What Is a Catalyst in Chemistry?

What Is a Catalyst in Chemistry?A catalyst is a substance that can be used to alter the reactions of chemical reactions. In chemistry, it is often associated with the reactants and their reaction with the products.Depending on the catalytic properties of the substance, it can either act as a 'gate' to allow a more favorable reaction to take place or as a catalyst to stop the other reactions before they happen. In addition, it can also act as a 'bridge' between the two reactants or produce an intermediate that has catalytic properties, making it possible to take advantage of the different properties of both reactants. Catalyst can be separated into two categories - one that acts as a 'conduit' (to connect one end of the chain with the other) and another that act as a 'reactor'.The second category of the catalyst is also known as a chelator and works like a poison to remove toxic substances from the bloodstream and body function. Usually, it is paired with a first type of catalyst that does not act as a 'conduit' but rather as a 'gate'.In medicine, the use of medicines that reduce the toxicity of the body functions can be used to treat many diseases. Medicines with antineoplastic activity and the ability to kill tumor cells have been especially effective in this regard. Chemotherapy medicines, which are medicines that have antineoplastic and immunomodulatory properties, are also effective.For instance, chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate, doxorubicin, and arecopropene have antineoplastic activity. These drugs cause the death of cancer cells, either by killing the cells directly or by altering the environment of the body to make them die.Similarly, antitumor agents such as doxorubicin, hydroxychloroquine, and paclitaxel can cause tumor cell death by disrupting the cell cycle. Moreover, since the mechanism of action of chemotherapy drugs is to make the tumor cells die, there is a possibility that treatment with chemotherapy may have serious side effects such as blood loss, heart attack, or stroke.Chemotherapeutic agents interfere with free radicals produced by the cellular metabolism that are responsible for the oxidation of oxygen molecules in the cellular DNA. It is thus important to find out if the cancer is a non-metastatic form of the disease, and this will help in choosing the right chemotherapeutic agent and consequently the right course of treatment.

5 Things to Do During Any Job Interview - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Things to Do During Any Job Interview - Introvert Whisperer 5 Things to Do During Any Job Interview OFFICE POLITICS Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How to excel at learning to play the piano

How to excel at learning to play the piano The Top 5 Tips for becoming a Pianist ChaptersOur first advice for learning to play the pianoHow to learn to play the pianoIs it necessary to learn solfege to play the piano?What are the basic piano chords?How to learn piano scalesLearning to play the piano is far from straightforward.All aspects of piano training â€" solfege, reading sheet music, posture, dexterity, head-hands-feet coordination, method â€" are difficult, technical and process-driven.Although certain student pianists learn quicker than others (remember, we don’t all have the same cognitive and musical predispositions), all beginner pianists go through the same phase of feeling handicapped at the keyboard!To become a fluid player and feel at ease with your piano, you must be motivated, determined, perseverant and strict, while also taking pleasure from playing those piano chords and arpeggios!Here, Superprof presents you with 5 steps to remember as you learn to play piano. You’ll be playing like Mozart in no time! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOur first advice for learning to play the pianoBefore you even touch those keys, you must adopt proper posture for piano playing.Learning proper posture is key to becoming a true pianist.Body postureFirst,  sit in the middle of the keyboard, where the middle octaves are found. Your main benchmark for positioning your left hand is the middle C. Make sure your seat or piano stool is at the right height: not too high or low.The classic posture taught to every beginner pianist to play the piano correctly is as follows:Your elbows: they should be at the same height as the keyboard.Sit on a bench: better than a chair, a bench will allow you to move yourself easily from side to side, towards the low notes or the high notes, whatever the piano song calls for!Your back: it must be straight and not curved forward.Your shoulders: they must be lightly behind you to avoid pain, open up your thorax and allow for easy breathing while you play.Your hands: your 10 fingers should be slightly bent, so that they press the keys with the tip of the phalanx, almost at the nail.The palm of your hand should be somewhat lifted, which will give each hand speed, range and fluidity.Your feet should be placed firmly on the floor, in parallel to each other.To learn to play the piano, begin by playing the keys separately and lightly. Generally, the key of F is played with the left hand (the 5 lines at the bottom of each measure) and the key of G with the right hand.Play the rhythm sep arately from the melody.When you play a piano piece, try to avoid mixing up the steps, and play a song at the speed noted in your sheet music. This will mean that:Your brain will memorize the chord sequences correctlyYou will improve your dexterityYour technique and fingering will get betterYou’ll understand the piece’s nuances, and make it your own!So progressively increase the tempo as you attain a more advanced level. Remember that if you are taking piano lessons, your piano teacher should be guiding you and giving you all these directions.Can you play with small hands?Some people who aren’t blessed with big hands consider themselves unable to play the piano and believe that their physique is incompatible with the keyboard. The same goes for those who think their fingers are too fat for guitar playing. These two misconceptions are excuses! All you have to do is take a glance at the hands of jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani to see that this argument doesn’t hold!Hand size o r finger length and width won’t affect the playing quality of the pianist.  What’s more, having small hands will help you do those chromatic movements (C-C#-D)!Now that you know the right positions, let’s move on to the question of piano courses: can you learn by yourself or are piano lessons necessary?How to learn to play the pianoTeaching yourself, taking private lessons, attending music school, playing on the internet, learning with friends… everything is possible depending on your way of working, your budget and your music experience and level.Teach yourself the piano: it's difficult but possible!Teach yourself to play the pianoIf you are reticent about taking a piano class and prefer to do it on your own for whatever reason, you’ll need to assemble a bunch of resources:A metronomeA manual for beginner pianoA music theory manual to learn solfegeA book of sheet music for absolute beginnersA lot of determination and willThe big advantage of creating a beginner piano meth od when one is self-taught is that one learns to read notes by producing automatic reflexes.A metronome can help you keep time.As you progress you may need to:Purchase more learning materials that correspond to your levelDownload free piano music on the internet to learn to read musicLook at piano tutorials on Youtube and DailymotionConsult online piano coursesTrain yourself to play a song that you hear: this will improve your musical ear and help you play by earBut everything has its downside. Here are some disadvantages to teaching yourself to play the piano as opposed to taking a piano lesson:You aren’t structured or supervised, so no one will correct your errorsYour solfege attempts wont be listened to by a professionalYou risk taking up bad habitsThe risk of frustration and discouragement is higherIt’s therefore possible to learn the piano alone, but you don’t have the best chances on your side. Taking music classes is the preferred means of learning and making regular pr ogress on the keyboard.Take piano lessons with an instructorYour private piano teacher will provide a structure for learning, while observing and encouraging you. He or she will teach you how to surmount challenges, something that may also benefit other situations in your daily life! Piano classes are an exchange of positive energy and music appreciation that feed the beginner piano player’s motivation.Different formulas are at your disposal: private lessons (like the ones you’d book at Superprof, for example), a music school or a conservatory for higher education students.And since you’ll be spending a lot of time with your piano teacher, at least an hour per week depending on the method you choose, it’s very important that you get along with one another. So choose a teacher who corresponds to your personality and objectives. And if you don’t find the right match at first, try again!I found my ideal music teacher on Superprof, after several fruitless Internet searches for piano lessons London.Finding the right piano teacher is the key to learning piano. LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIs it necessary to learn solfege to play the piano?Contrary to what countless frustrated students think, solfege is not just an evil game devised by piano instructors.It’s a language one must master, and it works for all musical instruments. With solfege you’ll be able to read a piece of sheet music just as you would a novel.Solfege training is a fundam ental aspect of piano lessons: 15 minutes of solfege often precedes playing, as it’s the basis for reading, playing, arranging and composing music.So when and how should you learn solfege?Learn solfege as a child: children learn new things faster than adultsPractice solfege exercises throughout your lesson: at the beginning, a little in the middle and again at the end.Learn solfege to distinguish between different rhythmsSolfege will improve your global understanding of musicMastering solfege will boost your self confidence when you playIf you are comfortable with solfege, you’ll be able to learn other instruments much faster and easier.Learning solfege allows you to truly understand music and speeds up your overall training!What are the basic piano chords?A piano has 88 keys. That’s right, Beethoven’s favorite instrument has 52 white keys and 36 black keys.While we’re on the subject, perhaps you want to know the main piano chords? Why spend time working on all the chords if you’re an amateur pianist who is learning piano songs for beginners? Mary had a little lamb, anyone?The 4 main piano  chords are:A minorC majorF majorG majorAll you need to know to get your first record deal with Universal! Well almost…How to learn piano scalesAll beginner musicians, whether they are pianists, guitarists, or…, must ceaselessly repeat their scales to begin to master their ear training become more advanced.For the piano, this often means repeating the C scale: do-ré-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do-si-la-sol-fa-mi-ré-do and again… and again… and again. We do this for two reasons:So that the musician will automatically recognize the proper sounds of each note.To work on finger placement and movement.The major piano scales are:Scale of C major,Scale of D major,Scale of E major,Scale of F major,Scale of G major, etc…A piano has 88 keys.And while we’re on the subject, the minor scales are: the natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale, ascending melodic minor scale a nd the descending melodic minor scale! You’ll need to learn all these piano basics before you can think about things like chord progressions and improvisation!You’ll also have to think about what music style you want to play. There are different methods for classical piano and others for jazz piano, for example. Or what about blues, pop-rock or variety piano? In every case, you must work with regularity, being even stricter with yourself if you are self-taught! If you are taking piano lessons, tell your music instructor what songs you’d like to play and he or she will guide you on the best method to use to get there.You’ve now mastered your posture, read sheet music, and learned some piano chords and scales. Time to play piano!

When Should I Take the MCAT

When Should I Take the MCAT MCAT Medical School Admissions College in and of itself is a daunting process for most students. Studying constantly for twelve to eighteen hours of course work, juggling extracurricular activities, and trying to maintain an active social life can be challenging. Add in aspirations to attend medical school and suddenly you are overwhelmed. Needless to say, this entire process requires a significant amount of planning. Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have at least resolved one concern on your list and answered the question of when to take your medical college admission test (MCAT). Evaluate Your Coursework The most important consideration in taking the MCAT is what level of premedical course work you have completed. Pertinent to this is the understanding that the MCAT tests extensively on required premedical courses and additional information not covered in these courses. For example, there is a portion of physiology on the cardiovascular, renal, and genitourinary systems on the MCAT that is not normally taught in premedical prerequisites but might be covered in classes the student takes electively such as anatomy and physiology. Because of the large burden of information, it is ideal to take the MCAT after you have completed all of your required course work and if possible a few extra courses to solidify and deepen your understanding of the content that will be covered on the MCAT. Most schools recommend taking cell biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry to aid with the MCAT as well as the transition to medical school. Some students are particularly adept at t eaching themselves and are able to perform extraordinarily well on the MCAT despite not completing their prerequisites prior to taking the exam. However, this is a small margin of the population of premedical students and not typically advised. Consult the Calendar Another factor to take into account is the timing of the application process. The typical timeframe for application and interviews to medical school is a year. For example, most application systems open in May of the year prior to enrollment and students are admitted up to June of the following year. This requires that the MCAT be taken at latest by May of the year prior to attendance. Backtracking even further, MCAT scores take a month to be released, which means ideally, your MCAT should be taken at latest by April of the year prior to enrollment in medical school. Taking into consideration the fact that many students do not achieve their target score and retake the MCAT means that you should consider having a buffer of time to retake the test if necessary. While this seems a bit tedious or even cautionary, keep in mind that this could cause you to either apply with a noncompetitive score or delay your application by a year. If you do not have a score that meets the standards of ad missions you are investing both money and time in a process that may have minimal or no yields. In addition, you are required to disclose if you have applied to medical school previously which can affect how your application is viewed by an admissions committee. Give Yourself Time Taking these factors into consideration, it is ideal to take your first MCAT in the summer or fall of the year prior to application. For most students this falls in the beginning of their ‘Junior’ or third year of school. Taking the MCAT in the fall allows you to evaluate your score early and make crucial decisions from there. If you end up needing to retake the MCAT this gives you a few months to assess changes to make in your next test preparation period. It also allows you a window to register for the test which can be difficult some years when testing sites are limited and many students are taking the exam. If you end up receiving a score that you are satisfied with, this gives you a good window of time to plan for the application cycle and prewrite essays. This period of time could also be used to address any weaknesses in the student’s application such as volunteer work or extracurricular activities. Be Prepared Finally, realize that the best time to take the MCAT is when you are most prepared and able to perform well on the exam. While most students are anxious to get moving through the long process that a career in medicine requires, realize that a year or two spent working toward your goal will not impact your career in the long run. Put in the time now and perform your best so that you can set yourself up early to do well. About the Author Jordan Salley is one of MyGuru's most accomplished MCAT tutors. Clickhereto learn more!

The 5 best places to save money teaching abroad

The 5 best places to save money teaching abroad Okay, so you’ve made up your mind to teach English abroad and now comes the exciting part: choosing where to go. Some people make this decision based on a lifelong obsession with a certain culture, or just a few breathtaking photos they see online. But for others, choosing where to teach might not be so simple. In fact, it might involve late nights and going so deep down a YouTube hole that there’s no way back. I’ve been there. Choosing where to teach abroad can be a headache and almost the hardest part of the puzzle. It can be overwhelming since the world is massive and the options seem endless. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. If you want to save money while teaching abroad, we’ve rounded up a few countries you may want to consider. 1. United Arab Emirates You can make more money than you can spend teaching in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), since the country offers some of the most attractive financial packages for teachers looking to work abroad. The salaries in Abu Dhabi and Dubai usually come with benefits like housing, flights, health insurance and an end-of-contract bonus. Some teachers even have their utilities covered (so you can blast the air-con without worrying about bank-balance-crippling bills). Although the UAE is one of the flashier teach abroad destinations, it’s certainly not impossible to save. The excellent compensation means you can live a relatively lavish lifestyle and still pocket a good bit of your wages. Teachers considering this part of the world will be well-positioned for flights to other countries in the Middle East, as well as parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It’s also home to a large expat community, which can help new teachers settle in faster. Get a feel for exactly what living, spending and saving in the UAE is like with this teacher’s account of budgeting while living and working in the UAE. Amount in USD/month (approx. for 1 person) Salary for teachers in the UAE $2,400â€"$5,700 (tax-free)plus housing, flights, health insurance end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in the UAE Big savers: $2,500 Moderate savers: $1,500 Light savers: $900 Cost of living for teachers in the UAE (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $2,250 Moderate spenders: $2,000 Light spenders: $1,500 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in the UAE $1,500â€"$2,000 (not including flights) 2. China China has always been subject to global curiosity, but it’s only in recent years that the opportunity to teach there has become truly attractive. As the economy continues to grow, the Chinese government is pushing education and investing in the English language. There are teaching positions in China to suit every type of personâ€"â€"from rugged rural villages to sprawling cities. As China’s demand for teachers grows, so do teachers’ salaries. The average teacher manages to save a decent amount of money in China. Although wages are low compared to Middle Eastern countries, the cost of living is much lower. It’s worth shopping around for the right position as benefits can vary and getting your flights and accommodations covered can go a long way towards fattening your wallet. Whether you’re an experienced educator or fresh grad interested in teaching in China, it’s worth checking out the Explore Program for some of the best opportunities. Amount in USD/month (approx.1 person) Salary for teachers in China $1,500â€"$4,500 (tax-free)plus housing, flights, health insurance end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in China Big savers: $3,000 Moderate Savers: $2,000 Light savers: $900 Cost of living for teachers in China (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,200 Moderate spenders: $800 Light spenders: $600 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in China $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 3. Kuwait When people talk about teaching in the Middle East it often seems like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia are the only countries that come to mind. But there are lots of countries investing in foreign teachers and ignoring them would be a mistake. Kuwait offers pay and benefits that are on par with its famous neighbours, but the cost-of-living is lower, making it an attractive option for families looking to teach in the Middle East. Teachers that make the trip to Kuwait will probably be a little surprised by how different it is to home. Men outnumber women and alcohol is banned (so it’s not exactly a party destination). It’s good news for people that enjoy socializing over food or family-friendly activities, as this is how people spend their free time in this small country. Kuwait is small enough to miss on a map, but world travelers won’t be disappointed as it offers easy access to the rest of the Middle East, as well as parts of Asia. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in Kuwait $2,600â€"$4,000 (tax-free)plus housing,flights, bonus, healthcare Saving potential for teachers in Kuwait Big savers: $3,000 Moderate savers: $1,500 Light savers: $1,000 Cost of living for teachers in Kuwait (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,600 Moderate spenders: $1,100 Light spenders: $650 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in Kuwait $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 4.South Korea If the Middle East or China seem a bit daunting, then perhaps teaching in South Korea is the answer. A modern country that boasts big cities and idyllic rural landscapes, English teachers have been traveling here in droves to pay off loans and even save for down payments. It’s not uncommon for teachers to go for a year and leave five years later! The quality of life is one of the best in the world and it’s not hard to put aside some serious cash. Budgeting while teaching in South Korea really doesn’t have to be hard. One of the main attractions of teaching in South Korea is that you really don’t have to skimp on experiences to save big. You can hop on a plane and quickly find yourself in Japan, China or Southeast Asia. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in South Korea $1,800â€"$2,700plus housing, flights, healthcare and end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in South Korea Big savers: $1,500 Moderate savers: $1,000 Light savers: $600 Cost of living for teachers in South Korea (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,200 Moderate spenders: $1,000 Light spenders: $800 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in South Korea $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 5. Kazakhstan If you fancy going off the beaten track in central Asia, then this might be a welcome option. Offering snow leopards and a doorstep to Europe, Kazakhstan is worth considering for the saving-savvy teacher. If you want a reasonable cost of living, great wages and immersion in a brand new culture, look no further. Stunning scenery and modern cities abound and there is no shortage of things to do and places to see. It’s the most diverse of the central Asian countries due to its unique history and ties to Russia. Tea addicts, bread lovers and shish kebab worshippers will all find what they’re looking for. It'seasy to maintain a high standard of living here. Cost of living can be expensive, but it’s balanced by the impressive wages. Teachers looking to move here will most likely need to be certified teachers at home. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in Kazakhstan $3,000â€"$5,000, plus housing allowance, flights health insurance Saving potential for teachers in Kazakhstan Big savers: $3,000 Moderate savers: $2,000 Light savers: $1,000 Cost of living for teachers in Kazakhstan (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,500 Moderate spenders: $1,000 Light spenders: $800 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in Kazakhstan $800â€"$1,000 Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. What you should consider if you’re looking to teach abroad as a way to save When I was picking a country there were a ton of questions on the tip of my tongue, but a few factors were non-negotiable. So, I stubbornly scoured the internet looking for specific answers in a sea of annoyingly generic information and let’s be frank, some pretty weird YouTube videos about what to expect in different countries. I’m going to save you that hassle by sharing my findings with you. First off, you should probably scribble down what you want from a position and try to focus on a couple of things to narrow down your search. For me, these were the non-negotiables (although I wanted to save, money wasn’t my only priority): a. Proximity to other countries - cheap travel options when teaching abroad I wanted to be close enough to other countries to make the odd country-hop budget-friendly. There was no way I was going to pack my suitcase for a year without getting to tick a couple of places off the bucket list. There are plenty of countries that are close to other places that have a high demand for English teachers. Look no further than Southeast Asia, the Middle East or Europe for a bunch of budget-friendly travel options. Some are cheaper than others, so it’s worth seeing how much flights out of your chosen country would cost you. b. Skimp on costs but not on experiences â€"choose a place that’s so fascinating you won’t get bored For me, the country needed to be rich in culture and have the option of teaching in rural areas. I had a hankering for an off-the-grid, immersive experience. I definitely did not want to end up in an expat community where there was an expensive city for me to blow my wages in. I wanted mountains, the total absence of temptation and an outdoorsy year away. Spending my weekends hiking stunning mountain ranges and exploring hidden temples was definitely a shortcut to saving money. As you search, try to think about what you will actually do on a day-to-day basis. Is having other foreigners nearby a priority? How immersed in the local life do you want to be? What kind of little luxuries do you need in your life? c. Look out for low cost of living, small set-up costs and good wages I spent hours online researching cost of living, anticipated savings, set-up costs and salary. Because sometimes the highest wages, don’t always result in the highest savings. If you’re still not sure where you want to go, download our TEFL Country Comparison Chart. Or why not try our salary calculator and see how your qualifications and experience will add up to?

Press Release italki launches WhatsApp for language learning

Press Release italki launches “WhatsApp for language learning” Language learning social network launches iPhone app to connect 1 million language partners around the world through text and voice chat SHANGHAI, China January 29, 2013 italki, the leading social network for language learning, has launched the first iPhone app to connect language learners around the world through text, voice, and images. The “italki Messenger” allows language learners to text message, voice chat, and share images with the over 1 million language learners currently using italki. “Chatting with a language partner is one of the most popular activities on the italki website.  Extending this to a mobile app is a great way to help our users stay connected and learn a language,” said co-founder, Kevin Chen. “Users can now practice their written and spoken language, anytime and anywhere.  No other app connects you instantly with other language learners.” italki’s iPhone app allows language learners to text message, voice message, and share pictures.  After creating an account, a user can search for new language partners by language or country.  Over 200 countries and over 100 languages are represented on italki, which gives users the opportunity to start practicing any language immediately. “We are delighted with the launch of italki’s iPhone app,” said William Bao Bean, an investor in italki. “We expect italki will continue to innovate on both mobile and web.” To download italki’s free iPhone app (“italki Messenger”), click here. About italki italki is an online language learning community that brings students and teachers together for paid and free language learning.  Since launching in 2007, the italki community has grown to over 1 million members from over 200 countries and has been featured in top international press such as Techcrunch, Mashable, The Independent, and The Guardian. Visit for more information. Press Contact: Ross Cranwell Marketing Director italki.com ross@italki.com

The best time of year to look for a teaching job abroad revealed

The best time of year to look for a teaching job abroad revealed So you’ve decided to teach English abroad but you’re not exactly sure when is the best time to start applying. There’s nothing worse than searching for a teaching job when schools aren’t really looking. If you’re putting time and energy into an application - you want to know there’s at least a potential job at the other end of it. You’re probably asking yourself when the peak hiring seasons for different regions are? And the answer isn’t all that straightforward, because most regions will have schools that hire all year long. That’s not to say there aren’t peak hiring seasons when the bulk of teachers are hired. Most schools will hire new teachers at the end of the semester for the in-coming semester, or close to the start of a new semester. A lot of times schools won’t even know how many teachers they’re going to need until they find out which of their current teachers are renewing contracts. So it’s a wise move to apply between semesters when you can. Keep in mind that in countries where there are a lot of private ESL schools - there is a constant demand for English teachers, and if you’re looking to work in a private school in somewhere like China or Thailand, hiring seasons aren’t going to be problematic. If you are planning to teach abroad, here’s a handy guide to help you navigate the best times to land a job in each region. 1. Europe Peak hiring seasons at a glance: September/October and January. A slightly longer look: Hires will usually take place in the primary hiring season of September/October when school starts back after summer break (with job postings going live in the summer months). There is a secondary hiring period in January before the spring term. It’s worth keeping your eyes peeled in the months leading up to those hiring times because most application processes will take a little time. A deeper dive: Most ESL jobs in Europe are in private language schools that typically hire teachers to start in September, with countries like Spain stretching this out to October. Here is a breakdown of some of the typical hiring seasons for ESL teachers: Major European cities like Madrid, Paris, Prague, Berlin, and Rome (to name but a teeny tiny few!) If you want to teach English in a private language school and live in a major European city, then you’re in luck! Due to cities being a major hub of people (many of whom want to improve their English!) there are usually more than enough English teaching jobs to go around. English speakers often find teaching is an easy way to travel Europe and make a little extra spending money along the way. There are plenty of part-time and temporary ESL positions available throughout the year. In major cities, there won’t be as much of a peak season as the demand is constant. It might be worth checking out jobs boards in advance to get a feel for the schools… but often European schools have no shortage of interested teachers and will prefer to meet you in person before making a hiring decision. It’s best to be there in person with a resume (and TEFL) ready to go! Turkey Russia These are two of the countries in Europe with the highest demand for English teachers and they tend to higher all year round. Peak hiring tends to be in July/August with a September start date in mind. Summer camp volunteer opportunities all around Europe Most of these positions are hired in-country and it’s a great way to experience new cultures while traveling Europe. The positions tend to be about a month or a month and a half long - and are often open to those without a degree or much experience. As the emphasis is on young energetic teachers to get the kids enthusiastic about learning English. But it doesn’t end there… You’ve probably noticed that a lot of this is based on private schools demand for ESL jobs. But there are other opportunities in Europe, there are a number of assistantship programs, scholarships and even summer programs that have much stricter hiring season criteria. Let’s take a look at some deadlines for specific teaching programs in Europe: Germany Fulbright English teaching assistantships open applications as early as April with an October deadline. Teachers will be placed in schools the following school year. Spain Language and Cultural assistants program in Spain usually hires teachers to be in the classroom for late August/early September. The application process takes place between January and April of the same year. France If you want to teach English with the TAPIF program you’ll need to get your application in for mid-January with positions starting October of that same year. Austria Secondary schools offer a U teaching assistantship with a start date of October 1st for new teachers. The application process begins long before with teachers submitting resumes between November 15th and January 15th of the year before. Czech Republic The teachers of English program hires teachers year round, but they like the bulk of their teachers to be there for a full academic year, so it’s wise to apply for positions in the summer months. Italy The SITE program typically starts the application process in March/April for positions starting the following September. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it gives you an idea of the different hiring seasons for ESL jobs in Europe. If you’re curious about teaching in Europe? Check out these 7 European teaching programs hiring right now! Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 2.Middle East Peak hiring season at a glance: Year-round A slightly longer look: Year-roundPositions tend to be open on an annual basis. Although it’s worth noting that there’s a definite surge in open teaching jobs during the spring and summer months. A deeper dive: Most ESL jobs will be in private schools in the Middle East and due to the amazing benefits competition is often fierce. We recommend getting your application in early and making sure you’ve all the teaching credentials you need (hello! TEFL). You’ll need to monitor job boards and also take a long hard look at your own resume to make sure you qualify. A quick list of places you can teach in the Middle East that hire all year: Dubai Abu Dhabi Kuwait Qatar Saudi Arabia Bahrain Quick note: In less affluent Middle Eastern countries, it may be wise to go to the country at any time of year. Teachers are often hired on the ground and they may not have the same resources that wealthier teachers have for reaching out to teachers in other countries. It’s important to remember that although there are different hiring seasons for different countries, the huge demand for English teachers in the Middle East means that it shouldn’t be hard to land a job at any time for those with the right qualifications. If you’re curious about what it’s like to teach in the Middle East, check out Teach Away’s guide to teaching abroad in the Middle East. 3.Asia Peak hiring season at a glance: Year-round A slightly longer look: There’s such a huge demand for teach abroad jobs in Asia that there is always need for English teachers. Most jobs can be snapped up while in your home country, but a quick look at teach abroad jobs board and you’ll see tons of English teaching jobs in Asia at any time of year. A deeper dive: When it comes to getting hired in Asia you can find a job any time of the year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some exceptions. There are public schools that have pretty strict hiring periods in place, like Japan and Korea. Let’s take a look at a couple of these exceptions… The Jet Program in Japan The Jet program likes to open its hiring window twice a year. The first window is between April and June, and the second is from October to January. It’s a pretty lengthy hiring process and can take up to 6 months - so be prepared to wait. Public school programs in Korea (like EPIK, JLP, and GEPIK) Similar to Japanese public schools, Korean public schools have two main hiring seasons. The application process will take about 3 months and they usually have an influx of new teachers for the Fall Semester in August, and for the Spring semester in March. China China is definitely in a year-round hiring situation - Teach Away’s very own Explore program is one notable example! The demand is massive! It’s wise to apply in advance as there are quite a few documents involved in the process, and for summer positions they tend to recruit teachers 2 - 3 months in advance. Thailand Southeast Asia Many of these countries start their semesters in May and November and tend to recruit the bulk of their teachers in the months preceding those start dates. 4. Central and South America Peak hiring season at a glance: Late February, March, April, July and August in South America. January, June and December in Central America A slightly longer look: Late February, March, April, July and August in South America. January, June and December in Central America A slightly deeper dive: South America If you want to make sure there’s high demand when you go then countries like Chile, Colombia and Argentina tend to hire English teachers in late February through April, just after their summer vacation. Sometimes they will have a secondary hiring season in July and August. Central America Guatemala and Costa Rica tend to hire most of their teachers between December and January with school starting back after Christmas. They have a secondary hiring season in June. In Mexican cities, there are private schools that will hire all year round. The situation is similar in Nicaragua. If you’re interested in teaching in Central or South America, check out our beginner’s guide.

Start Med School

The Fitness Routine to Practice Now Before You Apply to/Start Med School pixabay.com Meal prep Even if you are about to start the application process, and med school is feeling far away, it is never too early to start planning for your med life. Since you will be on call, working, taking classes, and getting in your hours, eating will fall on the back burner, especially if you have two seconds to leave your house and choose to run out without food instead of being late. To cope with your busy schedule, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of meal prepping now, so it’s already a big part of your routine when you start school. How exactly do you get into meal prepping? There are tons of mediums for you to choose from when figuring out how you want to meal prep, and what foods will be easy and healthy to make and eat all week. You can check out food YouTube channels that will take you through step by step, look on Pinterest for some great ideas, check out fitness books or magazines, and look into meal prepping blogs. With so much content out there, you are bound to find some things that you will like! To cut down on time, most meal preppers pick an off-day and prep everything for the week. While this will take a few hours out of your off day, it will save you so much time when you are on the go and will ensure that you are fueling your body to keep yourself going through those long shifts. Plus, if you start now before you are in med school, you will already have a few recipes down by heart, making the prep time cut in half when you are busting it out before your start of the week at work. Exercise routine Being as busy as you will be with med school, it may seem impossible to fit a workout in, so start planning ahead with exercises that you can do in short bursts or while you are on the go. First, look into some fitness routines that are 20 minutes or less, for when you want a workout fix but don’t have enough time to go to the gym. I love kickboxing and ballet barre for these quick bursts that you will feel in the morning. You can also scope out the area near and around your med school, and plan your walk to work or on your breaks accordingly. Maybe there are stairs nearby that you can jog, or a nice path that you can walk or bike instead of drive when heading to class. When you don’t have a lot of time, it really is all about improvising. You can also invest in a gym membership to a place like 24 Hour Fitness, since they will be open whenever you have time to fit in a quick workout. They even have classes beginning as early as 5:00 a.m., so you might be able to squeeze in a half hour full body workout after/before a long shift. Schedule in the essentials Now is the time to look at your calendar and plan out the essentials that you still need in your life, like getting enough sleep, having some downtime (even if it’s just an hour), and also making time for social endeavors. You won’t be able to see your friends and family as much as you currently do, but with the right amount of planning, you’ll still be able to squeeze in coffee dates or a trip to the movies. If possible, you also want to enjoy your free time as much as you can now, and make a pact with yourself to put quality time and sleep in your hectic schedule as much as you can. You can only keep with a go-go-go schedule for so long before you eventually burn out, so if you plan ahead, you might be able to help prevent that from happening. These are just a few ways to get into the “fitness routine” of being a med student before you even are one officially! Planning is your best friend, and with a bit of work, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and will still be able to do many of the things you enjoy. Good luck! Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.

Using a Moving Team to Help You Unload

Using a Moving Team to Help You UnloadIf you want to make a move to the Province of Nova Scotia, and your girlfriend is against it, you might want to consider hiring a move tutor. While it may seem like a good idea to get the entire crew together and do everything yourself, it can be much more enjoyable if the entire family can come together and enjoy one another's company. It is a great way to keep everyone in your family together, rather than separate them into separate teams. Hiring a move tutor will help make your move more successful.You can find a moving company that will take the crispest mess and make it fit into your moving truck like a glove. A few hours with a moving team will make for a smooth move for any family moving to a new area. However, make sure you ask about their experience moving your stuff and if they offer a guarantee on the move. Don't get taken advantage of, just because they are willing to spend more money.The technicians that you hire will come prepared w ith a list of references and technician service to make your move go smoothly. This should be a common feature of any move technician. In some cases, it may be easier to find a moving company online, since there are now so many websites offering the service for a small fee.When you need to move, it is a good idea to have a moving party of people to look after your belongings and help you unload your truck at the end of the day. A move tutor will also have extra vehicles in the back yard to haul items and furniture back home.It is a good idea to give a good price range when choosing a company. Make sure you discuss all of the costs involved before hiring a moving team. If you plan on hiring a moving team, be sure you use their price quote in future to ensure you are getting the best deal for your family's move.Moving a trailer like Pixelmon will require a lot of effort and patience. If you've been living in the city, you'll notice there is usually a lot of traffic and it can be a lon g and tedious task to move from one place to another. Pixelmon is a great way to start the process and end up with a smooth transition to your new home. With Pixelmon you can do the entire process from start to finish, without ever having to leave your home.There are many reasons you might decide to hire a Pixelmon moving service. You can get a one-time move done or you can choose to have the move completed periodically so you always have fresh stock of furniture and boxes in your house. Whatever option you choose, the safety of your family's possessions should always be your top priority. Any move requires knowledge and skill to complete successfully and the right provider will make it happen.