Visit Australia for wild raw nature adventure- A Truly Exotic Tourism

Posted by Achu on December 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Along Australia’s old highway—Stuart Highway (now called Explorer’s Way)—lies a good start of a memorable, exotic Australian adventure. Explore the Barkly Region and you will never feel the same about travel and tourism ever again.

Experience life with aborigines. Watch waves and waves of sunrise-sunset successions. Chase zebras and exortic species of birds in the vast expanse of the wild. And, as if these were not enough, nature trip by the camp fire at night and wake up to the cool breeze of an exotic world with a view of heap after heap of granite boulders–Devil’s Marbles. This is part of the tourism offering of Western Australia. It is a place frequented by backpackers and many different kinds of tourists. Anthropologists and geologists find this spot a gem to study and to enjoy.

The place was called Karlu Karlu in ancient times, complete wirh a string of stories. But sans these stories, the site is great to behold by the silent hours of dusk and dawn. Feast in the fantastic view of the sun as it sets and as it rises, its rays showering soft, glimmery rays in the horizon, striking the scattered stones which is what the place is mostly about. Day and night tours are available for this kind of adventure. It is tourism for the daring-hearted–those who love lying close to cool, cool earth, the environs warmed only by bonfires. Oh, and they should bring their own firewood and water in order to be admitted to camp.

Morning comes, and you wake up to the cool serenity of Creation’s unadulterated wonders—just as well, because the stories woven around this tourist spot are stories of creation which is what Karlu Karlu is all about. The early-morning hours after watching the sun head up are best spent hiking and smelling nature, admiring the beauty of the flowers and greeneries that dot certain parts. Depending on your energy and drive, you can go for brief hikes or long walks. As you do so, experience what Australian aboriginal culture is all about. Whatever you set your heart on and whatever you do, you get to soak in so much of what nature has to offer. There are endless potentials of activities. You may, however, settle for granite gazing and nature watching from a vantage point. Select your spot for a view of the most picturesque pose of nature. This is an adventure that enervates all of man’s senses: You sniff. You see. You feel.  Camping adventure in these parts suits only those who do not mind using pit toilets and will not miss the luxury of a plush hotel room.

Experience underground-tunnel adventures in ancient mines. Day tours and night tours are available. The mines are reminiscent of the gold-rush part of Australian history. This is in the northern part, north of Alice Spring. A trip to the historic mines completes a traveler’s itinerary and adds up to the rustic memories that will never leave the senses long after one has traveled back to his or her homeland. Battery Hill Mining Centre offers educational opportunity to get to know how the early miners worked and lived. The experience brings you back in time to the 1930s as the gold-rush fever hit Australia, especially in these parts. While studying the mines and delving on history, get a chance to appreciate this nation’s aboriginal culture which it prides itself of.

This leg of your visit to Australia is eventful and adventurous—something you will never forget. And that’s a promise! (MV)

Filed under Travel | Tags: , , , ,


Eligibility for claiming tax relief in Singapore

Posted by Achu on December 9th, 2010 | No Comments »

This article will help the taxpayers to save some money by understanding the claim applicable tax reliefs. In Singapore all must pay the tax including foreigners who came here for jobs including contract roles.

You need to analyse the tax pattern  and claim applicable tax reliefs by end of each year to get the benefits out of it. I will advise you to approach a qualified tax consultant if required before you submit the tax return.

If you are a Singapore citizen and if you meet the necessary conditions you are eligible for tax reliefs, the below are applicable.

  • Income relief
  • Spouse relief
  • Child relief
  • Parent relief
  • Foreign maid levy relief for married female taxpayers
  • Get the claim relief if you qualify for any of the above

Another happy news for working couple, both male and female taxpayers can claim tax relief for their wives or husbands but the spouse does not have an annual income exceeding S$4,000 in a year.

There is a notable increase in tax relief for educational courses, this amount is increased from SGD 3500 to SGD 5000.

The following conditions are also applicable in tax relief claims.

  • Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-up
  • CPF contributions for the self-employed
  • Contributions to the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) – For 2010, SRS contributions are capped at $11,475 for Singaporeans and permanent residents, and $26,775 for foreigners.

An important thing to note, most of the reliefs are only granted when claimed each year. But certain types of relief like earned income relief and NSman relief are exception to this.  So claim each year for relief if you are qualified and with out claiming the relief the authority will not take this in to consideration.

Filed under Singapore | Tags: ,


Study and Work in Australia

Posted by Guest Post on December 6th, 2010 | No Comments »

Study and Work  in Australia

Australia is one country that is among those that have been listed to excel in certain subjects in world-competitiveness assessments. It was listed in the 2008 United Nations Development Program Index among the ranked countries for excellence in specific academic subjects based on 2006 data among 56 countries of the world. It was among the Top 10 in Reading, rated 6th, and it was ranked 13th in Mathematics.  Australia is listed as 0.993 among the top-ranked countries, which, as per records, is “tied for first with Denmark and Finland”.

Official school age is at 5 – 15 or 17 for Australia’s compulsory education. In nearly all of Australia’s territories (the exceptions of which are Queensland and Western Australia), preschool or kindergarten school for children, those aged 3 – 5 years, is not considered as part of formal schooling. Compulsory education ends at age 15 or age 17, depending on the prescribed educational system which varies from one state to another or from one territory to another.

The system for Australia’s compulsory education stage is decentralized in all aspects, including funding and standards. That after the compulsory phase is under the umbrella of a national unified system—the Australian Qualifications Framework. Options would be to go for vocational education and training under The Australian Technical And Further Education (TAFE) or to pursue tertiary education in universities or colleges.

Australian schools have a Grade 7 or a Year 7 level which some schools count as part of primary education while others count as part of secondary education. The North Territory adopted Years 7 –  9 as part of what they refer to as middle school. They count Years 10 –  12 as high school.

If you plan to send your children to Australia, take note of the academic year so the family can plan on when to come and when to enroll. The academic year in Australia for primary and secondary students jibes with the calendar year. Some schools open as early as January, others in February. Classes end in December. For universities and colleges, the first semester opens in February and ends in October while the second semester opens in mid-November and ends in January.

Bulk of the schools in Australia—65 percent—is under the public education system, the remaining 35 percent are private schools, mostly Catholic schools, and a few online institutions. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents may attend public schools.

Beyond secondary education, students either pursue a university degree or technical education in a technical college. Australia offers a full complement of university degrees similar to what developed countries offer. Some people enroll in second courses purely as “interest” or “enrichment” courses with the knowledge that Australian employers put a premium on continuing education and themselves offer training courses that will prepare prospective employees in attaining better job-success. This is among those countries which believe that one is never too old to study. These days, online studies are also starting to catch fire in Australia. Job application for many employers is also now done through the internet and one of the preparations for competitiveness is a post-graduate degree. Second or third courses also score points in the jobs market. This gives the signal that Australia is one nation that sets its standards high. It is also one country where there are indications of industry’s initiatives to meet the academe at midpoint to some extent. (MV). A review on Study and Work  in Australia 2011 focus.

Filed under Study Abroad | Tags: , ,


Study in Singapore- A guide to Children of expatriates

Posted by Guest Post on December 5th, 2010 | No Comments »

Singapore uses English as the primary medium of instruction in its schools. This bridges any communication barrier children of expatriates face in other countries.  Adjustment is not much of an issue since Singaporean culture is modern and diverse. Expatriates in Singapore can conveniently send their children to school in Singapore since the kids easily fit into the lifestyle of their peers. Knowledge of Chinese is an added advantage, but the predominance of English usage will make them feel comfortable enough. There are some private schools that have integrated Chinese, Malay or Tamil language, depending on their mother tongue and school choice, into their education curriculum as early as in kindergarten. Among the choices are Chinese, Malay or Tamil, as well as other choices that include Hindi, Bengali and Urdu.

Language, mathematics and science are subjects given special importance in the primary and intermediate levels and are sustained in the secondary years. As a matter of fact, Singapore has been enjoying top-ranked distinctions in international competitions and assessments in mathematics and science. Language learning, on the other hand, is a major factor in determining a student’s academic track. Language courses are a big thing when studying in Singapore. But mathematics and science provide a sound foundation for those who get to start their studies early in Singapore.

Singapore has set its standards high in the arena of education. It was cited this year by a ranking British education official for the excellent quality of education it offers.

Students wishing to move up to the secondary level must pass Singapore’s qualifying examination named PSLE for short—the national test, Primary School Leaving Examination. Their examination performance determines whether they go Normal-Academic or Normal-Technical, Express or Special, the last two bringing students up to a chance to bat for the Singapore-Cambridge examination, which is for the cream of the crop. The Special stream-bound students include only those eligible for Higher Mother Tongue Language instead of Mother Tongue Language in any of these: Chinese, Malay or Tamil.

Children of expatriates or other foreign students may opt for other languages as supplement or substitute to Chinese, Malay or Tamil. Popular choices include French, German and Japanese.

Careers one may prepare for when choosing to study in Singapore include Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) under which fall call center careers. Those from language courses have an advantage when it comes to call center jobs. But products of Normal-Technical courses also fare well in BPO companies, not to mention, companies with information and communication technology expertise. A teaching job is also promising in Singapore but so are careers in business management with Singapore’s great diversity of private businesses. Studying in Singapore may be the best preparation one may take to land a premium job in their modern Asian nation.

Should you decide on this track, make sure you perform well in school. Singapore is one country which puts premium on excellence in academic performance. It is generous with opportunities but these opportunities are largely based on academic performance merit. (MV)

Children of expatriates Study in Singapore  focusing on 2011 academic year.

Filed under Study in Singapore | Tags: , , , , ,


What Every Woman Traveling to France MUST Visit

Posted by Guest Post on December 3rd, 2010 | No Comments »

Tourists traveling to France usually just end up visiting Paris, period, and they are usually just hemmed in on the regular itinerary which includes going up the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Le Louvre Museum and another museum or two. Take a city tour via special rented tourism barges that take you slowly around as you enjoy both food and music, and some champagne. This part of the tour which is rather pricey, gives you a treat of a romantic historic river cruise plying through historic canals. Your itinerary may just be spiced up with daily bouts to coffee shops and fine dining restaurants. For Catholics, a visit to the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is never missed. For shopaholics, a walk along the streets of the downtown area of Paris would afford enticing trips from shop to shop to scour what these have to offer, from branded shoes to apparel, accessories, and whatever it is women usually fancy.

Moulin Rouge is hardly a place for ladies, especially ladies traveling alone, nope! But securing tickets early to fashion shows and stage plays and musicales in any one of Paris’s plush venues—five-star hotels, operas, theaters, and the like—would make a woman’s trip to Paris complete. But while Paris is the capital city and a trip to France is almost synonymous to travel to Paris, there is really more to France that every adventurous lady must discover. Traveling around France, going north or south, or east or west is a dream experience for every woman. This is one nation that offers an eyeful and a soulful experience for lady tourists, especially those who go by the description “women of substance.” Generally, women traveling together without men who do not have the patience to scour towns and cities are bound to experience great escapades that offer practically everything any woman longs for.

Ladies—France is one place which tickles the romantic side of you and, believe it or not, this writer has interviewed women who claimed that they fell in love with France, some, with love enough to want to come back again and again, one or two, opting to stay. A fashion designer I know goes to France once a year, stays for about 60 – 90 days and, voila! This friend comes home and does not have to lift a finger having to earn a living.  There is this other friend who is a wine connoisseur and goes only to the world’s best wine-producing countries to freshen her bar inventory back home. Yes, she heads south of France but not just to go wine shopping, but to spice up her trip with soulful adventures in vineyards, where she gets a whiff of country air that makes one literally smell and kiss nature. The air in these parts has a tinge of grape scent that is so soothing.

It’s easy to get by traveling around France. The country has a very efficient transportation system. Traveling by Eurorail gets you straight and fast to your destination almost everywhere in just a few minutes and in all comfort, you can even do your emails on your laptop or netbook in tow as the train speeds away. If the train is crowded, you’d have to stay standing, but it’s no big deal because you get to your destination in no time at all. With prior arrangements, certain vineyards open up to tourists and give a whole gamut of information, even demonstration of actual processes involved in the winery business. If you’re lucky, you may get a chance to view and smell the bouquet of many different types of wines and champagnes variedly aged in oak barrels as you sample some. Explore the Champagne region in eastern France. Cheers, ladies!

Never miss Avignon’s park where artists offer to paint on the spot and where coffeeshops seem always like wild beehives. That would be the Montmarte. There are small hotels around the area and lots of bars and clubs and pubs so night life there would be heaven. Pose for a souvenir painting, after all, this experience is priceless and the talent fees are really not that steep. You can even haggle!

 As if these adventures were not enough, what about a trip down south to Avignon for a chance to watch swans (or are those geese?) placidly swimming in the lake, a perfect view of a world that seems to stand still and fill a woman’s soul with peace. Go for a tour of ancient palaces such as that which in ancient days was the seat of the Vatican. The Pope’s Palace in Avignon housed several Popes in succession in the 14th century. Go up and down through staircases, peering through endless rooms and corridors. Let the antiquity and the solemnity of the palace suffuse your nerves with a calming effect roused only by human excitement over discovery after discovery. Explore the other edifices, too, that are all replete with character. Enjoy great cuisine and ambience at La Fourchette or at the Christian Etienne as you leisurely enjoy every bite as if time has stayed frozen. And though any time is a good time to visit Avignon, the best time ever is by mid-year, from end-June all through July, for the well-acclaimed Avignon Festival. This is an annual cultural festival where the world’s great cultural performers come to showcase their production repertoire. The streets are lined with tousists and people queue up for their shows of choice. The hotels at this time of the year always get fully-booked. Oh, it would be regrettable not to have a chance to spend the night. This writer had to live with that regret for a long, long time. There was no choice. Oh, what about the French Riviera and Provence north of France, and more and more? Work-and-fun mix sometimes cannot be overstretched.

So, ladies—book your flight and get set on an itinerary this rich! It will be the adventure of a lifetime! (MV)

Filed under Travel | Tags: , , , , ,


Best Family Nightlife in Singapore

Posted by Guest Post on November 29th, 2010 | No Comments »

Singapore bustles at daytime and scintillates at night. But the concept of nightlife in Singapore goes beyond the typical dine-and-drink itineraries offered anywhere else. Despite its size, tourism in Singapore has been so excellently planned as to offer the best options even after sundown for singles and families. As a matter of fact, this modern and progressive Oriental nation is known far and wide for its nightlife repertoire, said to be among the world’s top 5 nightlife choices. Surely, Singapore boasts of its great cuisine varieties for fine dining to start a night of merriment but what it offers goes way beyond this. It has earned the title of being a hub of cultural diversity, well-mirrored in the wealth of its exotic culinary offerings with choices not limited to the four major races that intermingle in Singapore: Tamil, Chinese, Malay and Indian. This tourism hub has all these and more as a cosmopolitan city. It has the finest dining places for any tourist in search of an assortment of gustatory delights and night entertainment—both the best of night city-life and night escapades in nature.

There is so much to rave about. Families wishing to spend a weekend or an entire week or two in this fabulous destination can start by enjoying delightful carefully-planned meals in fine-dining restaurants by the quay or along Orchard Road (Singapore’s premiere street) and in hawker stalls to be able to sample an assortment of dishes. Though typical international food chains abound in the area, the popular choices are those that offer multicultural cuisines. Overall, the palate can feast on the best of the east and the west.
Consider these.

Singapore’s Clarke Quay has over 20 cuisine assortments in its row after row of restaurants nestled near bars, clubs and other entertainment and watering holes. These are all situated in rehabilitated warehouses in this historic quay. The Boat Quay adds to the night’s promise of rich wine-dine-entertainment options.

Singapore has a lot to offer tourists—whether they go for simple musical numbers or exotic presentations that include Hindu cultural showcase and other Asian or western performances. One can while the night away in one of the two bustling casinos located in the following resorts: the Marina Bay Sands and the fabulous Resort World Sentoza, which houses the Universal Studios Singapore. But for a family in search of activities for thrill and bonding under the stars and the scintillating night lights of Singapore, the perfect adventure would be the Night Zafari attraction at Singapore’s night zoo.

One has until midnight to enjoy feasting on over a thousand animals that include those found only in the jungles of Africa, Nepal and the Amazon. Singapore’s Night Zafari bagged a major tourism cup for years in a row last decade. This is something every tourist family must plan for. The children will be thrilled to their bones to see an exotic animal live and up close. It will surely be worth the trip! It is the type of vacation children will remember for a long, long time and will keep bragging about. (MV)

Filed under Attractions | Tags: ,


Education in Dubai

Posted by Guest Post on November 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »

Education in Dubai

Dubai’s public education system used to be exclusively for Emiratis, but was liberalized in 2007 to accommodate children of expatriates. Candidates, however, have to pass a comprehensive qualifying examination in the core subjects of mathematics, English and Arabic. It is the children of Arab expatriates who are really most suited for accommodation in the UAE public education system that is why very few among the expats from other nations send their children to state education in the Emirates.  Their children anyhow can feast on a choice of private schools offering all levels of education and these institutions are strewn all over Dubai. There are schools owned and operated by Americans, British, Emiratis and other Asians. There are a growing number of colleges and universities in Dubai catering to the needs of the expatriates mostly.

Gender segregation is observed in most schools, at least up to secondary school level.  Schools with western curriculum do not follow the traditional segregation practice.  Arabic and Islamic subjects are required except for non-Arab and non-Muslim students.

School age starts at age 2 for nursery, just like almost anywhere else in the world.  Some Dubai nursery schools accept toddlers as young as 18 months, however. Kindergarten is from age 4 while primary years are normally at ages 6 – 12 and secondary at 12 – 18. The private schools in Dubai generally have either Grade 12 or Grade 13.

At the kindergarten level, basic subjects are English, mathematics, music, religion and, to some extent, Arabic. Non-Arabs and non-Muslims generally select a kindergarten school that uses English as its medium of instruction.

Jumeira has a good number of kindergarten schools with English as the medium of instruction. These kindergarten schools are, however, mostly for the upscale market.  You will likely find more primary than kindergarten schools in many parts of Dubai using English as their medium of instruction.

Nurseries are operated as Day Care Centres very much like those found in many countries. They follow a curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Social Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Age cap is the range 2  –  4 years old.

Kindergarten, primary and secondary private schools charge fees of between 3,000 and 25,000 Dirhams. Fees in public schools are only at 3,000 –  5,000 Dirhams.  Some international schools charge as much as 40,000 Dirhams. Class hours are generally either 7:00 am – 4:00 pm or 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Compulsory subjects for both primary and secondary education include mathematics, religion, social studies, physical education and Arabic.

For those planning on working in Dubai and relocating there with school-age children, it pays to know the schedule of school opening. This is usually in the months of September and April.  Arrival in May would be a problem for those who are supposed to enrol their kids in facilities that open in April. The Emirati educational system does not allow late enrolment. It also does not allow transfer of kids from one school to another within an academic year without the approval of the Ministry of Education and the reason given must fall under their acceptable “special” reasons. Thus, it is best to plan on going earlier by at least 30-60 days for the kids to get a chance to be accustomed to the language and the culture of the United Arab Emirates. Expect that the Arab language is part and parcel of the curriculum, something the kids would find very useful for them to get by with, particularly in their early years of studying and interacting with peers. It would be better though to have tutorial Arabic language lessons prior to the opening of classes.  The internet provides information on possible tutors. Personal referrals of well-meaning people are invaluable.

Enrolees in primary schools reportedly sometimes queue up in order to be accommodated. Look schools up in the internet before flying to Dubai and make tentative plans.  Research on your schools shortlist by viewing their websites. Most of them have one. Below are links to some of the URLs that offer a list of private schools in Dubai.

www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-dubai.php

www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-new-dubai.php

www.privateschools.co.uk/dubai.htm

For higher education, colleges and universities offer great opportunities for a future career in the United Arab Emirates in fields such as information technology and business management.  A few of the other popular courses offered are science courses, engineering courses and mathematics courses.

Dubai colleges and universities traditionally have two intakes, but some schools have shifted to three terms. Most of those that are on three intakes a year are schools which follow British curriculum. Many of the tertiary educational facilities based in Dubai, especially those affiliated with colleges and universities in other countries, also offer post-graduate studies, both masteral and doctoral levels. Masters in Business Administration is among the choice picks.

Perhaps the best value of studying in school in cosmopolitan Dubai is the chance to study and appreciate an exotic culture in which age-old traditions are deeply ingrained. There is also the value common in all experiences involving international education which is the development of lifelong friendships with fellow expatriates from different nations. International schools offer greater opportunities for these finer elements in life.  Be prepared for the costs though. (MV)

Education in Dubai, A study focusing on 2011 academic year in Dubai

Filed under Dubai | Tags: ,


How to find job through Recruitment Agencies in Singapore

Posted by Achu on November 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

The below tips will help you to understand the ways to tackle the job opportunities through Recruitment agencies in Singapore.

a. Approach reputed and good recruitment agencies, fake ones are less in Singapore because of the quality monitoring by the authorities but still few fake agencies are operating. The fake recruitment agencies can be easily identified, if someone asking money for a job surely it’s a fake and you are not going to get that job. Avoid consultancies who ask for service charge, one time registration fee, processing fee etc and think twice before you give money because for each successful recruitment the client/employer is ready to pay to the agencies then why they are keen for your couple of dollars’.

  1. Build rapport with recruiters and this helps them to recognise your name and profile. If they get a similar opening they will shoot your resume in the first batch itself.
  2. Few consultancies ask to register on their site and upload the cvs, don’t hesitate to do that because most of the recruiters relay on database.
  3. Response to the job advertisements and if required call them if you find your profile is matching exactly with the job advertised but keep in mind that recruiters have a hectic schedule of work and workloads are more in the first half on the day. So check the convenient time and speak and share your profile.
  4. Be professional; don’t commit any thing unnecessarily especially when recruiters arrange for interviews. If you cannot able to make the interview ask them to reschedule before they schedule the interview with the client. Avoid last minute cancellation after scheduling the interview.

Filed under Career | Tags:


How to get a job in Singapore

Posted by Achu on November 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

Hope the below tips for working and finding jobs in Singapore will help you to get your dream job in Singapore. All are welcome to share your experience and knowledge and I am sure it will definitely help others.

I am trying to sketch as many as information related to all aspects of finding and searching job in Singapore this includes the details of visa. Labour law, changes related to employment in Singapore, booming sectors, demanding jobs, recruitment agencies, Work Permit, social visit pass, dependent pass etc.

Searching and Finding jobs in Singapore.

I am coming with the same word which all the people recommend “Internet”, your search start from here. Using of internet is very important in searching a job. Keep the following in mind

  • Most of the companies hire through recruitment agencies or managed service partners and they depends on database, Portals and references.- So upload your resumes in all the portals and response to the job advertisements.
  • References work well here- So try to build relationships and rapport
  • Few companies hire directly and release the positions in their websites- so search for jobs directly in company website.
  • Newspaper – Strait times comes with jobs in their classified section almost all the day. Saturdays strait times is important as it contains lots of job opportunities.
  • Social media platforms- LinkedIn really works while searching for a job it purely depends on your approach and how you build relationships.

So in brief your search start from the above points and make a clear and focused strategy while you search for your job in Singapore.

Filed under Career | Tags: ,


How to find job using Online Search in Singapore

Posted by Achu on November 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

How to use Search engines, job portals, job boards, social network sites etc effectively for  your job search.

Don’t under estimate the power of online search to find your job. Most of the companies and recruiters advertise the positions online through portals, job boards, forums, social network sites, company websites, classified websites etc. A perfect Google search will show you many job openings and you need to browse to each sites and apply seperately.

Few quick tips.

  1. Check the date of the postings- many old jobs may pop-up.
  2. Do not respond to any scam postings- If somebody ask you application fees or processing fee its a SCAM.
  3. Click the right button of your mouse and open website in new window- Help you to see more jobs quickly.
  4. Check the location before applying.

Online job sites that post job vacancies.

Following websites allows you to upload your profile and search for the jobs.

www.monster.com.sg

www.jobstreet.com.sg

www.jobsdb.com.sg

Linkedin

www.linkedin.com

Exploit the power of linkedin to build relationship and get the industry updates. Many jobs are posted in groups and joining in that group will give access to that particular jobs. there is also a job board where you can find the listed openings

Filed under Career | Tags: , ,


« Older Entries

Pages

Categories

Recent Posts