After watching “A Rainy Day in New York” one cold winter evening, the same one by Woody Allen, I did not understand what I should cry more from – from the aesthetics of the film, the plot, the characters, the city, or the understanding of how far and incomparable it is with my reality.

And six months ago, one rainy day in June, in a desperate search for my hotel in the center of sand dunes with two huge suitcases, I realized that I myself had become the protagonist of my favorite picture.

It all happened thanks to my spontaneous decision to go on the well-known Work and Travel USA program, and I still can’t believe that everything worked out, despite the obstacles and quarantine restrictions (I think, of course, affirmations and a wish map helped!).

Since many students dream of going on an exchange program, Work and Travel USA is an excellent choice just like traveling to dubai for holidays because it does not require special academic knowledge, as well as passing exams and other competitions. It is important to be only a full-time student of any university from any country.

Briefly about the program

The program was invented 30 years ago so that students from all over the world could get a cultural exchange, visit the States, improve their English, and also earn extra money. It lasts from May to September – during this period, participants work in the service sector, and then they can travel around the USA with their hard-earned money.

Agency selection and registration

Registration for the program usually starts in the fall and takes almost six months, along with finding a job and applying for a visa.

My advice when choosing an agency: visit the website of the US embassy in your country and see a list of verified accredited partners, as well as read reviews and consult with former program participants.

For registration, you will need a passport and a certificate stating that you are a student. Everything is very easy!

Choosing a job, staff and finding housing

It is important to understand that you will not work in a metropolis, but rather in a small resort town where Americans usually come to relax in the summer.

When choosing a state, you need to rely on priorities and your desires:

Learn English and immerse yourself in the environment: Midwest, Plains and Rocky Mountains.
Earn more: Massachusetts, New Jersey and the states of the New England region.
Find friends and hang out in the summer: Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, South Virginia, DC, Wisconsin and all the East Coast.
Also consider climate/distance between big cities. I worked as a hostess in Ocean City, and also got a job as a cashier in a fast food establishment.

I advise you to do the same when choosing a job, because there are vacancies (I remind you that work in the service sector) where you often practice spoken English (waiter, cashier, sales assistant), or where the rate per hour is higher (lifeguard, cook, housekeeper). As they say, it’s up to you.

Housing is mostly always provided by employers, another question is whether it will be free or will have to be paid (an average of $80 a week). If you still want to start looking for a nest on your own, then Facebook / VK / Telegram of the Work and Travel USA group will help you! Do not forget that you are going to a resort town, where in the summer there is a huge choice of housing.

Day X – obtaining an American visa

I’ll immediately shock everyone with good news – since January 2020, Joe Biden has become the President of the United States, which means “finally we all get that very visa.” Those who have long dreamed of going to the States – I advise you to take this opportunity, since under the Democrats the chances of getting an American visa are very high.

You will need a J-1 visa to travel on the program, and interviews at the embassy usually take place in the spring. Although the appointment for an interview and the collection of all necessary documents lie with the agency, your personal preparation is 70% of success!

I want to highlight the basic rules that will bring you closer to the American dream:

On the day of the interview, it is important to set yourself on a positive note and check 1000 times if all the documents are in place (definitely no less, because I still forgot).
It is important to convince the ambassador and give him 1000 and 1 reason why you will definitely return home. For example, I told how I had an internship in one cool company, where I was invited to work after graduation; how I will miss my family and friends; which countries I want to visit in the future and my future diploma topic (spoiler – I still haven’t thought of it…).
There should be no hint that you are going to stay in the States. An “I LOVE USA” T-shirt or an Instagram post with the American flag also counts.
There is a typical list of questions J-1 visa applicants usually ask: “Who are your parents? What are your plans after university? Why are you going to the States? Banal, but believe me, if you prepare the answers in advance, you will feel more confident during the interview!
For even more complete confidence, tighten up your English, and also, if possible, visit 1-2 countries before the interview so that there are fresh stamps in your passport.
It is very important to show your confidence, relax as much as possible and be honest when talking. The interview usually lasts 2-5 minutes, and immediately after it you will know the decision of the American ambassador.

Early days in the United States

When the cherished visa and tickets are in hand, and bags of buckwheat are already in your suitcase, it’s time to go to the most amazing summer of your life!

Upon arrival, I advise you to stay for 1-2 days in the city (in my case it was New York) where you will arrive – after all, this will be the first starting point of a great journey, and it will definitely set the tone for the trip! Also buy an American sim card, because in a small town it will be problematic.

When you arrive in your city and get to know the employer, it is important to immediately start processing SEVIS – an official document that gives you the right to be employed in America and receive a salary. Americans love order in this business and always pay taxes. Salary is paid in paychecks (as in American films) 2 times a month.

The first weeks will feel like you are working and only spending, but these obsessive thoughts will go away when you get your first paycheck and adjust to your new life! I will play ahead of the curve and say that the program pays off very much.

And finally!

I was extremely lucky to work and meet amazing people who opened me up in a new way, gave me experience, insights and left a mark on my heart forever. I was lucky to meet the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, spend every working day on the ocean, run away from bears in a national park, ride a convertible in Las Vegas at night, ride those same roller coasters, travel around California, see the same view in Manhattan , cry from happiness and parting, laugh a lot and fall in love! So if you were looking for a sign, then this is it. After all, when else will it be possible to drop everything and rush off to another continent?

Everything will work out!

My hacks to make your life in the States easier:

In most cities there are churches where food is free on the buffet system and even tastier than in hotels! There you can also find free bikes – your best and irreplaceable friends during the program.
Upon arrival in your city, no one can forbid you to find a second (job) part-time job, so you can not only get a good plus, but also buy what you have long dreamed of, and of course travel.
Don’t miss the opportunity to finish the job early and go on an adventure across the States! Plan everything in advance, and ideally take a tour where you will be able to see the most popular places in a short time.
Upon arrival, immediately make a card at Bank of America so as not to keep your salary under your pillow or in paychecks.
Take the opportunity and try to communicate in English as often as possible! America is a country of immigrants, so you will not surprise anyone there with an accent or imperfect English.
Feel free to write to former participants of the program and ask about everything in detail – this will make your life much easier!
Look for a job that offers “overtime” – so you will receive 1.5 times more.
If you work in a restaurant or cafe, make friends with the chef, and then you will be provided with free food.
There should have been advice on how not to gain extra pounds on a trip, but I have nothing to tell you …

With a sleeker design, an always-on color touchscreen and new health tracking, the FitBit Charge 5 fitness tracker is your trusted fitness companion.

Fitbit is a great all-rounder when it comes to health and fitness tracking, in part because of its wide range of prices. If you’re interested in a watch-style device, Fitbit can help you figure it out and vice versa.

FitBit Charge 5 aims to offer the best of both worlds – inheriting more health features from the FitBit smartwatch while maintaining a sleeker strap style design that is thinner than its predecessor. Unfortunately, it lacks smart features.

First impressions
As a FitBit Versa owner, I was not ready to go back to the smaller screen size of the Charge 5. If that doesn’t bother you, the FitBit Charge 5 makes a great first impression, delivering many significant improvements over the FitBit Charge 4.

Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5
For starters, the Charge 5 is slightly wider than its predecessor, but also 10% thinner, making it more elegant and comfortable to wear , especially if you leave it on overnight to take advantage of sleep tracking. The aluminum body ensures it looks a little more stylish than the Charge 4, but if style is your main concern, you should consider other FitBit bands like the Luxe.

The most striking improvement is the fantastic AMOLED color display , which is twice as bright as the Charge 4. Its vibrant colors and high contrast make it very easy to read in any light, thanks in part to the slightly enlarged display that maintains a high density of 326 ppi. It would be nice to see the bezel scaled down on future models.

Better yet, Charging 5 adds the ability to keep the screen always on, so you can see the time at a glance. This is a welcome improvement, considering that with mode off, the screen still slowly wakes up when you turn your wrist, compared to something like the Apple Watch.

By the way, if you are interested in more information about these popular watches, read this article: Apple Watch: Comparison of the latest smartwatches

To conserve battery power, you can set the screen to turn off automatically when always on in the middle of the night.

Slim design makes FitBit Charge 5 comfortable and elegant.

INTERFACE
Slim FitBit menus and large icons make it easy to navigate, even when you’re not wearing reading glasses. It’s great when you’re in the gym trying to find a specific activity before starting a session.

The choice of watch faces is designed according to the shape of the screen, so few of them are similar to traditional analog watch faces, which may disappoint some traditionalists.

Charge 5 eliminates the inductive charge 4 button on the left in favor of a fully touch screen interface. The interface is still intuitive .

By default, FitBit fitness goals and alerts are less annoying and intrusive than some fitness ecosystems, although you may still need to turn off regular “move” reminders.

By the way, read: Google unveils standalone apps for Android Wear 2.0

The FitBit Charge 5’s bright color display is slightly different from its predecessor.

FITNESS FEATURES
With FitBit Charge 5, FitBit fitness trackers are no longer second-class citizens compared to its smartwatches.

Unlike other FitBit fitness trackers, the Sports Watch Charger 5 has built-in GPS . This allows you to track outdoor activities even when you don’t have a smartphone at hand. Unfortunately, its usefulness is somewhat limited when the band cannot play music locally, which means you will most likely leave your phone at home.

This model tracks over 20 different types of workouts, some of which are automatically recognized, plus it’s waterproof so you can wear it while swimming .

In this article, you can find out about other smart smartwatches for swimming: 20 best waterproof watches for women.

At any given time, there is only room to store six actions that you can control with the Fitbit app, which can be frustrating for people who like to change it.

This fitness band also includes several health monitoring features that were previously only available on FitBit smartwatches.

Highlights include an EKG sensor to detect abnormal heart rhythms and an electrothermal activity (EDA) sensor, which measures small electrical changes in your skin’s sweating to track your body’s response to stress.

Other health monitoring includes sleep tracking and an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels. One surprising omission is the altimeter.

When it comes to metrics like sleep and stress, you get a score of 100 so you can see how you track.

This vast health data is combined into a new “Daily Readiness Score” available as part of a FitBit Premium subscription (device comes with a 6-month Premium subscription). It basically weighs all the data to decide if you’re ready for a full workout or a rest day, plus it suggests workouts or meditation sessions depending on your fitness score.

It’s not a feature everyone will love, but it can be said for many of FitBit’s advanced features. If you’re motivated enough to pay for the FitBit Premium, you’re probably motivated enough to take advantage of this kind of insight.

INTELLIGENT FUNCTIONS
In this area, charging the FitBit 5 still falls short of some FitBit smartwatches, let alone rival Apple watches.

You can get notifications on the fitness bracelet as it vibrates, but it doesn’t have a built-in speaker. Keep in mind that you cannot make or receive calls and messages, and there is no support for smart assistants.

The ability to send quick scripted responses to messages is only available for Android phones . Don’t expect Apple support to improve now that Google owns FitBit, and iGadget owners will be disappointed that FitBit health data won’t sync with Apple health data.

It also lacks support for third-party apps , while FitBit removed the ability to remotely control Spotify running on another device. Even the Weather app is gone.

One of the trade-offs due to the lack of smart features is that the battery lasts for about a week without turning on the always-on display. If not, expect to charge it about twice a week.

DOUBLE GADGET
There’s a lot to like here, especially if you’re looking to upgrade from 4. The strength of the FitBit Charge 5 lies in the wealth of fitness features inherited from the FitBit smartwatch.

Of course, this is provided that you are comfortable with the restrictions of the “fitness group”. In this case, these restrictions mean the creation of many smart functions, even as simple as remote music control. If you primarily want a smartphone attached to your wrist, this is not the device for you.

Distance Learning (DE) learning environments differ significantly from typical classrooms where students engage in a face-to-face manner with their teachers and peers. In remote areas, these face-to-face opportunities are limited and sometimes even absent.

This study focuses on the impact of new technologies on the teaching practice of teachers and their students in remote areas of the DE. The site pedagogy framework was used to examine modified DE teachers’ practices using satellite communications for lesson delivery. The findings of the study detailed the initial hopes and aspirations of these teachers, the realities of their new practices, and the challenges and demands of teaching in a DE setting.

Australia is a diverse country, not only socially and culturally, but also geographically. Although the majority of Australia’s population lives in capital cities along the east coast, approximately one third live in localities outside the capital cities (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). In remote areas of Australia, schooling is often significantly different in nature and context than student learning in cities, or even regional areas. While there seems to be a sufficient number of schools to satisfy students, no matter where they live, schoolchildren of all ages from rural and remote areas are disadvantaged in terms of accessibility to transportation, level of family income support, and even the quality of education. which they receive (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2000).

In terms of student equity and achievement, Australian students living in remote areas consistently perform below the Australian average in mathematics (Ministerial Council for Education, Employment Training and Youth Affairs [MCEETYA], 2005). Rural and remote classifications are generally related to geographic location, population, and distance from urban areas. Students, especially in primary grades studying in remote areas, tend to be more than 3 hours from their schooling from novels , and sometimes much further than that (Stokes, Stafford, & Holdsworth, nd). Along with the problem of distance , students and teachers are faced with challenging technology and communication problems, more details can be found on the portal website).

For students studying in a distance learning setting, most face-to-face interactions are limited to student attendance in “camps” or mini-schools. They are usually built around subjects such as physical education, art, and drama. There are a number of reasons for this operational planning, including the fact that students are accustomed to working on a one-to-one basis with their classroom in the subject areas of mathematics and English. As such, these subjects of the core curriculum tend not to be (re) presented in dynamic, socially related, ways. Instead, learning experiences are framed in pedagogy that use technology-based tools to stimulate and enhance learning opportunities and teacher / student interactions. These limited speakers, if nothing else,

Teaching and learning in distance education (DE) requires specific and different forms of teaching practice and student interaction than those that are usually found in a “typical” classroom setting. Since classroom teachers in DE have face-to-face contact with their students only four or five times a year, teaching discourses and teaching practice requires mixed (usually a combination of paper and digital) or digital resources. Research that focuses on such pedagogical practices provides insight into how new forms of communication may be adopted in the future. At the same time, changes in technology and practice using technology have created new opportunities for the analysis of new pedagogical practices.

Three reasons why people don’t start their own business
Can you open a coffee shop, burger shop, make sneakers?

How many people have come to me with similar questions? Hundreds. Without exaggeration, hundreds. The dialogue went further according to different scenarios, here is one of the possible:

• How long have you wanted to open your coffee shop?
• 3 years already.
• What have you been doing these three years?
• I went to work, got married …
• No, you won’t be able to open your own coffee shop.
• Why?
• Because you are either stupid, or you believe in your stupidity by inaction, or you do not know how to focus. Until you eliminate the real reason, you will think about “starting your own business.” Everyone who thinks about their business falls into one of these categories:

1. Do you know and feel the details of the new business (there is a taste)? 2. Do you believe you can (can you think under pressure)? 3. can you keep focus? You will succeed. If there is NO somewhere, eliminate the cause.
   PS In October, a mega training on focusing on deeds will begin. 6 weeks online. Nobody did it. I don’t understand at all what people are taught without the main skill.

Where to start when you can’t draw
For those whom nature has not endowed with the gift of a master of painting, drawing manuals and kits have been created. For example, the book You Can Paint in 30 Days by Mark Kistler talks about the laws and techniques of creativity, accompanied by easy instructions and examples.

If you want to jump right into practice, start by coloring in the finished images. For beginners, mandalas, doodling and zentagles are suitable. Technicians perform the task of meditative relaxation and anti-stress therapy.

A more advanced level is painting by numbers. The technique involves painting a stencil applied on a cardboard or canvas in certain colors, indicated in the scheme for work. Such paintings are sold in sets, which include brushes, paints, the basis of the future painting and instructions.

Have you ever wondered why children adore multi-colored pencils, coloring books, why they draw so selflessly on furniture, wallpaper and other available surfaces? Why did each of us have drawing lessons in kindergarten and school? It is difficult to measure the benefits of this activity for children. By drawing, children develop fine motor skills, improve memory, train attentiveness and learn about the world.

But even if you are no longer a schoolboy and do not dream of becoming an artist, in this article you will find four reasons why you should try to paint, regardless of age, special education or the presence of obvious talent.

In everyone’s life, there comes a moment when the routine becomes boring, and the new day is similar to the previous one, as in the movie Groundhog Day. It is best at this time to find yourself something to do with your heart: sign up for a gym or dance, go to learn a foreign language or start drawing.

And if you share a new hobby with your significant other, it will refresh your relationship and, literally, add new colors to your life together.

Do you know the feeling of tiredness even after a full 8 hours of sleep? Perhaps there are problems with sleep itself? Are you often annoyed or depressed? Is it difficult for you to remember something or concentrate on something? If you answered yes to most of these questions, then your life is stressful. And, by the way, even a vacation will not save you from chronic fatigue syndrome. Fortunately, in order not to come to this, you can sign up for yoga or start painting.

The point is that drawing has the same effect as meditation. While drawing, you come to balance and calm down, and by focusing on the process, you will completely learn to turn off your head and stop internal dialogue, to be distracted from negative emotions and unpleasant thoughts. Our students often write that drawing helps them overcome difficulties, fight disease and achieve peace of mind.

The reason doctors and scientists advise adults not to stop learning new things is because cognitive decline after age 30. But, if you regularly purposefully load the brain, the number of new neural connections in it will increase, giving greater psychological flexibility and adaptability to changes in external circumstances. This process does not depend on age, but without constant training, new connections break up as easily as they are created. You can train your brain in different ways: playing games, solving crosswords and puzzles, learning a foreign language, drawing. The main condition is that this should not become a routine, if you feel that it has become easy for you – it’s time to switch to a new activity.

The good thing about drawing is that it always has room to grow, so you don’t have to be afraid to get stuck in your comfort zone. Have mastered the graphics – pick up a brush, feel confident with a brush – try pastels, and so on: the task can be complicated to infinity.

A great bonus that you will receive is memory and attention training. In order to draw an object from nature, you need to consider it in the smallest detail, and in order to draw something from memory, you need to remember something, therefore, the more you draw, the better your memory works. …

Now you know that it is a great idea to start painting at 30, 40 or 50 years old. Just one piece of advice: do not get attached to the result and do not hesitate if a masterpiece does not immediately come out from under your brush. Remember the benefits of the process itself!

Sketchbook 40 sheets. Album formats a3, a4, a5, on a spring, on a spiral

Album for drawing 40 sheets

Every child loves to draw: most often portraits of loved ones, images of favorite cartoon characters or invented worlds come out from under the brush or pencil of a young artist. Drawing is an important part of developing creativity. Someone retains this craving for the visual arts, going to art school or drawing “on the table”. And someone chooses a more mundane profession, and does not remember him until his own children grow up.

It would seem, what could be easier than buying a sketchbook and other accessories – pencils, brushes, paints? There is a sketchbook for 40 sheets in any stationery store, but even if there are 7–8 of them on the showcase, there will not be two absolutely identical ones among them.

Sketchbook: Format Difference
The first criterion to consider when choosing this product is its format. There are three main types:
The A3 drawing album is large, twice the size of the usual A4 sheet. It is good for students of arts schools, art students and professional artists. Firstly, such an album provides maximum space. Secondly, it fits the size of the easel. But for creativity at home, in a kindergarten or an ordinary school, it will be cumbersome and inconvenient.

The A4 sketchbook is a standard size that fits into any folder or briefcase, on a desk or on a table. Even a preschooler can reach any part of the sheet.
Album for drawing A5 – half the size of the previous “brother”. This option is suitable for very small children, or as a travel option, when you need to make a sketch or sketch, but there is no way to carry a larger product with you.

Choosing a sketchbook: how sheets are held together
Paper for scrapbooks differs in density and texture. For pencil sketches, especially for graphic drawings, thin, perfectly white is suitable. For watercolors and gouache, it is better to choose a thicker paper. Cheaper options are made from paper that is less bleached, which can affect the quality of the picture: the colors will not be bright enough.
A 40-sheet album is standard. But there are small ones – up to 20, or very thick.

There are three main options for joining sheets:
Parentheses. The easiest and cheapest way. Suitable for pencil sketches, but with paints it can be difficult if the drawing is not dry, but you need to close the album and put it in a bag or briefcase. Therefore, it is better to use such a product at home.

The spiral can be metal or plastic. It is convenient to turn the sheets over, they do not stick together, the picture is not smeared. But a poor quality spiral can tear the paper. You need to turn the sheets over carefully – otherwise the product risks falling apart into separate leaves.

The spring is the most expensive, but also the most reliable option. The leaves stick together, do not fall apart. And if necessary, a piece of paper with a picture can be carefully torn out and used as a picture or a gift.

Ah retirement… All these years of work have earned you a well-deserved rest! And many of you will take advantage of this available time to travel. Whether for a weekend or for a few months, many destinations are available to you. In France, Europe or beyond the continent, here are 5 that should interest you. 😉

1. France
   Notre belle France is THE destination par excellence for seniors. And there is nothing surprising about this! If today traveling abroad has become accessible thanks to the proliferation of low-cost flights, this was not the case in the time of our elders, used to spending their holidays in France and who still keep them today. hui, a sweet nostalgia. From New Aquitaine to Corsica, passing through Occitania region, each plot of our territory offers its share of scenery, authenticity and incredible landscapes . You have the freedom to explore France at any time of the year and to anticipate the reservation of your stay to achieve great savings.
2. Italy
   Italy, also nicknamed “the boot”, is a country particularly popular with retirees in search of relaxation . Dotted with small secret villages where you can relax, gourmet restaurants, breathtaking landscapes and a very strong ancient heritage, your experience here will be rich in discoveries. The cities of Rome , Naples and Genoa are ideal for history lovers. For those, on the other hand, who prefer to bask their pill in the sun while letting themselves be lulled by the sound of the waves, the Italian islands such as Sicily , Sardinia and Capri will not fail to enchant you!
3. Croatia
   Better known for its festive side, Croatia is also famous for its nature side. In this country at the crossroads of all empires, the landscapes coexist perfectly with the many cultural treasures of the territory. Discover the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice in the middle of turquoise waters and conifers, explore the medieval walls of Dubrovnik , visit the largest Roman amphitheater, relax along the Adriatic coast … You will not be ready for it. forget your getaway in this little corner of paradise.
4. Morocco
   This pretty country located less than 2 hours from France offers a real cultural change of scenery and still appeals to seniors with its tradition of hospitality and its pleasant climate all year round . Are you not comfortable with foreign languages? Don’t worry, the language barrier is not an obstacle here since Moroccans speak French fluently. So, do not hesitate, if you want to punctuate your next trip with a touch of conviviality and authenticity: Morocco is open to you.
5. Thailand
   Are you an adventurer at heart looking for the most complete change of scenery? Fly to South East Asia. From November to March, the period is ideal for exploring the Thai art of living . With a cost of living much lower than in France, even a small retirement pension allows you to take full advantage of all the wealth of the country. Take a plane ticket and fly to Thailand to discover its paradisiacal beaches, its culture, its gastronomy and its massages… Go also to meet its inhabitants, you will be surprised and won over by their kindness and their hospitality.