International Students (studies) in the Philippines

For the past few years, statistical data shows an upward trend in the number of foreign students coming to the Philippines to study specially for medical courses. And why not?  The Philippines offer affordable education (if you base it on foreign currency) and a dependable education system provided by the top schools in the country. Comparing it for example with International students in the UK, The Philippines is the best alternative when you think about the economics of being a student.

What are the requirements need to apply as a foreign student or International Student in the Philippines? Here are the FAQs in applying as an International student in the Philippines from the Commission on Higher Education website ( http://www.ched.gov.ph ).

Who are considered foreign students?

Foreign students are those belonging or owing allegiance to a country other than the Philippines and studying in any educational institution recognized or owned by the government of the Philippines.

What is a bonafide foreign student?

A bonafide foreign student is one who is at least eighteen years of age at the time of enrollment, has sufficient means for his/her education and support and who seeks to enter the Philippines for temporary stay with the purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a university, college or school authorized to accept foreign students.

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Distance Education

Let me just  begin by saying Distance Learning Education is a blessing. Taking courses from the confines of your home to some people is indeed a blessing.

My mother always reminded me how important education is. During the time when I was still in college, I use to take those words for granted. I was headstrong then, I still am, but I know better now.   It is only recently that I fully appreciated those words. It’s good she never gave up on me when all I want to do is get out of school and be free. I realize now, how big a mistake that could have been.

Education is valuable. A good education could feed you for a thousand lifetimes, that’s what other people say. I guess I have to agree. Ten years ago, if you want to earn a decent income and would like to work sitting down in an office chair, then you have to have a college degree. If not, you have to settle for a work that requires you to knock on doors or carry things or sell or help on stores, etc.  These are not bad jobs. In fact I admire people doing these jobs. It shows us that Filipinos, despite its difficulties most of the time and lack of opportunities, are not indolent. But a high school diploma ten years ago would not allow you to have an office table. Thanks to the call center industry, since most centers accept under graduates, that the employment opportunities for university undergraduates are a lot better now.  

A lot of High school graduates and undergraduates are now working in call centers where the pay is competitive, where the benefits are good, the workplace is posh and allow them to have their own cubicle. In fact most of them are actually receiving better wages than a normal office day job.  I remember Biboy, a former colleague who earns an awesome Php 30,000 every month from commissions alone. He said he could keep his basic pay intact and have it deposited on his bank account for the education of his children. He is earning really well. One time while we are on an early morning drinking session, I ask him, “if you have 100 pesos and you could use it to buy anything in the world, I mean anything at all, what would you buy?” he stared at the passing buses along EDSA deep in his thoughts, then he looked back at me and said “A college degree, one that comes with a real college diploma” everyone in the group stopped talking, I just smiled.

Good paying jobs are great, but a college diploma hanging on your walls brings a different kind of satisfaction. I asked Biboy what’s stopping him from going to school and he said, he no longer have the time. He works at night, tend to his kids in the morning and have to sleep in the afternoon. “Being a parent is full time job with no furloughs and no day-offs” he quipped during our lunch break once. Parents in the group just nodded in agreement.  

The other day, I stumbled upon a story about Distance Learning Education. Distance education according to Wikipedia:

is a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both. In other words, distance learning is the process of creating an educational experience of equal qualitative value for the learner to best suit their needs outside the classroom. Rather than attending courses in person, teachers and students may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time and through other online ways

This would really work for Biboy and the thousands of employees who doesn’t have the all the time in the world to earn a college degree or a certificate, and a diploma on the wall. 

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Types of Autism

It is said that Autism Spectrum Disorder is 4 time more prevalent in males that females. The reason? Up to this point it ranges from pure speculation to unknown. Well it’s not that surprising considering the fact that we (humans with all our medicines) haven’t completely uncovered the mystery of the human brain.

Sad to say that Autism Spectrum Disorders are one some of the most common developmental Disabilities. Up to this point there is no definite medical test to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder. Most diagnosis is based on the behavior of the child that is observable.

HERE ARE THE TYPES OF AUTISM:

Early Onset Autism: This type of autism could be diagnosed early on the baby’s life.  Right on the onset, babies with this type of autism shows no sign of connection, no eye contact that should be expected from the child during its first few months. They Don’t Babble like any normal 9 months old baby and carries the same traits that make it hard for them to develop their language skills on the first 2 years.

Regressive Autism:  this is a case of autism wherein a child tends to develop normally during the first year. They are playful and interactive, but after the first year they change dramatically. They begin to drift back, tending to lose their social skills and eye contact and even listening. There have been cases when parents believe that this impairment is attributed to a hearing loss or even a vaccination injury since the symptoms begins to show after the child has been given series of vaccination.

Halted Progression Autism: There is a thin line that separates this type of Autism to Regressive Autism.  Babies with this type of autism also develop normally during the first year. However unlike regressive autism, the children having a halted progression autism does not regress. They do not drift back, their development just end to slow down. This type of autism is often diagnosed much later than regressive autism, because it usually diagnosed only when parent or teachers noticed that the children is no longer behaving at par with their age.

Asperger’s  Syndrome:  It’s distinction with High-functioning autism is not so defined. Some psychologist believes that they are the same. Children suffering from Asperger’s  Syndrome seems to develop in a normal manner and sometimes even show advance intellectual skills. They are usually diagnosed later that other types of autism. Usually diagnosed when the child begins to attend school where they are confronted with varied social behaviors. It is when they do not show any signs understanding  these varied behaviors that the signs of autism begins to show.

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TESDA Accredited Schools, Courses and 2010 Class Schedules

My cousin Alvin just recently came home from Dubai. He is a degree holder and never had any problem finding a job in abroad. Now he is planning to go back overseas and this time he set his eyes to Europe, now he is back in school. He is currently taking a two month long course in TESDA (Technical education and Skills development Authority). He is currently enrolled on short course in welding.

I asked him why he bothers to take short courses on welding, he said, a job as a welder in Europe and Canada pays a lot more. He said he have a lady classmate, a nursing graduate who’s taking the short course in welding as well. The lady is about to move in the US with her fiancé and was advised to take a short course in welding because it is easier to land a job as a welder nowadays in the west and it pays better than other office job.

TESDA is indeed a practical choice nowadays. Technical courses in TESDA includes (but not limited to) Automotive Servicing, Building Wiring Installation, Consumer Electronics Servicing, RAC Servicing, Welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), Computer Hardware Servicing, Industrial Electrician, Refrigeration & Air-conditioning, Computer Hardware Servicing, Industrial Electrician, Small Engine Repair & Maintenance, TV Servicing Leading to CES NC II, etc.

I have downloaded a list of TESDA Accredited schools, courses and schedules of classes from the TESDA website, I am sharing them with you now. (Click Here) then click on the Training Calendar link.

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Autism: What is it?

First, let me start by saying that Autism is not a disease. It is some sort of brain impairment or disorder and up to this point in time, there is no known cure for it. Some claims that autism is caused by nerve cell defects. This nerve cells called neurons have hundreds of thousands if not millions connection that carries messages and commands for the body to analyze and act upon accordingly. If there are indeed defects on these neurons, the possibility is that some messages are not received properly by the brain thus making the person respond in a different manner or not respond at all.

Handling children with special cases like autism requires patience, a truckload of patience, the whole shebang. It will not be easy getting through to them for a reason. Imagine the development of the child as a ladder with several steps and amongst these steps, three are impaired; Communication, Social Interaction and behavior.

Since communication is impaired, it will be hard to tell them what to do, they don’t receive feedback easily and they don’t always respond to the things you are telling them, making learning a very difficult process. Since they don’t communicate well, one can expect that that social interaction will be limited or none existent at all. Without this two components, communication and social interaction, you cannot really expect that kids with autism would behave normally most of the time.
Kids with autism doesn’t play well with other kids, it will be very hard for them to make friends because they don’t communicate well with other kids. This is not because they don’t want to, it is because they don’t know how and they don’t care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health of the United States Here are some early signs of Autism:

• Does not play with others
• Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
• Does not speak one word by 16 months
• Does not combine two words by 2 years
• Does not respond to name
• Zero social skills
• Poor or no eye contact
• Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
• Excessively lines up toys or other objects
• Is attached to one particular toy or object
• Doesn't smile
• At times seems to be hearing impaired

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IELTS Philippines

I received a call from my cousin hazel yesterday, she just passed her IELTS exams and she was ecstatic. I just smiled. I passed my own IELTS exams a couple of months ago so I knew the sound of the feeling of accomplishment when I hear one. Hazel is a Registered Nurse and was planning to take the NCLEX this year. Passing the IELTS could help boosting her confidence, that’s for sure. She plans to immigrate to Australia and work there as a nurse. I know she is on the right track.

 IELTS or International English Language Testing System', was established in 1989. It is an international exam about English language proficiency and is managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examination, The British Council and the IDP Education pty LTD.

There are two versions of the IELTS: there are two types of IELTS exams Academic Version and the General Training Version. What to take depends on what type you need. The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in colleges and universities and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want either study or practice in English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc. This is what hazel needs, and I guess this is what she took.

There are for types of test to be accomplished when taking IELTS, these are : Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

To apply you download an application form or you could visit any IELTS testing center. The British Council office in manila is located at the 10^th Floor of the Taipan Building in Ortigas Center. Pasig City. Their telephone numbers is 917-1011 to 14.

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