3 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School

Childrens' academic performance has to do with a lot more than what goes on in the classroom Monday through Friday. In order to set your son or daughter up for success in school, it is important to provide plenty of support at home. Read on for a few helpful ways to do so.

Be Available for Homework Help

After school, do your best to take an interest in whatever assignment your child is working on, whether it's reading a book or section of a textbook, completing a problem set or writing an essay. If it has been too long since you studied any particular topic in school yourself and you're rusty, there are plenty of free educational resources New York NY available online to lend a hand.

Encourage Reading

Being an avid reader comes with a host of benefits for children and adults alike. Make sure to have plenty of books available in the home that are appropriate for your child's age group. Since kids tend to imitate their parents' behavior, making a habit of reading will increase the likelihood of your son or daughter picking up a book on a regular basis. Instead of watching TV after dinner, why not read together as a family?

Cultivate a Relationship with Your Child's Teacher

Teachers and parents are partners in educating children. Make sure that you attend parent-teacher conferences, and don't hesitate to get in touch with your son or daughter's teacher if you have any concerns about how things are going in the classroom. It should be easy enough to get answers via email or set up a time to talk on the phone.

Kids tend to be happiest when they are engaged with the material they are learning in school. If you sense that your son or daughter may be struggling, don't hesitate to enlist help from his or her teacher, an outside tutor or another resource.

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Essential Guitar Equipment for Beginners

Even though it’s been around for four centuries, the guitar is one of the most modern and fun instruments to play in the 21st century. For beginners of all ages, it’s important to have a few crucial pieces of equipment to learn and play. Luckily, these can be procured on almost any budget.

A Dependable Guitar

Obviously, the guitar is the cornerstone of your gear. Whether you’re asking “Where can I find high-end guitars online,” or looking for a bargain on a budget, the reality is this: you won’t be happy with a cheap, poorly constructed guitar. The difference in quality between even a $90 and $350 model is massive, and of course, you can always scale up from there.

 

Picks, Strings, and a Strap

Whatever style of guitar you’re planning to play, it’s good to learn how to finger-pick and strum with a guitar pick. Guitar picks are usually made of plastic, and while they come in different thicknesses, they are very affordable: well under a dollar apiece and available in boxes. You should also have an extra set of strings on hand. Even though it won’t be one of the first things you learn, being able to restring a guitar is an essential skill. You could easily break a string while practicing, so it’s good practice to have a backup set.

A Solid Amplifier

Whether you’re playing electric or acoustic guitar, if you’re ever planning on performing live outside of your basement, you’ll need an amplifier. You don’t want to skimp on this either, but the size (and cost) will depend greatly on the sort of venue you plan on playing in.

Good Cables

Finally, it’s important to realize that most issues with amplified sound come from faulty or old ¼” cables. Spend a few extra bucks on good ones and replace them often.

These essential tools will set you up for success as you begin your guitar journey.

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Why You Should Attend a Birth Preparation Course

It has been years since I had my first child and I belong to that group of pregnant women who are categorized as a "risk pregnancy" patient because of age. :)

I am generally a very calm, cool and composed person, but with my advanced age, I also cannot help but worry about giving childbirth at this age. True, many women get pregnant at a later stage in life and medical technology has advanced further making childbirth at this stage safer for both child and mother. But still...

That is why I find it important to be more prepared than ever of what is to come. With the complications that go with a late pregnancy, a childbirth preparation course is what expectant moms like me need. For first-time moms, taking a childbirth preparation course also makes sense.

What To Expect at a Childbirth Preparation Course
This course helps women, and also also men, to prepare for childbirth, emotionally and physically. It helps women emotionally, when they better understand what happens to their body during childbirth. Questions like how does childbirth take place, how do you know when you will have the baby, or what does the baby do during childbirth in your tummy, and what do mommies feel physically. All these questions will be answered by an experience midwife during the course.

It also oftentimes helps expectant fathers, when they know the possible ways to help their spouses: small handles, for example, that relieve the pain of labor a little, breathing techniques that can be done together with their wife, etc.

A visit to the delivery room is also an important part of many childbirth preparation courses. To be able to see what the deelivery room looks like, how it feels to be there, takes away much of the anxiety of many pregnant women.

Another ground for worry for most pregnant women is the physical stress brought about by childbirth. But in a childbirth preparation course, one learns how to breathe in a contraction or with the help of which movements you can relieve the floor of your pelvis and push the birth a little forward. The midwife will also show you the different birthing positions and explain the possibilities for pain relief such as peridural anaesthesia or acupunture.

Furthermore, a birthing class not only teaches about birth preparation, but also teaches about what to do with the first moments with your baby: how to change diapers and clothes, how to properly hold the baby, etc.

These are just some of the reasons why a birthing class makes sense. With these,  I hope you will also consider taking one for your own peace of mind.

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The New Normal in School

Schools have opened once again for the non-graduating grades after the Pentecost break here in the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Beginning last June 15, 2020, school children were allowed to go to school.

New Class Schedule
Most schools have however modified the class schedules, wherein only the core subjects will have classroom instruction. For the case of my daughter, she will only have Math, German, English, Latin, Biology and Visual Arts. I don't understand why they included Visual Arts in the schedule but anyway, they will only be required to come for a few hours a day, with the longest at around 4 hours and the shortest at 2,5 hours. To uphold the social distancing requirement, the school has reduced the number of students coming to class at a time by dividing them into two groups. One group will come during the Week A schedule and the 2nd group will come during the Week B schedule. Since there are only six weeks remaining before the summer break, that means that they would only need to come to school for a total of three weeks. On days when a child does not need to go to school, some minor subject teachers have opted to continue with online instruction.

Mandatory Wearing of Face Masks
The children will be required to wear face masks whenever they are not seated in their seats. This is for their own and others' protection since the enemy is invisible.

Mess Halls Are Closed
There will be no canteen service for the remaining 6 weeks in school for safety reasons, which would mean that the children will need to bring their own food for snacks and lunches. As parents, we should make sure that our children have enough to eat and drink when they go to school for this time period. I should make a menu with my daughter so that we prepare her food ahead of time and so that she will not go hungry at school.

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Three Surprising Questions to Ask When Choosing a Daycare Center

Finding the right childcare options for your family may seem like a daunting task. While location, budget and atmosphere play a significant role in choosing the right daycare tampa fl for your child, there are some other questions you might not have thought to ask. Here are three things to address when weighing your options for childcare.

Find Out if Snacks and Meals are Provided

It may seem like a minor thing, but providing food for your kids can be a huge help to parents. Many facilities offer snack and lunch options for children enrolled in their program. Be sure to ask about what's included and what costs extra. It may be an important part of your budget and can also help save precious time in the mornings.

Inquire About Educational or Enrichment Programming

Even at a very young age, children are eager and ready to learn. Find out what types of programs your top choices offer to help you make a more informed decision. Ask if they plan any lessons or activities around math, science or reading, even if they are play-centered. Don't just ask about academics; inquire about enrichment activities as well. Music, art and even foreign language are some of the most common special activities that you could expect to see at some daycare centers.

Ask to See an Example of a Daily Schedule for Each Age Level

What matters most is that your child is in a safe place and well cared for. But you should be wary of a facility that does not have a set structure to their day. Children thrive best in a routine setting, so ask to see what the daily schedule looks like for each age level at the center. Not only will it help you know what to expect for this year, but you can also see what the future would hold if you stay long-term.

Don't skip the details when choosing a daycare center for your child. Asking the right questions can help you make the best choice for your family.

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Are Spiders Dangerous?

While there’s no doubt that spiders are feared by many, are these small eight-legged creatures actually dangerous? Everyone has heard horror stories of people who have suffered serious effects from spider bites, and there it’s no secret that many types of spiders release venom any time they sink their fangs into their prey. Here is some useful information on the spiders you might encounter in your home and whether or not you need to be worried. 

Venomous Spiders 

One of the first questions people ask when spotting a spider nearby is whether or not it is venomous. The reality is that except for a few unique species of spiders, almost all spiders have venom. However, very few spiders have venom strong enough to hurt humans or even cause any pain. Additionally, many spider species are very docile and will only attack a predator, such as a human, if they feel threatened. It’s unlikely that a spider will try to bite you unless you are trying to move it from your home, which is why it can be helpful to have a spider pest control company do it for you. It is also smart to be especially cautious around spiders if you have a known allergy to spiders, have very young children, or are ill. 

Dangerous Species 

While bites from common species such as the hobo spider or wolf spider can cause minor pain and swelling, they hardly warrant a trip to the emergency room and will heal rather quickly. In America, the only two types of potentially dangerous spider species to look out for is the brown recluse and the black widow. The black widow is easily identifiable by the red dot or hourglass on the back of its black body. A brown recluse can range in color from a light tan to a very dark brown or gray. It has markings that resemble a violin.

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The Benefits of Private Schools

Choosing the school your children will attend is a big decision. What are the teachers and administrators like? What is the curriculum? What kind of extracurriculars do they offer? These are all questions to consider, so keep an open mind and possibly look into private schools as an option. Here are some of the benefits of a private school education Tampa Florida.

Smaller Class Sizes

Private schools generally have fewer attendees than other schools. This prevents students from getting lost in the crowd. If a child has trouble socializing with their classmates or speaking up in class, a smaller class size might be less intimidating for them. Teachers can also spend more time individually with each student. They would take note of any child struggling and be sure to encourage them to participate during class discussion.

Personalized Education

Every child deserves the same amount of attention and care, but sometimes it takes the right kind of attention and care. Private schools will not let any student fall through the cracks. Teachers and administrators are more than willing to take more time outside of the classroom for those students who need extra guidance and one-on-one teaching to grasp the material. With the help and support from their teachers and family and the student's commitment to learning, a failing grade can become a stellar score by the end of the term.

Religious Values

Some private schools incorporate religion. Whether that means teachings of Christianity, Buddism, Hinduism, or others, some families prefer this type of curriculum. These institutions normally provide opportunities to volunteer and assist the less fortunate so that students really come to understand what it means to serve. If those are values you also believe in, then a religious based private school may be the ideal place for your student.

Private schools exist to give options to parents and students. Personalized attention and curriculum, as well as a structured environment, are just a few of the many benefits that come with private school education.

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Bilingual Classes in Stuttgart's "High Schools"

Most of us would say that English is the universal language and that it is important to be fluent in it from an international standpoint. Coming from a country where English is the second "mother tongue", I would say that being fluent in English indeed has its advantages. 

However, being in a country where English is otherwise the native language, it could be a challenge.  To help my daughter to be more confident in using english, we expose her to different movies shown in english, books written in english and communicating at times in english. Thankfully too, there are schools offering bilingual english classes so that students get to speak, discuss, write and read more english. 

In Stuttgart, there are about eleven Gymnasiums offering bilingual classes in English in their curriculum. These are:

1. Ferdinand Porsche Gymnasium
2. Königin Olga Stift
3. Dillmann Gymnasium
4. Paracelsus Gymnasium
5. Zeppelin Gymnasium
6. Leibniz-Gymnasium
7. Königin Charlotte Gymnasium
8. Fanny Leicht Gymnasium
9. Geschwister Scholl Gymnasium
10. Johannes Kepler Gymnasium
11. Eschbach Gymnasium (new, from school year 2019/2020)

What does this mean? 

This means that students get more English classes beginning in the fifth grade to prepare them for the subjects that will be taught in english in the later years (beginning 7th grade). This is however, not for every student. It is therefore recommended for parents to get advise from primary school teachers before deciding, as they could very well assess whether a child would be suited in such a class. A prerequisite for admission into the bilingual program is a generally good grade in the 1st half of the school year in the 6th grade. In particular, good performance in the main subjects German, English and Mathematics is expected.

Which subjects are taught in English?
The following subjects are taught in English from the 7th grade:

• Grade 7: Geography
• Grade 8: Geography + History
• Grade 9: Biology
• Grade 10: Biology + History or Geography or Social Studies

Do you live in a country where English is not the official language. Which programs do the educational institutions offer so that students become more proficient in the english language? 

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Why Montessori Education Works

There are a lot of great schools out there. Ask anyone what makes a great school, and you will likely get multiple answers. The reality is that the system and the teacher often are the determining factor in deciding this, which is why Montessori education has become so popular across America in recent years. Parents have become frustrated with schools that seem to be focused on the teacher and administration. Montessori schools, such as that found with sammamish private schools , are based on an entirely different model. These schools are rightfully centered on the child, and the results have been tremendous. 

Early Childhood Education

For years, many experts believed that young children should just play and that formal education should not start until much later. That is flawed thinking, as children begin learning almost from day one. Remember back to you when you new born followed everything you did with their eyes. They were soaking everything in. Young children are like sponges. They can retain information, and have fun while doing it. Montessori education takes advantage of this by providing a child centered classroom that is focused on fun, educational activities. The children learn without even realizing that they are. 

Leave Formal Education Out of It

There will be plenty of time later for formal education, filled with lectures and reports to do. Early childhood education should revolve around the child. Each individual student in the school is encouraged to learn at his or her own pace. The teacher works with each student to maximize and build upon their own unique gifts and talents. Children are free to express themselves during playtime and other organized activities. This is unlike a traditional classroom where children are expected to sit in neat rows and listen intently while their teacher talks. The teacher in a Montessori school is more like a guide, moving the children towards where they want to go at their own pace. 

As you consider what to do for your child's education in these early years, consider a Montessori school. You and your child will likely be very pleased with the results. 

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Graduation Party for my Daughter's Class

Summer break is fast approaching here in Germany. My daughter is also about to end her grade school days and will move on to another school where she will start a new and more challenging journey. As a fourth grade parent, it means that it is time to prepare for the graduation party. From where I came from, there's always the conventional recognition and graduation ceremonies at school where the children go on stage and are presented with medals and ribbons as recognition for all their efforts. Here, it is quite different. There are no ceremonies in school, only graduation parties with the class and the teachers.

As planned with the other parents, we will be celebrating it at a sports grounds near the school and will organize a small tournament for the kids. Because it will be beautiful outside, it will be grill party. Everyone will bring something to grill and drink. We will also prepare something for their homeroom teacher and assistant teacher, which the class speaker will present. A photobooth will also be made available so that everyone can have their photos taken, whether solo or with their group of friends. Instead of printing it on site, we will be sharing the digital files to all class members so they have the option to choose and print the ones they like.

There will also be a blank framed canvas with a tree trunk where each class member will print his / her thumbmark on the branches as leaves. After everyone has printed their thumbmarks, this will be given to the homeroom teacher too as a gift.

I am excited for Friday. We hope that the teachers will feel how thankful we are for their patience in teaching our children. Will post how it went in my upcoming posts. 

What are some other good graduation party ideas for grade school children do you have? Be sure to share them in the comments! Thanks!

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Moving Up To 5th Grade Soon

So our little girl is now in the 4th grade and it has been quite busy the last few weeks for us as we went from one Information Day or School Open House to the next in preparation for 5th grade. This is because she will transfer to a new school where she will spend the next 8 or 9 years studying and preparing for a career. 

The first 4 years of Grundschule are almost over and we are happy and proud to say that she is doing well. Although graduation ceremonies and/or quarterly recognition days are not big here, we are happy that she is happy learning and socializing with other children. 

Moving on to a new school, we are as excited as her as she takes another big step. We are thankful that she is recommended to continue on to Gymnasium, a kind of high school which will allow her to continue on and study at the Universität or Hochschule later on. 

The German educational system is quite new to us so it is also like an adventure for us as parents. We just hope that we will be able to guide her and support her in the decisions that she will make in the years to come and that she will grow into the person that is meant to be.

In the coming days, we will be registering her at the school that left a good impression. We just hope and pray that she will be accepted. 

I am nervous and excited as I look forward to the new adventures and challenges that our young girl will face. But head's up Anak... rest assured that you will always have us behind you to back you up!

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Thesis Writing Blues

Tick tock tick tock... I am fully aware that the clock is ticking as I try to organize my thoughts while writing my master thesis. I must admit I am getting nowhere in the "Results and Discussion" part, which is essentially the heart of any thesis paper. I am now beginning to panic because I know that I barely have two months or even less until my presentation date and I must admit that I really need help! I realize now that although I am quite good at creative writing, I have lost my touch in technical writing. Have I been blogging too much?

Where should I get the inspiration and the help that I need then? I was poring over my notes and references, trying to figure out what to write first and how I should organize my results when an email arrived suggesting that I check out Studymode. What a heaven-sent! It is a website with a mission "to provide an idea encyclopedia that enables members to streamline their research process, jump-start, and focus their paper writing efforts." I guess I better read more as I just might get the inspiration that I need and be able to finally find my focus. I am also having some trouble with my citations so their citation generator will be a very helpful and handy tool. I find the website particulary helpful for students who have essay assignments and term papers as members can browse from over 650,000 model essays, term papers and book notes. One just needs to go through the FREE sign-up procedure first to get access to the the articles.

Well, wish me good luck in writing my thesis. I need all the luck I need, plus a little bit more time! 

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Spice Up Your Career with a Cisco Certification

Nothing adds value and importance to your resume like a Cisco certification. Earning a Cisco certification in several specializations is possible by taking the certification tests. Registration is done through Pearson VUE and the test must be taken at any one of their worldwide testing centers. Before taking an exam, candidates must thoroughly train, study, and prepare; this can be done in many ways. Popular options include the Cisco-certified training resources, such as classes, videos, and textbooks, as well as www.testslive.com, an independent training program that offers a valuable practice exam, among other resources, which cover all aspects of each exam.

The exams differ in level of difficulty among fields; the exam length, type of questions, resources, and materials also differ. However, most fields include three types of certifications that can be earned. The first is the entry level exam certification, which requires knowledge of basic terms and concepts. It is required for the associate exam certification, while both are required for the professional certification and all three are required before the expert certification can be earned.

Cisco is often the vendor of choice for individuals looking to expand their knowledge for a variety of reasons. They allow participants to take any test(s) of their choosing; their structured certification program allows for minimum and maximum learning, based on the amount of time, work, and commitment an individual is willing to put forth. With this level of interactivity, participants can use Cisco to gain practical knowledge of a specialized vocation.

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What You Need To Know About Incarceration Rates and Poverty in the US

Incarceration Rates
http://www.online-law-degree.com/Incarceration-Rates

Click here to expand
Source: http://www.OnlineLawDegree.com

Poverty in the US
http://www.onlinepoliticalscience.org/povertyintheus-infographic

Click to expand here
Find this infographic on OnlinePoliticalScience.org

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Man's Quest for Knowledge is Never Ending

We go to many different academic institutions because we want to find the answers to our questions. Because we are ever so curious beings, we won't stop until we are content and are able to understand how things work and how things came to be. But along the way, many other questions come up so that the cycle begins again. But getting a degree is not always easy especially if you are a full time employer. You have the interest but unfortunately don't have the time.

Good thing there are now lots of colleges and universities offering a variety of Online Degree Programs to cater to students and professionals who wish to further their education and training. I know some who are into this program and are impressed at their progress. Even my husband is interested in getting a Masters degree but unfortunately does not have the time to do one. Perhaps an online degree in information technology is what he needs to supplement his current line of work.

But of course, it is always important to choose an online school carefully because you never know which one is for real and which one is just out there to get your money. To look for a college that best suits your interest, you can check out The National Center For Education Statistics College Navigator website at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.

It is never too late to discover and learn something new. Don't let your lack of time or your age stop you from developing further your potentials.

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I Want to Learn Japanese Again!

When I was still in Japan, I never really got the chance to really learn the Japanese language. My husband is very good at it considering the amount time he spent learning it and living in Japan. I have had a Japanese class once a week taught by a someone who volunteered to teach us and that was it. I never really used it because I was so dependent on my husband who knew how to communicate and is my official speaker. I also taught English at an English conversation school while I was there so that English was my main mode of communication. In my almost two years of stay in Japan, I only know the very basics: basic greetings, numbers, and a little bit of hiragana and katakana.

Now that we are here in Germany, my interest to learn Japanese is now more intense. Most probably because I want to be able to communicate more with our Japanese neighbor who is so nice to me she even put my laundry in the shade when it was raining very hard last Sunday. I also wanted to learn Japanese because I want to understand the anime series that my husband loves to watch, Naruto Shippuden. There are no English subtitles in most of the episodes that he downloads so that I keep asking him questions about the characters are saying and what is going on general. Most often, I would end up disappointed because we would just end up argiung. I want to learn Japanese most of all because I have the feeling that I will be able to use it someday.

Knowing how to speak a foreign language other than English is something that one should see as a plus factor. Who knows when it may come handy in the future right?

Photo: japanprobe.com

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When Math Is The Problem

Not all kids are the same, or so the saying goes. Each one is unique and have different levels of capability so that in a class, some can get along with the subjects quickly and some can have a difficult time, especially with College algebra and factoring polynomials. Oh no, these is no laughing matter I tell you.

When I was still attending school, I had my share of difficult Math word problems. I attended a science high school then so you could not imagine that we were already doing calculus and analytical geometry. I am not a Math whiz kid nor am I a Math problem solver that I sometimes wished I had a friend who can give me free Math help or a tutor who I can count on and get Math homework help from.  But we couldn't afford one by then because private tutors were expensive and Online Tutoring weren't available yet.  

Kids these days are luckier. For those who just can't find their way around numbers, they can readily seek the help of an online tutor and get a high quality, one-on-one supplemental education at a very affordable price. They could get free homework help with difficult problems, ask for clarification, and be taught the tricks on how Math problems are be solved the easy and quick way.

If Math is the problem, try seeking the help of online tutors. They are available at any time of the day and there are no pressures. When you are ready to learn, you can just sit front of your computer and go online. Yup, no pressures at all.

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Will You Get Online Help For Your Kids?

Education is a vital aspect in our children's lives. It is in school where they learn many other things that we as parents cannot teach them. School prepares them to decide what they want to be and what they want to do when they become adults. As parents, we are also instrumental in our child's learning. We can guide them and help them in their homeworks and even tutor them on some of the basics like prime numbers, and inspire and encourage them to pursue their interests. But I know we can only do so much.

As parents, we must acknowledge the fact that no two children are the same. There are some who have a strength with numbers and wouldn't have any difficulty answering Math questions and there are some children who just can't get past a simple chemical reaction. Let's face it, we have all been there and gone through what many K-12 and young college students are going through these days. And it is no laughing matter, especially if your kid is having a difficult time with the sciences and math and needed some Chemistry homework help and you can't do anything about it.

It is in times like this when online tutoring can be of great help. This type of tutoring is interactive and because it uses a medium that kids find fun and interesting, it will somehow help them perk up their interest and make learning more convenient and fun for them. Because it is done at the comfort of our homes, we do not need to worry about transportation costs anymore. Also, the children can get Geometry help, Chemistry help and Physics help at any given time of the day because the qualified online tutors are available 24/7.

So if you are to ask me if I would seek the assistance of an online tutor, why not? If I could not help my child anymore and if he/she refuses to be taught by me, then I would gladly welcome help from a professional who is more experienced at teaching children these things. I only want what's best for my child and if what I can teach her and help her with is not enough, I would definitely avail of such a service.

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Other Career Options For Me

When I was still in grade school, I have always wanted to be nurse. This has been my ambition until I entered high school and had to decide before graduation on an entirely different course due to the nature of my scholarship. And so that is how I ended up being a chemical engineer instead.

After five long and difficult years into the program, six months of review and a board exam later, I became a professional chemical engineer. BUT. I was only able to practice my profession for about three years which is shame. But I don't regret that I decided to be with my husband and build our own family. Sometimes though, the career woman in me is clamoring for a job, to apply and practice what she has learned.

Now we are in Germany and landing on a job that is related to my profession proves to be a challenge due to many factors. I am still struggling with the language. I am not a German or European citizen. I am only a dependent. I have no special skills. So I guess I will just have to venture into a different field. There are lots of nursing homes needing medical assistants and caregivers here so I think that would be my best option. I can get myself into a medical assisting school while juggling my time between family and language school. I am getting there with my German, I think, and so going to school will not be a problem. 

But I am not yet sure. Besides, I'll be going to graduate school this September and that alone could open up lots of windows of opportunities for me. I really don't mind the type of job I will be doing, as long as it is decent. I just want to help the family financially and working alongside with my Hubby will really help a lot.

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