#indonesia visa sponsorship

[getidnvisa]

Single Entry Visa Indonesia - B211

Visit Visa or Single Entry Visa is a form of Entry Visa to Indonesia commonly referred to as B211 Visa. It is issued to Foreigners who will Travel to Indonesia for a variety of Purposes, including Tourism, Government Duties, Volunteering, Transit, Business Discussions, and Social Events for Aid Workers.

This Form of Tourist Visa is in high demand among Foreign Nations with 2000 Quota every Single Working days. This is because The Cost of processing this Form of Visa is relatively low and its creation is straightforward. In addition, a Single Entry Visa (B211) is only valid for a limited time, between 1 until 180 Days (with Extension). Such a brief period is ideal for Foreigners who conduct activities in Indonesia in a relatively brief time frame.

Before applying for a Single-Entry Visit Visa, ensure that you have a Company Sponsor in Indonesia, as this Sponsor will function as your Guarantor and an Individual cannot Sponsor your Visa application.

“What are the advantages of using a Single Entry Visa?”

There are numerous advantages for those entering Indonesia with a Single-Entry Visa. Cost-wise, this single-entry visit visa (B211) is the least expensive option compared to other categories of visas for a six-month stay permit in Indonesia. Additionally, the application process for both new and extended Visas is very simple. A holder of this Visa is not required to pay the government a monthly levy charge of $100, as is the case for holders of Working Visas. The holder of a B211 Visit Visa is not required to report to The Local Immigration Office upon arrival in Indonesia to acquire a Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS), as is the case for holders of Work, Family, and Investment Visas.

“How do I apply for an Indonesia visit visa with a single entry ?”

Here is how to apply for a single-entry Indonesian tourist visa:

You must prepare all required documents, including a Passport valid for at least 6 Months at the time of Visa Application, a Recent Photograph, and a Bank Statement from the previous Month with a minimum balance of $2,000, as well as a Sponsor from an Indonesian Company who will serve as a Guarantor for your Visa Application.

You can appoint a Reliable Visa Agent in Indonesia to assist you in submitting your Visa Application to the Indonesian Immigration Authorities. In most cases, the Visa Agent in Indonesia not only assists with the processing of Single-Entry Visit Visas, but also provides Sponsorship Services from their Companies for Applicants who does not has a Sponsors from Indonesian Companies.

“What activities are Permitted for Visitors with a Single-Entry Visa ?”

Some permitted activities for a Single-Entry Visa Holder:

Social Cultural

Volunteering

Business

Transit

Expatriate Candidate

Tourism

Course

Audit, quality control / inspections at company branches

Government Duties

Journalistic

Movie Creation

Guidance, training, counseling in product quality improvement and foreign marketing cooperation

Purchase of Goods

Seminar

Course

Comparative Study

Visit Family

“What Documentation is required to apply for a Single-Entry Visit Visa to Indonesia ?”

The following Documents are required to obtain a Single-Entry Visa for The Country of Indonesia :

Scan the passport’s color (Identification Page and Passport Cover).

At the time of Application, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

Location of Lodging in Indonesia (Hotel/Villa)

Return or connecting ticket for travel to another country

The Visa Applicant’s or Sponsor Bank Statement Letter with a minimum balance of $2,000 or Equivalent

Legality of The Indonesian Company Sponsor

If you do not have a Sponsoring Company, please contact GetIDNVisa, a reputable and experienced Indonesian Visa Agent Company that offers Sponsorship Services for your Indonesia Visa Application.

“How long is the validity period for an Indonesia Visit Visa with a Single Entry ?”

The Regular Validity period of the Single-Entry Visit Visa in Indonesia is 60 days, and it can be extended twice for another 60 Days Twice. You can extend your Visa at the Immigration Office closest to your Place of Residence. The application for a Single Entry Visit Visa Extension must be submitted no later than 14 days before the Single Entry Visit Visa Expires.

Your total stay in Indonesia with a Single-Entry Visa is Limited up to Six Months (180 days).

After obtaining an e-Visa Approval from the Indonesian Immigration Authorities with the assistance of an Indonesian Visa Agent, you must use The Single Entry Visit Visa or enter Indonesia within Three Months of The Date The Visa Approval was issued by The Indonesian Immigration authorities; if you do not enter Indonesia within Three Months, your Visa will be void.

“How long does it take to apply for an Indonesia Visit Visa with a Single Entry ?”

In Accordance with its name, you only able to enter Indonesia for a Single time. When you exit from Indonesia with this Visa, the Visa will be automatically Expired even if you still had some Rest of Staying Period.

“How long does it take to apply for an Indonesia Visit Visa with a Single Entry ?”

The process for obtaining a Single-Entry Visit Visa takes 7–10 working days regularly.

“When attempting to Extend a Single-Entry Visit Visa, should I depart from Indonesia first ?”

When applying for a Single-Entry Visa Extension, you do not need to depart from Indonesia. Only after you have resided in Indonesia for Six Months (180 days) on a Single-Entry Visa you required to depart.

“Can I work in Indonesia with a B211 Single-Entry Visa ?”

A holder of Single Entry Visit Visa B211 is not allowed to work and get salary in Indonesia, in a Company, School, Restaurant, Factory, Mall, Fitness Center, Mining Site, Hotel, and other locations.

Abuse of a Visa in Violation of Indonesian Immigration Laws will result Banning & Deportation from Indonesia

“What if you wish to Extend your stay in Indonesia beyond 180 days ?”

If you intend to remain in Indonesia for longer than 180 days, you may Covert the Visa to a Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) Visa. You may apply to the Indonesian Immigration Authorities, apply on your own, or request the services of a Professional Visa Agent to facilitate The Visa Application procedure.

[im-traveller]

A Comprehensive Guide to Bali Tourist Visa for Indian TravelersIntroduction

Bali, known as the island of gods, is a dream destination for many travelers, including those from India. With its breathtaking beaches, rich cultural heritage, and lush landscapes, Bali attracts visitors from around the world. If you're an Indian citizen planning a trip to this enchanting island, it's essential to understand the visa requirements. Although the process might seem complicated, having the right information makes it straightforward. This detailed guide will help you navigate the Bali tourist visa for Indian citizens, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

What is a Bali Tourist Visa?

A Bali tourist visa allows Indian nationals to enter Indonesia for tourism. This visa is specifically for leisure activities, including sightseeing, vacationing, and visiting friends or family. The requirements and types of visas available can vary, so it's important to be informed about your options.

Types of Bali Tourist Visas for Indian Citizens

Indian travelers can choose from several types of visas when visiting Bali:

1. Visa-Free Entry

For stays up to 30 days, Indian citizens can enter Bali without a visa. This visa-free entry is ideal for short trips. However, it cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.

2. Visa on Arrival (VoA)

The Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available for Indian citizens planning to stay in Bali for more than 30 days but less than 60 days. This visa can be obtained upon arrival at Bali's airport and costs around USD 35. It can be extended once for an additional 30 days.

3. Tourist Visa (B211A Visa)

For longer stays, the B211A Tourist Visa is a suitable option. It allows Indian travelers to stay in Bali for up to 60 days and can be extended up to four times, with each extension granting an additional 30 days. This visa must be applied for in advance at an Indonesian embassy or consulate in India.

Requirements for a Bali Tourist Visa for Indians

To apply for a Bali tourist visa, Indian citizens need to meet certain criteria. Here's a comprehensive checklist to ensure you have everything you need:

1. Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date into Indonesia. It's advisable to have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

2. Completed Visa Application Form

Accurately fill out the visa application form. You can get this form from the Indonesian embassy or consulate or download it from their official website.

3. Recent Passport-Sized Photographs

Provide two recent passport-sized photographs that meet the specifications set by the Indonesian embassy.

4. Proof of Sufficient Funds

You must show proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Bali, such as bank statements, salary slips, or a sponsorship letter if someone else is funding your trip.

5. Return Flight Ticket

A confirmed return flight ticket is required to demonstrate that you intend to leave Indonesia before your visa expires.

6. Accommodation Details

Submit proof of accommodation for your stay in Bali, such as hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from your host.

How to Apply for a Bali Tourist Visa

Here's a step-by-step guide to applying for a Bali tourist visa:

1. Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents as listed in the requirements section.

2. Fill Out the Application Form

Complete the visa application form with accurate details. Double-check for any errors.

3. Submit Your Application

Submit your application form and required documents to the Indonesian embassy or consulate in India. This can be done in person or through a visa application center.

4. Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the visa fee, which varies depending on the type of visa you're applying for. Payments can usually be made in cash or through other accepted methods.

5. Wait for Processing

Visa processing times can vary but typically take about 3-5 working days. It may take longer during peak travel seasons, so plan accordingly.

6. Collect Your Visa

Once processed, collect your visa from the embassy or consulate. Verify all details on the visa for accuracy.

Tips for a Smooth Visa Application Process

To ensure a seamless visa application experience, consider these tips:

1. Apply Early

Begin your visa application process well ahead of your travel dates to avoid last-minute stress.

2. Double-Check Your Documents

Ensure all your documents are complete and accurate. Incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to delays or rejection.

3. Keep Copies of All Documents

Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records. These can be useful if any issues arise during processing.

Extending Your Stay in Bali

If you want to extend your stay in Bali beyond the initial visa period, you can apply for an extension. Here's how:

1. Visa on Arrival Extension

If you entered Bali on a Visa on Arrival, you can extend it once for an additional 30 days. Visit the local immigration office at least seven days before your current visa expires to apply for the extension.

2. B211A Tourist Visa Extension

For those on a B211A Tourist Visa, you can extend your visa up to four times. Each extension allows an additional 30 days. Visit the local immigration office with the necessary documents to apply.

[rightsinexile]

News on Countries of Asylum

Global

Despite increased humanitarian crises, developed world sees drop in asylum requests

Distress cases in the central Mediterranean reach record high in past three months

Refugee movements in South East Asia decrease, but threats on their journey rise

Assembly of African Migrants in Tapachula accuses Mexican authorities of discrimination and racism, demands asylum in the US

African migrants are trying to cross North America to seek asylum in Canada

LGBTQI+ refugees in Africa struggle to find a country to call home

Africa

ETHIOPIA: Eritrean refugees defy border closures only to find hardship in Ethiopia

LIBYA: Migrant shot dead as Libyan coast guards intercept boat highlights concern about EU cooperation

RWANDA

Hundreds of vulnerable migrants flown in from detention centres in Libya, given asylum seeker status 

African refugees evacuated to Rwanda from Libya tell horror stories, still dream of Europe

SOUTH AFRICA 

South Africa’s failing asylum system is exacerbating xenophobia

UNHCR to step up support as xenophobic violence against refugees and asylum seekers increases

UGANDA: Uganda suspends SIM card registration for refugees

Americas

MEXICO

Mexican asylum seekers at multiple US border crossings grow frustrated with waiting

Mexico curbs undocumnted migrant entry into USA following Trump’s tariff threat

UN: More resources needed for Mexico's asylum agency

Migrants briefly block busy Mexico-US border at Matamoros before reaching deal 

Number of migrants arrested at Mexico border highest in over a decade

VENEZUELA: Philanthropic group spotlights forgotten Venezuelan refugee crisis

USA

How Trump’s bilateral deals with Central America undermine the US asylum system

Trump administration emboldened on immigration agenda in wake of Supreme Court ruling

Trump administration imposes 18,000 limit on refugees, the lowest ever

USA seeking to make Cubans seek asylum in Honduras

ACLU calls on Homeland Security to stop turning away pregnant asylum-seekers

Tent courtrooms on Texas border use videoconference to process migrants in Mexico 

Asia

BANGLADESH

UN experts concerned by crackdown at Rohingya refugee camps 

Bangladesh restricts internet in Rohingya camps, disrupting emergency and humanitarian aid 

Asia Pacific

AUSTRALIA

Economic report: Raising Australia's refugee intake would boost economy by billions

Opposition: Government must release “secret paper” on improving refugee conditions

Government to appeal a federal court favoring medical transfer of asylum seekers 

Increasing number of asylum seekers flying in raises concern of migrant trafficking

UN urges Australia to cease discrimination against refugees with disabilities

Asylum seekers moved to Port Moresby face poverty, insecurity

Surge in appeals as asylum seeker visa refusals increase 

INDONESIA

Refugees and asylum seekers increasingly facing detention and eviction 

Displaced people in Indonesia take education into their own hands

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand lifts “family link” condition, accepts more refugees from Africa and Middle East

Europe

UN: Migrant, refugee death toll in Mediterranean tops 1,000 for sixth year

Chechen death squads stalking Europe leave dissident asylum seekers exposed 

Refugees and other migrants know the risks they will face in their journeys as options for getting to Europe grow increasingly dangerous

EU parliament votes against improving search and rescue for refugees in Mediterranean

EU keeps asylum seekers at a distance in Africa

Unprecedented increase in European Asylum Support Office work in four countries

Handful of European countries join temporary Mediterranean boat rescue plan 

EU signs agreement with Montenegro on joint border control with Frontex 

EU urges Turkey to meet its agreement and readmit asylum seekers from Greece 

BOSNIA: International Red Cross warns of humanitarian crisis in Bosnian camp

FINLAND: Finland raises its quota to receive 850 refugees from Syria and Africa in 2020 

FRANCE

French police clear ‘security hazard’ migrant camp

Three years on from the Jungle,Calais uses force to stop another camp forming

GERMANY: Chechen family in Germany fights deportation to Russia

GREECE

Riots at Greek refugee camp on Lesbos after fatal fire

New bill threatens to limit asylum seekers’ access to protection in Greece

With new arrivals surge, Greece moves refugees to mainland, stricter with asylum seekers

Greece pressures EU states to take in more refugees as asylum seekers

HUNGARY: Government extends state of crisis to keep migrants and asylum seekers out of its borders 

IRELAND: Ireland wins award for community sponsorship of refugees

ITALY

Police arrest former captors recognized by asylum seekers in migrant detention center

Italy agrees to list of 13 safe countries of origin

SPAIN: Rights of asylum seekers deteriorating at border with Morocco

UNITED KINGDOM

Home Office allows Zimbabwean officials to interview political asylum seekers from their country

Thousands join call against planned cuts to vital refugee service

Teenage refugee was fourth of Eritrean friendship group to kill himself, highlighting trauma of escape

Middle East

JORDAN

Jordan has issued over 153,000 work permits to Syrian refugees since 2016

Tens of thousands of Syrians return home but many more are afraid to go back

[testdel-uk-ltd]

How to Get Software Testing Jobs Abroad?

Software Testers Seeking Job in Europe, US, and Canada

The Europe, USA, and Canada are some of the top places in the world to work as a professional software tester. The country has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is aiming to expand in a variety of industries. Software testing is one of these areas. Over time, the need for highly skilled people has grown to the point where these countries have had to hire outside expertise to meet their internal needs. This has created significant opportunities for experienced professionals. In terms of software engineers, Europe, the USA, and Canada have invested heavily in the IT sector, benefiting a large number of specialists.

Software IT Tester is a broad domain with a lot of potentials. After all, Software Tester professionals are required by every firm and industry. Software testers are in high demand not only in India but also in many other nations such as the U.S.A, Canada, and Europe. Many organizations in these countries are constantly on the lookout for experienced Software testers. This is why the express admission program was created. They employ talented testers from many countries through this scheme. In the last few years, Indian immigration to the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe has increased, and many software testers are looking for work in these regions of the world.

Software Testing as a Profession and a Career Path

Software testing is the fundamental glue that holds most businesses together across a wide range of sectors. Software testing services ensure that each of your software application’s service functionalities performs as expected in terms of behavioral compliance and quality. Software testing has become an increasingly important aspect of practically every business because of the growing automation in a variety of industries, as well as the ever-expanding need for an online storefront and mobile presence.

Mobile, website, security, cloud, billing, accessibility, and other testing methodologies are all part of the testing industry. However, the types of testing and teams used are changing, as are the career opportunities in the testing industry.

Differences in the Number of Testers Per Capita by Country

Have you ever noticed which country has the most software testers?

TestDel examined some of the most frequent software testing job descriptions by country, then contrasted them to the population of each country in 2016 (according to the World Factbook). These job titles could explain why certain non-European countries performed badly – are there just 19,000 testers in China, and less than 1000 testers in Japan? Despite their vast populations, software testers were not listed in Nigeria and Bangladesh.

The United States, U.K., Canada, and Israel were all close to the top, but one country stood out, that is, Ireland. Below is a list of all countries that outperformed the world average. If the ranking had been extended to include countries with ratios lower than the global average, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Spain would have come in that order, followed by Mexico, Italy, France, and Turkey. Despite their large populations, Russia, Pakistan, Brazil, China, and Indonesia rank lower on the list.

4. Global Statistics of the Software Testers

The software testing community is 66% male and 34% female on a global scale. The country with the greatest number of software testers is Ireland. Following that, the United States, Canada, and Israel are all grouped closely, just ahead of Singapore and U.K. Female software testers are found in greater numbers in the United States than anywhere else in the world. The following countries on the list are India, China, Canada, the UK, and Poland, in that order. As per LinkedIn, there are fewer than 5,000 female software testers in every country. When it comes to B.S. and M.S. degrees for their testers, the United States leads the rest of the globe.

The high technology sector employs two-thirds of all software testers. Manufacturing is the second-largest employment of software testers. More than half of all software testers work in organizations with more than 1,000 employees, more than one-third in firms with more than 10,000 employees, and about an eighth in organizations with fewer than 50 employees.

5. How to apply for a software tester position

Testing has never had a downturn in the IT sector, and certainly, professional Software Testing is always in high demand in the countries like US, Canada, and many other countries of Europe.

In all of these regions, the profile of software testers has increased over the last few years. This is because many companies in the U.S.A, Canada, and Europe have understood the value of software testing before releasing applications. The intrinsic value of tester profiles has increased as a result of the creation of many levels and types of software testing in the United Kingdom.

To get a software testing job abroad, QA testers need to follow the steps given below:

5.1. Create a Proper Resume

QA Engineers need to have good attention to detail. A resume for a software tester is a professional document that is usually one or two pages in length. It outlines all of the abilities and expertise that software testers must-have. Whether you’re a junior or senior software tester, this document should reflect that. You must highlight the skills required and knowledge of software testing procedures, depending on the experience.

To reflect your resume stronger and attractive, mention the following details:

Emphasize your qualifications.

Make a list of your accomplishments that includes concrete figures.

Keywords linked to QA testers should be included in your resume.

5.2. Gain Hands-On Experience in the Testing Field

QA testers who are looking for software testing jobs in the countries like US, Canada, the UK, and other parts of Europe, should acquire an adequate amount of hands-on experience in the testing industry. QA testers must include all of their previous experience as software testers in their CV.  Include the number of years you’ve worked, as well as the name of the company and the role you had.

5.3. Certifications

Include only those certifications or degrees that are appropriate to a software testing job in this section. If you have a certificate in another field, you should create a separate resume and include it.

There are all sorts of software testing certifications available, beginner-level for aspirants, intermediate-level for individuals with some testing experience, and master- and expert-level for professionals with many years of software testing experience like Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST), Certified Software Tester (CSTE), ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL), ISTQB Agile Tester Certification, ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst, Advanced Level Security Tester and many more. Certifications provide individuals with the opportunity to check their expertise and learn more about their profession in addition to helping them find a job.

Out of these courses, the QA tester should be qualified with a minimum of one certificate.

5.4. Search for a Sponsor

Now, the next step for a QA tester is to look for a sponsor. To find sponsorship and a Tier 2 Visa in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, you should apply to one or more companies in these countries that have a sponsorship license or contact immigration experts for assistance in finding work with companies that have a sponsorship license.

5.5. Preparation for an Interview

Perhaps a QA tester is looking for a new testing opportunity or meeting with a prospective interviewer regarding a particular software testing job. In both situations, testers want to present themselves and their experience and skills as well as they can. QA tester’s main focus is to describe how to use your testing experience and expertise to answer questions during a software testing interview and learn from the interview experience itself.

Following activities should be taken into account while preparing for a software testing interview:

Before attending the interview, check the job profile in detail. Understand if the requirement is purely in manual testing, automation testing, or both.

Develop the habit of writing down facts about each assignment as you complete it.

Do Research and study topics related to the interview

Find a coach to help you prepare for interviews and practice being interviewed.

5.6. Offer Letter

Now once the QA tester will get select in the interview, then she will receive an offer letter for the job joining from the sponsor who has given the sponsorship.

5.7. Signing a Contract Form

After getting the offer letter in hand, the next step for a QA tester is to sign a contract form that contains all the details, agreement procedure, terms, and conditions regarding the job.

5.8. Apply For the Visa

After signing the contract letter where all the agreement procedures, terms, and conditions have been finalized, the next step for the QA tester is to apply for the visa.

Following steps to be taken while applying for the Visa:

To apply for immigration to U.S.A, Canada, or Europe, the first thing you must do is create an Entry profile. You’ll be asked to enter information about yourself, such as your age, education, employment experience, and language skills, among other things. Ensure that the information you submit is true and can be validated using documents.

After you’ve completed your Express Entry profile, you’ll be awarded a CRS score. This score will ultimately determine whether or not you are approved for immigration. As a result, it is recommended that you achieve the highest possible score.

The Entry program provides a job pool that may be accessed and used to discover suitable jobs for this purpose. Receiving a job offer letter will boost your CRS score by a few points.

You will be sent an Invitation to Apply if your score is higher than the cut-off. Following that, you must apply for a permanent residency visa.

Once you have the visa, you will have to move abroad within one year.

5.9. Immigrate and Start Doing Work

Once the QA tester will get the final approval for the visa and the visa has been authorized which has been applied by a tester, then the QA tester will move and immigrate abroad and can start doing the job as a software tester.

So that’s the whole procedure for an overseas candidate to get a Software Testing job abroad.

TestDel was founded in 2016 and specializes in software testing services in UK that combine extensive industry knowledge with cutting-edge testing technology. We always look for new talent all over the world and help candidate shaping QA career . Over the last five years, TestDel has observed the software testing industry expand and evolve. TestDel provides a wide range of personalized testing solutions based on years of experience in the technology, telecom, healthcare, finance, media, and retail industries. Please check out our FAQ page for applying software testing job with TestDel.

[frombaliwithlove]

🗓️ 11/22/20 // To go to Bali is possible, if you apply for an e-Visa, which allows you to stay 2 months with 4 times to extend (equals 6 months max). It feels like a lot of steps— even leading up to my departure, I still feel like I’m missing something. So I’m documenting this now, but will update it once I get to Bali to confirm any changes. (NOTE: this has been updated, as of 11/29/20). So here’s how I did it...

Find a reputable Visa Agency - I used Bali Visas. I learned about them from my friend Christina (@christinaadavis), who is a Digital Nomad Coach. (I can put you in touch with her for more guidance).

Prepare the following materials to apply for the e-Visa:

Bank statement with at least $2,000 (yes, it’s a low barrier of entry, but the economy is suffering with no tourism, so I’m sure it’s this case to allow those who can do this long-term stint a chance.)

Passport that won’t expire for 12 months

U.S. address & Indonesia address (I have a friend based in Singapore, who shared his friend’s Bali address, which I listed since I wasn’t booking my hotel until after I got my e-Visa)

Health Insurance (as per my previous post, I went with SafetyWing for $40/month - covers motorcycle accidents, COVID-19, and scuba/surf accidents, dengue and monkey bites - all things that I’m concerned about plus others)

Lastly, once you’ve submitted the application, you’ll need to bank transfer $410 to Bali Visas (if you want the basic package; there is also a VIP one), which is the cost of the e-Visa and their fee. It was easy for me to do online with no bank fees. Then with each extension, it’s approx. $50

Once you get the e-Visa (took less than 2 weeks for me), prepare these docs as print outs for your trip:

Sponsorship Letter via Bali Visas

Health Letters signed via Bali Visas

COVID-19 negative test taken within 7 days of arrival

Return ticket (have it insured)

IMEI registration - if you plan to get an Indonesian SIM card, like I will be doing, you can port your U.S. number to Google Voice for $20, then it’s free forever. This is a bit of a stressor, so here is an article to help understand the steps and VAT. This is only recommended if you plan to be there longer than a month.

Note: you need to go to the IMEI customs after you go past normal customs to register the phone via the steps in the above link. You’ll pay the VAT with a credit card. I listed mine at $600, and should have said $500 because I had proof of my iPhone 11 Pro degrading to $506 and had a print out, but even once showing that, they referred to my registered price of $600, and I had to pay $43 tax. Still not bad when I did the comparison math of keeping my cell plan on in USA.

You’ll need to fill out the eHAC form online via Bali Visas; make sure to do international and domestic versions

Also, get a letter of good health from a US doctor (I ended up not needing to show this, but it varies, so be prepared)

Lastly, should you plan to rent a scooter, motorcycle or even drive a car, head to AAA website, print out the application for the International Driver’s Permit and go to the local office with 2 passport pictures. For $20, you can get that permit and drive around with no problem from the police.

That’s it for now! I have other tips to share, but will do so once I arrive, e.g., airport pick up driver, how to pick a hotel until you find a long-term stay villa, etc.

UPDATE ON 11/27 - TIPS:

VIP Fast Trak via Bali Visas for ~$100 - I decided to add this on 4 days before my flight. I started to worry about the 3 hour transfer between my international to domestic flight once I got to Jakarta, and I'm so glad I did it. If you do have tons of time, don’t sweat it, but I arrived at peak 4pm and if it wasn’t for the assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to skip the 4 different lines (e.g., 2 COVID/Ehac lines, Visa Passport Check, Customs, IMEI Customs, then baggage claim, onward to Domestic check-in, then security all over again)

CASH - don’t forget to get cash at the ATM in the airport. I was rushing and forgot to. Reason is for GoJek, which is the [scooter] Uber for Indonesia. The app is rejecting my US credit cards, but they accept cash that you can hand to your driver.... so have been walking around until I have time to find a local ATM near my current stay

TILE - if there is anything I couldn't suggest harder, it would be to buy a tile and put it in your luggage. So quick FYI, I booked my flights on Delta using points, but the flights were two affiliates (Korean Airlines and Garuda Indonesia). In this case, I am able to check my bag once and they’d know to transfer it from one airline to another during my layover. However, because this was booked via Delta, I couldn’t check into a seat at Garuda until I got to Korea. Long story short, once I got to Jakarta, I couldn’t find my checked bag, and thankfully, the TILE app pinged me its location, and I found it. I literally started to prep myself on the idea of letting go of my belongings and buying everything new in Bali...

Priority Pass (access to airport lounges) - before booking, check to make sure these are open in the airport you’re going to. I had three options in Seoul, Korea/ICN, which was great. Better wifi (it was low in main terminal), good food, place to rest. My friend Christina checked with Tokyo, Japan/Narita Int’l, and it’s closed when she gets there. It’s the best perk to relax at lounges in between flights. If you can’t find one, check if there are Nap Rooms, which are actually quiet/open/dark/safe.

LASTLY, thanks to my girl, Christina (@christinaadavis), who helped me figure out this Visa process, and Kevin (@wellnesskev), who was over in Bali giving me small tips at each step when I needed it. And that’s just two new friends of a larger community of ex pats that I’ve already connected—all who have been so amazing with info shares. If you can take the time in your life to embark on this time away from your every day... DO IT! I’m happy to help anyone wanting to make the jump, too! 

[deepexpertpuppy]

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[rullyfariani-blog]

World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS) 2017!

Assalamualaikum wr.wb.

Apa kabar teman-teman semuanya? It’s been a long time since I planned myself to write down the stories of Russia, wfys, and experience itself. Ya tolong dimaklumi ya karena saya mahasiswa semester atas yang setelah pulang dari Rusia telah ditunggu oleh beragam tugas dan deadline hahaha jadinya agak sulit meluangkan waktu menuliskan semua cerita kita #eh. Reviewing this again absolutely bring my memories back to the Russia and I miss it soooo much. Hope someday I could visit this country once, twice, three times even more!

Tulisan ini saya bagi menjadi dua part, satu khusus membahas apa itu WFYS dan apa yang saya kerjakan selama disana, satu lagi membahas mengenai Rusia dan pengalaman lainnya. Teman-teman bisa cek tulisan kedua di sini [nyusul ya linknya wkwk]. Tulisan ini saya bagi jadi dua karena kepanjangan hohoho. Ohiya tulisan ini ‘genre’nya santai saja sehingga ada baiknya jika teman-teman menyiapkan camilan wkwk karena saya nulis layaknya buat buku diari.

Okayyyy check it out!

Apa itu World Festival of Youth and Students?

Okay, World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS), apa sih itu? Di atas tertera bahwa this is the biggest youth event in the world, can I say that it was true? YASH! Absolutely true! Ini adalah event dan festival pemuda terbesar di dunia. Can you imagine that the festival in this 2017 was being attended by 25.000 people??? 5.000 of them as a volunteers and the participants itself were about 20.000 people! Orang sebanyak tadi semuanya berasal dari 184 negara yang berada di dunia.

Terus, apa itu WFYS? WFYS adalah sebuah festival yang diadakan rutin setiap 4 tahun sekali. Festival ini sendiri ternyata sudah ada sejak lama yaitu bermula pada tahun 1947 yang diadakan oleh World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), sebuah organisasi non-pemerintah pemuda internasional yang diakui PBB serta bekerja sama dengan International Union of Students (Organisasi Pemuda Internasional).

Festival ini pertama kali di gelar di Prague, Czezh Republic dengan tema Youth Unite, Forward for Lasting Peace”, dan diadakan di Moskow/Sochi untuk yang ke-19 kalinya (tahun 2017) dengan tema “For Peace, Solidarity and Social Justice, we struggle against imperialism. Honoring our past, we build the future!”.

Festival ini diadakan dengan semangat perdamaian antara pemuda pasca Perang Dunia II, hal ini terbukti dari partisipannya yang disyaratkan berada di rentang umur 18-35 tahun. Seiring berjalan waktu, WFYS ini menjadi festival terbesar di dunia dan merupakan salah satu kegiatan international cross-culture paling bergengsi. Tahun 2017 ini, WFYS sendiri diadakan di Moskow dan Sochi.

Terlebih lagi, WFYS ini dihadiri oleh banyak orang-orang penting dan profesional di bidangnya seperti para pemimpin organisasi non-pemerintah di dunia, jurnalis, seniman, mahasiswa, peneliti dan lain sebagainya.

 Proses Pendaftaran dan Seleksi

Terus, gimana Rul kok bisa ikut itu?

Jadi, saya awal tahun 2017 itu memang sudah membuat resolusi tahun ini fix keluar negeri hehe (belum pernah soalnya maap ya hehe). Akhirnya saya jadi gencar banget nyoba ini-itu, sana-sini, apply dan gunakan kesempatan yang ada. Kalo kata guru saya pas SMA dulu, tebarlah jaring sebanyak mungkin siapa tau ada yang nyangkut, nah itu yang saat itu sedang saya praktekin.  

Ga lama, salah satu temen saya nyebar broadcast-an tentang lomba, conference dan fellowship apa aja yang sedang buka saat itu termasuk si WFYS 2017 ini, terus tanpa pikir panjang saya coba deh. Saya sendiri ga ada bayangan bakal lulus seleksi, ngeliat tulisan di bawah formnya “See you in Sochi!” aja saya udah deg-deg an sambil ngaminin sendiri.

Proses seleksinya lumayan lama, kurang lebih 5 bulan sendiri. seleksinya pun menurut saya sama seperti kebanyakan seleksi program lainnya, seperti mengisi essay, pengalaman leadership, organisasi, keahlian, prestasi yang telah diraih serta professional field kita saat itu.

Tak berapa lama, saya mendapatkan email dari pihak WFYS yang menyatakan bahwa saya dengan sukses telah melewati tahap seleksi dan terpilih menjadi salah satu partisipan. Setelah itu saya segera menghubungi teman saya yang juga berhasil lulus dan dimasukkan dalam grup Line WFYS UGM. Untuk UGM sendiri total ada kurang lebih 14 orang yang diterima. Registrants dari Indonesia berjumlah 354 yang berusia dari 18-33 tahun, sedangkan orang yang menerima invitation berjumlah 201 registrants dan yang berhasil berangkat berjumlah sekitar 84 orang. Oh ya, di setiap negara ada panitianya masing-masing, di Indonesia sendiri panitianya bernama Indonesian National Prepatory Committee (INPC). INPC ini yang awal mulanya menyeleksi berkas-berkas yang kita masukkan untuk kemudian dikirim ke Rusia dan di seleksi lagi hehe.  

 Keberangkatan

Itu Fully Funded? Bayar sendiri, apa gimana Rul?

Okay, jadi WFYS ini semua kegiatannya FULLY FUNDED. Saya ga bayar sepeserpun untuk mengikuti kegiatan ini selama di Rusia. Namun, free tersebut hanya sampai pada selama kegiatan berlangsung saja, which means tiket pesawat bolak-baliknya kita harus menanggung sendiri. nah, disinilah tim WFYS UGM beraksi, dengan waktu yang begitu sedikit tersisa kita tetap kekeuh masukin proposal ke sana-sini demi mendapatkan sponsor hehe. Alhamdulillah perjuangan kita tidak sia-sia ya manteman, kita mendapatkan dua sponsor yakni dari Jasa Rahardja dan PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha Indonesia, selain itu saya pribadi juga alhamdulilah mendapatkan dukungan dana dari Fakultas Hukum Universitas Gadjah Mada. Alhamdulillah bisa meluncur ke Rusiaaaaa~

Itu foto sponsorship sama anak-anak ugm dan yogyakarta. Ohiya ada cerita lucu, itu di foto terakhir ada nenek-nenek tapi kita sebenernya ga kenal sama neneknya wkwkw. Jadi pas kita lagi nyari spot bagus buat foto eh ada nenek-nenek volunteer lagi shooting di sana, terus kita kayak bilang excuse me gitu sama beliau, eh beliau malah “ayo ayooooo foto sama nenek sini. Kalian semua cucu-cucukuuu” (in english) wkkwkw akhirnya saya ikut mengabadikan momen ini juga.

Oh iya, untuk visa, semua partisipan dan juga yang ikut andil dalam WFYS ini free visa. Pengurusannya pun begitu cepat yaitu cuma satu hari. Kemarin teman saya memasukkan visa pada pukul 9 pagi dan pukul 12 siang sudah selesai, mantapsssss.

Nah, untuk berangkatnya sendiri saya dan beberapa teman dari UGM jadi terpisah karena saat itu tepat saat ada di minggu kedua Ujian Tengah Semester (UTS) di UGM dan tiap fakultas itu jadwalnya beda-beda. Kita semua berasal dari fakultas yang berbeda-beda yaitu Fakultas Hukum, Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, Teknik, Ilmu Bahasa, MIPA, Teknologi Pertanian, dlsb. Tiap fakultas berbeda jadwal berakhir UTS akhirnya kita memutuskan untuk tidak pergi bersama. Saya sendiri saat itu berbarengan dengan teman saya yang berasal dari Fakultas Teknik jurusan Teknik Mesin yaitu Kak Levina Mayasari Ariesta, then she’ll be my “travelling” partner wkwkkw.

Saya dan Kak Levin berangkat ke Moscow melalui Thailand (nyari alternatif pesawat) dan tiba di Bandara Doodedovo Moscow pada 13 Oktober 2017. Kita berdua menginap dulu di Moscow 2 malam dan tanggal 15 Oktober 2017 pukul 9 berangkat ke Sochi menggunakan pesawat Rusia yaitu Aerofloat.

Foto itu adalah saat berada di Bandara Sheremetyevo (SME) Rusia untuk menuju ke Sochi. Setibanya di Sochi wuuhh how surprise I am! Semua titik di Sochi sudah di pasangi dengan banyak banner dan poster WFYS, di bandaranya juga ditulis selamat datang bagi para partisipan WFYS 2017. Selain itu di sana juga telah banyak volunteer yang berjaga, mereka bertugas untuk ‘mengarahkan’ kami ke shuttle bus yang sesuai dengan hotel masing-masing (di akun pribadi WFYS sudah ada pembagian hotel yang akan di tempati).

Nah foto di atas adalah foto saat kita sudah sampai di bandara Sochi International Airport. Saya dan kak Levina begitu senang dan tak lupa mengabadikan momen tersebut wkwwk. Jika teman-teman bisa melihat mbak-mbak yang pakai baju biru-biru itu, mereka adalah volunteernya. Mereka bertugas dengan ramah sambil membawa papan-papan bertuliskan nama hotel yang akan kita tempati. Akhirnya saya dan kak Levina di arahkan sama Mbak yang di depan itu untuk menuju ke Shuttle bus dengan tujuan Hotel Yekaterinsky Kvartal 10.

Selama perjalanan saya dan Kak Levina berbincang dengan sesama partisipan yang mereka berasal dari Italy dan satu lokasi hotel dengan kami berdua. Selama di perjalanan saya memandangi Kota Sochi yang masih benar-benar asri. Kota ini memiliki banyak sekali pepohonan dan berbukit-bukit sehingga dari ujung ke ujung sungguh indah pemandangannya. Selain itu perlu diketahui bahwa Kota Sochi ini juga merupakan tuan rumah saat Winter Olympic dan merupakan salah satu komplek perhotelan terbesar se-dunia!

Setelah tiba di komplek perhotelan, saya sempat dibuat kagum dengan gedung-gedung yang banyak dan tinggi-tinggi, tak lama saya dan teman-teman semua segera menuju ke resepsionis untuk mendapatkan kamar. Kamar di hotel Sochi ini beragam, ada kamar yang ditujukan untuk 2 orang, 4 orang, ada yang memiliki dapur dan ada yang tidak. Kebetulan saat itu saya dan Kak Levin check in berdua dan mendapatkan kamar dengan kapasitas 2 orang. Untuk fasiltas kamarnya sendiri dapat saya katakan bagus, seperti kamar hotel pada umumnya dan kamar mandinya dilengkapi dengan bathtub.

Nah kira-kira seperti itu ya teman-teman hotelnya hehe, hotel ini juga gratis selama berlangsungnya kegiatan.  

Selain itu, sebelum semua kegiatannya dimulai, semua partisipan dan orang yang ikut andil dalam WFYS ini akan diberikan badge. Badge ini sangat penting dan tidak boleh hilang karena fungisnya banyak sekali. Sebelum masuk ke Main Media Center (MMC) yang akan menjadi tempat kebanyak program utama di jalankan memerlukan badge, untuk makan memerlukan badge, untuk opening dan closing ceremony memerlukan badge, untuk menginap di hotel memerlukan badge, jadi dapat saya katakan bahwa peran badge sangatlah besar selama WFYS ini berlangsung. Badge sendiri mendpaatkannya tidak mudah, serangkaian proses yang ribet dan rumit (bahkan ada yang mendapatkan badge setelah 2 hari tiba di Sochi! Ya konsekuensinya adalah gabisa makan alias masak Indomie bawaan dari Indonesia wkkwkw).

Okay, itu adalah bentukan dari Badge-nya tadi. Badge itu memuat dua kartu, kartu yang pertama bertuliskan “Adler Arena” maksudnya adalah tempat makan kita ada di Adler Arena (karena tempat makannya sendiri dibagi menjadi 2 lokasi, kebanyakan yang Indonesia ada di Adler Arena), dan kartu yang bawah itu memuat foto, asal negara dan bendera negara, serta di belakang badge dimuat peraturan yang harus di taati partisipan selama kegiatan berlangsung. Selain itu talinya juga berwarna-warni dan diselipi tulisan Russia 2017, baguslah jadi rekomendasi co-card kepanitiaan wkkwk #eh.

Selain itu kita juga memiliki attache. Attache ini semacam LO nya gitu dan ini tiap negara berbeda-beda. Attache untuk Indonesi sendiri ada 4 yaitu Zarina, Anne, Ksenia dan June.

Oh ya perlu disampaikan juga bahwa keamanan di sana benar-benar ketat. Mau masuk kemanapun bahkan mau keluar dari sana juga harus dilakukan body checing dan scanning tas dan bawaan. Handphone harus selalu dinyalakan dan diperlihatkan kepada security serta badge juga harus di scan untuk memastikan kita adalah partisipan. Sebagai seorang muslimah yang mengenakan hijab terkadang saya merasa kerepotan saat melakukan body scanning, hijab saya selalu di pegang-pegang sama mbak-mbak securitynya bahkan ada satu masa dimana saya masuk ke ruang pemeriksaan khusus untuk disuruh lepas hijab sebagai bagian dari pemeriksaan.

 Agenda WFYS Moscow/Sochi

Okay, terus di WFYS itu ngapain aja, Rul?

Hmm, apa yang di kerjain ya? Jadi acara WFYS ini terbagi menjadi dua, yaitu di Moscow dan di Sochi. Di Moscow sendiri acara diadakan pada tanggal 14 Oktober 2017 yaitu parade keliling moscow sejauh 8km! Parade di mulai dari Red Kremlin yang terletak di pusat kota hingga stadion Luzhniki. Selain itu, para partisipan yang ikut parade berkesempatan berkumpul dengan kurang lebih 250 partisipan lainnya untuk bersama-sama berjalan mengenakan baju khas WFYS 2017 (warna kuning-kuning itu wkwk), membawa bendera WFYS, bendera negara masing-masing, serta kebudayaan dan pakaian tradisional mereka. Mereka juga bersalaman dengan warga lokal yang menyaksikan parade mereka.  

Nih, ini 2 foto di bawah adalah parade di Moskow.

Terus setelah itu, acara dilanjutkan di Sochi pada tanggal 15 Oktober 2017 sampai 21 Oktober 2017.

Terus ngapain aja selama di Sochi?

Sebelum semua agenda secara resmi di mulai, WFYS ngadain Opening Ceremony dulu di Sochi. Opening Ceremony ini dihadiri oleh banyak sekali artis dan penampilan yang memukau, terlebih lagi Opening Ceremony ini juga dihadiri oleh Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin.

source : google

Tapi bagi saya pribadi saat yang paling menyentuh adalah adanya seseorang dari Indonesia yang turut berdiri di panggung megah itu, yakni dr. Gamal Albinsaid. Beliau juga diundang sebagai salah satu yang mengisi Opening Ceremony kece tadi :”). Di panggung yang luas itu beliau menyampaikan mengenai project­-nya yaitu Klinik Asuransi Sampah. Projectnya ini menjadi suatu terobosan baru di dunia kesehatan yakni membuat sistem kesehatan yang berbasis kerakyatan. Sistem ini memungkinkan masyarakat mendapatkan fasilitas kesehatan dengan cara menyerahkan sampahnya. Iinovasinya ini bahkan sempat menuai pujian dari Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin. Teman-teman juga bisa cek artikelnya di sini https://id.rbth.com/technology/79339-dokter-malang-dipuji-putin. Aaaaaaaaa :”) *feeling so proud*

Terus, setelah Opening Ceremony tadi selesai (dimulai sekitar pukul 4 sore waktu Rusia) besoknya langsung lanjut dengan program-program utama WFYS. Secara garis besar, WFYS memiliki 3 program utama yaitu Discussion Program, Sporting Program, dan Cultural Program. Okay, mari kita bahas programnya satu-satu.

1.      Discussion Program

Program diskusi adalah salah satu dari sekian banyak program yang diusung di acara ini. Agenda ini melibatkan berbagai macam aktivitas, termasuk panel dan grup diskusi, konferensi ilmiah dan kuliah terbuka. Adapun event diskusi program utama adalah :

a.       Exhibition dedicated to the life of Ernesto “Che” Guevara

b.      Special exhibition dedicated to the 6th and 12th WFYS hosted by the Soviet Union

c.       Anti- Imperialist tribunal

d.      Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution in Russia and 70 years of the Festival movement (main conference)

Selain beberapa event yang disebutkan di atas, juga terdapat banyak workshop dan training yang dapat kita hadiri. Saya sendiri sempat mendatangi (lumayan) banyak seminar yang di adakan karena temanya juga sangat menarik.

Aduh maaf ya saya jadi posting foto sendiri, tapi sayang dibuang hehehe karena itu selfie sama pematerinya di dalam workshop dengan tema The Truth and Lies in Modern Journalism.

Beberapa foto di atas adalah contoh dari workshop yang diadakan. Namun sayangnya, tidak semua materi yang dibawakan menggunakan Bahasa Inggris, bahkan kebanyakan materi menggunakan Bahasa Rusia. Tetapi saya tetap perlu bersyukur karena mereka menyediakan translator baik a man atau headset yang diterjemahkan langsung oleh orang Rusia ataupun orang asing lain dari Bahasa Rusia ke Bahasa Inggris. Hhhh what a relief!

 Selain wokshops dan training, WFYS juga memiliki program lain. Program ini mengadakan agenda kampus yang memuat beberapa agenda lain yaitu seperti World Skill Workshop dan Softskill Platform. Di dalam agenda ini partisipan dapat meningkatkan skill yang mendapatkan ilmu langsung dari mentor/ahlinya. Ada banyak World Skill yang dapat kalian ikuti, seperti dancing, painting, sculpting, florist(?), dan banyakkk lagi tapi saya ga hapal hehe,

Ini saya sedang berada di kelas painting, di sana sudah ada coach yang dengan sukarela dan ramah siap sedia membantu kita. Sebenarnya di setiap skill atau event selalu ada coach yang mendampingi. Oh ya, di sana di tampilkan begitu banyak lukisan dan saya juga tak ketinggalan untuk mencoba membuat, tapi ya .. hehe..

Di tengah-tengah kesibukan dan keasikan melukis hehe. Bisakah teman-teman sekalian melihat ‘object’ lukisan yaitu mbak-mbak cantik dengan rambut keriting di depan sana?

Dan ta-daaaa itulah hasilnya hahaha, anggap bagus aja lah ya 😊 wkwkwk.

Selain itu, di sana juga di pajang beberapa hasil clay yang kece-kece dan di letakkan di atas meja.

Tak lupaaa.. saya juga mengikuti kelas clay ini juga walaupun ga bisa-bisa banget hehe, kan ada slogan you never know til you try it wkwkkw.

Nah ini saat proses pembuatan clay bersama teman-teman yang berasal dari Azerbaijan, St. Petersburg, China, dan lain-lain. Mau liat hasil clay saya? Wkwk

*jeng jeng jeng* aduh maaf, iya, iya emang itu jelek banget claynya wkwk, tau ga itu mau buat apa? Itu mau buat Tugu Jogja ....... (krik krik krik) even my friend told me “Rully, what are you trying to make? Is it a sausage?” hmmm okayyy wkw. Miniatur Tugu Jogja itu saya letakkan di atas kepala kura-kura. Iya, jadi itu sebenarnya adalah kura-kura yang sangaaatt besar dan semua partisipan yang membuat clay dapat meletakkan prakarya mereka di badan kura-kura itu.

Nah nanti jadinya seperti gambar di atas, keren-keren ya buatan yang lain hehe:’D

 Okay, selain World Skill painting dan clay, saya juga mengikuti kelas merangkai bunga. Kelas ini buka setiap hari dari sejak pukul 10 pagi hingga 6 sore. Kelas ini menyuguhkan berbagai hiasan bunga yang dapat kita buat sendiri, mulai dari hiasan yang ada di kepala (seperti crown dari bunga), bros dari bunga, bahkan merangkai bunga itu sendiri. Nah, saat itu kebetulan saya berada pada kelas merangkai bunganya.

Ini bersama salah satu teman yang berasal dari Indonesia di kelas merangkai bunga. Karena handphone saya sedang benar-benar low battery jadi tidak banyak gambar yang bisa saya abadikan.

Nah itu adalah contoh bunga abal-abal yang saya buat hahaha. Eh tapi ada cerita lucu dibalik pembuatan bunga itu. Jadi, sejujurnya itu yang buat bukan saya. Ketika saya udah fix kedaftar buat jadi peserta di kelas itu, saya berdiri dengan manis menunggu bunga-bunga dan daun-daun cantik yang belum dirangkai untuk diletakkan di atas meja saya, tanpa saya ketahui ternyata saya adalah kloter terakhir hari itu (sudah pukul 5 sore waktu rusia). Eh tiba-tiba pas sudah  mulai merangkai bunga, ada seorang cowo asal Egypt nyamperin saya, senyum, dan bilang “hi”, terus saya balik sapa “hi” juga. Saat itu saya bingung itu cowo lagi ngapain, akhirnya untuk memecah keheningan saya bilang aja kalo saya literally gabisa merangkai bunga, bunga buatan saya jelek banget. Terus si doi ketawa cekikikan dan bilang “may I help you?” waaaahhhhh dengan senang hati dan tanpa berpikir dua kali langsung saya iyakan tawaran beliau.

Bunga yang udah saya rangkai tanpa sedikitpun ilmu tadi langsung doi rombak :”) semuanya :”) wkkwkw, terus dengan gesitnya dia langsung mengambil dedaunan dulu dan kemudian bunga, lalu daun-daun yang dirasa ‘tidak penting’ kemudian dipotong dan dibiarkan saja. Saya yang hanya melihat terkagum-kagum sambil berpikir bagaimana seseorang bisa begitu bertalenta dalam merangkai bunga. Lamunan itu terhenti saat dia bilang “okay, finished” woah dan saya bahagia sekali saat itu, dan juga sedih wkwkwk. Bahagia karena bunganya bagus sekali dan sedih karena yang buat bukan saya kwkkw. Lalu dia meminta pita pada coach untuk mengikat bunganya dan kemudian diberikan pada saya. What a nice man! Kemudian kita sempat mengabadikan momen mengaharukan tersebut kwkwkw. Belakangan saya baru tahu bahwa si cowo tadi sebenarnya juga ingin ikut kelas yang sama. Kemarin dia datang pada pukul 9 pagi padahal kelas buka jam 10 dan hari ini dia datang jam 6 padahal kelas sudah berakhir jam 5 :’). Tapi ya, memang, Allah itu maha baik, walaupun dia sama sekali tidak mendapatkan kesempatan untuk mengikuti kelas tersebut tapi Allah tetap memberikan dia kesempatan untuk merangkai bunga, sekaligus membantu seseorang yang bingung bagaimana merangkai bunga dengan baik dan benar (read:me) wkw. Emang ya Allah’s skenario is the best, coba aja kalo dia masuk ke kelas dengan ‘legal’, ya yaudah saya harus berjuang sendiri ngerangkai itu bunga yang gatau kapan jadinya wkkwkw.

Iya, itu dia orangnya. Namanya Tareef dan dia sedang menempuh study di Egypt dengan jurusan Chemical and Nuclear Engineering (Master Degree). Sayangnya saat itu handphone saya sedang low batt dan tidak membawa kartu nama, tetapi dia dengan baik hati mau add facebook saya wkkwkw (maafkan muka yang benar-benar lelah itu ya :”))

 Selain yang saya sebutkan itu, banyak world skill lain yang belum sempat saya ikuti. Seperti sculpting, dll.

 1.      Sporting Program

Selesai dengan Discussion Program kemudian kita akan beralih ke Sporting Program ya teman-teman.  Program ini dilaksanakan di Sochi selama tanggal 15-21 Oktober 2017. Program ini melingkupi beberapa program penting olahraga diantaranya adalah football, hockey, figure skating, basketball, extreme and national sports, competitive gaming, light atheletes, dan lain sebagainya.

Program ini ini mencakupi sejumlah besar olahraga yang paling populer di luar sana, termasuk jenis yang baru atau yang telah berkembang dan memiliki kapasitas lebih dari 5.000 orang yang dapat terlibat di dalam program secara serentak. Seluruh progam olahraga dilaksanakan secara bersamaan sehingga partisipan bisa memilih program mana yang diinginkan terlepas dari tingkat kebugaran fisik mereka, dan mencakup enam area dasar yaitu

·         Mass events

·         Educational platforms

·         Interactive platforms and entertaining sports shows

·         Master classes

·         Open training sessions

Beberapa program yang saya sebutkan itu hanyalah program utamanya saja, masih banyak program lain yang apa diikuti seperti martial arts, dance art, skateboard, dan lain sebagainya.

Saya memang pada dasarnya tidak terlalu fokus pada bidang ini sehingga partisipasi saya di sini juga tidak banyak hehe.

Oh ya selain itu juga ada program “Run” dari WFYS yang mana bagi semua partisipan yang mengikuti dan berhasil sampai akhir akan diberi medali hohoho.  

 1.      Cultural Program

Okay, selanjutnya kita beralih ke cultural program! I am so excited here, ya karena sepanjang acara WFYS ini tak pernah kehabisan dengan suguhan budayanya! Banyak banget yang ditampilin dan bermacam-macam. Ada penampilan dari film-film dari seluruh dunia, penampilan konser, jazz, orchestra, dst.

Program ini ini juga diselenggarakan di Sochi selama tanggal 14-22 Oktober 2017. Peserta festival dapat menyaksikan acara budaya yang dikemas dengan penampilan yang tak terlupakan.

Penyelenggara acara juga telah mengundang artis dan banyak kolega muda di luar sana untuk mengenalkan berbagai bentuk seni kontemporer, bersama-sama dengan perwakilan dari industri kreatif dan subkultur pemuda dari seluruh dunia.

Program ini meliputi concerts and gigs, performances, plays, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, battles, master classes, dan lain sebagainya. Tidak hanya manusia saja yang akan tampil di venue festival, tetapi juga robot.

Cultural Program ini memiliki 3 tujuan utama, yaitu :

·   Untuk menunjukkan keragaman besar dan budaya multinasional Rusia;

·   Memberikan peserta dan tamu dengan penampilan yang paling mengesankan yang terdapat di berbagai wilayah dunia;

·   Mengenalkan pada peserta dan tamu mengenai karya seniman Rusia dan seniman asing terkemuka

Selain beberapa acara besar yang diselenggarakan, juga ada cultural program yang digelar setiap hari, seperti:

1. MORE JAM street Culture Festival. Acara ini melibatkan seluruh perwakilan dari street cultures di dalam satu venue seperti break dancing, Djing dan rap. (komponen dasar dari budaya hip-hop)

2. Novy Theatre. Setiap sore hari di venue ini grup teater professional akan menampilkan karya mereka. Penampilan yang disajikan disini akan merefleksikan isu lingkungan dan isu lain yang sedang terjadi. Sebagai bagian dari program, penampilan akan dibuat berdasarkan cerita dari orang-orang yang terlibat di dalam gerakan festival pada tahun 1957 dan 1985.

 3. Dance academy. Ini adalah venue dimana top dancers akan mengundang pengunjung untuk ikut andil dalam master classes. Partisipan akan ikut andil dalam berbagai area koreografi kontemporer seperti jazz, modern, dance kontemporer, dan lain sebagainya.

4. The International Youth Film Forum in Sochi.

5. Arts Centre.

6. The Library of The Future. Ini adalah venue interaktif yang dibentuk dengan gaya perpustakaan modern. Di dalamnya partisipan dapat menemukan modern dan klasik, Rusia dan prosa asing, puisi, dan lain sebagainya.

7. The Youth Photography Centre.

8. Robotics showcase and battle of the robots.

 Pada Cultural Program ini Indonesia juga berkesempatan untuk menampilkan kebudayaan mereka yaitu *jeng jeng jeng* TARI SAMAN! Wkwkkw. Sepanjang perjalanan saya dalam dunia pertarian saman ini (?), ini adalah penampilan yang menurut saya ter-malam (which is pukul 12 malam waktu rusia dan sekitar pukul 2 pagi WIB), ter-dingin (larut malem gitu baju Cuma dua lapis :’)), serta ter-megah (bagi saya pribadi, karena panggungnya aja luas banget huhu).

Menjadi kebanggan tersendiri bagi saya bisa menampilkan kebudayaan Indonesia di luar negeri :”). Kita latihan Cuma 2 hari dan di sela-sela kegiatan WFYS. Kadang-kadang kita juga latihan di Booth Indonesia which di sana banyak booth negara lain dan kita tetap aja pede tepok sani-sini dan teriak krrriiyyyyaaah wkwkkw. Jadi kebanggan tersendiri pula saat foreigners lain pada noleh dan feeling excited pas kita latihan, bahkan beberapa dari mereka datang dan minta diajari (ya karena saya suka banget sama ngajarin ginian ke orang lain, dengan senang hati saya ngajarin mereka gerakan bungong jeumpa). Selain itu ada juga mbak-mbak dari India yang datang dengan senyum merekah sambil bilang “I’ve seen this before and it was so splendid!” saya yang dengernya mesem-mesem sendiri aja :”), ada juga yang dari kejauhan ngamatin dan selesai kita latihan langung nyamperin, bilang “so awesome!” dan ngasih kita satu-satu souvernir negara dia. Omg how I miss that moment.

Itu adalah foto kita setelah nampil perdana di depan booth bersama salah satu Attache kita yaitu Anne.

Kita juga foto sama Mbak-Mbak yang lain wkwkwk.

Oh ya, saya juga mau ngucapin makasih banyak sama temen-temen Indonesia yang rela belum balik padahal jam sudah menunjukkan malam sudah larut. Mereka tetap kekeuh berada di sana sembari membawa bendera Indonesia, bahkan beberapa orang yang sudah ngantuk lebih milih tidur di sana daripada balik ke Hotel huhuhu kayak si Kak Rama ini wkwkwkw, makasih banget loh ya kak wkkwkw.

 Selain itu di Cultural Program ini pada hari terakhir juga menampilkan Russian Show. Ini sih saya wow banget! Karena di sana ditampilkan beragam kebudayaan Rusia yang beda-beda dari ujung ke ujung, ibarat Indonesia dari Sabang sampe Merauke itu ditunjukin semua. Keren banget huhuhu dari mulai yang tradisional sampe yang modern.

Di hari terakhir itu kita  juga belajar flashmob bareng dan lagunya tetap berputar-putar di kepala sampai sekarang haha. Tak lupa, Russian Show itu juga dihadiri oleh Presiden Rusia (lagi), Vladimir Putin! Lengkap deh, mantap.

Itu foto Vladimir Putin di Russian Show.

 Youth Expo

Nah, setelah selesai ngomongin 3 (tiga) program besar yang ada di WFYS tadi, sekarang kita akan ngebahas hal yang tak kalah pentingnya, yaitu YOUTH EXPO! Saya sebut sebagai ga kalah penting karena sebelum ke Rusia tim Indonesia sendiri sudah ketar-ketir ngurusin Youth Expo, apa yang akan ditampilkan, apa yang akan dibawa, siapa yang akan bawa, semuanya dipikirkan dengan matang. Belum lagi ada beberapa barang dari Wonderful Indonesia yang agak berat (kalo banyak) seperti buku-buku dan totebag. Untuk itu tim dari Indonesia harus puter otak siapa-siapa aja yang ditugasi untuk bawa barang-barang (mengingat kapasitas maskapai yang berbeda-beda).

Ohya, program Youth Expo ini memberikan kesempatan kepada seluruh negara yang berpartisipasi untuk ikut andil dalam memamerkan budaya dan ciri khas negaranya. Di dalamnya setiap booth dapat memajangkan hasil karya dari negaranya, pakaian adat, makanan dan minuman khas, ataupun souvernir yang dapat dibagikan kepada para pengunjung dari negara lain.

Di beberapa kesempatan saya berfoto dengan orang-orang asing baik Rusia maupun non-Rusia yang berkunjung ke Booth Indonesia. Booth ini juga menyediakan beberapa pernak-pernik dan pakaian khas Indonesia untuk bisa dicoba oleh partisipan lainnya.

Oh ya kenalkan, dia adalah gadis dari Belarusia, dia baik sekali dan bercerita mengenai negaranya. Tak lupa, saat akan pergi dia memberikan saya coklat asli dari Belarusia, thank you!

Di expo saya juga bertemu dengan seseorang yang sampai saat ini menjadi sahabat saya, dia adalah Ruzanna! (baju hijau). Saya masih berkomunikasi dengannya sampai sekarang. Dia adalah mahasiswa DKV di Yekaterinburg dan berkuliah di salah satu Top 10 Universitas Terbaik Rusia. Di sebelah kiri saya ada Anna, dia adalah Dosen dan juga berkuliah Ph.D di Rusia. What a nice.

Oh iya deh sekalian foto sama abang-abang ganteng hehehe. Di sana saya baru sadar that actually I am that small heheheehehehehehe.

Oh ya, yang membuat saya tersentuh juga adalah adanya wajah saya terpampang di akun resmi (instagram) WFYS hahaha. Saat itu saya dengan teman-teman kedatangan seseorang yang membawa kamera dengan presenternya, ya kita foto-foto aja dan kita disuruh senyum, yaudah, cekrek, selesai :D eh ternyata dipajang wkkwkw bagus juga tapi, terima kasih ya fotografer WFYS!

 Oh ya Rul, kalo orang sebanyak itu gimana makannya? Transportasinya gimana?

Untuk makan, kalo breakfast di hotel masing-masing. Setiap hotel pasti yang menempati berasal dari berbagai macam negara, jadi mereka (pihak panitia) menetapkan jadwal sarapan bagi tiap negara, misal Indonesia dari mulai pukul 6.00 sampai dengan 7.30.

Untuk lunch dan dinner kita ke tempat masing-masing (pembagiannya sudah ada di akun WFYS dan tertera di badge partisipan, bisa di Main Media Center atau di Adler Arena). Saya sendiri kebagian di Adler Arena. Untuk menempuh Adler Arena ini ga gampang wkwkwk, maksudnya adalah tempat makan yang akan dituju lokasinya sangat jauh (bagi saya). Jadi kita harus berjalan kurang lebih 1 kilo dan udah sampe di ujung balik lagi 1 kilo, jadi ya kurang lebih 2 kilo dan itu baru mau makannya doang, belum baliknya wkwkwk. Tapi ya memang selama di Rusia kemana-mana jalan jadinya lama-lama terbiasa sama jalan kaki.

Makannya sendiri ga bisa langsung nyelonong masuk, di sana juga ada Volunteers yang berjaga. Kalau dirasa partisipan yang makan terlalu banyak maka ada semacam gerbong untuk menutup akses (untungnya saya gapernah). Selanjutnya ada 4 pintu masuk tapi semuanya kudu ngantri dulu he he he. Jadi ya gabisa asal aja, tapi seru kok! Karena selama proses ngantri itulah kita bisa kenal dan ngobrol dengan partisipan lainnya.

Itu foto saat kita semua sedang menuju ke Adler Arena buat makan.

Ini saya dan Kak Haris (he is currently studying in Russia di jurusan minyak-minyak gitu wkkw dan udah mau lulus). Kita berdua sempat mengabadikan momen ngantri panjang tersebut wkwkw, liat di belakang rame kan orangnya?

 Untuk makannya sendiri disediakan lengkap banget banget banget, jadi worth lah ya jalan sejauh itu demi makanan yang lengkap wkkwkw. Ada jus (orange dan apple), air putih disediakan dua (yang bersoda dan yang tidak), salad, makanan utama (juga sering ada nasi, ada roti rusia yang gatau namanya apa), sup, sosis/daging, teh/kopi hangat, roti, selai, kadang ada permen karet dan buah (jadi pengen lagi 😊)

Gitu ya kira-kira, selain itu setiap hari makanan ganti menu jadi ga bosen wkwk.

Selain itu, untuk cara makannya sendiri ada 2 (dua) tipe, yang satu berdiri dan yang satu duduk. Saya sudah pernah merasakan keduanya dan ga bisa enggak tetap paling enak yang duduk wkwk.

ini makan yang versi berdiri

Ini makan versi duduk 😊. Lucu ya dari jauh kayak minion-minionan hahaha.

 Terus kalau untuk transportasinya kita disediakan bus yang beroperasi tiap 15 menit sekali. Selain itu juga ada shuttle (tapi lebih sering pake bus). Bus itu digunakan untuk menempuh jarak yang lumayan jauh (dari hotel ke check point) dan selanjutnya dari check point pakai bus lagi sesuai tujuan masing-masing mau kemana. Kalau sudah di lokasi biasanya bisa jalan kaki, pakai sepeda (yang pinjemnya pakai aplikasi di Android à mobee kalo gasalah nama aplikasinya), atau ada mobil-mobilan kecil yang jalan di sana.

Kalo untuk naik bus sendiri kadang rebutan kadang engga, ya sesuai sama jumlah orang yang lagi nunggu dan sesuai jam. Kalo emang jam program berakhir ya pasti rame dan kadang desak-desakan wkwkw, tapi ini seru juga. Kalo misal gadapet bus kadang sedih dan jadi nunggu 15 menit lagi, tapi di sinilah kita bisa dapet teman. Pernah suatu ketika saya dan teman saya dari Indonesia tidak dapat bus, lalu kita menunggu sambil berbincang-bincang. Saat itu saya baru pulang dari kelas merangkai bunga (sudah saya ceritakan di depan), jadi kemana-mana saya membawa bunga tersebut bersama saya. Tiba-tiba ada seorang pria dan wanita mendekati saya dan teman saya sembari berkomentar “Aw! This is so beautiful, do you make it by yourself?” saya langsung menoleh dan menjawab “Yes I was, I attended a class”. Seketika itu juga dia tampak begitu amazed, saya yang memang dari tadi kebingungan itu bunga selanjutnya mau diapain kemudian langsung dapat ide wkwk. Saya berinisiatif memberikan bunga itu kepada mbak-mbak yang ngobrol sama saya tadi. “this is for you”, “oh, seriouly!?” dia langsung jawab. Gatau ya gimana tapi mukanya bahagia banget wkwkwk alhamdulillah di akhir hari masih sempat membahagiakan orang lain. Terus si mbak-mbak itu langsung bisik-bisik sama temen cowo di sebelahnya, terus si temen cowo tadi langsung ngelepasin pin yang ada di tasnya sambil bilang “well, then this is for you. Thank you so much. This is main statue that becomes a symbol in St. Peterburg, I hope that someday you can see that by yourself”. Wuaaahhh, saya langsung amazed juga wkwkw, secara itu adalah pin yang ada di tasnya kemudian dilepas buat saya wkwkw makasih ya mas-mas baik hati. Abis itu ga lama bus muncul dan di sana kita harus berpisah (kita beda tujuan jadi ga barengan).

Nah bisa lihat foto di atas? Itu saya abadikan saat saya sudah duduk manis di dalam bus dan seketika shock pas liat ke bawah ternyata masih serame itu wkwkwk. Hidup keras ya, wkwkwk. Fyi itu semua pada ngantri masuk bus. Alhamdulillah saya kedapetan di awal.

Akhirnya terjawab ya gimana makan dan transport orang sebanyak kurang lebih 25.000 tadi wkwkwk.

 Terus Rul selama di sana dapat apa aja?

Yang jelas banget adalah teman dan ilmu yang bermanfaat. Untuk dua ini saya ga ragu lagi dan merasakan sendiri. saya dapat banyak banget teman dari berbagai negara, Pakistan, Rusia, Prancis, Azerbaijan, Cina, Palestina, Thailand, Malaysia, Italy, dan lain sebagainya.

Selain itu kita juga dapat kit yang isinya ada baju polo, jaket hoodie, vest, topi, jas hujan, green box, kartu SIM Rusia dan Handphone. Iyaa gengsss handphone gratis! Wkwkw. Ada dua merk yaitu Irbis dan Samsung, saya sendiri kebagian samsung. Green boxnya berisi pin WFYS sebagai partisipan, notebook, peruncing dan pensil warna.

Itu foto dari greenboxnya dan handphone samsung.

 Kegiatan Lain

Nah guys, kan panjang lebar tadi saya baru aja ngejelasin program utamanya, sekarang saya akan mengajak teman-teman sekalian ke program asik lainnya, ya walaupun ga semuanya sih karena seriously acara di WFYS ini banyak banget jadi ka keikut semuanya wkkw.

Di sana sudah banyak stand-stand yang menyediakan pengetahuan mengenai suatu negara, teknologi, robot, Russian cuisine dan lain sebagainya.

Itu, liat mas-mas di belakang yang pake baju coklat? Nah si mas ini yang memandu kita untuk membuat “koin WFYS”, jadi partisipan yang tertarik bisa nyoba nih sekaligus jadi kenang-kenangan hehe.

Nah bentukannya nanti jadi seperti itu. Saya sendiri sudah memukul lebih dari 3x karena dirasa sama masnya koinnya ga kebentuk hehe ☹

Selain itu, di sisi yang berbeda ada mbak-mbak cantik yang menyediakan makanan gratis hohoho. Mereka memberikan secara cuma-Cuma roti, jus macam-macam rasa, kue keju, acar, keju, dan makanan lainnya.

Setelah itu juga ada stand yang menampilkan boneka-boneka khas Rusia, di sana juga dipajang Matrioshka.

Gapapa lah ya foto dulu aja di depan layar presentasinya, siap tau suatu saat jadi Minister beneran wkkwkw. (itu fotonya niat banget sampe saya “nginjit” wkwk).

Ini di satu kesempatan foto bareng sama temen-temen dari lain negara.

Ini di depan Buran, pesawat ulang-alik Rusia. Pesawat ini adalah pesawat ra Uni Soviet. Buran hanya melakukan penerbangan satu kali untuk yang pertama dan terakhir yaitu pada 15 November 1988. Dalam Bahasa Rusia sendiri Buran artinya adalah Badai Salju. Pesawat ini diciptakan sebagai tandingan dari pesawat luar angkasa NASA.

Itu adalah beberapa contoh dari banyaknya robot yang dipajangkan di festival itu.

Di bagian medicine ada simulasi untuk melakukan operasi.

Yahhh, itulah semua yang saya kerjakan di WFYS hehehe (walaupun ga semuanya di tampilkan). Saya juga masih akan melanjutkan tulisan ini yang berisi pengalaman saya selama di Rusia, Sochi Park, Roza Khutor dan lain sebagainya.

Oh ya, sebelumnya, program ini diakhiri pada tanggal 21 Oktober 2017 dengan agenda Closing Ceremony pada malamnya dan Russian Show pada sorenya.

Itu adalah foto saat Russian Show.

 Saya sendiri merasa sangat bahagia and this is one of my best experience ever, not only during this 2017! Saya sungguh merasa beruntung karena dapat hadir di tengah euforia 25.000 orang yang bersama-sama commit untuk membuat #WeAreFuture! Orang yang saya temui pun semuanya sebagai professional di masing-masing bidang yang mereka tekuni sehingga saya dapat belajar banyak dari mereka.

Well, finally I said thank you WFYS, thank you Russia, you made my year! Let us make a better future for the better world!

p.s : Oh iya, setelah kepulangan tim Indonesia dari Rusia, Pusat Kebudayaan Rusia mengundang semua partisipan untuk berbincang-bincang mengenai WFYS berbarengan dengan diadakannya Public Lecture/Workshop dari PKR. Di sana tim dihidangkan dengan beragam sajian dan foto-foto kegiatan selama di Rusia. Feelin’ so touched and finally fallin’ love with Russian and all of related to it.

Thank you Russia and WFYS made my year!!!

 Love, Rully

Dec 31st, 2017

[rainingyuki]

Sub-Zero

I had a rough start. beberapa masalah tiba2 terjadi di masa awal aku berada di malaysia. tapi untungnya semua terlewati dengan baik2 saja, walaupun dengan refleksi yg mendalam. memasuki masa kuliah, dan sempat merasa bingung mengerjakan tugas, mid term exam dan adaptasi dengan situasi kelas. pelajaran2 yg menarik dan juga membutuhkan perhatian, ditambah kemageran dan anggapan bahwa masih banyak waktu yang bisa dihabiskan di malaysia membuatku tidak terlalu banyak jalan2 atau mengeksplorasi malaysia. selain itu, requirement ipk yang cukup tinggi dari beasiswa juga membuatku ekstra hati2 dan sedikit parno dalam menghadapi ujian. semester satu berlalu dengan nilai yg memuaskan untungnya, alhamdulillah.

dan di semester satu, pintu baru menuju salah satu mimpiku terbuka. 

ketika dalam bus menuju supermarket dengan salah satu senior di kampus, dia bertanya apa aku menerima beasiswa dari perusahaan atau dari ayah ibu. ketika aku jawab beasiswa khazanah, dia cukup kaget dan menanyakan apa aku akan ikut summer school juga seperti senior yg dia kenal yg mendapat beasiswa yg sama. saat itu aku tidak mengerti summer school apa yg dimaksud, dan aku fikir beasiswaku akan mengadakan program summer school untuk para scholars. tapi ternyata yg seniorku maksud adalah summer school Durham university untuk program Islamic Finance. durham, universitas yg dulu aku incar. dan program summer school ini sudah aku ingin ikuti bahkan dari sejak S1. aku pun sangat kaget dan bersemangat mendengar ceritanya. jadi ternyata, beasiswa khazanah menyediakan dana untuk scholarsnya mengikuti training, conference dsb. dan summer school Durham merupakan program yg sudah diikuti oleh 2 scholars sebelumku yg juga berkuliah di IIUM dengan sponsorship dari khazanah. di saat aku mengetahui hal ini, dunia terasa lebih indah. haha. walaupun aku belum tentu bisa mendapatkan kesempatan yang sama, tapi keberadaan pintu ini yang mungkin membawaku menggapai mimpi sudah membuatku sangat bahagia.    

2019

akhirnya aku bertanya banyak ke bang audi dan kak icha, dua scholars khazanah sebelumku. orang2 keren, aktif, prestatif dan sangat helpful. kalau diingat2 lagi, aku sering menanyakan hal2 remeh dan menceritakan kepanikan yg berlebihan kepada mereka berdua. tapi untungnya bang audi dan kak icha sangat2 sabar menghadapi pertanyaan2ku. mungkin karena dulu mereka juga berada di posisi yg sama, dengan excitement dan kekhawatiran yang pernah mereka rasakan juga. kak icha mengirimkan contoh proposal sponsorship ke khazanah yg dulu dia submit, kemudian itinerary selama berada di UK (yg aku nggak bisa ikutin semua karna kk icha trlalu aktif haha) dan jg kontak teman yg bs aku hubungi d durham. 

tantanganku untuk mengikuti summer school di durham adalah sponsorship dr khazanah (karena summer school slm 5 hari biayanya lebih dari 15 juta rupiah, belum lagi pesawatnya), kemudian diterima atau tidaknya di conference yg diadakan dubs dan mes uk (jadi setelah summer school akan dilanjutkan dengan conference, sekali dayung dua pulau terlewati), lalu visa uk. visa... ini drama banget untuk mendapatkannya. bolak balik vfs, biaya yg ter-charge dua kali (dengan biaya visa prioritas...) dan khawatir visa nggak keluar tepat waktu sebelum kembali ke indonesia. stress deh ngurusnya. haha. bersyukur banget ada kak icha, bang audi dan fatiya yg mau dengerin dan bantu prosesku buat ikut summer school ini.

apply scholarship ke khazanah, dan setelah dua bulan tidak ada kabar sejak mengirim proposal dan beberapa kali mengirim email, akhirnya aku mendapatkan balasan berupa pertanyaan dari puan. beliau bertanya beberapa hal untuk memastikan program yg aku ingin ikuti, dan aku balas dengan jawaban yg persuasif, lengkap, komprehensif dengan semua manfaat yg bisa aku dapatkan dengan mengikuti summer school ini. setelah aku jawab panjang lebar, aku masih harus menunggu keputusan. setelah hampir setiap hari mengecek portal beasiswa, berulang kali melihat progress proposal (apakah diterima atau tidak), akhirnya setelah hampir 3 bulan aku melihat notifikasi bahwa proposalku diterima. dan beberapa minggu setelahnya, di bulan ramadhan 1440 H dana beasiswanya dikirim ke rekeningku di malaysia. alhamdulillaah.

terkait dengan konferensi, awalnya aku berencana mendaftar sendiri. di sisi lain, fatiya n miqdad, temanku dari s1 dulu sedang membuat paper untuk konferensi lain di uk. fatiya kemudian mengajakku untuk membuat paper bersama, sehingga kemungkinan diterima di konferensi BIES semakin besar. akhirnya kami membuat aliansi 3 negara (aku malaysia, fatiya uk, miqdad belanda). kami bertiga sedang melanjutkan s2 di negara yg berbeda. akhirnya koordinasi lewat whatsapp (bahkan video call juga nggak pernah..). pengerjaan paper ini memakan waktu beberapa lama. dan ending results nya, paper fatiya miqdad di konferensi lain nggak diterima, paper individuku untuk bies nggak diterima, dan paper grup untuk bies diterima. jadi... kami ditakdirkan untuk berjuang bersama. alhamdulillaah.

terkait visa. cukup panjang prosesnya karena ada masalah di sistem yang menyebabkan kartu debitku terpakai dua kali (dua kartu yg berbeda). jadi pembayaran awal tidak berhasil (dgn bigpay), karena aku tidak menerima email balasan dari vfs terkait pendaftaran yang sukses. akhirnya aku sukses membayar kedua kali dengan kartu yg berbeda dan menerima email balasan dari vfs. tapi kemudian ternyata uangku di bigpay keesokan harinya berkurang sesuai nominal pembayaran visa (yg nggak sedikit, karna visa prioritas). selain itu, vfs global di malaysia yang menangani visa ke uk tidak terlalu terbuka karena warga malaysia tidak perlu visa ke uk, sehingga applicants diarahkan untuk mengecek informasi di website atau menelfon ke vfs uk yg berada di uk. sementara aku mempunyai banyak pertanyaan (karena soal visa kan sensitif ya, kita bisa aja nggak diterima visanya dgn alasan yg kita nggak tau) dan juga adanya masalah double charging. terbatasnya ruang komunikasi membuatku teramat pusing. akhirnya segala cara aku usahakan agar uangku bisa kembali dan juga visaku bisa diterima. long story short, akhirnya aku mendapatkan visa uk dan uangku dikembalikan beberapa bulan setelah mengurus proses refund. and i tell you, proses refund vfs uk ini sangat2 menyebalkan zwxskrjekladkjl karena prosesnya yang tidak terpusat dan aku harus berulang kali menjelaskan hal yg sama ke pihak2 yg berbeda. fiuh, untung proses ini sudah terlewati. terimakasih diah sudah bersabar dan berjuang *selfpukpuk

akhirnya 3 proses utama untuk mengikut summer school di durham berhasil aku lewati. urusan2 lain seperti urusan membeli tiket, masalah akomodasi (big thanks kak wahyu and nad atas hospitality nya), itinerary selama di uk dan hal2 penting lainnya pun selesai diurus. akhirnya aku mendarat di bandara heathrow pada tanggal 19 juli 2019. terharu? banget. alhamdulillaah. ternyata aku tidak hanya mendapatkan malaysia, tapi aku juga berhasil mewujudkan mimpiku sejak dulu ke uk. ayah dan ibu juga terharu. karena mereka tau bahwa aku sudah lama menginginkan perjalanan ini. ternyata aku harus ke malaysia dulu supaya bisa ke uk. Ya Allah, terima kasih atas skenario yang... colorful ini. mungkin aku memang tidak meraih mimpi dengan melewati jalan tol yang lurus tanpa hambatan. tapi jalan berliku di pegunungan, dengan pemandangan indah dan peristiwa2nya yg berkesan pada akhirnya mengantarkanku ke destinasi impian. 

terkenang indahnya doa nabi Zakaria “...dan aku belum pernah kecewa dalam berdoa kepada Engkau, Ya Tuhanku”. (Q.S. Maryam: 4)

2/4

[bigyack-com]

Qatar Airways Becomes Official Airline of Paris Saint-Germain

Qatar Airways has become a Premium Partner and the Official Airline Partner of Paris Saint-Germain, one of France’s most successful football clubs, for the next three seasons. As part of the deal, the airline has also become an Official Partner of the Paris Saint-Germain handball and women’s football teams until 2022.

Paris Saint-Germain Chief Partnerships Officer, Marc Armstrong, said, “We are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways into the Paris Saint-Germain family as the Official Airline Partner of the club. This is another example of our strong desire to develop innovative partnerships with leading global brands and Qatar Airways is a natural choice for us as it shares our commitment to creating powerful connections with fans all over the world.” Qatar Airways supports some of the best football clubs in the world including Italy’s AS Roma, Boca Juniors in Argentina and German club FC Bayern München. Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the famous French club to our extensive sport sponsorship portfolio, and look forward to having them on board. In Paris Saint-Germain we have found a partner that shares our passion for innovation and we will work together to develop many exciting activities to engage with supporters and our global audience.” See latest Travel News, Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: Qatar Airways, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Paris. 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[jagungrebus]

Arogan

Seminggu di Jakarta sejak H-7 event Welcoming Alumni LPDP 2017, ‘rumah’ gw jadilah Salemba - Kemenkeu. Sesekali ke Gancit, cuma untuk ketemu teman - teman lama. Pingin makan ceker di blok M, tapi jauh. Kemana - mana sama si Abang.

Cieeee Din, Abang baru ya? Ehehe iya, Abang Gojek, Abang Gocar, atau Abang Grab Car. Makasih loh.

Kemarin, di hari H, setelah marah - marah dengan Iven Orgeneizer (sengaja salah tulis), gw ngedeprok di bawah meja registrasi sama Mas Makhrus dan Ervy, pegawai LPDP. Mas Makhrus ngedeprok kayak cowok diusir istri, baca sebuah status pegawai LPDP yang kira - kira ceritanya adalah : dia dimarahi oleh salah seorang penerima beasiswa yang jenis beasiswa tersebut baru - baru ini bergabung bersama LPDP dan diperuntukkan bagi para dosen. Awardee itu tidak mau tahu dan menginginkan uangnya cair hari itu juga, dan itu malam, hari Sabtu, which is bank libur. Hahaha, dudul.

Kata Ervy, kayak gitu udah banyak. Mas Makhrus yang soleh justru memahami perasaan si awardee yang marah - marah, sebab kehidupan di luar negeri memang ketat, salah satunya dalam tanggal pembayaran dorm. Dan gw menitikkan air mata karena kesal. Kesal sama si awardee.

Gw emang gatau ceritanya gimana sampai itu semua terjadi. Barangkali memang kesalahan pegawai LPDP, barangkali karena birokrasi negara karena itu duit negara, barangkali karena kesalahan dunia, yang jelas bukan kesalahan Mang Ochim, OB LPDP.

Kalo gw boleh sok tahu, dan gw memang selalu sok tahu. Dan kali ini gw pasti sok tahu. Gw risi dengan arogansi oknum awardee beasiswa negara. Kite kite  pade, iye kite pade yang makan duit pajak masyarakat, kite pade yang jadi oknum kurang menyenangkan, kite pade yang kadang hura - hura pake duit dari pajak masyarakat.

Oke lah, soal hura - hura itu urusan masing - masing. Gw sendiri bukan awardee yang baik, gw sendiri masih sering ke salon pake uang rakyat cuma buat creambath atau refleksi karena lelah dengan kehidupan. Seminggu ini bahkan bolos kuliah, sungguh bukan awardee teladan.

Tapi, gw pingin deh, ngajak sesama awardee LPDP, untuk lebih bersabar. Hargai dan hormatilah mereka yang telah bersusah payah bekerja supaya kuliah kite lancar! Kalo lo mau tahu, main kek ke kantornya. Kenalan sama Pak Kartono yang udah plot plot in dana buat kite pade, sama Mas Makhrus yang perhitungan banget ngeluarin duit buat kegiatan tapi kesian liat kite kelaperan, sama Ervy yang tahan stress ngurus desain - desain manisnya LPDP, sama Pak Kahar kasih tanda tangan di Letter of Sponsorship lo biar kampus percaya kite ada yang nanggung biayanya, sama Pak Ochim yang mau - maunya disuruh kesana kemari demi kite - kite pade, dan yang lain - lain.

Kadang gw kesel menerima milis tentang seorang penerima beasiswa yang bertanya mengapa dananya belum turun padahal request nya sudah melebihi 10 hari. Setelah gw hitung, ternyata belum ada 10 hari kerja prosesnya, which is tidak terlambat, hahahaha. FYI, di LPDP dana akan turun MAKSIMAL 10 hari kerja sejak approval request dana, bahkan beberapa dana akan turun dengan otomatis hanya dengan laporan perkembangan akademik. And really, that’s so simple prosedur!!!

Dan kalaupun terlambat, sudah ada prosedurnya di website SIMONEV, kemana kita harus komplain. Ga perlu melalui milis.

Gw tahu, pembayaran beberapa hal di luar negeri ga sesimple di Indonesia. Tapi, anak level S2 yang bisa kuliah di luar negeri, awardee sekelas LPDP lagi, gw rasa sudah saatnya untuk belajar ‘sedia payung sebelum hujan.’ LPDP, sepanjang yang gw tahu, menyediakan akses informasi sangat luas bagi kita, walaupun sering mengalami dinamika prosedur. Sehingga, dengan tahunya kita akan kondisi ini, seharusnya sudah mulai belajar mencegah hal - hal yang tidak kita inginkan. Kecuali kalo kita memang apatis dengan segala hal yang terjadi dan malas mengumpulkan informasi. Kalaupun kesulitan itu sudah terjadi, belajarlah bersabar. Belajarlah untuk berbaik sangka bahwa negara sudah melakukan hal terbaik untuk nyekolahin lo, biar lo jadi problem solving di masa depan, bukan menjadi penambah masalah.

Gw tahu kok, lembaga kesayangan kita ini ga sempurna. Tentu saja LPDP memiliki banyak sekali kekurangan yang harus terus diperbaiki. Tapi bukan dengan marah - marah caranya, bukan dengan ‘menyuruh -  nyuruh’ mereka memenuhi kebutuhan kite. Emang lo siapa? Tahu diri lah, bukan lo yang bayar karyawannya keles.

Negara sudah memberi kita kesempatan dalam hal dana dan networking pergaulan yang dahsyat. Masalah yang kemudian timbul karena kekurangan - kekurangan pelayanan dan sebagainya, kita sendiri yang harus berusaha menyelesaikan dengan kepala dingin, dengan hati yang lebih lembut, dengan rasa syukur yang terus menerus, dan jangan lupa untuk bergerak supaya turut memberikan sumbangsih bagi LPDP. Kalaupun kesel, mbok ya yang manusiawi . 

Temen - temen se PK gw juga ada kok yang harus gantiin dulu visa atau karena prosedur negara maka dia belum dapat dana, tapi mereka ga ngeluh di depan umum. Mereka cari solusi dengan berbagai cara. Makanya, kalau mereka bisa, kita semua pasti bisa.

Yakin deh, pikiran positif terhadap Tuhan dan orang lain, pasti mendatangkan bantuan dan kemudahan. Ingat - ingat, lo dibayarin negara sekolah itu untuk menjadi bagian dari solusi, bukan untuk menjadi tukang kritik basi.

[charllieeldridge]

The TEFL Academy: A Complete Guide to the Courses

When I look back on courses that made a big impact on my life, my TEFL certification course is probably the most important. A TEFL certification is a widely-recognized credential that will allow you to teach English abroad or online.

After getting TEFL certified, I found a job teaching English online while travelling. I love the flexibility of my current gig, but it’s comforting to know that I could also start teaching English abroad if I ever wanted to try something different. 

For me, having a TEFL certification means having more opportunities to work and travel. It’s a handy tool for any adventurer to have in their back pocket, but you might be wondering where to get certified. 

If you google ��TEFL Courses,” you’ll probably find about a million certification programs circulating on the internet.

It can be challenging to decide which course is the best for you. For that reason, I’ve been profiling different online TEFL courses to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about getting your Level 5 TEFL certification from The TEFL Academy. 

Note: Right now The TEFL Academy is offering 60% off their courses until midnight on Friday! Click here to learn more and to receive the discount.

About The TEFL Academy

The TEFL Academy is a Europe based TEFL company that’s accredited by Qualifi, DEAC, and AQC.

Since they only offer TEFL courses, they can focus whole-heartedly on preparing their students for a successful career in the English teaching industry. 

The TEFL Academy courses are taught by passionate and experienced TEFL professionals with years of hands-on experience in the classroom.

Students have the option to take a fully online course or a hybrid online-onsite course.

Prospective students can choose the best fit for them with The TEFL Academy. 

Why Choose The TEFL Academy

The TEFL Academy is a fully accredited TEFL course provider that specializes in offering flexible and affordable course options for everyone.

They are one of the only companies that offer a budget-friendly Level 5 TEFL Course, making this a great option for serious students who don’t want to break the bank. 

Level 5 certification courses are widely recognized and accepted by employers around the world.

They are comparable in rigor to the CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL courses.

The course lasts 168 hours which is well over the minimum requirement for most jobs (which is 120 hours).

If you decide to take a combination course with a classroom component, you’ll be able to choose from dozens of locations around the world.

Additionally, The TEFL Academy has internships, volunteer opportunities, and a robust job board available to students. 

Types Of Courses Available 

There are two main TEFL courses offered by The TEFL Academy: An online Level 5 course and a combined Level 5 course. 

Online Level 5 TEFL Course

As the name suggests, this Level 5 TEFL Course is fully online.

You can complete a 168 hour TEFL certification program from the comfort of home and on your own schedule. 

Additionally, you’ll receive a free 30-hour top-up course of your choosing. That’s 198 hours of TEFL Training in total! 

Students have 6 months of access to the materials, but you’ll complete the course in one to two months if you work diligently.

This course also includes virtual assistance from a tutor and job search guidance upon completion. 

The course consists of 10 units with an exam at the end of each unit to ensure understanding. Three units have assignments that you must submit for a grade. 

The ten units cover the following topics: 

Lesson Planning

How to teach vocabulary

How to teach pronunciation

English Grammar

Teaching listening and reading

Teaching speaking and writing

Grammar Instruction 

Foundations of TEFL

Classroom resources, materials, and management

Using resources effectively

How to find a TEFL job – job sites and how to prepare your cv and cover letter

Combined Level 5 TEFL Course

If you’re looking for a TEFL course with hands-on training, you can choose to take the combined level 5 TEFL course.

This option includes a 148-hour online course and a 20-hour in-person training weekend. 

Like with the fully-online course, you’ll get a free 30-hour top-up course when you sign up. You’ll also receive 6 months of course access, support from a tutor and job placement assistance. 

The online portion of this course will cover the same material listed above. For the in-person portion, you can expect additional sessions such as: 

Classroom management

Teaching true beginners 

Practice teaching preparation and collaboration

Peer to peer practice teaching with feedback

These in-person weekend sessions take place every month in cities around the world. Currently, classes are offered in the following locations: 

North America: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philidelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver

Oceania: New Zealand and Australia 

Europe: Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, and Greece 

Africa: South Africa

There will be around 20 students at each session and one of the biggest selling points is the chance to practice teaching lessons with other TEFL students.

Practice teaching helps new educators learn about classroom pacing and lesson planning. It also helps teachers feel more confident when they start teaching in their real classroom. 

To learn more about specific dates at each teaching location, click on the “TEFL courses” tab and then the “Combined Course Locations” button. You’ll be taken to a map and if you mouse over each place, you can click a button to reveal course dates. 

Top-Up Courses

Top-Up courses are designed to further your knowledge after you’ve completed your basic TEFL course.

These courses are open to anyone who already has their standard TEFL certificate and they provide a greater depth of knowledge in a specialized area.

These top-up courses can also enhance your resume in the eyes of future employers!

Teaching Business English: This is a 30-hour course with three units that will prepare you to teach business English to professionals. The course covers activities, techniques, and intercultural skills for your business English classroom. 

Teaching Young Learners: This course is also 30 hours and has three units. The units cover topics specific to young children like language development, learning styles, improving student motivation, planning engaging activities, and managing the classroom. 

Teaching Online and 1:1: This 30-hour course has five units devoted to helping you teach English online with confidence. Learn about which platforms you can use for teaching, what gear and materials you’ll need, what kinds of courses you should offer, and how to prepare for online lessons. 

Cost Of The TEFL Academy

The Online Level 5 TEFL Course is typically $530 USD.

Right now, the TEFL Academy is having an Easter sale and this course is 60% off.

The sale price is $238 USD and this sale price ends on April 10, 2020. 

The Combined Level 5 TEFL course is typically $840USD. It’s also on sale right now for 60% off so the new price is $378 USD until April 10. 

Top-Up courses usually cost $130 USD. They are now listed for $58 USD because of the Easter sale.  

Click here to learn more and to sign up with The TEFL Academy.

Is There Anything Else The TEFL Academy Offers?

The TEFL Academy offers more than just top-notch TEFL certifications. They also have internships, volunteer opportunities, and a helpful job listing board. 

TEFL Internships

These internships are a great place to start if you’re looking for a chance to gain paid teaching experience around the world.

Below I’ll walk through some of the locations and packages available with The TEFL Academy at the time this post was published.

Keep in mind that the specifics of these internships might change, so it’s best to visit their website to see the latest opportunities. 

TEFL Internship Locations

Indonesia: This 12 month internship pays IDR 12,000,000. -15,000,000 ($760-$950) per month and includes housing, work visa sponsorship, and health insurance. 

Spain: Live in sunny Spain for 4-6 months! Teachers in this internship will earn 900 euros ($985) per month while teaching 30 hours/week. Housing guidance and visa assistance are provided. Some opportunities listed don’t require a BA degree.

Thailand: If spending 5 months in Thailand sounds like a dream, this internship is for you! Teachers make 31,000 Baht ($950) per month and you’ll receive visa, accommodation, and hiring guidance. 

South Korea: Teach in South Korea for 12 months earning 1.9-2.7 million KRW ($1,570 – $2,230) per month. Many packages also include flights, housing, and paid vacation time.

Japan: This12 month internship pays 252,800 JPY ($2,330) per month and includes visa sponsorship and paid leave time.

China: You can choose from various programs throughout the country, including Au Pair jobs and teaching roles. Many programs include accommodation, flights, and comprehensive assistance. Some opportunities do not require a BA degree. 

Vietnam: Teach in Vietnam for 10 months earning 1,000 – 1,500 USD per month. Placements include accommodation, health insurance, and lesson plans.

Argentina: Choose between 3 months or 12 months in Argentina with a stipend of 1200 pesos per month. Many placements include homestay accommodation, language lessons, ongoing support. 

India: Live and teach in India for 4 months while earning 7,500 – 10,000 Rs. ($98 – $130) per month. Accommodation and meals are provided and you’ll also receive support for the duration of your stay. No BA degree needed!

Taiwan: This teaching internship lasts 12 months and pays 43,200 – 70,000 NT ($1,430 – $2,330) per month. Teachers also receive visa assistance, health insurance, and teaching curriculum.

To learn more about these internship programs and their requirements, make sure to visit the TEFL Academy’s website for the latest information. 

TEFL Volunteering

If you want to get TEFL teaching experience while volunteering abroad, you can do so with The TEFL Academy.

With these volunteer programs, you can spend a few weeks or a few months volunteering in Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, or South Africa. 

All volunteering positions require that you have at least a 120 hour TEFL certificate. You’ll pass that requirement with flying colors if you choose to take the Level 5 168-hour course through The TEFL Academy!

The Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and South Africa programs don’t require a BA degree or prior teaching experience to participate.��

TEFL Jobs Board

Upon graduation, students will have access to the TEFL Academy job board. Here, companies from around the world list their TEFL job vacancies with information about how to apply. 

Students can sort jobs by region, country, or degree requirement, making this a great resource to find TEFL teaching jobs abroad and online. 

Pros and Cons of The TEFL Academy

Pros Of The TEFL Academy

The TEFL Academy offers high quality, Level 5, 168-hour TEFL course for a reasonable rate. It’s great that you can choose between an online or combination course depending on what your needs are.

After reading student reviews, it’s clear that the qualified trainers are a huge highlight of the course. Many students mention how much they enjoyed their teachers. They felt reassured and confident after leaving their course. 

The TEFL Academy provides resume editing assistance and job placement suggestions. According to their website, many students receive a job offer within one month of finishing the course. 

I also love how the TEFL Academy gives students a free top-up course when they purchase their 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course. This allows students to dig deeper into a topic that interests them and helps them be more competitive when they apply to jobs in the future. 

Cons Of The TEFL Academy

One con of the TEFL academy is that students only have access to their course materials for six months. It’s important to sign up when you know you’ll have time to devote to the course so you can finish it before the deadline. 

The personal tutor support can sometimes take a while. You have to use a support ticket system to get help, which can take a bit of time to process. Having an instant support option would be a nice addition to this program. 

Who Can Take This Course?

To take this course, you’ll need to be a native English speaker or a non-native speaker with a C1 level proficiency (IELTS 6.5-7.5) or higher. 

Because this is an online course, you’ll need a reliable internet connection and a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. 

Students often ask if they can become a TEFL teacher without a BA degree.

The answer is yes!

The TEFL Academy provides resources for students without BA degrees, including a list of countries where a BA degree is not required to teach. 

If you want to teach abroad and don’t have a BA degree, getting TEFL certified is a great choice. This will broaden your options and give you a support team that knows the best places to apply. 

How To Sign Up For The TEFL Academy Course

To sign up for the TEFL Academy course, click on the “TEFL Courses” drop-down link in the main menu. Click on the link for the course you’re interested in taking.

In the green box at the top of the page, you’ll see two buttons that say  “Enroll Me” and “Request a Call Back.” Request a callback if you’re still unsure about getting TEFL certified and would like more information.

But if you know that you’re ready to take the leap, click the “Enroll” button to get started. 

For the online course, fill out personal information and payment details on the course registration page.

For the combination course, select where you’d like to do your in-person training weekend on the interactive map. After picking the location and dates that work best for you, click “Enroll Me.” Fill in your details to complete the sign-up process on the following registration page.

With The TEFL Academy, you can be sure you’re getting a top-notch TEFL course for a reasonable rate. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to an exciting new adventure teaching online or teaching abroad!

Click Here to Learn More and Sign Up With The TEFL Academy

The post The TEFL Academy: A Complete Guide to the Courses appeared first on Goats On The Road.

The TEFL Academy: A Complete Guide to the Courses published first on https://travelaspire.weebly.com/

[skynetgames-blog]

The Billion Dollar E-sports Industry

E-Sports is taking the world by storm. It's estimated that by 2020, the competitive activity will officially become a billion dollar industry. Over just the past five years, the rapid expansion of the industry's market has been remarkable. It's value has literally rocketed up from $199 million in 2014 to an estimated $952 million in 2019. While professional gaming has traditionally been centered in the Asia-Pacific region, its currently expanding most in the Americas and the U.S. represents 28% of that market. For more accurate info, click on this link! There are a few reasons e-Sports has become so popular recently. One major reason is its increased visibility due to free game video streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube. As a result, people from around the world are now watching these videos. Much of the industry's market growth has resulted from the activity's increasing popularity among females and in places like Argentina, Indonesia, India and South Africa. In these countries with fewer economic opportunities, e-Sports is increasingly becoming popular as a means of earning money and perks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0hlP84HeMU The industry can be quite lucrative for gamers. E-sports tournaments are big events, with tens of thousands to even millions of dollars at stake. In the late 1990s, prize pools for Starcraft and Quake ranged between $50 and $150 thousand. Games like Call of Duty, Halo and Warcraft, in the 00s, offered between $500 thousand and a million dollars in prize pool money. In 2015, DOTA 2 alone awarded over $29 million in prize money. As a result of the potential profitability of these tournaments, e-Sports gaming is becoming a profession like professional athletics. Just like Olympic athletes, these professional gamers can acquire high-value corporate sponsorships, from companies like American Express, Coca Cola and Intel, and are eligible for the same athletic visas. For some interesting gaming news, click right on this link! Read the full article

[businessliveme]

Golden trip hacks from a Guinness World Record holder for travel

(Bloomberg) At the age of 21, Lexie Alford has already visited all 196 countries in the world. That makes her the new Guinness World Record holder for youngest person to travel to every country, by three years. (There are 195 states widely recognized as countries, plus Taiwan.)

With a family that ran a travel agency, Alford traveled widely as a child—by the age of 18 she’d already hit 72 countries. That’s when she decided to sprint for the world record, self-funding her trips via work as a travel consultant and some sporadic sponsorships. She documents her experiences on her blog and is now working on a book.

Alford, who lives in Nevada City, Calif., logs from 200,000 to 250,000 miles in the air each year, though she frequently takes trains and buses as well. Her favorite airline is Delta, because of its partnership with American Express Platinum, a lucrative points-earning program. “They also have the most reliable airport lounges in the world, just as far as the Wi-Fi and the food,” she says.

Read: Emirates opens first remote check-in terminal in Dubai for cruise passengers

Here are Alford’s tips from a lifetime of globe-trotting.

You can—and should—hold two passports from the same country, simultaneously.

Having two passports is essential if you’re traveling to some of the lesser-known places, or where visas take a long time to obtain: the Middle East or West Africa, for example. It’s for when you have conflicting travel plans that are related to obtaining a visa. If you go to the passport office and map out how it’s impossible for you to follow through on your travel plans—especially if they’re related to business—with just one passport, they’ll issue another one. Say you’re going to Russia and need to send it to the embassy; that will take six weeks. But perhaps you’re going to Indonesia next week. You just need to show written evidence of your conflicting flights, with your name on the reservation. And remember: You can book refundable tickets as proof of travel, show them at the passport office, and then cancel them later. Then you’ll have one handy for any future travel traffic jams.

If you’re traveling to a new county, there’s one email you should always send before you leave.

Email your hotel before you arrive and ask what the average price is for a taxi from the airport to the hotel. Sending this simple email has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years, because I’ve avoided being taken advantage of by taxi drivers with inflated prices or fixed meters. Taxi drivers can be merciless as far as screwing you over, so you need to be very sure on exactly how much it’s going to cost and how long it’s going to take to go from A to B. If you get to the hotel and the meter is unbelievably high, refuse to pay for it. Go inside the hotel and ask for help. And if that doesn’t work, tell them to call the police. If you say that, the driver will give up. I’ve done that in Angola a few times, and in Samoa. And I just did that in Guinea-Bissau.

Image: Pixabay

Your carry-on allowance is probably more generous than you think.

I only travel with a carry-on. Some of the airlines might be more strict, though, and will weigh it. I remember being in Zakynthos, Greece, and there was a very grumpy check-in lady who weighed both my carry-on and my backpack. I’m always way overweight because I have my laptop, my camera, and my drone. It was 5 kilos (11 pounds) over. So I just put on as many of my clothes as possible. Then I went to a souvenir shop across the way and bought a cheap duffle bag and put stuff in there, too. You’re able to bring the equivalent of a shopping bag along with your carry-on. So now I carry a collapsible, lightweight duffle bag from Baggallini for the worst-case scenario. Just be very discreet when you walk up to the counter, and don’t offer to let them look at your luggage.

Read: Travel Tips From a Rock Star Who Flies 500,000 Miles a Year

Skyscanner should be your default flight search engine.

Skyscanner is definitely the best for booking last-minute stuff. It’s the most reliable, and it shows many different options: the fastest route, the cheapest route. You can select how many stops you want to make, and it’s so user-friendly that even someone who’s never looked at it before would be able to navigate the site. It also has an alternative for greener choices—for example: “This flight emits 32% less CO₂ than average for your search.” If you’d like to be environmentally conscious when you travel, this helps.

One piece of clothing will prove more useful than everything else.

For women it’s a lightweight, long-sleeve button-down. It can go as a light jacket if you need one, and it’s easy to layer on top of other shirts. And if you’re wearing shorts and feeling uncomfortable in a more conservative country, you can wrap it around your waist to cover the back of your thighs.

On longer trips, follow the three-day rule.

I usually prioritize having at least three days in the same city, in the same hotel room, a week into each of my long trips. There’s a few reasons for this. For one, you’re going to need to do some laundry, and that could take three days—one to find the laundromat, the second to leave it with them, as it might not be open when you find it, and the third to pick it up. And if you’re traveling through a lot of places really quickly, it’s easy to get burned out. Having a three-day stop every week or so gives you the chance to get grounded. People rarely think about having to pack and unpack as being exhausting, but it really is.

Read: Scared to Travel to ‘Dangerous’ Places? Don’t Be

Want a souvenir from each place you’ve visited? Here’s a lightweight idea.

I’ve collected a piece of the currency every time. We all end up with small denominations of bills and now have this huge wall, an entire wall, filled up with currency from each country. The Hong Kong dollar has really interesting colors, and the Costa Rican currency has the most beautiful depictions of local wildlife.

The post Golden trip hacks from a Guinness World Record holder for travel appeared first on Businessliveme.com.

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[citizentruth-blog]

Execution of Filipino Woman Points to Saudi Arabia’s Appalling Record on Work Conditions, Executions

The 39-year-old woman was executed earlier this week on charges of murdering her employer. Rights organizations have long criticized the horrible conditions in which domestic workers are forced to work in Saudi Arabia, with the women facing abuse and rape. (The People's Dispatch) Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, executed a Filipino domestic worker who was found guilty of murder, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. The 39-year-old woman was sentenced to death by the Saudi Supreme Judicial Council and executed after the court ruled out the possibility of her case being eligible for a ‘blood money’ settlement, known as ‘diya’ under Shariah law. Diya is a method of monetary compensation by the accused to the murdered victim’s relatives, in lieu of the capital punishment. The family of the domestic worker was informed of her execution only the next day. The issue has brought to the forefront the issue of the horrible conditions endured by domestic workers in the Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia’s appalling record on the issue of capital punishment. More than 10 million Filipino workers go abroad seeking better employment and economic opportunities. Close to 2.3 million of them work in the Middle East Gulf countries and North Africa, out of which 1 million are in Saudi Arabia alone. Migrante, a group that supports the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), said the worker executed on Tuesday was just “another casualty of the Philippine government’s decades-old labor export program.” The group called upon the government to “find out what led to the OFW to commit the murder, instead of readily accepting with certainty the guilt of the OFW.” In January 2018, the Philippines declared that it would not send any more domestic workers to Kuwait following reports of four women committing suicide due to exploitative working conditions. In 2011, the Committee on Overseas Workers’ Affairs (COWA) of the House of Representatives of the Philippines published a report following a visit to Saudi Arabia, chronicling the condition of OFW in the country. The report by the team, chaired by Walden Bello, was damning and recommended decertifying Saudi Arabia as a destination for Overseas Filipino Workers. “While professionals do not appear to be greatly dissatisfied with their lot, many domestic workers are cast into very oppressive conditions of work, where physical abuse and rape are rampant,” the report noted.  It pointed out how rape was a constant specter for women domestic workers and highlighted the dubious circumstances behind a number of deaths, as well as cases of capital punishment. The execution of the Filipino domestic worker follows the execution of an Indonesian domestic worker, Tuti Tursilawati, just months ago. She was sentenced to death for allegedly killing her employer after he tried to rape her. The Indonesian government registered a symbolic protest with Saudi Arabia in response, also saying that they weren’t even informed before the execution of one of its citizens took place. In 2015, two Indonesian domestic workers were beheaded after being found guilty of murder, leading to angry demonstrations by Indonesians in Jakarta. Then too, the Indonesian government had registered official complaints with Saudi Arabia, protesting the fact that they were not informed prior to the executions taking place. In another instance, eight Bangladeshi migrant workers were beheaded in public in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in 2011 after they were found guilty of killing an Egyptian. The latest execution is just one more in the long trail of instances of cruel and inhumane treatment and extremely tortuous mental, physical and sexual abuse of foreign domestic workers from the Philippines and other countries in Saudi Arabia. There is also the issue of death sentences and executions meted out to them in very suspicious, secretive circumstances. One of the most outrageous cases of ill-treatment was in 2014 when a Sri Lankan domestic worker returned from Saudi Arabia with 24 nails inside her body. The woman alleged that her Saudi employer had tortured her and driven nails into her body as punishment. In another case in 2010, 23-year-old Sumiati Binti Mustapa was beaten violently by her Saudi employer. Burns were inflicted on her head with a hot iron and she was mutilated with scissors, leaving her with internal bleeding and several broken bones. The employer only faced 3 years in jail for his crimes. Human rights organizations have been for many years highlighting the extremely abusive and harmful conditions and circumstances in which domestic workers have to live and work in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch published findings it had collected based on 142 interviews with domestic workers, senior government officials, labor recruiters in Saudi Arabia and labor sending countries. The report talked about a wide range of abusive employment practices prevalent in the country, such as excessive workload, unpaid wages, no weekly rest days, no overtime pay, working hours of 18 hours per day and seven days a week, among others. The kafala (sponsorship) system that effectively binds and chains foreign workers’ visas to their employers was also a major cause of concern. It can end up making the worker wholly dependent on his/her employer, who can also prevent the workers from changing jobs or stop them from leaving the country. HRW came across several women during their interviews, who revealed that their employers had forced them to work against their will for months or years. Instances such as taking away of the workers’ passports and locking them inside the home, were also reported. HRW concluded that this kind of treatment and conditions qualify as forced labor, trafficking, and slavery-like conditions. What makes matters worse is the flimsy investigation procedures in place and a heavily biased criminal justice system that in most cases translates into the employers escaping punishment for their abuse and crimes, while domestic workers have to undergo arbitrary arrests, unfair trials and unusually severe punishments. Not only do Saudi nationals escape with little to no punishment, domestic workers are also slapped with counter accusations of witchcraft, theft, adultery etc. This results in many of the women not filing complaints at all, for fear of countercharges. In some cases, they drop the charges against their employers to escape living in overcrowded shelters for a long period of time, and very faint hopes of justice, due to the abysmal justice system. Saudi Arabia is ranked as one of the top countries in terms of executions in the world. In 2018, 143 people were executed in Saudi Arabia, according to the European-Saudi organization for human rights. Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia’s strict version of Islamic law. It is estimated that more than 45 foreign domestic workers are facing execution on death row in Saudi Arabia, according to Amnesty International. The actual number is likely to be much higher since the Saudis don’t publish official figures. Most of these are from Indonesia, but activists and human rights groups say there are also domestic workers from Sri Lanka, Philippines, India and Ethiopia who are facing the death penalty. Read the full article

[besthelper-blog]

Enlisting Domestic Helpers through Agency and Direct Hire

There are numerous business offices for remote residential specialists in Singapore, directed by Labor Department and the legislature. It is essential to comprehend bundles offered by Singapore work offices to stay away from trickiness.

Residential laborer offices allot distinctive "classifications" for various local specialists. A few managers like to employ local people as aides though others want to procure remote household laborers originating from Philippines and Indonesia. The cost engaged with enlisting these assistants ranges from 2,500 HKD to 10,000 HKD, contingent upon the organization contributions and in addition the first home of the aide (nearby or abroad).

Work Agencies and their Duties

Organizations need to coordinate local aides with bosses in view of their needs and guide managers through the whole contracting process. They are in charge of printed material including the way toward marking the agreement, the right filling of subtle elements and records accommodation for Visa application. Household aide offices additionally help in coordinating residential partners and bosses, likewise helping boss and aides to sign Standard Employment Contract (shape ID407). After the marking, specialists will authorize the agreement from the Philippine or Indonesian department. Work offices likewise help bosses and assistants to restore contracts, end them, book restorative registration and such.

Bundles offered by work organizations

Work organizations offer various administrations to bosses other than contract and visa preparing. Get some information about contract costs, visa charges and even the therapeutic registration. One can pick and pick the bundles and administrations:

First section visa expenses as imposed by Singapore Immigration Department

Therapeutic registration charges for local people and abroad contracts

Philippine OWWA enrollment charges and obligatory protection

Business obligatory protection;

Settlement charges whenever included by organization

Housekeeping preparing and dialect preparing charges

Flight charges (for abroad contract);

One-way air ticket from starting point nation to Singapore;

Air terminal get benefit for aides

Application for SG card as required

Meeting on Labor Department enactments and other Singapore government substances

Restorative registration in Singapore as a rule comprises of a few checkups and appraisals including VDRL, testing for syphilis, testing for hepatitis B, HIV, testing for illnesses influencing the stomach related tract, Urine Routine, Urine for Pregnancy and X-Rays.

Coordinate Hire of Domestic Helper in Singapore

One should know the fundamental contrasts between utilizing abroad aides or local people in Singapore. One ought to have the work contracts set up and comprehend the issues associated with the employing procedure.

Qualification criteria of managers

A business is really the supporter of their assistant, and according to enactments by Singapore Immigration division, the accompanying criteria is required for sponsorship:

The Employer ought to be fiscally solid with salary surpassing SG$ 15,000.

Business ought to be a Singapore Resident.

Business needs to pay at any rate least passable compensation (SG$ 4,410) and convenience to the aides.

Things one ought to expect while procuring a partner straightforwardly

Managers need to enlist somebody with completed contracts or assistants with a discharged contract! In the event that it isn't dire then one can settle on a more drawn out procedure to enlist abroad local partners.

To discover somebody desperately, you will require multi week to recognize and talk with assistants with the correct profile.

For more information please visit www.besthelper.com.sg