I am looking for information on a Postgraduate program about community development in developing countries; how geography, the sociopoliticocultural climate, and the education of those countries impact the advancement of those nations; and how international organizations and foreign relations with developed countries can help the advancement of those developing countries. In terms of prerequisite, I’d imagine that communication will be a widely used discipline in this kind of studies; plus in my current bachelor’s program I have studied subjects like anthropology, sociology, intercultural communication, psychology, Napoleonic law, and politics. I’d eventually want to split my residence between Indonesia and Canada, conducting community development projects in Indonesia by means of education, vocational equipment of young people, and small business development among competent adults.

If possible, I’d prefer to not have to ask my parents to pay for anything; which means that I will need to work when I come to Canada. I’ve been informed of "co-op" programs where international students can come to study postgrad at a Canadian college while working on an internship program and getting paid for it; and if I need more money still, I can apply for additional work on campus or find a scholarship.

I’m setting a goal to come to Canada by September 2011. The Canadian Education Services International in Jakarta has told me to prepare mainly a TOEFL or IELTS test, my latest transcript from my current bachelor program, and a college and program in mind; which I will undoubtedly prepare ASAP.

In terms of finance, how should I prepare? I’ve been told that an international student in Canada should expect to spend about CA$800-CA$1000 per month, including room and board, transportation, books, health insurance etc. So I’m assuming that from here at least I should prepare airline tickets, the first installment of tuition fees, living funds for the first month or two and settle with the co-op program to make sure that I have a job as soon as I arrive there? How does this work out? How much could I make on co-op, and what kind of work would it be? How much could I make on campus work, say assisting professors in classes or research? If my program is only about a year, what can I do to get a good scholarship or financial assistance, say within the first three months I arrive in Canada? Any ideas how I can plan a well thought out financial strategy between now and February 2011?
Thanks Lisa. I’ve been told that $CA800-1000 is about an all-in budget for a student living on campus in the dorm, but I wouldn’t know. What do you say is a reasonable student budget for Vancouver, and would co-op and/or on-campus work assistance cover that? What are some other things that I will have to take into account in planning my finances to go study in Canada by next year?

Hello, first thanks for answering the question on moving to Holland from Canada, and I actually live in Vancouver (yes, i followed your link). In regards to the co-op programs I really don’t have a solid answer for you other than I did have several friends completing post graduate studies at one of the universities here, and they still needed outside employment to fund themselves.

Unfortunately your figures for living allowances are very low for Vancouver. It’s not clear in your question weather you will be living on campus or off campus. If your planning on living in Vancouver off campus you can expect to be paying anywhere from 800-1000 just on monthly rent. A transportation pass will cost around $100/ month, books are very expensive, in the thousands. I’m not sure as an international student what you will be charged for health care but we pay about $60 per individual/ month. As well, these figures will change if it’s a boarding house or studenresidencece. Good luck, sorry I couldn’t help you more, and further questions about vancouver, feel free to ask….Lisa

Base it on where your strengths and interests lie.

I’d really like a second opinion on this.

Honestly, yes. You can still live your life, and have fun, while being serious and thinking about the future. I am 22 years old, screwed up in high school, and I’m only just going to be starting university next year. I wasted SO much time, whereas a lot of my friends are done their post secondary studies, and are settling into their careers now.

I don’t really believe in regrets, but if I did, this would be one of them.

If you know you have a lot of years of study ahead of you, getting started earlier rather than later would be the smart thing to do.

you’re not "supposed" to do anything, at any age. I am getting married next year, and supposedly I am supposed to be partying, and enjoying my freedom? that doesn’t make any sense to me. You live your life how you choose, and your choices affect your future.

I would really appreciate to a more extensive focus in Filmmaking because I really love it. I realise that most people would think of this as an immature choice and that I’m still young. I understand and I admit that I am young but I’m very passionate about filming and camera… Is it possible that I can apply for a filming course and how can I apply?

I’m not interested in drinking and (so says many other forum on the internet). All I want is to earn a good degrees so I can get a good job but all along not missing too much of my 20s.

These are a few course im looking at:
http://www.londonfilmacademy.com/lfa-courses/show-course.asp?id=16
http://www.metfilmschool.co.uk/Home.aspx

Also if you know any film school or arts and performing arts school that I can do my senior years/Alevel is helpful too.

Thanks!

Universities require a certain number of UCAS points (or equivalent) to get a place on each course. Where i’ve applied for needs 220 points to do film studies (not many but the decision to accept me was largely based on the interview). You also need to be at least 18.

There are many ways you can get these points; http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/ but as you can see GCSE’s are not on the list

The easiest and best way is to do some A-Levels. I went to a sixthform and did 3 over the course of 2 years right after i finished secondary school; Photography, ICT and English. I haven’t got my results yet but looking at the tariff tables i’m pretty confident i’ll get in. Anyway, as well as just the points, the two years doing the A-Levels has given me a chance to think things through; I’m actually more willing then ever to do film, in the process I’ve developed a passion for sound design and have also been exposed to more creative ideas to work with.

You can also go to collage and do a course there to get you the points you need, there’s hundreds to chose from. You can also do a combination of courses to get the points, like Art/Photography/Journalism, Film/Music/Photography, English/Film/Media Studies ect…

Whilst you may be passionate about film like i am i really advise you don’t rush into it. If you’re only 16 now you can get the A-levels by the time you’re 18/19. Following this an undergraduate course typically lasts 3 years and postgraduate ect another handful of years after that. Setting yourself a ‘deadline’ is a bad idea though. anything can happen at anytime that may excel you or hold you back. You need the time to develop, especially in the creative industries. If you’re any good you’ll be doing it for the rest of your life, another 50/60 years or so, so really don’t rush into it…

anyway, good luck with whatever happens

To graduate with a bachelor’s in psychology at undergraduate level, it usually requires a student to prepare a dissertation and successfully defend it in front of their piers and professors and to graduate with around a 3.5 GPA. You can also graduate with Latin Honors, by graduating with a high GPA.

Postgraduate studies is a different ball-game altogether but obtaining honors and/or a high GPA (3.3+) and scoring high on the GRE will help you get into a postgraduate program.

He will have to be patient through the appeals process. If refusing him the student visa was an honest error he should be ok. Hopefully they will not pick up the deportation.

Edit: on no account should he attempt to enter the UK now except on his student visa. He could find himself permanently barred if he does this.

So basically for me it would me

3 years - Nursing
6 years- Medicine
4 years- specialising in heart surgeries (cardiothoracic surgeon)

altogther 13 years of studying I will be 35 years old by the time I complete and then I’ll be in a huge debt. trying to pay off. I’m just being realistic about all this. I sound so negative and I shouldn’t be. But I want to save lives and I want to be a somebody and also money is important to me. I would like to earn a great deal of money I guess everyone does. My only motive is to go to 3rd world countries and help women and children because they lack female doctors.

I just want to hear other people’s opinions thats all either good or bad

Just do it… ou will be studying a subject you love and will finish with tools of trade you want to use .. age really has nothing to do with it..

you think 35 sounds pretty sucky to be starting out on a career but i think 35 is just a baby.. its just a head thing.

i have known woman who have gone to university in their 70’s not for any other reason than they wanted to study the subject… and they were happy and fulfilled for having done it.

its your life and you can do what you want with it… who said you have to fit the patterns of your peers…just do what you think will work for YOU