Making the decision to learn a language is important but then follows an even more critical decision – which languages are the best to know in this day and age? Here we take a look at four languages that are well worth knowing.

1:  English

Of all the possible languages, no language presents more advantages than English. There are many different English courses available that equip candidates with the skills, knowledge and experiences that are necessary to make significant advances in their personal and professional lives. If you have decided to learn English, do your research and select a course that is offered by a credible, reputable and well-established training provider.

English is widely spoken throughout the world and is most often the language in which business exchanges occur and the language through which international communications are facilitated. The majority of academic publications and research findings are provided in English and knowledge and skill with English is beneficial and infinitely useful in many different industries and employment contexts.

The English language is also unofficially recognised as the ‘international language of travellers’. While people from all corners of the globe travel, knowledge of and the ability to speak English creates extensive opportunities for interaction and communication that would be more difficult without command of the English language.

2:  Chinese

With the ever-increasing prominence and global importance of China in terms of economics, industry and finance, knowing and understanding Chinese can be tremendously advantageous. The Chinese population is of course extensive and the fact that even more people in the world are able to communicate in Chinese, strengthens the importance and significance of this language.

Depending on your linguistic background, Chinese can be quite a difficult language to learn. However, trends show that fluent speakers of Chinese are able to enter and enjoy interesting professional positions in government, business, economics and many other contexts.

3:  Korean

The Korean language is growing as a language of choice for people wishing to study to become proficient in an additional language.

The fact that the Korean language is one of the less difficult Asian languages to learn is a significant factor in its increasing popularity. The alphabet used for this language is comparatively simple and the ability to read the language does not necessitate learning and knowing thousands of symbols.

4:  Spanish

Throughout the world, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages. In many countries, including the United States, knowing Spanish is incredibly beneficial as this country is home to the world’s fifth largest population of Spanish speakers.

Knowing an additional language brings many advantages for an individual. Of course, the ability to read and speak more than one language can bring professional benefits but personal gains can also be realised. The study of a language can be rigorous and at times challenging, but the benefits that stand to be gained are well worth the time and discipline.

4 of the Best Languages to Know is a post from: Academia International Weblog

So what are the pro’s and con’s of studying online?

Pro: Increased Flexibility

The biggest advantage to studying online is the increase in flexibility. You can study when you want to, how you want to, where you want to. This does not mean that the workload is less for a student studying online, only that they have more flexibility in when, how and where they study. This flexibility is why an online education is very popular with mature-age students who have other commitments, such as work or children.

Con: Reputation

Many firms and institutions are quick to dismiss an online education. If two candidates are interviewed who are exactly in the same in every respect, except one studied at a conventional university and the other studied online, in many cases the student who studied online will miss out.

A positive sign is that many traditional universities, such as the Melbourne Business School, have extended enrolment to online students. But until online education becomes more commonplace and accepted in society, reputation remains a definite disadvantage.

Pro: Ease of Access

All you need to study online is a computer with internet access. All of your study materials, lectures and assignments are sent to you via email or some kind of file transfer system. Even your correspondence with lecturers are wired, with email and video calls via Skype widely used.

Con: Lack of Social Interaction

One of the biggest disadvantages in studying online is the lack of social interaction. This is especially relevant for young undergraduates who should be making friends and having a great time. University is important for your career, but don’t forget that you will meet friends at uni that will last you a lifetime.

Pro: More Affordable

Studying online dodges many financial bullets that regular students have to bear the blunt of. Transports costs can add up to hundreds per week, the prices at the cafeteria can be, at times, ludicrous and textbooks can set you back thousands of dollars per semester. The student who studies online has to pay a set annual fee, and that’s it.

Con: Fewer Courses

The internet is an emerging phenomenon; it is still in the infant stage of its development and so it should be of no surprise that there are some shortcomings to an online education. Courses that required hands-on experience, such as Neurology or Chemistry, are simply unsuited to online education.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to studying online. With this article in hand, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether to study via traditional means, or to study online.

The Pros and Cons of Studying Online is a post from: Academia International Weblog

The simple remedy to this problem is to study and study hard. Make sure you attend every lecture and ask questions during class. If you can show your lecturer that you have a real interest in his classes, he will be more than willing to write a letter of recommendation for your exchange.

Visit Your Students Services Department – If you have maintained a credit average or higher, visit to your student services department. A staff member will provide you with a list of all the available universities and the courses they offer.

Bear in mind that you can only study at a university that offers your course to international students. For example, the Melbourne Business School is a part of the Partnership of International Management (PIM), a consortium of international business schools. If you are a student at the MBS, you can only go on exchange to another PIM business school.

Apply – Applying is the easy part of the exchange process. You will have to fill in the Exchange Program Application Form in addition to submitting three references – one personal and two academic. This is why it is important to make a good impression on your lecturers by asking questions and getting involved.

After completing your Exchange Program Application Form, you will have to fill out a 500 word statement outlining the reasons why you want to study abroad. It is okay to write down that you want to have fun studying overseas, just balance it with some academic and career motivations.

Attend Final Interviews – If your application is accepted, you will have to attend some final interviews with an exchange officer. You will have to explain your motivations for studying overseas and the reasons for your overseas host university preferences. Make sure that you rehearse the answers to some common questions, such as – Why do you want to study overseas? What made you decide on this particular university? What do you want to get out of your exchange?

Go on Exchange! – After all of your paperwork has been submitted and accepted by your host university, you are ready to go on exchange. Have fun!

How to Study Overseas through an Exchange Program is a post from: Academia International Weblog

But as we all know, some universities are better than others, so here is a list of the top five university’s in Australia:

Australian National University – Located in the ACT, the Australian National University (ANU for short) is Australia’s highest ranked university, with an international ranking of 17th out of the 200 most prestigious universities in the world.

ANU has built a great reputation thanks to the calibre of its staff and its excellent faculties. It regularly draws high-calibre speakers, such as the Prime Minister of Malaysia and former Australian PM Malcolm Fraser. If you get the opportunity to study at ANU, grab it with both hands because you will not find a better university in the Southern Hemisphere.

University of Sydney – As Australia’s first university, students at the University of Sydney will be stuck by the rich tradition of the Sydney campus. With a great diversity of courses on offer, students will receive a fantastic education from the academic staff, many of whom are leaders in the respective fields.

Located in Surry Hills, the lifestyle of University of Sydney students is second to none. The wonderfully eclectic bars and cafes of Newtown are a stone’s throw away and the Sydney CBD is just a five minute walk.

University of New South Wales – The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is the destination of choice for the best and brightest students from NSW and Australia. Famous for the calibre of its graduates, the University’s motto –Knowledge by Hand and Mind – epitomises the philosophy of balancing the scholarly and the practical.

Although the main campus is located in Kensington, UNSW has many partnership programs, the most notable of which is the partnership with the Australia Defence Force. The Australia Defence Force Academy (ADFA) campus is located in Canberra and all officers in the Australian Defence Force pass through its hallways. This partnership offers the UNSW student an additional route should he or she feel inclined to enter a career in the military.

University of Melbourne – Home to the prestigious Melbourne Business School, the University of Melbourne was ranked in 2010 as the second best university in Australia. Without doubt one of the best features of the University of Melbourne is its diversity, with international students from all across the globe calling the Melbourne campus home.

University of Queensland – As the oldest university in Queensland, UQ has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the best places to study in Australia. Its teachers have won more Australia Awards for University Teaching than any other university, and its support for early to mid-career researchers is admirable. It more than deserves a place in Australia’s top five University’s.

The Top 5 University’s in Australia is a post from: Academia International Weblog

Visa process. Although Australia is considered a tough country when we consider visa issues, generally speaking for students, the process is simple and pretty straight forward. Australia is actively promoting education and it is a big income earner for the country, and the process of getting a visa is indicative of that. If you fit the requirements, which are laid out very clearly, you will have no problem in getting your visa.

Other students of your country. You are more than likely to soon find students from your country in just about any area of study. Whether you want to be a lawyer, doctor, or you are looking at marketing courses, there is more chance than not, you will be studying along others of your country. This can be very beneficial for learning and adjusting in those early days.

International programs. All good schools and institutions in Australia are well prepared for international students. Good schools and institutions have many other options and assistance for new students arriving, from meeting you at the airport, helping you with accommodation and getting you to mix with other people. They are aware of the needs of someone coming to a strange place and will have programs available for you.

Racism is not tolerated. Australia is a modern country and despite the humble and draconian beginnings of Imperial Australia, racism is not something that is tolerated, not just in laws, but in general attitudes of the people. Many people of different origin have been living in Australia for a long time, and you will see this soon after arriving.

International Students Feeling Safer And More Confident In Australia is a post from: Academia International Weblog

Study groups. Making sure that your friends are studying the same as you, will be highly beneficial to your studies and your ability to communicate. If you are studying marketing courses, look around at your school for study groups in that area, for example. Sometimes we can feel shy and find it hard to introduce ourselves, with a topic at hand that is a common goal, it can be a good framework to be amongst other people. You know that you belong from the word go.

Internet. Just like everywhere else, making friendships through the internet can be a very good way to get to know people without exposing yourself too much at the beginning. More and more people are taking advantage of social networking, and developing relationships well before they meet someone. This can be very effective and a good way to meet others with similar interests. Just like any exercise on the internet it is important that you take care to protect yourself and your information. Scammers are always out there.

On campus. Any activity on campus will be easier than going straight out into the rest of the world. There will be other students from a variety of countries that are in the same situation as you. Making the most out of the variety of activities that your school and institution has on offer is highly recommended for early arrivals. Staying safe and making friendships inside your peers will make you understand that you are not alone.

Getting out and about. If you are in a Australia for study, it is also important that you get out there and see some of the country. Being stuck inside your school and inside a small group of people may not lend itself to a full experience. Getting out and looking around at the country, can be a great way to develop your relationships. There are many affordable ways to travel that are safe and there is a good chance that you will meet others from overseas. Taking the time to see some of the country, either with backpackers and other affordable school organised travel, can be good for your confidence and good for the way you feel.

Ways to Make New Friendships After Arriving In Australia is a post from: Academia International Weblog

What language to study in later. When you are bilingual the language that you will take further studies in will have a big effect on what you will learn. If you are studying marketing courses for example, it is a good idea to study them in the language of your market. Having the target know-how is extremely important. If you want to be a lawyer in Australia, it is important for you to study law in Australia.

Income. Some career paths will lend themselves to more money than others, and as income is important to our futures, making the most of your abilities and being at the right place at the right time is extremely important. Seeing opportunities and being ahead of the curve is essential.

Location. Your language ability is going to affect the rest of your career life and it is important to understand the implications of this. You will need to be where you can use your languages to your advantage.

Personal life. Most of us forget the personal implications of becoming bilingual, and those who do normally find it easier to make friends and other relationships with people who are fluent in the same languages as they are. When you can communicate in two languages often one language will seem not to be enough. You will have many new ideas when you learn English that may conflict with some values of your own language. This can be very confusing to many people, especially at a younger age. Some things may be approached in your new language that you need to consider differently.

Travel. If you are going to be bilingual, chances are that you are going to live and work in more than one place in the future. Small steps can have big ramifications in your future, and living and working away from home and what you know, will have many more consequences than you initially realised. It is important that we prepare ourselves properly for the future.

A more global styled life and living in bilingual can be a very exciting way to develop our careers. Being aware of all that entails and understanding how to cope is extremely important.

6 Things To Think About In Terms Of Being Bilingual And Your Career is a post from: Academia International Weblog