01/21/13

The Biggest Social Network You’ve Never Heard Of “Whatsapp”

When it comes to social networks, you have a large selection to choose from: Facebook, Twitter, BlogSpot, (to name a few, and even MySpace,) but a new app is on the rise which is connecting people in a whole new way!

WhatsApp Messenger is revolutionizing the way people get in touch, all through the use of their smartphones.  Without confusing international charges, this cross-platform application enables users to send messages to one another for free! WhatsApp handles ten billion messages each day – an indication of the popularity of the service.  The application’s only requirement for users to easily connect worldwide without worrying about text messaging rates is an Internet connection or data plan.

However, this type of app is not a new idea, as BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), already allows those with BlackBerry phones to text for free, as does Apple’s iMessage, which also allows any Apple device such as the iPhone or iPad to send messages free.

What makes Whatsapp different is that it allows phones from different platforms to message. This means that anybody with an iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone or Nokia phone can text as much as they want without worrying about exceeding their monthly SMS limit.  Thus, I would recommend giving WhatsApp a try especially if you will be studying or working abroad through our Center in the near future. This will enable you to keep in touch with your friends and family while you’re away!

 

01/18/13

Student Stars: Kristine Capuno – Marketing in Brazil

For Kristine Capuno, working abroad in central Brazil was the opportunity of a lifetime.  It had always been a dream for Kristine to travel, but she never expected her marketing internship at the Associação Filantrópica Semente da Vida (AFSDA) would become a dynamic part of her college experience.   She felt her internship truly gave her a chance to develop herself personally and professionally and gave her exposure to a world outside of New York City.

As part of Kristine’s marketing internship at AFSDA, she helped to communicate her organization’s values and ideals to the immediate community in the city of Goiania through a program named Projeto Semear.  AFSDA is a non-governmental organization that aims to create strong local communities by integrating parents, children and the community through activities that work towards improving their quality of life through activities such as football lessons, music, computers, and language classes, and fundraising.  Kristine felt that the experience helped her further her skills as a marketing major at Baruch.  Kristine expects to graduate in June 2013 and apply the knowledge attained overseas in her career.

When asked what the most enjoyable aspect of working abroad was, Kristine noted, “Surrounding myself with them [the people she worked with overseas] allowed me to learn so much about myself [and]… gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.”

We recommend visiting Mutirama Park if you have the opportunity to sightsee in Goiania.  Mutirama Park is a great place to relax or enjoy a lazy afternoon.  It is also home to the city’s planetarium, which is worth the visit should you desire to compare it to what we have in New York, such as the Rose Center for Earth and Space in Manhattan.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate enrolled at Baruch, you may also qualify for the work abroad experience!  Please come by the Weissman Center’s office conveniently located across the street from the VC at:

137 E. 25th Street 8th Floor

New York, NY 10010

We would be happy to set up an appointment for you to learn more about work abroad opportunities.

01/17/13
Source: Kenny Louie via flickr

Coming soon: Hail a Yellow Cab with your Smartphone

Source: Kenny Louie via flickr
Source: Kenny Louie via flickr

With technology nowadays, everything seems to be getting more convenient and easier for the average person to live their daily routine. In a city like New York, it’s all about the fast paced lifestyle. For students like us that commute in the city, it is particularly advantageous if we have tools that can save us time. We see new developments every day, such as the New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission approving a pilot program that would allow the use of smartphone applications to hail yellow taxis.

With the touch of a screen, people can request a yellow taxi on their smartphone, allowing drivers to receive requests and confirm pickup locations thus eliminating the need to hail a taxi in congested traffic. The apps will be subject to geographic restrictions. For example, drivers and passengers will be able to connect if they are within half a mile of each other if a taxi is required for travel in Manhattan’s numerous business areas. For the other areas of New York City, requests can be made for a yellow taxi within 1.5 miles.

There is some controversy surrounding this newly developed program. Commissioners of for-hire vehicles are criticizing the apps as a threat to their businesses, believing that the apps violate the ban on prearranged rides in yellow taxis. Others are worried a taxi may be passing a potential customer while en route to a request therefore defeating the purpose of the new application.

The vote was 7 to 0 with 2 abstentions, and with the city’s blessing in February, a one year trial will begin. Only time will tell for this advancement’s possible success.

For more information on this development, check out this article at The New York Times website.

 

01/15/13

How to Market your International Experience on your Resume

Including international experience on your resume, such as from studying or working abroad can be beneficial and stand out to an employer if it is articulated properly. International experience expresses openness to different ideas as well as good communication skills. The following are tips for effective ways of presenting your experience abroad on your resume.

  • Concentrate on your accomplishments and expertise. Your resume should be based around what you have gained from your trip and not simply list the places you visited.
  • Include any courses you took under the header of “Education” and any volunteer work/internships you did internationally under “relevant work experience.”
  • Make sure you know who your audience is and tailor your resume accordingly. A resume written for a potential employer should be different from one written for a graduate school.
  • Include any relevant details about your experience abroad such as volunteer work and independent studies.

Aside from your resume, when conversing with a future employer about your experiences abroad, explain that your intercultural know-how will be helpful in a diverse workforce. These tips should help give a potential employer or graduate school a better understanding of your international experience.

01/11/13

Weekly Newsmakers – Winter Break Edition: Eurozone Unemployment, Chinese Policy, MulchFest, L.I. Art

We hope you are enjoying your winter break! We are back with another exciting Weekly Newsmakers – your source for local events and news with an international focus. As a reminder, Baruch’s spring semester begins January 28th and this column will return to its normal publication schedule that week.

Eurozone Unemployment Hits Another Record High – CNN (Editor’s Pick)
According to data released by Eurostat on Tuesday, we now know that the unemployment rate in the 17-nation Eurozone has hit a record high of 11.8% in November, meaning that 18.8 million people are without work – an increase of two million people compared to 12 months ago.  Spain and Greece have the most staggering figures, with Spain clocking in at almost 27% overall unemployment, and Greece with over 56% youth unemployment.  The retail, services and construction industries could see continuing hiring freezes.  However, industrial managers are more optimistic, and expect hiring to improve for their sector.  What are your thoughts on the EU’s employment crisis?  Weigh in in the comments section below.

China Says It Will Overhaul Sprawling System of Re-education Through Labor – New York Times (Editor’s Pick)

China is ready to expel it’s re-education through labor system in the coming year, according to the state news media. The move indicates the new leadership’s agenda for changing the system for punishing petty criminals, religious dissidents, and petitioners, a system deemed to be tyrannical to many political pundits in the United States. Do you think China’s move to begin abolishing its re-education system will change the world’s opinion on China and Chinese policy? Tell us your thoughts on this subject below.

Recycle your Christmas Tree – Weissman Center Reports
If you are ready to part with your Christmas Tree from 2012, don’t throw it out! Instead bring it to a city part participating in MulchFest on 1/12 or 1/13 to turn your tree into usable wood chips and mulch that will be used to nourish the city’s vast array of flora and botanic life. Select Mulchfest locations will have biodegradable bags on site and allow you to bring home a free bag of mulch – perhaps you can use it in your garden or to help plant a new tree in your backyard. For details on where to find a Mulchfest site, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest.

Eclectic Local Art in L. I. – Weissman Center Reports

Long Island City’s art scene, which often plays second fiddle to Manhattan’s art scene, is actually a fast growing world.  To see for yourself, visit the Diego Salazar Art Gallery from now until January 26 to see local artists’ work in a “neighborhood-centric exhibition.”  The artwork on display are varied in theme and material, but is inspired by the neighborhood.  A few featured artists include Violet Baxter, Mary Didoardo, and Arthur Hammer. For more information, visit facebook.com/diegosalazarartgallery.

01/9/13

Student Stars: Stephanie Trochez- Volunteering in Istanbul

Stephanie Trochez, a student star at Baruch, worked abroad in Istanbul this past summer. She volunteered in the Myself My World project as a team leader.  One of the responsibilities Stephanie had as a team captain was to discuss social responsibility issues. The subjects she spoke about included that of freedom of speech, and she led a discussion with other students about the various problems that occur with countries where freedom of speech and expression is limited.

In her testimonial for work abroad, Ms. Trochez said that working with Myself My World created a much more enriching experience than just visiting Turkey as a tourist.  In addition to taking in the Turkish culture, she was able to learn the cultures of the other interns working alongside her. An aspect she most enjoyed when working abroad was being a teacher and discussing current problems about politics and education.

Additionally, Stephanie stated the most challenging part of her experience was the language barrier, which made communicating at restaurants, finding directions and asking for help at stores difficult. However, she overcame this obstacle by finding other ways to express her thoughts.

Stephanie’s advice for other students planning to work abroad is “be ready for everything”. She says that “being in another country, we do not usually get the same accommodation you get at home. You have to prepare mentally for the types of conditions that you might have to confront in terms of housing, food and local customs.”

If you are interested in working abroad, please set up an appointment at the Weissman Center.  We have tons about information on available programs and scholarship opportunities.