Hello after a long hiatus! The last couple of months have been a busy busy time for most of us haven´t they? Except for those of you making last minute university applications, accommodation bookings and visa applications must be well underway? Just another month to go! I hope I´ve been able to answer some of the questions you´ve had about studying and living in the UK and I hope my posts and my e-book have made things a little easier and comfortable for you. I wish all those of you flying to the UK next month, a very happy countdown to departure!
This post, by the way, is not for you! It´s for those of you who haven´t been able to make it to the universities of your choice, and are looking for a second chance.
Read on…
We’re well into May, and those of you with offers are probably looking into accommodation options now? Read the Uni vs Private Accommodation post to figure out which one is for you! If you’ve decided on uni accomm, life becomes much simpler because you simply have to study the brochure and the website, shortlist a couple of places you’re keen on and make an application! But if you’ve decided to go down the private accommodation road, things become a little confusing. How do you look for a place sitting seven seas away? What does bedsit mean? And what do bills include? And what’s a detached house? And also, where do you search for rooms and flatmates?
I’m going to try and tackle these worries one step at a time. How about we begin by figuring out where to look first? Read on…
Just back from a lovely afternoon get-together, happy on tiramisu and carrot cake and rasberry meringue and all kinds of salads! I’m one of those folks who can’t enjoy a party unless there’s good food (no matter how fabulous the music is or how brilliant the company is or how much alcohol is flowing!), and so am feeling very content because there was a bit of it all! I made my two penny bit of contribution to the snack bar as well (and hope it made some stomachs happy!), and that brings me to party food recipe no 2! Read recipe 1 here.
Roasted vegetable and pesto salad
Read on…
What is a summer internship?
A summer internship is an opportunity to work in an organisation as a member of the team for a certain period of time in the holidays so as to gain valuable work experience in an industry of your choice!
Am I eligible to apply for an internship?
Summer internships are usually for penultimate year students (students in their second last year of university) and graduates. However each organisation has it’s own criteria, so it’s best to get in touch with them to enquire if you are eligible (incase the information on the website is not clear)
How long does it last?
Summer internships usually last for about 4-10 weeks. Some could be slightly shorter or longer.
Do you get paid?
Read on…
And we complete 3 months of MTG!
I’ve added a few new features to the website:
- There’s a twitter widget in the right-hand sidebar with my latest tweets – so if you aren’t already following MTG on twitter, that widget will keep you informed of most student-news updates. The widget doesn’t display retweets, however, so you could follow MTG for the whole deal!
- There’s an Amazon widget in the right-hand sidebar that you can use to shop for books, cds, dvds, gadgets, and anything else you fancy on Amazon
- What all you prospective students would find most useful is the Student Talk feature recently introduced. It’s a collection of interviews with alumni and current students from various universities across UK. The project is still in its infancy, and you can help it grow by contributing! Click here
- There’s a new testimonials page. I’m so glad MTG is being appreciated! Click here
- There’s a Flickr widget in the right-hand sidebar that streams photos of interesting places I’ve been to and have blogged about in the UK!
Some other updates:
- MTG now has over a 100 Facebook fans! Hurrah! Become one too – click here!
- The Orkut community has over a 180 members! Join in!
Thanks everyone for all the support and appreciation! A special thank you to everyone who helped with the Student Talk section – thanks for taking the time out 
This is something that actually took me quite by surprise too.
The simple three round-pin plug that many of us use back at home requires an adaptor (because in the UK, plugs have flat pins) that is impossible to find anywhere in the UK! I’m surprised because when I was a student at university, they were available everywhere. Unfortunately, the shops now sell only an adaptor that is suitable for the smaller version of the three round-pin plug! I’ve looked in every supermarket and every hardware and electrical store.
Read on…
Fancy a graduate training opportunity with IBM?
IBM offers graduates a number of roles to choose from:
Software Developer, Information Developer, IT Consultant, Sales Specialist, Financial Management Consultant, Human Capital Management Consultant, Strategy Consultant, Business Strategy Consultant, IT Specialist, Business Specialist, and Management Account.
Talk about being spoiled for choice!
Requirements:
Read on…
Did you know that as an international student you are entitled to a national minimum wage per hour if your visa entitles you to work in the UK?
Students 22 years of age and above are entitled to £5.80 per hour
Students 18 to 21 years of age are entitled to £4.83 per hour
These rates have been in place since the October 1, 2009.
Read on…
List of fairs between end January and end March 2010
Here’s a list of fairs to be held between April and end July 2010:
Jobs Fair – Forthvalley College, Chackmannan – April 1
Springboard - Loughborough – May 5
The Nottingham Trent University National Recruitment Fair 2010 – Nottingham- May 5
Business, Engineering, and Technology Fair - Leicester – May 11
Read on…
A lot of my readers, I’ve learned, are students who haven’t reached the UK as yet, but are in the process of applying to universities. This focus week, then, is for all you UK aspirants!
We’re going to discuss a number of things including searching for universities, writing SOPs and procuring LORs, and putting together an application package.
This week we’ll focus on applying to PG Taught courses.
Starting tomorrow, look out for posts under the Mission: Making a University Application head!
Read Focus Week 1, Mission: Employment UK [Job Search] posts
Read Part 1
How do you register for IELTS?
Read on…
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test of proficiency in the English language. There are two types of IELTS tests – Academic and General Training. If you are applying to the UK for higher education, you need to appear for the Academic test.
What are you tested on?
Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills in English. The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview of sorts with an examiner.
How are you scored?
Read on…
The British Council’s Education UK desk is conducting a survey for international students. All you need to do is answer 8 simple questions, and you will automatically be entered in a lucky draw! The winner gets a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop!
Here’s the link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nQkcs_2bmBrg2FtWX_2fNF9MvQ_3d_3d
Fingers crossed!
The first day I landed in Leeds, hungry and tired after flying 10 hrs, I made my way to a local burger joint. Now you see, I don’t eat meat and was therefore hoping I’d find a vegetable or a bean burger, if nothing else.
None of that, unfortunately. But what’s this? A cheeseburger?! Ah today is my lucky day I think. So I ask for one and settle myself down at a table, dreaming of a sumptuous no-meat burger with so much cheese that it deserves a mention in the very name of the burger!
Read on…
The response to MTG has been brilliant so far. Feels wonderful to know that all of you are benefitting from the site.
Not even a month into MTG and already 40 Facebook fans and 60+ orkut community members! Thank you all for the support.
Thank you also for the very positive feedback mails.
And for linking back to Mind the Gap! from your own blogs and sites and social networks!
Many of you have been writing in with questions you have about studying and living in the UK. They’ve helped me write posts on the information you need. So keep the mails coming in!
I’ve learned that some of you are a little confused about how to navigate the site and find content. Now you can check the sub-tabs under the ‘What is Mind the Gap?’ tab in the menu, for information on how best to navigate, connect with, and share MTG.
Participate in the MTG poll at http://twtpoll.com/upf4xw
Don’t hesitate to initiate discussions on posts. Comment with your thoughts, and watch the conversation take off!
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