Countries

CULTURAL MELTING POT

But what really appeals to many about Singapore is the multi-racial and multi-cultural environment. Broaden your horizon in this vibrant nation with a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian cultures and many other races.

BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN SIGAPORE

Singapore is the world leader in foreigntrade and investment.

Singapore is ranked No. 5 in the world for Competitiveness and most competitive in Asia.

Singapore is ranked No. 4 as a Financial Hub

Singapore has the most motivated work force in the Asia and is ranked 3rd in the world.

Singapore immigration laws for foreign talent are the least restrictive in the world.

GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

A comprehensive annual survey conducted by the World Economic Forum indicated that Singapore’s Global Competitiveness moved up to No. 5 around the world in 8th September 2009.

RANKING OF COMPETITIVENESS OF GLOBAL FINANCIAL CENTER

The Global Financial Centers Index indicated that Singapore already became No. 4

The ranking is an aggregate of indices fromfive key areas: People, business environment,market access, infrastructure and generalcompetitiveness.

RANKING OF CURRENT TOP PLACES ARE

1. London, United Kingdom

2. New York City, United States

3. Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

4. Singapore

5. Shenzhen, People's Republic of China

6. Zurich, Switzerland

7. Tokyo, Japan

8. Chicago, United States

9. Geneva, Switzerland

10. Shanghai, People's Republic of China

BEST CITY IN THE WORLD FOR THE ASIAN EXPATRIATES TO LIVE

Singapore is the best city in the world for Asian expatriates to live in due mainly to its quality of life and low crime rate, a survey released June 2009 by ECA International showed.

EDUTRUST

As part of the Singapore Governments effort to strengthen its vision as a Global Education Hub, a new regulatory Certification Scheme is expected to be introduced towards the end of 2009. This certification scheme will replace the current CASE TRUST.

This new certification EDUTRUST -not only improves the private education sector but ensures that students’ welfare; particularly tuition fees are protected. Learning experience and value of the qualification obtained are safeguard.

A Pro-tem Council for Private Education has been formed to oversee the transition preparations to the new regulatory regime. The Council has been tasked to oversee the following four strategic thrusts:

Implement effective regulatory and quality assurance frameworks and measures to uplift industry standards;

Develop industry partnership and engagement;

Raise consumer awareness; and

Develop and promote the industry.

The Councils role will ensure that a balanced and holistic approach is taken towards developing a quality private education sector that benefits students and raises standards in the industry.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE

Singapore truly a city like no other. With friendly and welcoming people, state-of-the-art infrastructure and something new happening every day, Singapore is so easy to appreciate. Singapore is today a vibrant melting pot of ideas, cultures and peoples. Local in prospective but global in its outlook. With over 2,500 spacious five-star rooms and luxury suites, guests at Marina Bay Sandsâ„¢ hotel will enjoy personalized service and exclusive access to spa facilities and extensive restaurants, bars and entertainment lounges that will deliver a truly unique hotel experience.

SINGAPORE FLYER

Reaching 42 stories high, the Flyer comprises a 150m (492 ft) diameter wheel, built over a three-story terminal building, giving it a total height of 165m (541 ft). This exceeds the Star of Nanchang by 5m (16ft) and the London Eye by 30m (98ft). Each of the 28 air-conditioned capsules is capable of holding 28 passengers and a complete a rotation of the wheel takes approximately 30 minutes.

PRIMER EDUCATION

Singapore is a premier education hub which provides excellent education opportunities for both local and international students. Singapore offers students an international perspective and also diversity of options, in an environment that is inspiring and conducive to education.

Every new day in the world begins in New Zealand. Light and time start here. Youthful in age and outlook, New Zealand is the natural home for fresh ideas. Come catch some new light.

EDUCATION SYSTEM & QUALIFICATION

In New Zealand, students are taught in an English-speaking environment. You will share classes with New Zealanders and be encouraged to participate in all aspects of learning.New Zealand operates a British-based system that’s recognised overseas, so you can move between institutions in New Zealand or other English-speaking countries while you study.

UNIVERSITIES

New Zealand universities are research based and state owned

They offer courses from certificate level through to doctorates

The academic year is from March to November

A July start date may be available for some courses

Summer semester courses (January to March) may be available

INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY AND POLYTECHNICS

New Zealand Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics are state owned

New Zealand ITPs offer courses that are equivalent in merit to those offered in New Zealand universities

ITPs offer courses from certificate level with some offering full degree and postgraduate level studies

The academic year is from March to November – a July start date may be available for some courses

COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

Most have merged with their regional university so course content and start dates will be in line with the universitys. Private Training Providers (PTEs)

There are many throughout New Zealand

Some PTEs run courses in a particular discipline, such as business or travel and tourism

All are all required to be registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority

Most run on a timetable similar to state tertiary institutions

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROVIDERS

Most tertiary and private English language providers have flexible start dates throughout the year

Many international students enrol in English for Academic Study courses prior to formal academic studies

Special English language courses are available throughout the year, and range from 4 weeks to 12 months

Students who are competent in English often do short-term foundation studies or pre-university orientation studies

FOUNDATION STUDIES

Many universities and some secondary schools offer foundation studies

These are generally an introduction to the New Zealand education system and courses

They are useful for students considering tertiary education

SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Most New Zealand secondary schools are state owned

Some are private or integrated (half state funded) and may be single-sex or affiliated to a particular religion

New Zealand secondary schools are typically for students aged 13 to 19 (Years 9 to 13)

Students in Years 11 to 13 study towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)

The academic year runs from February to mid-December with breaks in April, July and September

The academic year runs from February to mid-December with breaks in April, July and September

Immigration New Zealand, known as Department of Labour, is the government authority responsible for issuing visas and permits to enter New Zealand. They have branches around the world.

STUDYING IN NEW ZEALAND AS A VISITOR

If you are in New Zealand as a visitor, you can take a single course of study that lasts less than 3 months without needing a student permit. If you want to take more than one course, and/or study for longer than 3 months, you can apply for a student permit while you are here.

GOING TO NEW ZEALAND TO STUDY

If you are outside New Zealand and planning to study full time for more than 3 months you ll need a student visa and a student permit, unless your home country has a special agreement with New Zealand.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To get a student visa and permit, you have to be enrolled in an approved course at an institution that has been accredited to offer that course.

YOUR APPLICATION WILL NEED

a recent passport-size photograph

payment of a non-refundable application fee

an offer of place from an educational institution, which states that you have been accepted by the institution, the name of the course, the minimum time required to complete the course, and whether a course fee must be paid or the student is exempt from the fee (e.g. scholarship students). This will be sent to you by the institution confirming your enrolment

evidence of payment of the fee or exemption from the fee (not necessary if your application is being approved in principle)

a written guarantee from an institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand

evidence of sufficient funds to live on while you are studying

a return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one.

VALID PASSPORT

If your application is approved, your passport must be valid for 3 months after your planned date of departure from New Zealand.

MEDICAL CHECKS

For courses longer than 24 months, you'll also need to provide medical and x-ray certificates that are less than 3 months old. If you’re over 17, you’ll need a police certificate to show that you are of good character.

SCREENING FOR TUBERCULOSIS

People applying for student visas or permits who intend spending more than 6 months in New Zealand must be screened for tuberculosis (TB) if they:

have NOT previously provided a full medical screening test to the Immigration New Zealand, and

do NOT hold a passport from any of the identified low TB risk countries (see below), or

have spent (lived and/or visited) a combined total of 3 months or more (in the 5 years before applying) in a country/countries

NOT identified as a low TB risk country (see below).
For example, if you hold a UK passport and, at any time in the 5 years before applying, you spent 5 weeks in Thailand and 7 weeks in Fiji, you will need to have a TB screening examination. This does not apply to pregnant women and children under the age of 12.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Make an appointment to see a doctor to request a referral to a radiologist for a chest X-ray.

Ensure you take the Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (NZIS Form 1096) with you to the radiologist.

When you submit your application form, attach the completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate and your chest X-ray plate.

CANADIAN FACTS

Capital City: Ottawa, Ontario

National Emblem: Maple Leaf

Population: In 2004, the population of Canada was estimated to have exceeded 32 million. However, Canadians are spread over a large geographic land mass, giving Canada one of the smallest population density rations in the world, at 3.1 persons per square kilometre.

TOP 10 RESONS WHY YOU SHOULD GO TO CANADA

1. The United Nations ranked Canada as the best among 173 countries to live in.

2. You can enjoy Canada breathtaking natural beauty and four distinct seasons.

3. Canada education system is excellent; it is subject to strict government standards.

4. It is multicultural society, where customs and traditions are respected and valued.

5. Degrees earned at Canadian colleges and universities are internationally recognized.

6. Canada is stable, safe and peaceful.

7. Sport and cultural activities are accessible and affordable everywhere, year-round.

8. The Canadian health care system is among the best in the world.

9. Canadian cities are remarkably clean and environmentally friendly.

10. As a bilingual; and multicultural society, Canada is a world leader in second language training programs.

WHY STUDY IN CANADA

Welcoming Atmosphere: Canada is a country of immigrants and has both a tradition and policy of encouraging cultural diversity.

High Standard of Living: For several years, a United Nations (UN) survey has found Canada to be among the top three places in the world to live, with Canada ranking first for seven years. This annual survey evaluates the quality of life in 174 countries using over 200 performance indicators. Canada earns consistently high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy (due to universal health care system) and low crime and violence rates. Canada’s standard of living is among the highest in the world. More than 65 per cent of Canadians own their own homes, and Canada has more computers per capita than any other country in the G8, expect the United States.

Economy: Canada ranks among the 10 leading manufacturing nations in the world, and has also experienced tremendous growth in the high technology and services industries. Most of Canada’s manufacturing industry is in Ontario and Quebec, where mother vehicle production comprises the largest sector within the industry. Other important manufacturing sectors include food and beverages, paper and allied products, primary metals, petrochemicals and chemicals. The Atlantic, Prairie and Pacific regions have more natural resource-based economies. The Atlantic provinces focus on fishing, forestry, mining and tourism.

MAJOR EXPORTS: Vehicles and automobile parts, machinery and equipment, high-technology products, oil, natural gas, metals, and forest and farm products.

MAJOR IMPORTS: Machinery and industrial equipment, including communications and electronic equipment, vehicles and automobiles parts, industrial materials (metal ores, iron and steel, precious metals, chemicals, plastics, cotton, wool and other textiles) and manufactured products and food.

A High-Technology Country: Canada is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation, engineering, specifically in aerospace engineering, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and optoelectronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geomatics and in ocean and environmental industries. Canada also has the highest rate of computer literacy among employees in the G8, and was among the first in the world to recognize the need to connect schools and libraries to the Internet. As of May 2000, there were approximately half a million connected computers in Canadian schools. On average, a Canadian secondary school has one computer for every six students, higher than the average of one for every 13 students among OECD countries.

Beautiful environment: Students who come to Canada will witness one of the most beautiful, natural environments in the world. Home to an incredibly diverse geography, Canada’s great outdoors offer much to experience: the lush rainforests of the west coast, the majestic Rocky Mountains, the big skies of the prairies, the aple sugar country in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions, and the rugged hills and picturesque coastlines of the Atlantic provinces.

Climate: four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Daytime summer temperatures can reach 35*C or higher, while lows of -25*C are not uncommon in winter in some parts of the country.

THE CANADIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

UNIVERSITIES

Canada has a large selection of universities located in both urban and rural settings in every region of the country. Canadian universities are internationally known for their high quality of teaching and research. Canadian universities are largely publicly funded.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGES

University colleges combine Canadian university and college traditions, with a strong base of applied and academic programs offered in campus environments. As the name suggests, a university college offers academically oriented university degrees, as well as more practically oriented college diploma and certificate programs.

Student can expect to find a wide range of program choices at university colleges, including English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. They may also offer combined degree/diploma programs and university transfer programs. As part of the Canadian college system, university colleges are distinguished by their strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environments.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES

The more than 175 postsecondary institutions that are members of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) are officially known by a range of titles, including community college, technical institute, University College and CEGEP.

Community colleges have the primary function of responding to the training needs of business, industry and public service sectors. Eighteen of these institutions now grant degrees and applied degrees. Two-to-three-year (or shorter) college programs typically offer specific, vocationally oriented curricula, as well as general academic concentrations. Some Canadian colleges offer university transfer programs.

CAREER COLLEGE

Career colleges specialize in specific areas such as business, computers and secretarial skills. A technical/career college is privately owned and operated school with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction. The emphasis at technical/career colleges is on practical skills development over a broad range of programs. Career colleges have highly competitive fee structures.

ESL/FSL PROGRAMS

As Canada has two official languages international students can come to Canada to study either English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL). Over the years, Canada has developed considerable expertise in the teaching of ESL.

The PROVISION AND TERRITORIES

British Columbia Capital City: Victoria

British Columbia (BC) is Canada westernmost province and one of North America most mountainous regions. Because of its coastal location, it is considered a gateway to the Pacific and Asia. It is bordered by the province of Alberta, the Yukon and Northwest Territories and several US states, including Alaska. BC enjoys a relatively mild climate, with flowers often blooming as early as February.

Vancouver, the largest dry cargo port on the Pacific coast of North America, is home to more than 2 million people, which makes it the third largest Canadian city. In addition, more than 60,000 BC residents are from India and 16,000 are from Japan. Visitors will find innumerable places to hike, camp, ski, snowboard, cycle, swim, sail, kayak, rock climb or river raft throughout the province of British Columbia.

Alberta Capital City: Edmonton

Alberta is the second westernmost province, next to BC. It has an area of over 600,000 square kilometres. Alberta is bordered to the east by the province of Saskatchewan, to the west by the Rocky Mountains and British Columbia, to the north by the North West Territories and to the south by the state of Montana in the United States. Alberta is noted for its world-famous Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. For some serious shopping in Alberta, you can visit the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest mall in Canada.

Saskatchewan Capital city: Regina

Saskatchewan is dubbed the abread basket of Canada and is famous for its prairies and wheat fields. Located in the western part of Canada, Saskatchewan is bordered by Manitoba, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and the United States. The province is almost rectangular in shape and is 651,900 square kilometres in area. Saskatchewan is the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Saskatchewan is also known as a vast food-growing region in the warmer months.

Manitoba Capital City: Winnipeg

With an economy based on minerals and agriculture, Manitoba is one of the three Prairie Provinces and is located in the centre of Canada, bordered by Ontario, Saskatchewan, the Nunavut Territory, Hudson Bay and the United States. There are over 700 organizations in the province that support new Canadians and Canadian immigrants. Manitoba is known as the sunshine capital of Canada.

Ontario Capital City: Toronto

Canada industrial and financial centre, Ontario is home to the world-famous Niagara Falls; Canada’s capital, Ottawa. It is bordered by Quebec to the east, Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north. Canada’s second largest province, Ontario is an area larger than Finance and Spain combined and has a population of over 12 million people. A must-see attraction in Ontario is the thundering Niagara Falls. To learn more about Canada’s history and government, you can visit Ottawa, the country capital.

Quebec Capital City: Quebec City

Quebec has an area three times that of France and seven times that of Great Britain, making it the largest of Canada provinces. Quebec is bordered by Ontario, New Brunswick. While in Quebec, you should’t miss the biggest winter festival in the world, Carnival, celebrated annually in the provincial capital of Quebec City, and famous for its Bonhomme mascot and ice castles.

Newfoundland & Labrador Capital City: St. John's

This province consists of two distinct geographical entities: Newfoundland, the island, and Labrador the mainland portion of the province. St. John's the historic commercial centre and the capital of Newfoundland & Labrador, is the province’s largest city, with a population of approximately 173,000.

New Brunswick Capital City: Fredericton

New Brunswick is a seaside province in eastern Canada with a diverse and fascinating cultural heritage. It borders Nova Scotia, Quebec and the US state of Maine, and is rich in natural resources. The province is bordered by water on three sides, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Northumberland Strait and they bay of Fundy.

Prince Edward Island Capital City: Charlottetown

Prince Edward Island is just 280 kilometres from tip to tip and so it is quite possible to explore every nook and cranny of this historic island. Rich soil and a temperate climate make PEI and ideal place for mixed farming. It is renowned for its red soil, sand dunes and 800 kilometres of beaches.

Nova Scotia Capital City: Halifax

Nova Scotia 580 kilometre peninsula is surrounded by four bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Fundy, the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its geographic location, together with large, ice-free, deep-water harbours, has been a key factor in the provinces economic development. This province has a rich history, strongly connected to the legends of the seas that surround it.

Yukon Territory Capital City: Whitehorse

Located in the northwest corner of Canada and bordering Alaska, the Yukon Territory is fairly large in area (483,450 square kilometres)., yet only 31,000 people call it home. Its capital, Whitehorse, is home to 60 per cent of this population.

Northwest Territories Capital City: Yellowknife

The Northwest Territories is bordered by the Beaufort Sea to the north, the prairies to the south, the Yukon to the west and the new territory of Nunavut to the east. During the summer months the sun seldom sets and there is almost continuous daylight, while winter sees almost complete darkness.

Nunavut Capital City: Iqaluit

The establishment of Nunavut, which means our land in Inuktitut, represents a landmark event in the history of Inuit and Canada. On April 1, 1990, Nunavut became Canada newest territory, encompassing the central and eastern Arctic regions – nearly one-fifth of Canada’s land mass. Originally part of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut’s creation was first proposed in the mid-1970s as part of the Inuit land claim.

*Source International Guide to Universities & Colleges in Canada 2006.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The UK is fast emerging as one of the most popular study destinations for education in the world. A high degree of sophistication, modern facilities and International level education quality: the United Kingdom is just the right place to give your career that global edge.

GEOGRAPHY

The United States of America is in North America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and lies between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska to the west of Canada and Hawaii in the Central Pacific Ocean became States in 1959. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean, is a dependent of the USA but retains commonwealth status. The United States Virgin Islands is a US Caribbean Territory. The US also has Territories in Oceania.

There are 50 US states and 1 district: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

Washington DC (District of Columbia) is the capital and New York is the USA's largest city. The US has a very large central plain and is mountainous in the west and east. There are mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska and the islands of Hawaii are volcanic in origin.

The climate of the US is very diverse; it is tropical in the States of Florida and Hawaii with arctic weather conditions in Alaska. Various parts of the US are prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and forest fires.

ENVIRONMENT

The terrain of the US includes mountains, forests, grasslands, deserts, lakes, rivers and coastline. The Grand Canyon, a gorge created by the Colorado River, is one of the most spectacular sights in the US. The varied landscape and weather conditions produce many different types of flora. Plant life, bird species and animals are conserved in the National Parks. Animals include bears, moose, deer, raccoons, chipmunks and alligators.

National Parks on the World Heritage List are Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, Olympic National Park, Redwood National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park.

ARCHITECTURE

There are a number of pre-Columbian sites on the World Heritage List. An early listing is the Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, which has many examples of Ancestral Pueblo buildings. The structures, dating from the sixth to the twelfth century, include cliff dwellings built of stone.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Missouri), also on the World Heritage List, was occupied between 800 and 1400 during a period known as the Mississippian. Early European colonists used the local abundance of timber to build homes and towns. Examples of Colonial architecture can be seen in a number of locations. The Savannah Historic Distric was the first settlement in the English colony of Georgia and has buildings of architectural merit.

America's most famous home is the White House, the residence of the President of the United States, designed by the Irish-born architect James Hoban at the end of the eighteenth century. Perhaps the USA's most well known architect is Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) who designed a variety of buildings: houses (Fallingwater), municipal buildings (Guggenheim Museum) and skyscrapers (Price Tower).

The US, New York in particular, is known for its skyscrapers. However on 11 September 2001 New York's skyline lost the World Trade Center Twin Towers in terrorist attacks. Within eighteen months of 11 September a proposal for redevelopment of the New York site was accepted. The Polish born architect Daniel Libeskind, who became a US citizen in 1965, was chosen to reconstruct the area known as Ground Zero. Subsequently, fellow architect David Childs worked with Libeskind on the design.

Libeskind's proposal featured a 1,776 ft. spire, symbolic for the year of American Independence. (Libeskind is famous for his design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, opened in 2001).

POPULATION

The population of the USA was estimated at 303,824,640 in 2008.

LANGUAGES

English is the official language. Spanish is spoken by over ten percent the population. Hawaiian is an official language in Hawaii.

RELIGION

A large percentage of Americans are Christians. The United States has produced a number of evangelists such as Billy Graham.

FOOD

Native American food includes various breads, soups and wild green salads. Colonists brought their own culinary traditions. America became a melting pot for people from all over the world. Today, food in the USA reflects this cultural diversity. The Spanish influence is particularly evident in parts of the country colonized by Spain.

The American food industry is internationally known for fast-food chains such as McDonald's. American-style cookies, muffins and bagels have also made an impact on the international snack food market.