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Hello from China

4 Dec

Because my friends and family rock – they sent me these pictures!

 

 

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Zen – Calm, I am Calm

1 Dec

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Making Paper Umbrellas

28 Nov

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Taking College Entrance Exams When Traveling Outside of the US

25 Nov

Just registered for the GMAT! Wish me luck! I’ll officially be taking the exam on February 7, 2017 at 8:30am in Henan, China. 

Yep, that’s right. Most standardized American college entrance exams are offered in international locations. In fact, many international schools also utilize these exams for admissions and scholarship criteria. For example, I’m looking at schools in Asia, and most of the accredited big ones ask for either the GMAT or the GRE. 

 So if you want to study abroad in fall of Senior Year or last year of Undergrad, you can still take the all-important exams you need for your future.  Or if you’re an international student looking to study in the states, you can find one in your area hopefully. 

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American College Testing (ACT)

The ACT is one of the two main undergraduate school entrance exams. Most universities accept either the ACT, SAT, both, (or on the very rare occasion) neither. It is up to you to research your potential universities and verify which exam they require. They are not major specific-all majors need to take it.

Format (as of 2016-2017) -the ACT has four primary parts (Math, Reading, Science, and English) as well as an optional written portion. The English portion covers grammar, punctuation, and structure. The Math portion covers basic algebra, trig, and calculus questions. The Reading portion asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc. The Science portion is less science and more logic. It asks you to take data and analyze it to answer their questions.  The Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.

Notes: Unlike the GMAT or computer-based GRE in the US, the GRE internationally is usually the “paper format.” Meaning you have to sign up for a specific date (often only a few times a year) to go take the test in hand-written form. Then, because scores are not calculated online, you will have to wait for your scores (as much as 4-6 weeks later).  SO READING INSTRUCTIONS IS IMPORTANT!

Cost: $51 (for International locations)

Next Date: April 8, 2017 (Register by March 3, 2017) or June 10, 2017 (Register by May 5, 2017).

List of International Locations  **To Register for International Locations, you must make an account on the ACT website and register through that. 

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Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT)

The SAT is one of the two main undergraduate school entrance exams. Most universities accept either the ACT, SAT, both, (or on the very rare occasion) neither. It is up to you to research your potential universities and verify which exam they require. They are not major specific-all majors need to take it.

Format (as of 2016-2017) -the general SAT has four primary parts (Math, Reading, Writing & Language, and Essay). The Writing & Language portion asks you to analyze things you read–correcting logic issues, strengthening or weakening the argument, finding errors, etc.. The Math portion covers basic algebra and elementary calculus/trigonometry questions. The Reading portion asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc.  The Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.

WARNING – I’ve heard a lot of bad things about the College Board exam centers in China. I have absolutely no background in other countries – but I do NOT recommend taking the SAT in Mainland China or Hong Kong.  Friends or students taking the exam here or in Hong Kong report never receiving their grades, being told to wait as much as 6 months for scores (and then still not getting them), scores being thrown out because “someone cheated,” not being given the full time to take the exam, not being provided with all the materials needed for the exam, questions not being answered, and more.  When students (some US citizens included) attempted to call the College Board in Hong Kong and ask for information, the first question they were asked is where they were from. When they said China, the office immediately hung up on them. Several reported similar issues. One of my friends was actually late applying to schools, despite taking the exam early, because her first scores never came and they just told her to re-take the exam again.  

Cost: $45 * without essay | $57 *with essay  (there is an addition “fee” for international students changing by region. Africa and the Americas pay an extra $35.  East Asia / Pacific pay an extra $53.  Europe and Eurasia pay an extra $38.  Middle East is $47. South and Central Asia is $49).

Next Date: January 21, 2017 (Register by December 7, 2017) or May 6, 2017 (Register by March 22, 2017).

List of International Locations  **It is not offered in March outside of the United States. You may have to obey special national rules for the SAT which vary country-by-country. The SAT does provide international examinees the option of having an “international representative.” However if you do this, you must register by paper and by the early deadline. They also cost money 🙂  Here is their “Tips for International Registration.”

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General Record Exam (GRE)

The GRE is a basic graduate school entrance exam used largely for all majors not including Medicine, Business, and Law. So basically all arts and sciences. It’s definitely the most popular and the most commonly taken exam of the lot. Schools accepting the GRE internationally

Format (as of 2016-2017) – the GRE has three separate parts (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing). The Verbal Reasoning portion is split into Reading Comprehension (read the essay and answer questions about it), Text Completion (fill in the blank), and “Sentence Equivalence (word definitions –  can you put in the correct word).  The Quantitative Reasoning portion is mostly math and logic questions.  The Analytical Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.

Notes: Unlike the GMAT or computer-based GRE in the US, the GRE internationally is usually the “paper format.” Meaning you have to sign up for a specific date (often only a few times a year) to go take the test in hand-written form. Then, because scores are not calculated online, you will have to wait for your scores (as much as 4-6 weeks later).  SO TIMING IS IMPORTANT!

Cost: $205 (or $220 in China – why, I don’t know.)

Next Date: February 4, 2017 (Register by December 23, 2016 or pay a late fee).

List of International Locations where the Paper-based General GRE is offered. **To Register for International Locations, you probably need to look for testing centers and dates under the “paper version.”

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Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

The LSAT is the graduate school entrance exam used students entering Law Schools. 

Format (as of 2016-2017) – the LSAT has five separate parts (Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, two Logical Reasoning sections, and a Writing portion). Reading Comprehension asks you to analyze essays or paragraphs you read for meaning, complete thoughts, etc. Tests your ability to analyze, understand, and apply what you read to other information. The Analytical Reasoning portion is what many of us call the “logic” portion. It’s like those old games you used to play (M is married to S. S is not married to T or J. X married on Tuesday but is not married to T. Who married who and when). The Logical Reasoning parts provide you with information and asks you to analyze what you read and draw conclusions, explain, or provide the logical theory underlying what you read. The Writing asks you to write an essay response to a question they give you.

Notes: Most schools want you to take the exam before December, in order to get your scores on time.

Cost: $180. (If you are applying to a US school, you’ll probably also buy the CAS paperwork compilation system which is $175).  

Next Date: Varies significantly by country and region. 

List of International Locations where the LSAT is offered. **Some countries only offer the exam on certain days, not all of them. 

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Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

The MCAT is the graduate school entrance exam used for Medicine programs. 

Format (as of 2016-2017) – the MCAT has four separate parts. The Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems portion tests biology, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems tests biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, and physics. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Systems  will test psychology, sociology, and biology as it relates to sociological threats to heath. Critical Analysis and Reasoning portion is basically a Reading Comprehension section.  Mixed within the first three parts will be questions testing you on specific Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills 

Notes: 

Cost: $310 (goes up to $365 about 1-2 weeks before the exam). Applicants at international locations must pay an extra $100 no matter what.

Next Date: January 19, 2017 (Often vary by country).

List of International Locations where the Paper-based General GRE is offered. **To Register for International Locations,follow the same instructions as domestic registrations. Make an account on the AAMC website first.

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General Management Achievement Test (GMAT)

The GMAT is a graduate school entrance exam used largely Business Schools. Some MBA programs accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT, but not all. 

Format (as of 2016-2017) – The GMAT has four parts (Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing). The Analytical Writing asks you to write an essay analytical response to a question they give you.The Integrated Reasoning will provide with a set of information and data. Then you will be asked a serious of questions based on that info analyzing your ability to evaluate, comprehend, and utilize it.  The Quantitative is similar but focuses on math and logic. You might be given a set of facts and then you are asked to find the truth that fits all those facts. The Verbal Reasoning tests you ability to correct sentences, answer reading comprehension questions, analyze and answer questions using what you read. 

 

Cost: $250  (+VAT – depending on Country)

Next Date: You Choose.  Each testing location and country will have different exams. Rather than the ACT, SAT, etc where a bunch of people take it together in a testing scenario, the GMAT and computer-based GRE are more individual. You must first choose your testing location. Then look at the dates and times available at that center.

List of International Locations where the GMAT is offered. **Each country has specific requirements and taxes they will apply. You need to read the “country-specific instructions” before applying.

 

 

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Hello from China

18 Nov

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Hangul Pronunciation

14 Nov

HANGUL PRONUNCIATION CHEAT SHEET ($1)

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Clearly Organized

Explanatory

Infographic-based PDF

Outlines the Hangul Pronunciation Rules (including Batchim, Double Consonants, Double Vowels, and more).  Everything carefully designed to include examples, pattern-building organization of letters, and other tricks intended to help you see how the language is built into the blocks.

Also Includes a simple cheat sheet on the Hangul (Korean) Pronunciation rules. If you want to learn more, this cheat sheet is perfect for you.  

Includes

  • specific pronunciation rules for each letter, dipthong, and combination
  • how to pronounce and differentiate difficult letters and sounds
  • the difference between the normal, aspirated, and tense letters that confuse so many learners.
  • the rules for double consonants
  • Re-syllabification, Consonant Assimilation, Tensification, and more.

All rules are simplified and stated clearly to ease understanding. Each rule or instruction includes Korean and Romanized examples for you to use as a starting point. 

Although Korean letters look simple when you first start, it soon becomes obvious that correct pronunciation can be very complex.  However, if you follow this cheat sheet, you should start to master it very soon!

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11/11 (The Chinese Black Friday)

11 Nov

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For those of you who cast bitter dispersion on Valentine’s Day and the other lover-focused holidays, here is a day you might want to get behind!

November 11 (11/11) is China’s “Single’s Day” also known as  Guānggùn Jié (光棍节). The number 1 represents the single individual, standing tall, proud, and (on 11/11) united together with lots of other 1s. Of course, eleven could also be 1 + 1 = 2 – so it is also a holiday where single’s confess their feelings and hopefully become part of a 2.

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It isn’t exactly clear where the holiday came from, although all agree college students started it. Some legends say that a boy’s dorm full of single boys decided to meet girls by hosting several activities on 11/11 in the hopes of meeting a girlfriend. Others say that they decided to buy themselves lots of presents to make themselves feel better about their “single-ness” and to sort of combat the depression that came with not being part of the Valentine’s day gift-giving phenomenon. In general, China has a gender-balance issue with far more boys than girls in the current “dating” generation. It has created a larger number of singles than they are used to experiencing and “singleness” has become a more widely-felt issue than in the past. So a day to boost the spirits of those non-coupled people started catching on and the holiday started spreading to other college campuses.

Whatever its origins, 11/11 or Double 11 has turned into one of the world’s LARGEST shopping events ever. It’s the day when singles can buy presents for themselves – treasure and items they’ve been keeping an eye on for a while. Unlike the US which operates around Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, Etsy, etc., China has its own online shopping marts in JD.com, 1688.com, Taobao, and TMall. At the same time, many small businesses run their online companies via social media in the form of WeChat, Weibo, and QQ. And come 11/11, and they all make a showing of coupons, discounts, sales, advertisements, massive marketing, and more.

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This year (2016), revenue was expected to reach more than $20,000,000,000. That’s almost $5 Billion more than Alibaba alone made in 2015. In 2014, the sales of 11/11 were twice the size US shopping megahauls on Cyber Monday and Black Friday in 2015. They certainly were well on their way to hitting their estimates this year with almost 180,000 people filing purchases each second and sales up to $5 Billion in the first couple of hours today.

So how does it work? In the days leading up to the sale, the companies put out their advertisements. Shoppers can put items in their cart ahead of time, and the price will simply update as soon as the sale starts. Then, when the clock strikes Midnight, you race to purchase. Given that most of these companies operate primarily through phone apps, it is unsurprising that most purchases this year (greater than 80%) were made via phones. It also doesn’t hurt that Chinese wifi is notoriously slow outside major cities and all but stops completely on 11/11 due to massive usage rates–so your best internet options are via Mobile Data. So at around 23:59 on November 10, every has their products in the basket and the phones ready to go. As soon as the clock changes over, the mad dash begins. Products sell out in seconds, with some gone in under a minute. The whole system starts crashing almost immediately under the pressure, as I saw today with Taobao constantly rejecting my purchases and Alipay (China’s PayPal) crashing for the first 2-5 minutes.

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Notice that three of the major online shopping companies (Taobao, T-Mall, and 1688) all belong to Alibaba – China’s largest company. Alibaba is who took a ‘small-time’ holiday and turned it into a national event. Alibaba realized that sales were great before the National Holiday (first week of October) and later in the Spring. But late Fall/Winter didn’t really have a major shopping day. So they decided to capitalize on the absence and create their own shopping holiday. Examining the increasingly popular 11/11, they decided that the day was perfect and the opportunities vast. In 2009, the company started the first of their large scale advertising campaigns, although only 27 sellers participated at first and they only made around $700,000.

But the timing was right, given that E-commerce was just starting to take off. Between 2009 and 2013, Alibaba saw a 5,000%+ increase in their 11/11 revenues, launching owner Jack Ma into Chinese and international stardom. In 2011 (a super lucky 11/11/11), they sold closer to $80 million. And this year they surpassed their 2015 sales of $14 billion within 16 hours. The event is in fact so important that Alibaba trademarked 双十一 (Shuāng shíyī which means Double 11). Their advertising is the stuff of legends, having morphed now into an international incident. Earlier this month they hosted an 8-hour fashion show to jump start the event, and last night they put on a three-hour television “special” where famous Chinese and Western stars (the Beckhams came by), singers (One Republic made a showing), and moguls came out to speak with Chinese shoppers and encourage them to lay down the cash.

Within 5 minutes, Alibaba had already sold almost $1 Billion, and after 7 minutes the number was up to $1.5 Billion. At 10pm, they announced their GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume or Revenue) was approximately $16,000,000,000. Even if you accept some people’s argument that as much as 25% of all products are later returned or cancelled, it’s still obvious that the market is growing and holiday spending is on the rise.

It’s worth noting that Alibaba also owns Ant Financial, the company operating Alipay – China’s largest online payment services program and the main competitor to Paypal. With 20% of all sales going through Alipay, that makes up more than 176 million online transactions they profited from today.

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Foreign Imports are certainly not left out, with companies like Apple, Nike, Ugg, Zara, and Korean Make-up brands bringing in fortunes. According to Alibaba, this year’s most popular brands have been Nike, Apple, New Balance, Playboy, and Skechers. However, Pampers, Mead Johnson, and Wyeth are popular among the rural areas. In addition to the US, major international sellers include South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Australia. Some foreign companies use the day as a launching moment for new products or branches. The US led sales last year, and imports made up about 10-11% of all sales on 11/11.

At the same time, I have noticed a marked slowing down amongst the local students in shopping on this holiday. Many point out that companies will actually raise prices before the holiday, such that the discounts are really the normal price rather an a sale. Students also dislike the fact that delivery (which usually is around 1-3 days in China, even for the cheapest shipping) can take up to 2-3 weeks after 11/11. Some companies won’t even attempt shipping perishables until the madhouse dies down, with one company telling me they would suspend my shipment of cheese for 10-20 days until they were sure it would reach me with the ice still intact. Thankfully, my experience with Chinese packaging has been extremely good – packages are well wrapped, safely ensconced, and almost always arrive undamaged by the trip.

Nonetheless, almost everyone has pitched in and made a few purchases today. I ended up spending far too much (don’t tell) because I picked up some household appliances that were on sale. Household appliances are a big deal today – for example a 2000RMB oven was priced at 200RMB today and some baking pans had a 100RMB discount. Snacks, clothes, electronics, and beauty products are also major sellers. Now that winter is starting to come, many students picked up some winter coats and warmer clothes. While others wait until today to hit up JD.com for computers, tablets, phones and more.

So if you are tired of watching couple exchange gifts on lover’s day, then take the Chinese advice and buy something for yourself on the next 11/11! As I’m writing this, it’s just hitting midnight here in China, but you still have a long time in the US! If you were buying a present for yourself, what would it be?!?

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The Next Generation

28 Oct

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Hiragana

28 Oct

Japanese has three separate writing systems – Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Their usage depends largely on the origin of the word. Kanji are the Sino-Japanese words that descend from China and use the simplified Chinese characters. Katakana incorporates many other foreign words, and not just English words! Then Hiragana is the predominant written form for everything else. Hiragana is by far the most common written form, although both Katakana and Kanji will be intermixed in most sentences.  So Hiragana is the first one usually taught to new Japanese students. Thankfully, it is easier to write and remember than the Kanji, having been simplified a lot time ago. So although it might take some time to memorize this many characters, it shouldn’t be too hard to learn!

Hiragana is read phonetically, and most of the letters can be replicated in English. Each “character” represents a sound, with all but one (‘ん’ ‘N’) including a vowel sound. There are 71 separate sounds but only 46 characters in total – one single consonant, five vowels, and forty combination sounds. 

PRONUNCIATION RULES

  1. ( ゛) = Dakuten, put on the top right of the character. Shows that a character is changing from unvoiced (き is ki) to voiced (ぎ is gi) 
  2. は (ha) is said as (wa) when it comes by itself or is after the topic of the sentence. For example, watashi wa (I am) is spelled 私は.
  3. The characters や (ya), よ (yo), and ゆ (yu) can be added to a character that ends in the (i) sound. If so, the (i) is silent. For example, if ぎ (gi) is added to や (ya), it will be pronounced as ぎや (gya).

  4. Doubled vowels (as in おにいさん | oni’isan | big brother) are demonstrated by adding an extra vowel. に (Ni) is lengthened by adding the extra い (i) to form ni’i.  For the doubled vowel (o), either う or お might be added – it depends on the word.

  5. Doubled consonants (as in にっぽん | Nippon) are created by adding a ‘small’ (Tsu) or っ right before the consonant. It is actually smaller in size than the character Tsu (つっ – see the difference).  You don’t actually pronounce the small Tsu. For example, in Japanese, ‘begging’ would be written ‘beっging.’

  6. The only exception are the doubled -n characters (na, ni, no, nu, ne). They are doubled by adding ん (an extra n) before the n.

  7. On the other hand っ (‘small tsu) can also be added at the end of a word to suggest stronger emotions. Rather like a !.  However, when they do that, it seems to often suggest stronger emotions that are not quite strong enough for a (!).  For example, if I’m talking to a child, “you’re so silly っ” might be used versus “you’re such an idiot!” to someone who just caused a lot of trouble by doing something stupid. In that case, it is also no pronounced.

  8. If the vowels (i) and (u) are in between (k), (s), (t), (p), (h) or if the come after one of those at the end of a sentence, then the (i) or (u) may be silent.  For example, ですね (desu ne) is often said (des ne). 
  9. If へ (he) comes after a location, the (h) is silent and it says (e).

  10. The Japanese (r) is similar to that of China and Korea. Put your tongue in the (L) position but say (R).  If you listen, it comes out a little differently from the English (r) sound. 

CHARACTERS

あ (a) え (e) い (i) お (o) う (u)
だ (da) で (de) ぢ (ji) ど (do) づ (zu)
た (ta) て (te) ち (chi) と (to) つ (tsu)
が (ga) げ (ge) ぎ (gi) ご (go) ぐ (gu)
は (ha) へ (he) ひ (hi) ほ (ho) ふ (fu)
ば (ba) べ (be) び (bi) ぼ (bo) ぶ (bu)
ぱ (pa) ぺ (pe) ぴ (pi) ぽ (po) ぺ (pu)
か (ka) け (ke) き (ki) こ (ko) く (ku)
ま (ma) め (me) み (mi) も (mo) む (mu)
ん (n)
な (na) ね (ne) に (ni) の (no) ぬ (nu)
ら (ra) れ (re) り (ri) ろ (ro) る (ru)
さ (sa) せ (se) し (shi) そ (so) す (su)
ざ (za) ぜ (ze) じ (ji) ぞ (zo) ず (zu)
わ (wa) を (wo)
や (ya) よ (yo) ゆ (yu)

-Y COMBOS

 Note the lack of a (y) in the sh-, ch-, and j- combos.

びゃ (bya) びょ (byo) びゅ (byu)
ぴゃ (pya) ぴょ (pyo) ぴゅ (pyu)
ひゃ (hya) ひょ (hyo) ひゅ (hyu)
ぎゃ (gya) ぎょ (gyo) ぎゅ (gyu)
きゃ (kya) きょ (kyo) きゅ (kyu)
にゃ (nya) にょ (nyo) にゅ (nyu)
みゃ (mya) みょ (myo) みゅ (myu)
りゃ (rya) りょ (ryo) りゅ (ryu)
しゃ (sha) しょ (sho) しゅ (shu)
じゃ (ja) じょ (jo) じゅ (ju)
ちゃ (cha) ちょ (cho) ちゅ (chu)

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Jumping Jacks (Wushu-Style)

25 Oct

Look carefully, and you’ll see the Chinese lanterns in the background – I thought this was a cool photo. These are performing Chinese students of Wushu from the Shaolin Temple during the biennial Wushu Festival.

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