The Biggest Mistake Expats Make

By Patrick Mcgrain

Imagine being broke in a foreign country. The Embassy won't help you with funds. You are down and out and unless you know someone that will help, you are in big trouble and hungry.
Many expats move to the Philippines without the slightest idea of how much money they need. Sure it is cheap to live there, but you still MUST have money.

Many expats are lured to the Philippines because of the low cost to live in a tropical paradise. It is cheap to live in the Philippines, but know what you need and how much money is needed.
Some expats below the retirement age go in hopes of making some kind of a living in a business scheme. Many expats have no back up plan and many more have little funds to draw from in an emergency. These are the expats that are setting themselves up to fail. The only thing they can do is return to their home country and start all over again. A difficult task if you are approaching retirement with no job, no money and no home.

The Common Sense Approach. Before making the move to the Philippines go there for a few weeks on a vacation recon mission. Tour the area that you hope to make your new home. Will you live in a city or a rural province? Research housing cost. You must know what it will cost before making the move. What household items will you need to purchase and how much will it cost. Will you drive a car or use Taxi cabs and Jeepneys. Do you really need a car?

Starting a new business in the Philippines. If you are not a business minded person why do you think you can operate a business in a foreign country? If you will depend on income from a business to live in the Philippines, don't go. That is unless you have enough money to live on for at least one year. Even then, chances of a successful business in the Philippines is very low.

If you are already retired and have a monthly retirement income of approximately $1,000.00 you will be fine. Provided you budget your money. Make sure your health insurance plan will cover medical and medications cost in the Philippines. There are insurance companies that provide expat insurance, do your research. You should always have at least $5,000.00 in the bank for any type of emergency and always have a plane ticket out of the country in case of an emergency.

This Simple little task of maintaining a monthly budget is too easily overlooked and that's a fatal mistake for any expat.

The first thing to do is STOP thinking in dollars and start thinking in PESOS. All too often I hear expats say, it's only a dollar. Big mistake as a dollar here and a dollar there adds up to a lot of Pesos. What many expats spend in just one day in the Philippines is what a Filipino family may spend for an entire month. Many Filipinos work six days a week and make just P200.00 a day or about $4.00 that's only $24.00 a week. You, as an American can not live on that little bit of money.

Monthly BUDGET 2007 Living in a rural province is affordable. However, many rural provinces have only limited services. Husband and wife, Estimated 2007 Home Budget in a rural Camotes Islands province of Cebu. The budget doesn't include the visa costs.

Electric (Monthly Average) $45.00, TV Satellite $20.00, Cell Phone Cards $10.00, Gas LPG (Monthly use)$8.00, Internet Connection $20.00, Motorcycle gas (two bikes) $12.00, Motorcycle maintenance (oil, tires, etc) $8.00, House Maint. repairs, etc $60.00, Food, includes bottled water $200.00, Medical Insurance (two people) $90.00, Daytime Maid $40.00, Monthly Total $523.00

Bottom line. Look before you leap. Take your time before moving to paradise and be sure you have a plan and a budget and stick to both, by doing this you will have a happy life in a truly wonderful paradise.

Patrick McGrain is the owner of http://www.philippine-islands-living.com Patrick has lived in in Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines for over three years with his Filipna wife.

Foreign Students and Exchange Programs

By Nick Sanders

Students studying in their home country still have a chance of becoming a foreign student and studying in a foreign country. Through bilateral exchange programs between universities from different countries, several students are sent to study a few units in other universities.

Currently, more universities from all around the world are participating at such programs. The initial aim of such endeavours is exposing bright students to the culture and best practice of the other university. As the student goes back to his home university after an agreed period of the exchange period, he is expected to adopt and relay the best qualities and culture he observed in the other university form another country.

Usually student exchange programs do not require the student to complete their study in the other university. The two universities, the one where the student is currently enrolled and the other from another country, must have a binding bilateral agreement for the exchange program.

Several students from the agreeing universities will exchange with other students for a limited period of time. Usually, exchange students go to another university for a year or less.

To be able to qualify for such an education program, you must agree to the terms and conditions of the agreement. You should have completed at least a year of full-time studying at your current university. Your current university must also approve the units or programs you want to take up in the exchange university. Others will require you to be fluent in, or at least be knowledgeable about the language used at the other university. On top of all of this, you should exemplify your skills and intelligence by having an impressive academic record. As you fly to the other country to attend courses at the other university, you should always bear in mind that you are representing your university and your country. Be disciplined, but also friendly in nature.

Nick Sanders is the owner and founder of Supaproofread.com, an online proofreading and editing company, specialising in student, business and ESL proofreading and editing services.

For more Articles, Resources, News and Advice for International Students and International Study visit http://www.supaproofread.com Just want to read some plain and simple advice on succeeding as a foreign student? Then venture over to the Supaproofread blog - http://www.supaproofread.com/blog/ it’s an interesting read for writers, bloggers, students and business professionals interested in writing. Copyright © Supaproofread.com.

5 Argentina Travel Tips for the Foreign Study Traveler

By Casey Markee

Have you ever thought of hopping a plane for spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to study Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn the Tango in Mendoza? Too difficult, you say? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when traveling abroad. Take advantage of the following top five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and make it an experience to remember.

1. PASSPORTS - Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. -- Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. -- Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni at mrecic.gov.ar).

2. CURRENCY - The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler's checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.

3. CAR RENTALS - Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them.

U.S. driver's licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N.
Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.

4. ELECTRICITY - Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called "Locuturios" are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.

5. SEASONS - While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz.
However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.

These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country's culture only brings people closer together.

Argentina is waiting for you, use the tips above to plan a successful trip there today!

Casey Markee is a consultant with GIC Argentina a study Spanish in Argentina program provider. Visit them online for detailed information on Spanish study abroad programs in Argentina and plan your next study abroad trip to Buenos Aires, Patagonia or Mendoza today.