International student enrollment in America’s colleges is a rising trend. Whether it is the allure of a high-paying job or to leverage a better position, over one million international students enroll in American colleges every year. Even the number of graduate and post-graduate international enrollment has been steadily increasing for the past few decades. More than ever, students from all over the world are looking to America to continue their education.

The top three areas of study for international students are engineering, computer science, and business-related fields. These are very competitive fields among native speakers, so the challenge posed for international students is even higher. Not only do these subjects demand proficiency in science and math, but the ability to take classes in a language different from their own.

International students seeking to study in America need to be aware of the lengthy and often challenging process of applying to a university. There are several things to consider before even taking the first step. Here is a brief preparation guide on how to get started.

Get your Paperwork in Order

There are several steps to be taken before even beginning the application process. For starters, there are immigration standards to meet. An up-to-date passport should be the priority of any prospective student. It is also a must that you ensure all of your medical records are up-to-date. The Department of State website has more details on specific requirements.

It is important to note that many expenses are associated with attending college, and not all of them pertain to the education itself. Home furnishings, transportation, and health insurance are all added expenses that can very quickly add up. Do not forget to factor in the quality of life when you are creating a budget. Costs of living can vary greatly from city to city, so make that a consideration as well.

Time to Brush Up

Once you have a plan, know your deadlines, and feel ready to begin, hit the books. Overconfidence is a student’s worst enemy, as many are often surprised by the degree of difficulty of their required tests. Remember that even native speakers struggle with these examinations. Regardless of your perceived level of skill, taking the time to study could only improve your readiness to begin your college journey.

Many American schools, such as Purdue University, offer free ESL assistance on their web page. Additionally, England’s Cambridge University is known as one of the most prominent contributors to the ESL curriculum. Their online resources will give students a chance to view and even take an older IELTS exam. There are plenty of free instructional videos on YouTube as well. Students can find plenty of different lessons on the internet with minimal searching.

If you require a more intensive course, consider some form of online language tutoring. Various platforms have online courses available for university students, regardless of your location. Also, seek out any ESL programs in your community. Sometimes a local university will offer tutoring and assistance for students seeking to enroll in a university abroad.

Determine the Objective

While many students take their time picking a major and an academic path, international students do not have this luxury. Not only is entering college without a plan a bad idea, but some schools may not even allow you to enter as an undeclared major. It is best not simply to know your major but your desired outcome as well.

Establish what kind of education your field of choice requires. Does it require a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, or a Ph.D.? Are there any additional certifications? Not only do most universities provide a comprehensive list of courses required, but a student advisor can help map out a path.

Additionally, set a reasonable timeframe for the completion of your program of study. Colleges generally require international students to be enrolled full-time, but that does not mean one must burden themselves with 18 hours a semester. Plan for your first year to be an adjustment year.

Consider the Location

Just as important of a factor is your school’s location. The size of the city, its population, and the proximity to necessary facilities are all considerations when deciding what school to attend. If you are not used to the big city, it may be wise to select a school in a less densely populated area. If you want the experience of a bustling college town, make sure your school is not located in a rural part of the country.

Don’t forget the local weather, either. It may sound like a small detail, but students often underestimate their ability to adjust to a new climate. Believe it or not, this is a factor that can affect a student’s mood and well-being, often to the detriment of their performance.

Understand the Requirements

The next step is to figure out what test scores your schools require. Most American colleges and universities need either an SAT or ACT score, so be prepared to take the same examination that all Americans have to take. It is important to note that the ACT is universally known as the more difficult of the two tests. If your school gives you a choice, it is best to go with the SAT.

Keep in mind, too, that schools all have a minimum score for entry. Whatever that score is, you are going to want to aim for much higher. Enrollment has become more competitive in recent years, especially among international students. There are a limited number of slots, so achieving the minimum entry scores will probably not be enough to put you at the front of the list of candidates.

Students may also have to submit a standardized test score from one of the accredited ESL examination boards. The TOEFL and the IELTS are the most common requirements, and you will take these exams locally. Students often find these tests extremely challenging because of the variety of areas evaluated in the exam. Spoken, written, and reading skills are all tested, and these skills often require a great deal of preparation. A student should study for at least two months, though some students opt to take much longer.

Get Started Right Away

The process for getting into a university as an international student is a lengthy one. Be prepared for the process to take up to a year, or perhaps even longer. Covid-19 has slowed the admittance of international students significantly, so expect delays.

However, these delays will allow for more time to get yourself ready. Use the time wisely as you are waiting. There are many ways to prepare for your journey besides studying. Watch American movies to hear the language conversationally. Listen to American podcasts. Prepare yourself not only for the test but for the culture change as well.

Begin your journey today. Consult with an academic adviser, and start on your road to a new beginning and new possibilities.

Our world is getting smaller and more connected. Where city directories and local newsletters used to help us find people and locate stores, these days, anyone can be found, online, with a few clicks of the mouse. It’s a huge benefit to society in many ways, but on the other hand, the wide reach of technology has created a new problem—some businesses are being buried by the sheer amount of information available on the Internet. Faced with the highly competitive and ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, many brands that are not tech-savvy are finding it hard to keep up. Online shopping, accelerated by pandemic control measures, has become a central consumer behavior.

As consumers become increasingly spoilt for choice, even those who prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores are researching products and services online before buying. While it may have once been sufficient to simply maintain a website, businesses now need to ensure that their online presence is both optimised and authoritative, to capture their audience’s attention.

Putting Yourself on the Map

Given the wide range of attention-grabbing digital marketing avenues such as advertising, sponsored posts, and influencer collaborations, it is easy to forget that something as plain as a search engine could have a massive impact on your business. Google is the most used search engine globally, holding over 90 percent of the search engine market share and clocking a staggering 3.5 billion searches per day. It is important to note that there is a significant difference between being listed on the first page and the last page.

Research has shown that an average of 28.5 percent of search engine users click on the top result on the search engine results page with click-through rates dropping rapidly as you move down the list of results. Results beyond the first page are rarely considered. Because the majority of the world—including a good chunk of your potential clientele—will likely turn to Google to search for your product or service, it is imperative to invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure the visibility of your brand.

Aside from the standard search engine service, Google’s expansion into maps and navigation over the last decade has presented businesses with another valuable digital marketing opportunity. Just as we used to advertise on AAA magazines and travel directories, Google Maps is an avenue for businesses to reach consumers who are searching for local solutions. With most people using mobile apps on their devices for navigation and local search, having a presence on Google Maps can open the floodgates to a huge number of prospects. Businesses can add their information to Google Maps by submitting a Google My Business listing. At its most basic, a Google My Business listing can display the general information of your business such as your address, hours of operation, and customer reviews. This can be extremely useful, particularly in the current pandemic, where customers are unsure if businesses are operating as usual.

That said, there is a lot more to Google Maps than just submitting business information to Google My Business. Search engines typically display local map results based on the location of their users and the keywords or phrases that are applied. Sounds great, right? But what if numerous businesses serve the same niche as you in the city or town? Because users generally choose the first few results, being poorly ranked may mean that your business listing has zero impact. Thankfully, there are certain steps that SEO professionals can take to ensure that your business listing always comes out on top in your locality.

Send in the Professionals

Search engine methodology is constantly being reviewed and refined as search engines strive to provide users with the most relevant spam-free results. With a thorough understanding of how Google grades its Google Maps search results, Google Maps SEO experts can help to move listings up in the rankings. Part of this involves on-page SEO that tailors your content to the keywords or phrases that your potential customers are most likely to use.

This not only helps search engines to determine that you are more relevant in map-based searches but has the added benefit of increasing your page visibility in traditional searches as well. Then, SEO professionals work to build NAP (name, address, phone number) citations and quality backlinks from respected and established websites to prove the reliability of your page. Together with curated reviews, these actions help to convince Google that your page is trustworthy and informative, thus elevating its ranking.

The methods of improving a website’s organic search and Google Maps rankings can be complicated. Without industry connections, businesses may find it impossible to source authoritative websites for citations and backlinks. Hence, it is best to call in the professionals to assist with your SEO efforts. Because enhancements to your search ranking will persist in the long term, SEO is one of the best-performing digital marketing strategies in terms of ROI.

In this digital age, search engines are the powerhouses of organic lead generation. By leveraging your Google Maps listing, brands can enjoy a higher profile, a larger audience, and more profits for years to come.

It’s been a few years since Marie Kondo first graced our screens with her paradigm-shifting mantra to “discard everything that does not spark joy.” But her philosophy has endured with many people around the world now re-embracing the minimalist aesthetic. Gone are the days of hoarding memorabilia and filling up storage spaces with rarely-used items. Minimalism is the new it-aesthetic for the modern urbanite.

Minimalism has a long history. Many people attribute modern minimalism to the Japanese Zen philosophy that places importance on simplicity to achieve inner peace. In the US, minimalism emerged in the 1960s as a reaction to the consumerist mentality birthed in the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a popular style of interior design that prizes practicality and affords a timeless elegance to your interiors that promise that no matter what the trend is, your home will never go out-of-style.

For many, the minimalist design aesthetic evokes imagery of white-on-white and soulless living spaces free of signs of inhabitation. But this isn’t necessarily what minimalism is. Minimalism is the pairing of form with function, and the idea that “less is more.” One of the many benefits of the minimalist aesthetic is its ability to make spaces look bigger by decluttering and paring down on furniture. And at a time when our homes have pretty much become our whole worlds, minimalism may just be the perfect aesthetic to experiment with.

Spring Clean for a Fresh Start

The first step to take when going down the minimalist path is decluttering. It’s important to first survey all that you have in your home, and really narrow down on what you need and what you don’t. It can be a painful process; it’s not exactly easy to let go of things that you have been holding onto for a long time. But in the long-term, decluttering can make you healthier and happier by reducing stress and improving focus, among numerous other benefits.

These health benefits of minimalism become even more important when people start spending more time at home. Nowadays, when work-from-home is on the rise and many businesses are transitioning to teleworking, creating a relaxing environment at home that is conducive for work is well-worth the effort.

But there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to decluttering. Just like everyone has different methods of organising their rooms, different people may also have different strategies of decluttering their living spaces that works best for them. If you are a home-organising whiz, then perhaps you’ll be perfectly comfortable with decluttering room-by-room. If you’re more faint-at-heart, you may prefer to declutter one-item-a-day. What matters is that you find the style that you are more comfortable with, and really commit to the process.

Functionality is Key

For the minimalist aesthetic, functionality is paramount. Everything must have a purpose. This means ridding yourselves of extraneous pieces of furniture that have no function. Think reuse here—your light therapy lamp, for example, can double as a showpiece to give your space a relaxed cool daylight vibe. Contrary to popular opinion, the minimalist aesthetic can reconcile sparsity with personality so that your house feels like a home.

There are many different types of minimalism aesthetics such as rustic minimalism, industrial minimalism and even the maximalist minimalist style that have their own unique features and are sure to satisfy diverse aesthetic tastes. Playing with textures and accent colors can often completely transform the look of a room, and affect the energy it exudes.

But a very real concern when styling homes is how all the individual pieces come together to create an atmosphere. When picking apart an existing style and transforming a space to a different aesthetic style, creating that common atmosphere becomes even more of a challenge.

When faced with this challenge, some home-owners may prefer to buy-in all new furniture instead of using their existing pieces. Often it’s easier and safer to purchase furniture sets and home decor from the comfort of your own home.

For those in favour of this method of achieving the minimalist aesthetic, you can still achieve the minimalist philosophy by purchasing furniture made from recycled materials and by donating all your old furniture to secondhand furniture stores, or to charity.

The minimalist aesthetic is a hard one to achieve primarily because it often involves letting go of sentimental items and paring down to essentials. But there is also a type of freedom afforded by letting go of all unnecessary possessions and keeping your spaces clean and simple—and this is the real appeal of the minimalist aesthetic.

Ah, the lei. You probably already have a vague idea of what it’s supposed to be. Even if you’ve never held one in your hands, or worn one around your neck, you can likely already picture it in your head: A thick, fetching garland of delicate island flowers, usually worn around the neck of a noisy tourist. Generations of pop culture has turned Hawaiian leis, once a local tradition, into a worldwide symbol of exotic vacations and island getaways.

For the people of the Polynesia region, from Tahiti to Hawaii, the making and giving of leis are an age-old tradition. In the past, lei were used to indicate wealth, ranks, and royal status. Today, leis are given as gifts to honor people. Common recipients include visiting dignitaries, new graduates, loved ones who are departing, and loved ones who have come home for a visit. They are also given out on special occasions as well. Events as wide-ranging as marriages, funerals, graduations, and birthdays are all considered valid events for the giving of lei. Lei truly occupies an omnipresent role in Polynesian culture, as key to their celebrations as cakes are in the West. In fact, there is even a dedicated holiday just to honor the lei. Every first of March since 1929, Lei Day is celebrated. Parades and festivals are held all over Hawaii, while people compete in Beauty pageants and lei-making contests.

The undoubted reason why leis are so iconic worldwide, though, is tourism. With the rise of tourism to Hawaii in the 19th century (especially by the Americans and British), Westerners came back with merry stories about the beautiful flower necklaces they received from the islanders. Thereafter, any depiction of the Pacific islands and their inhabitants inevitably featured the colorful garlands. In fact, Hawaiian leis are so iconic that tourists to Hawaii can even order a traditional greeting, where they are gifted with freshly-made leis as they touch down at the airport.

The lei in the popular imagination is a fluffy affair, a necklace thick with the petals and the cheerful scent of freshly-picked flowers. While flowers are undoubtedly one of the most common materials for a lei, leis in fact can be made out of just about anything. There have been lei made out of feathers, leaves, vines, and fern fronds. There have also been lei made out of harder materials such as seashells, animal bones, and seeds. Even more modern materials like candy, paper, and coins have been used.

Indeed, several islands are known for making distinctive types of lei. The island of Niihau is famous for its lei made out of shells that shine like gemstones, called lei pupu. The Tongans are known for their distinctive-looking "kahoa" lei that are made of cloth ribbons, unto which flowers and foliage are sown. The residents of Niue make their lei from bright yellow snail shells. So long as it can be strung together in a beautiful series that can be worn around a person, there are no limits on what you can make a lei out of.

Be warned, though. While a lei may be seen by outsiders as just a trinket, a beautiful but superfluous accessory, it is seen as more than that to the Polynesian people. In most cases, a lei represents the love and friendship of the giver towards the recipient. Thus, simply throwing a lei in the trash is considered incredibly rude, being equivalent to throwing away someone’s love. If one is not able to wear the lei for whatever reason, they should be displayed on a place of honor (such as the stand of a musician), or hung in a room or vehicle to let its scent fill the air. Traditionally, if one truly wishes to get rid of it, the lei should be returned to the earth: either by burying, burning, or hanging the lei in a tree.

After seeing all the different materials you can make a lei out of, as well as all the wonderful occasions the lei is gifted, some of you may be tempted to make your own. Luckily, there isn’t one definitive way of creating a lei. In fact, the methods of making a lei are almost as varied as the materials making them up. You could pierce the material with a needle and string it on a thread, which is the method most non-Polynesians are familiar with. You could also braid or plait the material itself, if it’s already long and stringy, as is traditionally done with vines and palm strands. You can even sew the material on a pre-existing length of cloth, as is done in Tonga.

Who knows? Perhaps in your next trip to Hawaii, you’ll be the one presenting your homemade lei to the locals. They will certainly appreciate this sudden role reversal!