
Success and profession: A shining pathway in life
Success is normally related to achieving tasks and goals in life. Do you think we can identify occupations where we can succeed?
How do you embrace the foreign environment when the fact remains that it is ‘foreign’? There may be challenges, barriers, and a lot of apprehensions to be faced. But with the right kind of character extensions, awareness, and approach, adapting might just become easier. We curate our character as we grow and putting in conscious and focused efforts might help us transform challenging phases of our lives into memorable ones. Leanne Pooley once said,
‘You can never be too prepared.’
There has to be some truth to that, right?
Nowadays, our travel ambitions have found both acknowledgment and encouragement. Many more students are determined not to settle for anything less.
Image from Unsplash.com by @rutmiit
With the zeal to explore and achieve, students apply for scholarships, fellowships, and work opportunities abroad. Their conviction takes them to great foreign universities even if it falls beyond their realm of comfort.
However, what happens when the new life becomes an everyday life? How exactly can you keep it still filled with vigor and feel if not at home, at least something close to it?
Initially, getting even the simplest tasks done can feel like a scavenger hunt, causing a lot of confusion and exhaustion. Realistically, though, being a true international is not just going to be about happy explorations. Being aware of the challenges and the possible solutions beforehand will equip internationals to approach life abroad with a more flexible and adaptive mindset.
A few helpful points to focus on can be:
Read More
♣ Asking fellow expats: People who have gone through similar struggles might give great insights as to how to handle small issues. Gaining knowledge of the culture, the people, the living, the cuisine, the healthcare, etc. as experienced by an international will surely be a kick-start for a new foreign national. It is also good to ask for references or introductions.
♣ Setting up your own space: It is common knowledge that the quality of our environment has a great impact on our physical and psychological health. Given that it is a cardinal factor, it is important that we first understand our environment and if factors are not favorable naturally, we should make efforts to make it closer to what resonates with our personalities. Housing and accommodation are a focus area as they represent our space and the time when we take a break from our social and professional lives. Even if it seems trivial and tedious to set up your space in a foreign country particularly when the duration of your stay is limited, it is extremely important to understand that, setting up your space gives you comfort and familiarity. So even a shorter stay would mean a productive, short stay. Be it an apartment, dorm room, or study corner, having a personally curated space is important for enhancing productivity.
♣ Understanding the currency: When you have spent your entire life in a different country with a different currency and market, it is entirely natural to follow and understand that particular way of pricing and buying goods as being ‘normal’ compared to any other. Moving to a new country comes with an additional challenge in day-to-day life, where you must understand the local market and find the closest familiar option available. You should always understand the goods of your home country may well fall under the heading of ‘exotic goods’ in the foreign country. Conscious efforts must be put into gauging what works best for the country you now live in.
♣ Overcoming the language barrier: Countries often present a huge language barrier. Even say in best-case scenarios, the locals know and communicate with you in the language you understand, they would prefer to communicate amongst themselves in their local language, which often leaves you feeling like an outsider. Therefore, even if you are not a keen language enthusiast, it is good to learn rudimentary phrases for everyday life, in order not to be at a total loss during conversations. Engaging with fellow internationals is bound to be easier, but the locals know their country the best, and to know the country and how to do everyday things efficiently, the locals can be the best guide. Moreover, a new language will constantly keep you entertained and proactive.
♣ Being in touch: Often moving to a new country may well create a distance between you and your family and friends from back home for a variety of reasons. It is important to put effort into maintaining and nourishing these relationships and to make time for them as they will help you stay connected to your roots and can help keep the rush of homesickness away. Besides interacting with fellow expats via online forums, joining clubs of interest, and making new connections, it is also vital to maintain old connections that contribute to your overall growth and peace.
♣ Blending in without fading out: Moving abroad, depending on your origin, might make it harder to accept the ideologies and mindset of the destination country. It is vital to remember that our world is about coexisting and that we humans are all unique. Exposure to different opinions and ideas is one of the biggest rewards of moving abroad and you should embrace this opportunity and learn. It is still vital to hold onto your opinion, integrity, and personality, though. After all blending in means coexisting and not becoming a copy.
Hopefully, pondering on these small yet key points will help the reader with directions to work on. Why just survive when you can also enjoy a foreign land?
Being an international will in any case leave an indelible mark on one’s character, so why not do it right?
Author:
Article Writer & Content Contributor
Share this article:
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this article/publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of GiLE or its members.
Success is normally related to achieving tasks and goals in life. Do you think we can identify occupations where we can succeed?
Knowing your unique attributes and values can greatly help you fulfil your own “hero destiny” once you have found the right (career) path.
In the previous article, we have decided to accept our feelings. Now, can music-therapy be a way to express and communicate emotions easily?
The invention of Internet and smart gadgets clearly impacted many areas of our life, but what happened to our communication?
Some people may prefer to hide emotions like sadness behind a “mask”. But what if we could be more open about our feelings?
Disney is the symbol of joy and fun across the globe, but could it also be influencing children’s and young people’s character development?
GILE Oktatási Alapítvány
Registered seat: Budapest (Hungary)
Court registration number: 01-01-0012919
Adult education registration number: B/2020/001454
Contact: [email protected]
© All Rights Reserved 2022
The following roles are available:
The role consists of:
> Deploy, upgrade and monitor typical open source server software (mainly in a Linux environment).
> Test and integrate new tools and technologies to support the organisation and its operations.
> Configure and maintain the organisation’s computer networks and systems.
> Manage user rights (server level), ensure that the IT infrastructure is operating securely.
> Manage containerized applications.
> Minimize downtime, investigate processes and events negatively affecting continuous operation.
> Help determine technical requirements for new technologies.
> Provide technical support to all users of the website and hosting platform.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> experience with databases and able to write advanced SQL queries with confidence.
> well versed in popular server-side technologies with an emphasis on web back-end technologies.
> confidence writing code in PHP and/or Python and/or JavaScript is an advantage.
> able and willing to work within deadlines;
> English language skills: at least A1-A2 advanced level.
Qualifications: no formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum 3-4 hours on average, per week, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> Create custom web experiences with the latest web technologies.
> Ensure that the website is appealing to the target audience and catches attention.
> Design accessible web user interfaces (UI), enhance platforms with custom style sheets.
> Make sure all web platforms adhere to the Design Guidelines
> Help update Design Guidelines, suggest improvements to current design considerations.
> Determine technical requirements.
> Create back up files.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> experience building visually appealing websites from the design standpoint
> experience in using common CMS systems, like WordPress and Drupal
> comfortable with CSS and preferably has a basic understanding of popular web technologies/frameworks
> high level understanding of web design concepts, UI principles
> basic experience in app UI design (for example the UI builder of Android Studio)
Qualifications: no formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum 3-4 hours on average, per week, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> Keep website fully functional at all times, inform colleagues of any expected downtimes.
> Deploy and update WordPress ecosystem components.
> Make sure the site’s user interface is easily accessible for most users.
> Ensure that the websites are operating securely.
> Plan and orchestrate content rollout by other contributors.
> Create back up files.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> Thrives in the WordPress ecosystem, is aware of new trends and has a good command of the most popular web technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript);
> Has a UX-first mindset, is able to create modern and accessible wireframes/concepts and iterate fast on ideas;
> Can develop complex webpages using Theme Builders like Elementor or Divi;
> Has experience in creating webpages with WordPress, using plugins;
> Can actively monitor user behaviour using tools such as Google Analytics, in order to identify any challenge and provide recommendations;
> Is able to provide technical support to all users of the website(s).
Qualifications: no formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum 3-4 hours on average, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The following roles are available:
The role consists of:
> Administer and engage on all social media channels.
> Creating engaging text, images and video content that can be posted on the GiLE Foundation’s official social media platforms.
> Ensure that the texts, images and video content are displayed in a manner that’s consistent with the GiLE Foundation’s brand strategy and Brand Standards Guide.
> Maintain a unified brand voice across all the official social media platforms of the GiLE Foundation.
> Research audience preferences and discover current trends that can support the GiLE Foundation’s approach to marketing and promotion activities. Where applicable, this should be specific to each of the official social media platforms of the GiLE Foundation.
> Stay up to date with changes on all the official social media platforms to ensure the GiLE Foundation can maximum effectiveness.
> Facilitate online conversations with the GiLE Foundation’s target audience and respond to queries or messages in timely manner.
> Prepare monthly social media reports that shows the latest analytics/metrics on social media engagement, the performance levels on social media campaigns, and which identifies areas for improvement.
> Where possible, attend events and produce live social media content.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (weekly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> experience with managing multiple social media channels, i.e. FB, IG, LinkedIn, YouTube
> experience with social media analytics and reporting
> creativity and curiosity;
> pay attention to details;
> able and willing to work within deadlines;
> English language skills: Advanced (at least A1 – A2) level.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, Minimum 3-4 hours on average, per week, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> proof read all social media content as required.
> write clear, persuasive and error-free content for the website, newsletter and brochures that reflects the foundation’s brand voice
> assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising and social media campaigns.
> where necessary, amend, revise or redevelop texts to drive lead generation and to make the reader want to take action.
> help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms
> familiarise yourself with the foundation’s projects, activities, target audience and competitor activities in the market.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (weekly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> experience in copywriting for multiple social media campaigns.
> creative and curiosity.
> ability to collaborate and communicate with team members.
> high attention to details.
> able and willing to work within deadlines.
> English language skills: Advanced (at least A1 – A2) level.
> creative copy writing experience an added bonus.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, Minimum 3-4 hours on average per month, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The following roles are available:
The role consists of:
> designing marketing and publicity material, brochures, business cards, letterheads,
> assembling cover and other images for the websites and social media platforms
> assembling cover images for journals, books
> reviewing final layouts and suggesting improvements if required.
Location: in-person and online/remote.
Skills and requirements:
> demonstrable design experience for social media platforms experience with design applications, software and technologies, such as Canva, Quark Xpress, InDesign or Illustrator, and photo-editing software such as Photoshop.
> a keen eye for aesthetics and details;
> ability to translate campaigns into a visual creative direction
> English language skills: B1-B2 level
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, Minimum 3-4 hours per week on average, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> Create interactive content, motion graphics, effects, and animation for various online media following the Design Guidelines
> Record and edit video content
> Design UI and branding elements (icon, logo, branding, journal covers, podcast episode covers, etc.).
> Contribute to efforts in emerging media formats (AR, VR, immersive web experiences, 360° experiences)
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> video editing
> highly skilled in a visual creative software suite of choice (Apple FCP, Adobe CC, Corel, Procreate, GIMP, DaVinci Resolve etc.)
> able to closely collaborate with the Social Media Team, occasionally guiding their effort when it comes to online first media
> basic understanding of AR/VR and is not afraid to try new ways to create digital experiences in close collaboration with IT Team members
> willing to learn UI development is a plus
> communication, computer, video creativity, and visual art skills
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum 3-4 hours per week on average, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> Writing thought-provoking blog style short articles on trending topics related to the focus areas of the GiLE Foundation that are relevant for its primary and secondary target audience (i.e. students and teachers)
> Expected to contribute at least one article per month
> Has to follow the guideline documents and the publication process flow
> Having to learn the basics of using Elementor in Wordpress so as to be able to upload and edit the articles on GiLE Foundation’s website
> Arrange page layouts of the article and the photos and images
> Create Lumen 5 videos to accompany and promote the article on social media
> Conduct simple keyword research and use SEO guidelines to increase web traffic
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> a high level of skill in written English;
> creative thinker who is interested in reaching a wider audience, and figuring out what works;
> prepared to read widely and develop their research skills;
> able and willing to work within deadlines;
> English language skills: at least A1-A2 advanced level.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, Minimum 3-4 hours per week on average, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The role consists of:
> follows the guideline documents and the publication process flow and schedule;
> develops story ideas;
> ensures that there is a common thread or alignment throughout a theme-based series;
> prepares for interviews,
> records podcast interviews on trending topics related to the focus areas of GiLE Foundation that are relevant for its primary and secondary target audience (i.e. students and teachers);
> responsible for getting good-quality audio on the front end;
> uses equipment to edit the content, and evaluate content pitches;
> publishes regular series at least once every second month;
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (monthly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> has a keen interest in engaging with people on a sincere and holistic basis
> able and willing to work within deadlines
> self-motivated
> has networking skills
> owns a laptop and software for editing
> English language skills: Proficient or native spoken English.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, Minimum 3-4 hours per week on average, depending on the project. Deadlines may require working additional hours.
The following roles are available:
The role consists of:
> Proof-read and correct manuscripts and texts for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors;
> verify factual correctness of information (e.g. dates and statistics);
> check text for style, readability;
rewrite text to improve clarity and readability.
Location: can be done remotely. Occasional (bi-weekly) meetings in person or online.
Skills and requirements:
> professional with a high level of skill in written UK English;
> familiar with the proofreading techniques and tools;
> pay attention to details;
> able and willing to work within deadlines;
native English or Proficiency level.
Qualifications: graduate degree.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, minimum 3 hours per week on average, depending on the project.
The role consists of:
> Reviewers participate in the journal’s double-blind peer-review system as experts in an article’s research field.
> They have specialist knowledge on the subject matter, and they provide feedback and comment on the suitability of manuscripts for publication, specifically stating the revision required to Assistant Editors.
> Reviewing assigned manuscripts according to the Reviewing Policy and Reviewer Guidelines, on the OJS platform (fully completing the Reviewer Form);
> Maintaining the quality and integrity of the journal by identifying invalid research and ensuring that manuscripts retain the rigorous standards of the scientific process;
> Determining the scientific merit, originality, and scope of the submitted manuscript;
> Providing feedback via the OJS platform that identifies revision needs of the manuscript and which recommends its editorial status (i.e. requires revision, resubmission, acceptance or rejection) for publication;
> Informing the Editor-in-Chief if there is any potential conflict of interest – personal, financial or otherwise;
> Timely notification of their ability to review assigned manuscripts, and timely submission of their review of the manuscript.
Location: remote.
Skills and requirements:
> demonstrable experience in academic writing and reviewing at scholarly publications;
> excellent time-management skills
> able to give constructive feedback
> ability to meet the time demands of the position is required
> English language skills: Proficiency.
Qualifications: Phd or DLA or demonstrable experience in research.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, the Contributor can provide (a minimum of four (4) hours per week on average.
The role consists of:
> The Associate Editor generally supports the Editor-in-Chief with maintaining high standards and improving the ranking, indexation and status of the journal.
> Ensuring the appropriate implementation of all the policies and guidelines of the journal. This includes maintaining a culture of fairness, objectivity, honesty and transparency, among all staff, volunteers and submitting authors;
> Ensuring that all publications are in line with the journal’s scope and aims of the journal.
> Regularly liaising with the Editorial Board, as the primary contact person, and being sufficiently responsive to their offered advice and recommendations;
> Assisting the Editor-in-Chief with revising the roles and responsibilities for all editors, members of the Editorial Board, advisors, reviewers, proof-readers and research associates;
> Presenting the reviewed manuscripts to the Editorial Board for recommendation for selection;
> Assisting the Editor-in-Chief with making the final decision on the acceptance or rejection of the accepted manuscripts based on the recommendation of the EB;
> Ensuring that there is no conflicts of interest between the authors, editors and reviewers;
> Promoting the journal and encouraging colleagues/students to submit high-quality articles;
> Endorse the journal on different platforms (Publons, ResearchGate, Academia, etc.);
> Assistance with finding indexing platforms in collaboration with the Advisory Board;
> Finding/identifying conferences that the team should attend, motivating them to conduct research together, to cite each other, and occasionally organising/facilitating/moderating (G4Y) conferences – optional
Location: remote.
Skills and requirements:
> several years of editorial reviewing or writing experience
> access to a broad network of experts working in the field
> excellent interpersonal and communication skills
> ability to meet the time demands of the position
> familiarity with the APA, Harvard, Chicago, or similar style guides
> English language skills: A1 – A2 level or Proficiency.
Qualifications: Phd or DLA and demonstrable experience in research and academia.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary, the Contributor can provide (a minimum of five (5) hours per week on average.
The role consists of:
› Serving as ambassadors for the journal;
› Collaborate with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor in determining Journal Issue topic and focus;
› Offering expertise in their specialist area, and review relevant manuscript when necessary;
› Supporting Fundraising, finding companies who could advertise – to monetize the journal;
› Ensuring the appropriate implementation of all the policies and guidelines of the journal.
Location: remote.
Skills and requirements:
> solid experience in academia and research
> access to a broad network of experts working in the field
> extensive authoring experience in prominent, peer-reviewed scholarly journals
> a proven record of accomplishment for publishing and editing
> English language skills: Proficiency (or native).
Qualifications: Professionals with academic credentials in the journal’s field
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum four (4) hours per week on average.
The role consists of:
› The Advisory Board members are highly experienced professionals or researchers in fields that pertains to 21stcentury skills development;
› Recommending specific research areas or themes for the journal that match the needs of employers and industry;
› Supporting the journal and its Editorial Board by guiding and sharing the best practices, experiences and ideas;
› Giving advice on the research relevancy of sectoral research needs, as well as identifying dissemination networks and platforms to reach a wider readership;
› Identifying avenues for research collaboration
› Assisting with finding companies who could advertise – to monetize the journal;
› Making suggestions for and approaching potential contributors, to attract article submissions, and encourage colleagues and students to submit their work;
› Can assist generate engagement online with our target community.
Location: remote.
Skills and requirements:
> solid experience in academic writing
> significant networking skills
> English language skills: a thorough knowledge of the English language
Qualifications: Professionals or academics active in the journal’s field.
Time Commitment: The hours for this role vary. Minimum four (4) hours per week on average.