chains. What I want find out is the experience, opinion and feelings of these entrepreneurs towards these hotels. The best way to collect this data would be through conducting an interview, specifically a structured interview. I chose this method because: It allows for me to investigate the thoughts, views, assumption, feelings, attitudes and perceptions of the interviewee which cannot be provided by any other method of data collection. It allows me to ask more complex questions and also the ability to validate the data as I collect it, which improves the overall quality of the data. Due to geographic constraints, my interviews are going to have to be conducted over the phone. The advantages of telephone interview include: More freedom for the interviewee because they are not under pressure from a face-to-face scenario, therefore the interviewee feels more comfortable. This also means that their responses will be more honest and open. SAMPLE SIZE I intend to interview a total of ten local businesses located all around the country, in order to determine whether it is a national or just localized phenomenon. I want to find out the opinion of the businessman and woman in all tourist attractions around Botswana to establish whether their view is universal. PROJECT OUTLINE Chapter 1 Introduction This starts with a brief description of Botswanas economic history and the contribution that the tourism industry is making towards it. The Research Problem describes how the introduction of International hotels signifies the growth of the industry but that may be at the expense of the local entrepreneurs. Therefore it is my responsibility with this project to find out exactly how these hotels have affected local businesses and to achieve this, I will conduct interview with ten of these businessmen and women. Chapter 2 Literature Review The exploration and analysis of secondary data procured over the internet. I will study journals related to or contributing to the topic, in order to find out the significance of my research. Chapter 3 Research Framework This is an in-depth analysis of the method of data collection, sample sizes and distribution in order to inform the reader on every step of primary data collection process. 1.7 DELIMITATIONS OF SCOPE The scope of this research is limited to local entrepreneurs in the accommodation and hospitality industry in Botswana, although only those involved in the operation of hotels, lodges or guest houses. The aim of this research is to solicit their opinion on the effect that the international hotel giants have on their businesses with the assumption is that they have all been affected either in a good or bad way by the success of these international hotels. This research will provide an analytical view of how these local businesses are doing in comparison to the hotels, and this information will be useful to these entrepreneurs in trying to improve the current situation. CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter is an introductory chapter that starts off by describing the economic history of Botswana and the influence that the tourism industry has had. The main issue revolves around how this industry has seen the establishment of international hotels and what role these hotels play on the local hospitality and accommodation market. The research questions outline what type of information Im trying to solicit and the choice of data collection most suitable for that is through conducting interviews. http://www.bidpa.bw/docs/archive/Economic%20Diversification/TheTourismSector.pdf http://botswana.usembassy.gov/resources/commercial-section/tourism-and-investment.html

The Humour in Educating Rita Essay -- Educating Rita Willy Russell Ess

The Humour in Educating Rita ‘Educating Rita’ is a humorous play that was written by Willy Russell in 1979, based on his own life. It is set in Liverpool and depicts the perseverance of a working class, 26-year-old hairdresser with no qualifications called Susan, or as she is called throughout the play, ‘Rita’, as she tries to ‘discover herself’ by participating in an English literature course at the Open University. Her lecturer, who is from a more middle class background, Frank, is somewhat of an unorthodox one; he is frequently found to be drunk and, during one lecture, he is so drunk that he falls off of the rostrum in the hall! This erratic behaviour leads to him being sent to Australia for two years. In this essay, I am going to discuss how I might direct this play so that I achieve humour for the audience. There are four main aspects that create the humour in the play ‘Educating Rita’: the first of which is the comedy of the character. This is when a character in the play is perceived as being humorous by the way that the character speaks or a trait that the character has. When Rita enters Frank’s classroom in the first scene, she blurts out: â€Å"I’m coming in, aren’t I? It’s that stupid bleedin’ handle on the door. You wanna get it fixed!† As director, I would have the actress playing Rita fall through the door and point towards Frank, as if to order him to fix the door. The actor playing Frank would have to put on a stern face, looking in disbelief at Rita; in shock at the way she entered. Considering the fact that this is an interview situation, the audience would be shocked, as the language is totally out of the blue and inappropriate for such a formal situation. Also the fact that she ... ...e rostrum- an action that occurs because of his drunkenness. Along with Frank’s drinking, Rita’s entrance to the play is an example of extremely effective comedy of character. However, as the play progresses and Rita becomes more aware and cognisant of her actions the comedy seems to derive from Frank’s drunkenness. There is much to be said as to how you would direct this play. Personally I would involve more than just the two characters Frank and Rita. This would give me as director, the chance to introduce more humorous situations. Other occurrences that would possibly make the play more interesting could be added to the play with the introduction of extra characters. Willy Russell wrote this play to be performed, but I must wonder why he wrote the play with only two characters if he did eventually see the play being performed on the silver screen.

Paul Ehrlich’s Time Bomb Book Review

– In the book â€Å"The Population Bomb† (Literary Digest written in1932) by Paul Ehrlich written in 1968 he states that he prefers the environment over man-kind, to make a balance between the population, the environment and the carrying capacity through population control: â€Å"one billion is the number of humans that Ehrlich says he would find acceptable†. He also made predictions about what the world would undergo by 1970. He predicted that the world would go through serious famine and that hundreds of millions of people would have starved to death since there was not going to be enough food to feed them. But he suggested that the answer to fight against this was very simple: to have population control. He also argued that population control had to begin at home and then push other countries to make the same thing so that the whole world finally combine each other to create the proper balance with population control: â€Å"We must have population control at home†¦We must use our political power to push other countries into programs which combine agricultural development and population control. † Through the writing of this book he is creating consciousness in people to decrease as possible the birth rates in the world. ‘An essay on the principle of Population' – Paul Ehrlich is criticizing the work titled ‘An essay on the principle of Population' which was published in 1978 and concentrates in its author; the economist Thomas Malthus. In this essay, Malthus, becomes aware that with an increasing population food supply has also got to increase, they are directly proportional to each other. The bigger population there is, the bigger the food supply has to be. This work pushed others, like Charles Darwin and the sociologist Karl Marx to come up with their own ideas about this hypothesis. Many modern ideologies think that the carrying capacity of the world is about to be surpassed, that humanity is slowly reaching the carrying capacity of Earth. In other words, that the resources existing in the world, will not be enough to sustain its population. An example of this can be for example Asia, which is no the biggest continent in the world but it contains 1/3 of the world's population. And other countries such as Bangladesh and Niger are experiencing a high population and many people are starving to death. Ehrlich also suggests that due to the decrease in fertility rates because of medical advances (vitamins, vaccines etc) the working population will also be decreased. Nevertheless, other countries that have high indices of growth rates have not suffered from an economic decline. This means that even though that the population is increasing, the working population is enough supply all the old people and young ones. Lastly he suggests that most of the worlds populations living in cities are beginning live in urban areas. Ehrlich's ideas are very pessimistic because none of them include a â€Å"good hypothesis† about the future of the world. He does this because he wants to create awareness and sense in people about population bombs. According to optimistic views, all the advances that have occurred in the world are a positive thing and its actually called population growth. Optimists think that for a country to have more jobs and constantly renewing technology is a good indication that the population is growing correctly. On the other hand, Ehrlich believes that populations should be stopped from increasing more, since later on in time this will become a bigger problem. Ehrlich's ideas nowadays are not that useful, but maybe that his hypothesis and ideologies come true one day or the world takes the path that he suggests and by the writing of his famous book, he stops the world from dying of starvation and famine. One criticism to his ideas is that he does not take into account the development of the countries in terms of political, social, and technological, because the ideas may not apply for the USA but they do for Bangladesh, so his points are very generally done. – What Happened to Catastrophic Predictions Made By Radical Environmentalists? Between the decades of 1960 and 1970, the industry of â€Å"cottage† which it had emerged from books with predictions of catastrophes that could occur because of population growth. Twenty years later, by 1990's, these books were proven to have wrong predictions in them, and that they had also exaggerated the view of the consequences of an increasing population. This piece of work makes a very hard judgment for Paul Ehrlich since he is shown to be as a liar because his predictions had not occurred. However, that didn't stop Ehrlich to keep on writing his â€Å"prophecy† books and predictions. Ehrlich was not seen as a trustworthy person and was considered to be a fake, radical person. – Paul Ehrlich Paul Ehrlich is considered to be the new Malthus. Distinctively from Malthus he never gave up with constantly making predictions. He was waiting until out of a coincidence, his predictions would actually become true. The first prediction that Paul Ehrlich's made was that between the decades of 1970 and 1980, hundreds of millions of people would starve to death. When he did this the fact that future strategies to prevent this might arise was not taken into account. His prediction was totally wrong and his prediction about that the death rates would increase uncontrollably was also wrong. As time went by, famine was decreased because of the countries development. In some countries of the Sub-Saharan Africa, there was plenty of food but due to the fact that there was no political force to deliver this to the people. Ehrlich's intended to call the USA government so that they take charge into the population growth problem. With that, Ehrlich purpose was to provide solutions to his main problem: Population growth. His idea was to include in every food production contraceptives. By this he intended to make everyone take in those products which would make them not produce any offspring and by that decrease the population growth. Ehrlich was wrong; again. To make this plan become a reality many things had to be done first, so it would take a lot of time to have it done. Also, this would be an act against the humanities beliefs and rights and at the same time, (taking into account what year it was when this plan was proposed) it would have been scientifically difficult due to the fact that the procedure could be very and extremely difficult. Ehrlich was pro in Bob Packwood's idea that in order to reduce birth rates, for every child born, a tax should be placed to the parents so by doing this there should be reductions for children being born and therefore the birth rate is reduced. Because of this, pregnancies are less attractive to the population and therefore as explained above, birth rates and growth rates would decrease. Ehrlich suggested another way of decreasing birth rates and growth rates implementing what were called â€Å"luxury taxes† for baby accessories. This meant that the normal price of the baby's accessories will be charged higher than normal; reducing the possibility of a couple to have babies or decrease the number they were expecting to have. At the same time, â€Å"responsibility prizes† as suggested by Ehrlich, would be awarded to those people; men and women who practice abstinence. For example: a couple that has been child-less for 3 years and their husbands were committed to practice a vasectomy, were awarded prizes. Ehrlich also came up with a very harsh and un-human solution. He suggested that any food aid from richer countries to poorer countries should be banned. In this way, the population starves and encourages having less people because food is insufficient for everybody. Many people such as Ehrlich make the â€Å"problem† public, such as the population bomb to create awareness and concern in people and the government. They believe that the problems are taking place now, and not in the future. They want attention and fame from the rest of people. However, most researches have been proven to be incorrect and therefore, did not achieve their goal to attract attention.