Focus: Education and Work- International Perspectives

There are many and varied education opportunities abroad. Norwegian students often attend higher education in another country. They are also facing with a new culture both when it comes to a new collage system and the country itself.

Advantages of studying abroad

There are many advantages of studying abroad, such as, improving your cultural understanding.
You can learn about a different culture from the inside, but also look at your culture from the outside. Studying abroad, you will meet people from many cultures. Moreover,  the quality of studies abroad are very high. Diplomas from such as studies will give you a leg up on many other job applicants. Finally, studying abroad is the first major step in learning to stand on their own feet.

The other side of the coin

The two main problems of studying abroad is that the culture may shock someone and the homesickness. The next problem is that most of the university studies abroad are quite expensive. Another issue is accommodation. You can to stay in campus where you will spend most of the time with the students or rent a studio if you really want to taste the life of the foreign country.

Joining the global business experience

Business is changing with globalization and by this companies are becoming more powerful. By the Norway´s well-educated workforce, Norwegians professionals and experts in such fields as oil exploration, mining, logging or telecommunications are popular with recruiters and headhunting companies. The main reason for choosing to work abroad are much the same as for choosing to study abroad. You will find many positive things by working abroad. It may be job opportunities that are not available in Norway or gain experience in your field in a different environment .

Migrant problems

Working abroad may have also dark sides like worse conditions at work that native workers would not accept and by law cannot accept. They may work for less pay and may become part of the "black economy". Another problem is that migration can put pressure on welfare systems. 

Positive effects of migrant workers 

On the positive side, immigrants and migrant workers can supplement a country´s labour force at a time when a large proportion of the population is reaching pension age. Moreover, foreign workers can raise the skills of certain trades.

Are you certainly sure to undertake such a huge challenge in your life?

Source:
- Access to International English, pages 213-220

Tasks 2a&b and 3a, page 211&212

Page 211 

1)

 2) 

2a.

- More Norwegian women study abroad than men.

- The number of students studying abroad has decreased in 2009/10 (especially in English-speaking countries) but the number of students studying in non English-speaking countries has increased. One of the reason is that some of the countries from the table has became an UE and Schengen Area members so it is easier to get the studies there. Also because of limited medical studies in Norway. 

2b.

- The first table shows that the number of Norwegian students abroad has increased about 42,000 students.

- The second table shows that the number of students studying in Australia, Slovakia and Czech Republic has increased from zero.

- The second table shows that number of Norwegian students studying in USA has decreased since 1992/93. 

3a.

1)  This text is an objective because of the neutral style. You will recognize it by sentences like, "Education has compounded the role of English" or "English is the linguistic means to the education and career end".

2) This text is expressive because it is personal. You will recognize it by sentences like, "I really dig studying in English" or  "Teaching is one of the best ways of learning!"

Page 212

2. Details: Who?

a) Fredrik
b) Ann Kristin
The reason is that lectures now are given in English. 
c) Helen
d) Trine
e) Fredrik
f) Ann Kristin
The main problem is the text that is not specialist vocabulary. 
g) Fredrik 
h) Trine
i) Helen 

Sources:
- Access to International English, pages 209-212
- http://accessinternationalvg2.cappelendamm.no/c951209/sammendrag/vis.html?tid=951217

Spot Check page 122- Multicultural America

Spot Check:

a) Stereotypes given by American through the years:
- Irish (ignorant and alcoholic)
- Italians (criminals)
- Germans (immoral and drunk)
- Poles (stupid)
- Jews (greedy)
- Norwegians (simple-minded)

b) The attention has been focused recently on the American Muslims and the Mexican Americans.

c) The Mexican American community is over 32 million people.

d) Islamophobia is fear of Islam.

e) Things recognized to be typical American are:
- music, for example: country, jazz, blues, rock ´n´roll and rap.
- food, for example: pizza, sushi or tacos. 


Source:
- Access to International English, pages 117-122

The Careers with an International Angle

Introduction

Nowadays, mass media are the most popular way of communication between people. The media transmit information via film, radio, music, television, press or Internet. It is not a secret that some professions in media are very desirable of many people in the world because working in media can be very interesting and have an international angle but also because of passion and talent or fame and money. There are plenty of jobs in media that have an international angle but the most popular are: acting, singing, politics and journalism. 

Acting 

Firstly, one of the most popular profession in media is acting. Many people dream to become famous Hollywood actors so the employment in this field is growing really fast. Nevertheless, not all get the chance to become someone popular. This profession is very interesting. Actors mostly perform in television, movies, theaters or commercials. The appearance in a good movie can have an international influence. Most of the very good actors and actress are popular in every country. They have fans all around the world and can affect on many aspects or issues. Besides, working as an actor is not so difficult if somebody is self-confident, has passion to it and the most important talent. However, they do not only occur in television. They may appear on movie premiers in the most popular cities in the world or get a part in a big project. The number of actors in the world is increasing every year. Below I made a pie with statistics of actors employed and working in Los Angeles.(“Actors in L.A.,” n.d.) 

On the other hand, being an actor has many dark sides like stress, criticism or lack of privacy. We all know some sad stories about Hollywood actors and how did they end up. However, earnings of actors are very high so it can limit these dark sides of being popular. Even for one appearance on the one scene an actor can earn a lot. Below is the list of four actors and actress earnings from movie roles between June 2013 and June 2014.(“Hollywood salaries,” n.d.)

• Leonardo DiCaprio- $45M
• Bradley Cooper- $35M 
• Jennifer Lawrence- $35M
• Cameron Diaz- $17M 

Singing 

The second profession with an international angle is singing. We all love music. Everyone likes the different genres of music and have one or more favorite artists/singers. This job is quite interesting and amazing. Singing and making music is a hobby to many people in the world. Moreover, singers have a lot to do. They are writing and recording songs, filming music videos or performing live. Being a singer has a very big influence in the world so it has a huge international angle. Many songs can have a message to the world that can affect on something. Today, almost every famous singer is known in every country. Therefore, they are going on their own concert tours, promoting their albums. Many singers include a lot of countries while they are touring all around the world. Besides, singing is certainly one of the best-paid occupations in the world. The singers earn millions of dollars at album sales and their concert tours. Naturally, not everything belongs to them. They have to pay for the stage, concert halls, dancers, crew and many more stuff that without them, the tour would not be able to held. The popularity of music in our lives we can also see on the statistics based on videos watched on YouTube in five continents.(“YouTube Statistics,” n.d.) 

The statistics show that music videos are one of the most popular category of media to watch on YouTube on every continent (Africa was not included). 

 Politics 

 The third profession that has an international angle and that some people do like it and do not is politics. Politicians are elected by the public or various leadership positions. The whole country or many nations (people who decided to vote), make an affect to who is going to take the responsibility of their country, of their problems and requirements. Politics is very important thing for every country. Politicians have to struggle with their own vanity, understanding diverse personal and political challenges and opportunities in our fast-changing world. Being a politician has many different challenges such as steering of the land or many world issues. It depends a lot by them how the country is growing up. Foreign policy also plays a big role. “It is plan of action adopted by one nation in regard to its diplomatic dealing with other countries”. (“Foreign policy,” n.d.) Each country on the international area realizes their own aims and interests through cooperation with other countries. Moreover, foreign policies protect the national interests, safety and economy of the countries. In addition, international relations are very important too in the foreign policies. International relations are obviously relations and affairs between countries but they are also organizations and institutions from many countries. Examples of them are: Amnesty International, Canadian International Council, Norwegian council for Africa, United States Institute of Peace or World Economic Forum. (“International Organizations,” n.d.) Altogether, politicians always take part in the developments on the international area. There a many known politicians in the world but the most popular are: 
• Vladimir Putin (President of Russia) 
• Angela Merkel (Chancellor of Germany) 
• Barack Obama (President of the United States)
• David Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
• Tony Abbott (Prime Minister of Australia) 
• Francois Hollande (President of France) 
(“Politicians,” n.d.)

 Journalism 

The last popular profession in media is journalism. Journalism is the activity of collecting, writing and publishing information and news stories in the television, radio, Internet or newspapers. Journalism is also a part of three previous professions. In acting, singing and politics we have, for example, interviewers, reporters or paparazzi. The most general form of journalism is broadcast journalism. We have many branches of journalism now, for instance, in the television or press we can see reports, relations, interviews, news or statements. In modern times blogging has become the most common branch of journalism. All of these things get to every person on earth. Nevertheless, blogging is both a hobby or job for teenagers and adults. Some years ago blogs were more private but now the thematic scope of blogs is huge. The majority of blogs are considered as journalistic. A lot of bloggers are writing and publishing posts about their experiences from the journeys, events (concerts, exhibitions, interviews or celebrations). Journalists are traveling all around the world to do their job. They are visiting many places to convey something to they others. By journalism we can spread everything globally. Notwithstanding, job as a journalist can have also some disadvantages, such as, stress, many hours of working and danger. Sometimes it can be really dangerous if they will travel to the place where the war occurs or the situation is unstable. Journalists are in this case at a big risk. In 2007, totally 86 journalists were killed, 67 were kidnapped, 1511 were physically attacked and 887 were arrested. (“Journalists Statistics,” n.d., col. 6) 

Synopsis

Working in media can be very interesting and have an international angle. Occupations like acting, singing, politics and journalism are the most desirable in media because of many reasons. However, it is not always a fabulous and wonderful life with luck. People working in this area also struggle with many problems as normal people. 

Sources 

alicefews. (2015, December 4). Alice Fews Media A2: YouTube Statistics. Retrieved from http://alicefewsa2musicvideo.blogspot.no/2012/07/youtube-statistics.html

Approach to the study of journalism of war (The spanish-american conflict) - Monografias.com. (2015, December 5). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.monografias.com/trabajos86/approach-to-the-study-of-journalism-of-war-the-spanish-american-conflict/approach-to-the-study-of-journalism-of-war-the-spanish-american-conflict.shtml

Approval Ratings. (2015, December 4). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://cloud.highcharts.com/show/anugeg/1

Hollywood Salaries Revealed, From Movie Stars to Agents (and Even Their Assistants). (2015, December 4). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-salaries-revealed-movie-stars-737321

How Many Actors are in L.A.? (2015, December 4). Retrieved from http://hollywoodsapien.com/2012/07/05/how-many-actors-are-in-l-a/

Labaree, R. V. (2015, December 5). Research Guides: International Relations *: Organizations/Think Tanks. Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://libguides.usc.edu/c.php?g=234935&p=1559225

List of highest-grossing concert tours. (2015, December 4). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_highest-grossing_concert_tours&oldid=696021483

Politicians. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chart-putins-popularity-reaches-86-but-how-does-it-compare-to-other-world-leaders-10075063.html

What is foreign policy? definition and meaning. (2015, December 5). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/foreign-policy.html