Christianson Grant for People Who Work Abroad

Interexchange has a grant that might interest you. Here's the info from their website

About the grant
The Christianson Grant is awarded to individuals who have arranged their own work abroad programs. Proposed programs must be at least six months in length and emphasize a work component. The grant program does not support independent research projects or academic study abroad programs.

Award Amount: $2,500 - $10,000
Application Deadlines:  March 15, July 15, October 15
Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• Between the ages of 18 and 28
• Participating in a work, internship, or volunteer abroad program.*
• Committed to a program duration of at least six months
• Willing to submit a written report upon completion of their program

* International work must not be part of a degree requirement or for class credit.

How to Apply
Christianson Grants are awarded three times a year. Applications must be received by March 15, July 15, or October 15. Please submit hard copies of all the following materials via mail (electronic documents are not accepted):

• Completed and signed Christianson Grant Application
• Personal essay - A short essay (1 – 2 pages) that answers a question we will provide.
• Supplemental essay - A brief essay (2 – 3 paragraphs).
• Two letters of recommendation from academic instructors and/or employers - signed and sealed (may be submitted separately)
• Resume (no longer than 1 page)
• Photocopy of valid U.S. passport or permanent resident card
• $50 non-refundable application fee (check or money order payable to InterExchange, Inc.)

Telephone interviews may be conducted as part of the selection process. Please indicate your contact information and availability on the application form.

Mail Your Application to:
Attn: Grant Selection Committee
InterExchange Foundation
InterExchange, Inc.
161 Sixth Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Notification and Awarding of Grants
Grant awards are merit based.  Grant recipients will be notified approximately 6-8 weeks after each grant deadline. Grants are disbursed to award recipients in two installments. The first installment is disbursed once the recipient’s arrival has been confirmed by a supervisor. The second installment is disbursed upon receipt of a completion report.

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3 Benefits of Choosing an Online Graduate Degree Programme

The following is a guest post.

If you recently earned your undergraduate degree, you may be itching to go back to school and earn that masters. But for many recent college grads, going back to school for another few years simply isn’t an option. Whether it’s because money is too tight or because it will take too long, many people skip grad school to join the work force, even if they wanted to attend grad school.

With the rise in popularity and availability of online graduate school programs, lots of recent undergrads who never would have been able to go to grad school now are able to. If you’re debating enrolling in an online masters program, check out these reasons why choosing an online graduate program is the right choice for you.

Flexibility
One of the main reasons that people never go to grad school is because sometimes it doesn’t work with their schedules and demands too much. When attending grad school, it’s often advised that you don’t work (or work very little) because you’ll be dedicating most of your time to the graduate program. With an online graduate school program, you get more flexibility that allows you to work while in the program. You can be working full time, part time, or even a stay at home parent and still earn your graduate degree online on your own time. Since you don’t have to dedicate specific hours to going to a classroom each week, you’ll have more flexibility to do the other things that life requires.

Cost
Graduate school is expensive, no matter how you look at it. Many people don’t go to graduate school simply because they can’t afford it. While an online graduate school program still isn’t cheap, it’s much more affordable than a comparable program from a brick and mortar university. The reason that an online program is typically cheaper is because there aren’t as many costs associated with the university, like maintenance and athletic fees. In addition to tuition costs, you’ll save a lot of money on other things that you probably won’t even realize at first. You won’t have to pay for a costly parking permit every term to park on campus, which could save you hundreds right off the bat. You also won’t have to spend money on gas while you commute back and forth to campus every day.

Work at Your Own Pace
One reason that many people fail out of graduate school is because it’s too demanding and fast. With an online graduate school program, you can work at your own pace and won’t be rushed. Not only will it make it less stressful to complete your degree, but you’ll also retain more information because you aren’t rushed through the courses. Everybody learns at a different pace, and an online graduate degree program lets you learn at yours. No matter if you learn better by hearing or by reading, you’ll have both those options with an online program. Your education will truly be tailored to fit your needs.

Image credit: napavalley.edu

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Money and Career Books for Teachers

Updated 20 October 2014

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell
Find out how important the first few moments of job interviews, marriage, and more predict whether it'll work out or not. You can buy from Amazon or the Book Depository.

The Cheapskate Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of Americans Living Happily Below Their Means
by Jeff Yeager
Just because your neighbours have flashy cars doesn't mean that they're well-off. It's hard to avoid keeping up with the Joneses, but money in the bank and investments matter more than the latest and the greatest. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings
by Philip A. Fisher and Kenneth L. Fisher
Although it was first published in 1958, many famous investors such as Warren Buffet regard it as their investment Bible. Definitely worth a read. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Creating You and Co.: Learn To Think Like The CEO Of Your Own Career
by William Bridges
This book will show you how to identify your desires, abilities, temperament and assets and make them work for you. It will teach you how to think differently and be successful at what you do. You can buy it at Amazon and the Book Depository.

Doing Work You Love: Discovering Your Purpose and Realizing Your Dreams 
by Cheryl Gilman
Who doesn't want their dream job? A job that you enjoy doing and get paid for it. This book will help you find the right job for you as well as give you tips on how to network as well as creating the perfect CV. You can buy it from Amazon.

The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
by William J. Bernstein
Diversification is key. You'll learn how to make logical rather than emotional choices when investing. It shows you how to build wealth. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and the True Triumphs Over the Bold and the New 
by Jeremy J. Siegel
Written by one of the world's top investors, this book will take you step-by-step through the process of buying stocks that will be winners in the long run. You need to learn from the past in order to secure your future. You can buy it from Amazon.

How to be a Billionaire: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth 
by Martin S. Fridson CFA and Martin S. Fridson
Learn strategies and tactics that will help you increase your wealth. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy 
by Thomas Stanley and William Danko
Really cool book. Shows how you can't judge people by their houses, cars, or jobs. Also makes the argument that going to university isn't for everyone. Learning a trade, such as plumbing or becoming an electrician or mechanic can be a very lucrative career and you won't have years of students loans to pay off. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School 
by Andrew Hallam
Very true. 12 years of schooling and most people don't know how to file taxes, save, or invest. While this book doesn't touch on taxes his saving and investing tips are great. He tells you to avoid big name know-it-alls and do everything yourself. By managing your own portfolio using logic and only having a couple items in it you'll be on your way to a comfortable retirement. If you're looking at retiring abroad, check out how and where to retire. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository. You should also check out his website. He also has a list of books that he recommends.

The New Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get on with Your Life
by Bill Schultheis
Andrew Hallam referred to this book a lot in his Millionaire Teacher book. I have to say I wasn't impressed with it at all. Odd analogies and going on and on about the same stuff made me turning the pages not because it was good, but because I was hoping to find the good stuff. I never did. Millionaire Teacher is much better in my opinion. You can buy it from Amazon.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing
by Burton G. Malkiel
This book shows the rises and falls of the stock market. From the Great Depression to the current economic crisis, you'll learn how to remain calm during the ups and the downs. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Success Without College: Why Your Child May Not Have to Go to College Right Now--and May Not Have to Go At All 
by Linda Lee
Just like Thomas Stanley and William Danko show in the book The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy that it's not necessary for successful people to go to college, Linda Lee has written a whole book about it.You can buy it on Amazon or the Book Depository.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness 
by Dave Ramsey
This book talks about how to get of of debt and build your wealth. Dave debunks common money myths and shows you a simple program for success. You can buy if off Amazon or the Book Depository.

Tutoring as a Successful Business -  An Expert Tutor Shows You How 
by Eileen Kaplan
Being able to teach private classes is a great way to supplement your income. This book will help you pick up private lessons and keep them. You can buy it off Amazon.

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence 
by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez and Monique Tilford
A set plan for getting out of debt and saving for the future. Guides on priorities and simplifying your material possessions. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.

The Dummies Series

401(k)s For Dummies 
by Ted Benna and Brenda Watson Newmann
Learn the basics of 401Ks. Find out about borrowing against them as well as buying company stock. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.

Cool Careers for Dummies
by Marty Nemko PhD and Richard N. Bolles
Neat book with lots of ideas for full-time and part-time businesses. Also goes to show that money isn't everything, in fact it's last on the list. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.

Commodities For Dummies 
by Amine Bouchentouf
Commodities have outperformed every asset class on the stock market for over a decade. Find out how to get in on this lucrative market. Learn investment strategies and debunk common myths. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.

Hedge Funds For Dummies
by Ann C. Logue
Find out the pros and cons of hedge funds. You'll find out how to calculate risk and choose the right hedge fund for you. You can buy it off Amazon or the Book Depository.

Making Millions For Dummies 
by Robert Doyen and Meg Schneider
Chocked full of ideas to help you grow your wealth slowly but surely. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Investing for Dummies 
by Paul J. Mladjenovic
Learn how to build a solid portfolio with a variety of investments. You'll get time-tested advice to help guide you through the investment process. You can buy it off Amazon.

Stock Options For Dummies 
by Alan R. Simon
Learn how to choose the best stock options your employer offers you. You'll get a realistic plan and learn what you should know before you invest. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Trading Options For Dummies 
by George Fontanills
Learn how to analyze investment choices. From index, equity, and ETF options, you'll learn how to balance your portfolio and the the basics of the market. You can buy it from Amazon or the Book Depository.

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Job Site: Teach Away

With jobs in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Teach Away is perfect for licensed and ESL / EFL teachers. If you're a licensed teacher, you can work at an international school. If you have an MA, you might want to check out the jobs in the Middle East. If you're looking to get a TEFL cert, check out their online TEFL cert from the University of Toronto.

While I wouldn't recommend them for finding a job in China or Korea, because jobs in those countries are easy enough to find on your own, they do have lots of other good jobs available. Just choose the country you're interested in. Many of them have positions for licensed teachers as well as ESL/EFL teachers.


Got an idea for a job site?
Email me with your job site, name, and website (if you have one) and I'll post it ASAP.

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Investment Tips for Teachers

Updated 14 March 2014

What to Invest In
Andrew Hallam wrote The Millionaire Teacher and has good advice that he dishes out for free about how to invest. It's simple, but it works and he has a 7 figure portfolio to prove it. There are growth, value, and income portfolios. Here's a guide on what allocations you should use for an income portfolio. I recommend reading The Millionaire Teacher as it's geared towards us and has investment ideas that work. You can buy it from Amazon and Book Depository.

He says that it doesn't matter what you invest in as long as you're logical and balance your portfolio correctly. If you're American, take a look at what he wrote about what your financial advisor probably doesn't know.

Some other people say that index funds are the best as well as small caps and value funds.

Other say that you should make sure you have bonds in your portfolio and that you should use your age as a guideline. So if you're 40, then 40% of your portfolio should be made up of bonds. You can add or subtract 10%-20% depending on how much risk you want to take.

If you can find a high interest CD than try to put one year's salary into four CDs that end at different times: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. 

How to Invest
Lazy Portfolios are easy and have good returns. They're a variety of investments that take little maintenance.

Best Investment Companies by Nationality

• American: Vanguard is highly recommended by Andrew Hallam among others.
• Australian: Vanguard Australia or DBS Vickers.
• British: Vanguard UK.
• Canadian: Toronto Dominion Bank Index Funds are recommended by the Canadian Couch Potato.
• New Zealand: Vanguard UK or DBS Vickers. 
• Singapore: Vanguard S and P 500 ETIF 0.09% which can be bought through Vanguard UK or DBS Vickers.
• South African: Vanguard UK.

Major Investment Companies

• HBSC: high interest CDs
• Etrade
• Fidelity
• ING
• Schwab
• Vanguard: a non-profit investment company said to be the best.

Smaller Investment Companies

• Asset Builder
• Dfaus
• Evanson Asset
• RW Investment Strategies

Getting Out of Debt and Saving Money
If you're American, check out tax deductions for teachers. You need to remember to pay yourself and that takes the form of saving and investing. If you have debts you should pay them off. Most people agree that you should pay them off in this order.

• Credit Card
• Back Taxes
• 401K
• Car Loans
• Home Equity
• Student Loans
• Small Business Loans
• Mortgages

Recommended Websites

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  
• American Institute of CPAs
• Certified Financial Planners
• Coffeehouse Investor
• Choose to Save
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
• FPA for Financial Planning
• Morning Star
• National Association of State Board Accountants
• Princeton Financial Systems

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Poll results January 2013: Where do you want to teach next?

January's poll was "Where do you want to teach next?" Here are the results.

• Africa: 16.67% with 2 votes
• Asia: 16.67% with 2 votes
• Australasia: 0% with 0 votes
• Europe: 16.67% with 2 votes
• Middle East: 25% with 3 votes
• North America: 0% with 0 votes
• South America: 25% with 3 votes

So it's a tie between South America and the Middle East. Very different cultures and customs. The Middle East is a great place to earn money and South America is a great place to learn about the culture. Be sure to vote in next month's poll: Where do you teach?

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Visa and Travel Information

Updated 5 February 2015

While many of us with passports from English speaking countries may not need visas, it's best to double check ahead of time. Below you can find visa requirements for citizens of the 7 English speaking countries. These are often just for tourists. So if you're looking to work abroad, make sure you get the appropriate work visa. In attention to visa requirements, you can also find travel advice. You can also find Government Travel Warnings for specific countries around the world. How powerful is your passport? is pretty interesting as well.

Australia
Visa requirements and travel advice for Australians.

Canada
Visa requirements and travel advice for Canadians in English and in French.

Ireland
Visa requirements and travel advice for Irish.

New Zealand
Visa requirements and travel advice for New Zealanders.

South Africa
Visa requirements and travel advice for South Africans

United Kingdom
Visa requirements and travel advice for Britons.


United States
Visa information and travel advice. If you're getting or renewing your passport, be sure to ask for the 52 page book since you now have to pay to get more pages. Here is the 52 page book application.

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