What is Ashtanga Yoga

What is Ashtanga Yoga What Are the Principles of Ashtanga Yoga? ChaptersThe Origins of Ashtanga YogaThe Specificities of Ashtanga YogaThe Effects of Ashtanga Yoga“We are spiritual beings born for human experience; we are not human beings born for spiritual experience.” - Yogi BhajanYoga is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. It’s becoming popular because it helps you to let go, relax, master your breathing, as well as get into shape. Vinyasa yoga, Iyengar yoga, prenatal yoga, Ashtanga yoga, online yoga and even Bikram yoga are becoming more popular and yoga teachers are popping up in gyms, sports centres, and online as private yoga tutors.In this article, we’re going to be looking at Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga is one of the most popular styles of yoga because it’s quite simple to do if you’re in decent shape. In the grand scheme of things, this type of yoga philosophy is quite accessible.Let’s have a look at what makes it so special!The objective of Ashtanga yoga is to bring together your body and mind.You’ll start toning u p and building muscle after a few sessions. Ashtanga yoga, with its poses, sequences of movements, etc., is often what people think of when they think of yoga in general. Each student will progress at their own speed. However, they’ll all improve physically as well as spiritually.Ashtanga Yoga: A Sport for the MindWhile there’s no doubt that your body plays an important role in any physical activity, your mind also plays a huge role in Ashtanga yoga. In fact, your mind constantly plays a part in Ashtanga yoga because you have to stimulate both your body and mind. Your body, mind, and spirit all harmonise in order to create your life energy which needs to be stimulated on a daily basis with Ashtanga yoga.Check for yoga classes near me here.Once you've learnt a few poses, you're ready to go. (Source: lograstudio)Breathing (pranayama) is one of the main tools of Ashtanga yoga because it allows you to align the different part of your body. In fact, if you’re not breathing correctl y, you’ll limit the effects of each yoga pose. This is why it’s important to practise your breathing exercises and adopt the right technique.In Ashtanga yoga, this technique is often linked to focusing on a certain object so that you don’t lose your focus or forget what you’re trying to do. This is a lot of work for your mind which, with the right breathing, is an essential part of every one of your yoga sessions.After all, what would a yogi be without mindfulness of what’s going on and a broad view of the physical, mental, and spiritual progress you’re making?In Ashtanga yoga, just like yoga for children, you have to bring together the different parts of your being in order to make the most progress.Whether you’re with a yoga tutor or not, Ashtanga yoga promotes pacificism and respect for others and yourself, all while working on your mind, body, and spirit.Is it the perfect type of yoga?If you're not sold on Ashtanga yoga, don't forget that there's also Bikram yoga, Hatha yoga (Traditional yoga), and Vinyasa flow yoga for you to check out, not to mention yoga classes for beginners, infants, pregnant women, and healing yoga therapy, every yoga class is different!For those new to yoga, the best thing to do is have a look online for the different yogis who live in your area, see what he or she teaches, and get a deeper understanding of the yoga practice before you dive in.If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or past injuries, make sure that you speak to your doctor about whether you're able to take up yoga. While yoga can seem like gentle exercise, it can put a lot of strain on certain parts of the body and it would be awful to take up a new hobby only to exacerbate an old injury or end up hurting yourself more than you heal yourself.You can always tell your private yoga tutor or yoga teacher about your injuries or conditions in order to allow them to adapt their sessions to you. You might still be able to do yoga as long as you choose the right sequences and asanas.Don't forget that yoga is for everyone. There are classes and sessions for all ages and levels and you're never too old nor too young to take up yoga. In fact, don't forget there are even pre-natal yoga classes for expectant mothers. Just make sure you show up to the right class as going to the wrong one could be embarrassing!Find out how a search for yoga near me yielded my ideal yoga teacher!

5 Authentic Steps for Getting Over Your Fears - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Authentic Steps for Getting Over Your Fears - Introvert Whisperer 5 Authentic Steps for Getting Over Your Fears We all have demons to deal with, and they are called fears. At times, they are the only force that keeps us from performing well in our lives. Very often we think that we are introverts, we just don’t like socializing much, and it is alright to stay in our comfort zone. But, in reality, things are different, and we want to socialize, but we just don’t feel confident enough. In fact, this is the fear of rejection that bars us from talking to someone. Is there any way to feel comfortable and not let the fears slip near us to unlock our potential? And, the answer is yes we can say goodbye to our concerns with these five authentic steps. 1. Enlist What Haunts You First of all, we need to be cautious enough about what is causing the real trouble. Most of the times we don’t even know that something is making us uncomfortable. So, take your time and list down all those fears that might be bothering you. For example, you may fear Rejection Failure Disapproval Getting Fired Someone’s Wrath Or Any Situation you don’t want to face Keep in mind one thing. So many times the problem becomes difficult to solve only because people don’t know if it exists or not. Thus, the very first problem is recognizing the existence or diagnosing the disease- then begins the rest of the task. 2. See If Your Fears Are Real or Not?   Many times, people burden their souls only with abstractions. They overthink about something that doesn’t even exist in a vacuum, but it makes them face their fears like fools. Let’s take a simple example. Many times sitting in the courtyard at the time of night one may see a hand waving at the front wall or a scene that may seem too horrible enough for one to scream out loud. And, in reality, that waving hand or an awful view might be nothing more than an illusion or a shadow of some object placed on a tree of the back wall. In our daily lives, there are so many shadows that make us afraid. 3. Talk to Yourself   You are in effective mentor for yourself and you even don’t know it. Once you know there is something that haunts you and that thing is real, then now is the time to talk yourself about it. Just stand before a mirror or take a pen or page and start writing down whatever you feel. This is the best ever way to talk about the things that haunt you. Just write about the problems and their solutions write in a manner as you are talking to someone. The practice is more like a therapy that consoles one’s heart and it works just like a person shedding tears on some close friend’s shoulder. 4. Don’t Fear the Failures   Fear of the failure is the most horrible monster. It can slowly decay one’s potential and talent without letting the person know about the loss. If you know that fear to fail in not achieving what you want to get is stopping you from taking the first step, then immediately take the first step. Just imagine, that you fail to achieve what you want. Now, what will happen? You will just fail, but learn something new and not to repeat the mistakes. You will come up with another plan to do something better. At least, you wouldn’t have any regret that you didn’t try. 5. Look Around for the Examples   Very often the thought what will other say, or the feeling that we will become a laughing stooge stops us from doing something in life. Now, just think one thing that all other people are human beings. They can do and repeat the mistakes that we are capable of doing. So, why to worry about doing something that everyone is capable of? Realization of the fact that we are all dealing with human beings should be enough to get away with fears. Author Bio:

Who Is Yoga For

Who Is Yoga For Who Can Become a Yogi? ChaptersHow Can You Do Yoga When You’re Pregnant?Yoga for SeniorsWhat Are the Benefits of Yoga for the Disabled?The Advantages of Doing Yoga as a Couple“We are spiritual beings born for human experience; we are not human beings born for spiritual experience.” - Yogi BhajanWith kundalini yoga, nidra yoga, prenatal yoga, and yoga for kids, not every type of yoga is for everyone. This is normal as there are over 50 different types of yoga around the world and each of them is a bit different. Whether an aspiring yogi is interested in sequences of poses, breathing exercises, or working on their flexibility, they should be able to find a type of yoga that works for them.Whoever you are, you should also be able to find a type of yoga that works for your body type, too. Of the 300 million people practising yoga in the world, Japan has seen an explosion in the popularity of the pursuit with a growth of 413% over 5 years! This is why you should be asking what yoga is for. In short, for r elaxing, battling stress, toning muscle, there are thousands of reasons for practising yoga near me.There are almost as many yoga classes near me as there are yoga postures. If you want to enjoy the restorative properties of a good yoga class, you just need to find a yoga teacher who's familiar with a type of yoga that works for you.If you think that there's some reason you can't enjoy yoga, then you're probably wrong! CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Can You Do Yoga When You’r e Pregnant?Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life and you shouldn’t let this time get away from you. You need to make the most of it, think positively, work on your breathing, and improve your mindfulness. Remember that you might only be pregnant once and you should make the most of this time. There are a lot of benefits to doing yoga when you’re pregnant and attending prenatal yoga classes:Enjoying being pregnantMentally preparing yourself for giving birthMeeting other pregnant womenBeing mindful of your body when you’re pregnantSeeing that pregnancy doesn’t need to be the end of an active lifestyleMaking the most of the first few months to alleviate aches and painsEasing the concerns of the father during the first monthsAnd many morePregnancy doesn't mean that you have to stop all physical activity. (Source: hummingpuppy)You can make the most out of your pregnancy by rediscovering your body, mind, and spirit. While not every type of yoga is suitable for pregnant w omen, there are types of yoga that pregnant women can do for their own and the baby’s benefit. For example, you shouldn’t be doing yoga in the third trimester because the baby’s vital organs and nervous system are in full development.Yoga during pregnancy is generally fine before this time. However, always check with a doctor before you get out your yoga mat. No matter how gentle you think these yogic exercises might be, pregnancy yoga is still a physical activity and a pregnant woman won't necessarily be able to do it for one reason or another. While the healing properties of pregnancy yoga may sound enticing, we can't stress enough how important it is to get advice from your medical practitioner before you start any type of new physical routine.Once you've got the green light from doctors and yoga teachers, you're good to start enjoying the benefits of yoga, be it in a yoga for pregnancy class, private yoga tutorials with specialist yoga teachers, or in a yoga workshop for e xpectant mothers.These types of classes will generally be quite calm and will focus on pelvic exercises to ensure that childbirth is as free of anxiety as possible. You'll look at relaxation techniques, improving your stamina and endurance for the physically demanding aspects of birthing the baby, and pregnancy exercises you can do to make your pregnancy easier.Of course, when say that you should do yoga when you’re pregnant, we mean yoga with pregnant women in mind. This type of yoga can help you improve your breathing techniques, something your yoga instructor or tutor can help you with, and your posture.Just because you've had the baby, that doesn't mean that you have to stop your yoga practice, either. In fact, there's postnatal yoga. Generally, this type of yoga will focus on alleviating the tension of your new life, leave you feeling relaxed, and help you to adjust your mind and body to a life of motherhood.Search for yoga Edinburgh lessons.Yoga for SeniorsWhen you get to a certain age, you need to adapt your physical activities. With this in mind, a lot of older people are wondering how they can start or continue doing yoga once they reach their golden years. You don’t need to stop doing yoga once you get old.No matter how old you are, yoga is great for your mind, body, and spirit. (Source: mohamed_hassan)Yoga for seniors is a type of yoga that can help those who are getting on in years. Let’s not forget, when you’re 75, you won’t be in as good a shape as you once were at 25. This type of yoga still includes the benefits such as improving your concentration and helping you to let go whether you’re a beginner or an expert.As you get older, there are certain yoga poses (known as asanas), such as twisting poses, that you will no longer be able to do without losing balance, falling, or causing injury. You need to pay particular attention to your spine, which probably won’t be as flexible as it once was. That said, regular practising yoga can s trengthen your spine and improve its flexibility.A tutor or yoga instructor will tell you which poses are the best for older yogis. The beauty of yoga lies in the fact that it brings together sport and meditation for people of any age, body type, and experience.What Are the Benefits of Yoga for the Disabled?This is a question that a lot of those with physical limitations will ask.Can those with physical disabilities do yoga?There are so many different types of yoga for different types of people. However, traditional yoga might not be suitable for everyone.There are physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to disability yoga. (Source: Ben_Kerckx)Of course, yoga for those with physical disabilities can still help you let go, relax, and enjoy almost all the benefits of yoga. You can listen to your body and harmonise it with your mind and spirit. This can help you achieve your physical goals, too.Yoga for those with physical disabilities can help you improve your self-confidence along w ith the help your yoga instructor will give you. This renewed confidence can make you more sociable and you can meet new people who do the same types of sporting activities. There’s nothing better than doing sport and meeting people!The Advantages of Doing Yoga as a CoupleThere are plenty of benefits to doing yoga as a couple. Doing yoga as a couple is a great way to benefit from meditation and a physical workout. In fact, doing yoga as a couple allows you to do plenty of different things including:Develop mutual trust through doing poses as a coupleGet to know your partner betterBuild confidence as a coupleEnjoy the benefits of yoga togetherDiscover a new hobby with your partnerLearn new exercises that only a couple can do togetherGet support during these exercisesSpend time together outside of the houseMeet new people togetherAnd many more!Yoga is great on your own. As a couple, it's even better! (Source: RachelScottYoga)It’s a fact that doing yoga as a couple with the help of a tutor or yoga instructor can be great for your relationship. In fact, there are plenty of poses designed for couples to do together. The closeness of two yogis can make yoga more than twice as effective.In fact, there are even exercises that are impossible to do on your own. Doing things together than bring couples closer together in mind, body, and spirit. Time spent together, even while doing yoga poses, can help you to let go, achieve mindfulness, and become closer as a couple.Making the decision to do yoga is easy, you just need to choose between ashtanga yoga, vinyasa yoga, hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, power yoga, and all the other types of yoga out there. As you do a challenging asana (pose), work on your pranayama (breathing techniques), and attend workshops or classes for beginners, you'll start strengthening muscles you didn't know you had, developing an awareness of yourself and the world around you, discovering deep relaxation, and harmonising your body, mind, and spirit. Thus, as you’ll have understood, yoga is a beautiful discipline that anyone can do and it's so much more than a bit of stretching, holding your breath, and chanting some mantras. Whether you’re an older person, have a physical disability, are in a couple, pregnant, etc., you can benefit from practising yoga, deep breathing, and meditation sessions. The rest is now up to you!

Are You Really Ready to Play Guitar Solos

Are You Really Ready to Play Guitar Solos Sign up successful E|||-O||-O|||-O| B|||-O||-O|||-O| G||O|||-O||-O|-X| D||O|||-O||-O|| A|||-O||-O|X|-O|| E|||-O||-O|||-O| or can be based on notes of the major scale (which I will have taught you at the beginning of the curriculum before introducing any chords at all): E|O||-O| B|O||-O| G||O|| D||O|-O| A||O|-O| E|O||-O| In both cases, youve got a substantial amount of leverage. Major scale solos should be slow and deliberate to start with. You might even think of each individual note as a separate syllable. The blues scale based ones, however, give you more room to move around and can vary in tempo as much as you want them to. Though Ive provided a checklist of relevant criteria above, determining the right time to branch into advanced forms of expression is not an easy call. While I advocate learning the two modalities in tandem with one another so as not to confuse soloing with any other musical skill, you may find yourself wanting to play along with songs by favorite artists. I wholeheartedly support this. If youre particularly solo-hungry, I recommend experimenting with notes in the major scale while practicing accompaniments. See what works for you. Find a pattern that says what you want it to. Picking out individual notes of major chords (as opposed to playing scale-based patterns one note at a time) is a great place to start. I recommend doing this as early in the curriculum as you feel compelled to. Expression is an area regarding which your guitar teacher can provide only guidance. Determining what or who you want to sound like is key to constructing a musical identity. For the most part, its best to learn as many chords and as much theory as possible before beginning to play guitar solos. However, practicing tricks along the way (i.e. picking out melodies from basic chord progressions) may expedite it and provide an otherwise inaccessible sense of direction. Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Cihat Ertem

Students Thrive When Theyre Not Isolated, Community Rolls Up Its Sleeves

Students Thrive When They’re Not Isolated, Community Rolls Up Its Sleeves Students Thrive When They’re Not Isolated, Community Rolls Up Its Sleeves Students Thrive When They’re Not Isolated, Community Rolls Up Its Sleeves September 1, 2015 By Emily Elliott, Executive Director Below is my two-minute response to the prompt “What Matters Most in Education,” shared recently with candidates for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education during a recent Community Conversation hosted by MeckEd. What matters most to me in public education is that our students in need are not isolated and that every child has the opportunity to fully realize his/her potential. This cannot be a “my children vs. other people’s children” question in Charlotte. What I can add to the conversation is what I see on a day-to-day basis which is how often that when people are asked “Will you be a volunteer tutor? Will you spend an hour per week to help a student who is struggling, who is not your child?” â€" how often people say YES. Hundreds of people are willing to help â€" business people, young professionals, community volunteers, college students. Many have no other interaction with public schools on a regular basis â€" 70% of Heart volunteers, actually â€" but they are rolling up their sleeves and care DEEPLY about Charlotte’s children. When in the schools, they see great things â€" talented teachers, hard-working administrators. They are also asking questions: Why is my student this far behind? Clearly, he can learn. We cannot let ourselves get used to the numbers â€" that more than half of economically disadvantaged students are not proficient in math and reading. In many ways, community members reduce isolation. Xavier now knows someone who works in a tall building downtown and has plans to do so himself. When we ask what he will do in the tall building, he says, “I’m going to own it!” I share this both as a bright spot â€" people care about this â€" but also to tell elected officials, please know, when you are making decisions about resource allocation and school assignments, please know that there is will, there is increasing knowledge, and there is LOVE of students whose odds are stacked against them. I see it every day. The community is behind you and is watching, and your work is urgent.

How to Get Financial Aid for Medical School

How to Get Financial Aid for Medical School MCAT Medical School Admissions Medical school is expensive. When applying, you have to be mentally prepared for the financial burden that attending medical school will place on your life. So, how much does medical school cost? Let’s find out... Medical School Tuition and Fees In 2013â€"2014, the average cost of med school tuition and fees at public schools was approximately $31,783 for in-state residents and $55,294 for non-residents. At private schools, the average annual tuition and fees was approximately $52,093 for residents and $50,476 for non-resident students. These figures discuss tuition alone and don’t even include health insurance, housing, books, and the cost of being out of the workforce. According to Julie Fresne, the director of student and resident deb management services at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), with such an immense cost of attending medical school, the median debt level for a graduating medical student is approximately $175,000 while 25% of graduating medical school students have debt exceeding $200,000. These numbers can truly be discouraging. However, aspiring medical students should know that there are many resources to help manage your money, get financial aid, and to pay for medical school. Getting Financial Aid for Med School Do not let the cost of medical school discourage you, as there are a variety of loans, scholarships, and grants available. There are need-based, merit based, and financial aid that requires service commitment. Need-based financial aid comes in the form of scholarships and loans. It requires students to apply and qualify for the assistance as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Need-based financial aid is available for medical students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Merit-based financial aid, on the other hand, is awarded in various amounts as funds allow. Recipients of this type of assistance are selected based on their personal profile, academic accomplishments, and their potential to lead and contribute to the medical school and industry. This type of financial aid considers and evaluates the student’s premed performance and MCAT score. For those who may not qualify for any of the above financial aid, federal student loans are available including, but are not limited to, the Stafford loan, the Perkins loan, and the PLUS loan. Depending on the student’s circumstances, federal loans may be able to cover the entire cost of medical schooling. Finally, medical school students can also apply for and receive private loans to help them get through their medical education. For more information, be sure to talk to the financial aid advisor at the medical schools you apply to as early as possible or contact the medical school admissions experts at InGenius Prep for advice on financial aid applications. This article was written by the medical school admissions experts at InGenius Prep. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Do the Classics put teenagers off reading

Do the Classics put teenagers off reading The Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and children's author David Walliams issue a call to publishers and schools to make English pupils Europe's most literate. Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan argued that: Books by Authors including Jane Austen and Charles Dickens should be made available for all pupils to enjoy them. ...If a child fails to learn how to read - the consequences can be nothing short of devastating, holding them back for the rest of their lives. The aim is for every secondary school to have sets of a wide range of classics, to improve reading standard as a Nation and to tackle the 'long tail of underachievement' . So why do teenagers find the Classics boring? There are arguably many reasons that a larger contemporary audience may struggle with older works of literature. Inaccessibility: A lot of teenagers struggle to identify with, for example, the whims of the landed gentry as so well portrayed by Austen and so find the stories a bit inaccessible. The Prose: Factors such as distance from the subject matter, the archaic nature of the vocabulary and the formal structure of the language can be pretty hard going. (Has anyone - other than English undergraduates - ever finished a Dickens novel?) Technology: Today's children's lives don't naturally have space for reading. They grow up with a continuous stream of entertainment - endless TV channels, digital devices and on-demand access. How do we make the Classics interesting? There's no doubt the Classics are great vocabulary boosters (indeed, how would we survive without knowing that 'consumption' also means tuberculosis - that most common of literary killers) and the role they play in illustrating correct grammar is invaluable in the era of the wandering apostrophe. I am absolutely determined to make sure that every child, no matter where they live or what their background, learns to read, to read widely and to read well - giving them the best opportunity to get on in life. The plot can be glacial in pace when compared to today's world of Fast and Furious films and Xbox games in which characters explode long before consumption takes hold of them. So what is a tutor to do to make them engaging and how can a parent entice their teenagers to surrender the iPad and take up the humble paperback? Is it a battle worth fighting? We'd love to know your thoughts!

International Scholarships 101 - by TutorNerds

International Scholarships 101 - by TutorNerds Tips from an Irvine College Consultant:   International Scholarships 101 Many students dream of coming to the United States to attend college or university. With such an expansive geographical area, multiple cultures, climates, and every major imaginable, the USA is a fabulous place to get a postsecondary education. Unfortunately, international tuition is extremely expensive and the majority of students will need help of some kind. Fortunately, there are some fabulous scholarships available through private and public institutions and some universities are more generous at handing out scholarships and financial aid than others. Lets take a look. 1. Foreign Fulbright Student Program This scholarship offers a potential full-ride for an international student who would like to come to the USA in pursuit of a post baccalaureate degree, such as a Masters or PhD. This is a fabulous opportunity because, in addition to basic tuition and educational expenses, it also covers health insurance and even airfare. This particular scholarship is provided by the government rather than a specific college or university (READ: 8 Reasons Applicants Fail to Get Into the College of Their Choice). 2. Money directly from universities In addition to government scholarships, many universities offer either merit or need-based scholarships. Some of these programs include the Amherst College scholarships, Arkansas University scholarships, Columbia College scholarships Cornell University scholarships and so on. A full list is available here. Particularly impressive is the help offered from Berea College, where every admitted student can receive a four-year tuition scholarship. Colby-Sawyer College offers up to $24,000 per year in aid and Concordia College offers up to $25,000 per year. 3. Private institutions and non-government agency scholarships The AAUW International Fellowship provides international female students with the opportunity to conduct full-time study or research in the US. This fellowship is for post baccalaureate study and can provide up to $18,000 for Masters Degree study and $20,000 for PhD study. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme offers a small number of scholarships for postgraduate studies that can be used in the United States. This is meant for students who can find no other way to finance their studies. Although a few extremely lucky international students will receive full scholarships or hefty aid packages, many students will find that education is partially funded through a scholarship but that they are responsible for the remainder. So what is the next step for students who need to come up with enough money to make ends meet during their international studies? 1. First off, always contact the financial aid offices of each college or university directly. Larger universities generally have some money set aside for international aid. However, its entirely up to the student to ask for and gather this information on their own. 2. Have a high score on the TOEFL. The majority of colleges and universities that give merit-based or need-based financial aid to international students from countries that don’t speak English, will require a high TOEFL score. The higher the score, the better the chances. International students who are hoping for aid packages should be prepared to take the TOEFL two or three times even if they are already conversational or fluent in English. 4. Beware of Scams! There are many fabulous legitimate scholarships and financial aid packages out there, but international students coming to the USA are subject to people who are trying to scam students out of their hard-earned savings. Students should look out for a few red flags when applying for international scholarships (READ: 5 Tips For Your College Entrance Essay). 1. Too good to be true? Programs that offer an incredibly large amount of money, or some sort of guarantee, or any other thing that seems too good to be true, probably is. Scholarship programs never give money away so it’s important that students watch out for this type of scam. 2. Money and fees. If the program asks for a hefty fee upfront or a lot of money to process the application, the applicant should be under alert. If the program advertises that they will give $100,000 in scholarship money in exchange for $250 upfront, its probably a scam. 3. Social media checks. Students can protect themselves by doing social media checks on suspicious scholarship programs. Its highly likely that somebody who was scammed in the past will have written about it online. Any scholarship that looks even slightly suspicious should be a red flag for students to do an online background check. Always make sure to talk to somebody in person or on the phone, look for complaints, and get appropriate references. Always use your best judgment. Although funding study in the United States can be very difficult, its a fabulous place to learn and live in, and at the end of the day there are so many great options for international students. Sources: International Student: Avoid Scholarship Scams International Student: International Scholarships All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about. International Scholarships 101 - by TutorNerds Tips from an Irvine College Consultant:   International Scholarships 101 Many students dream of coming to the United States to attend college or university. With such an expansive geographical area, multiple cultures, climates, and every major imaginable, the USA is a fabulous place to get a postsecondary education. Unfortunately, international tuition is extremely expensive and the majority of students will need help of some kind. Fortunately, there are some fabulous scholarships available through private and public institutions and some universities are more generous at handing out scholarships and financial aid than others. Lets take a look. 1. Foreign Fulbright Student Program This scholarship offers a potential full-ride for an international student who would like to come to the USA in pursuit of a post baccalaureate degree, such as a Masters or PhD. This is a fabulous opportunity because, in addition to basic tuition and educational expenses, it also covers health insurance and even airfare. This particular scholarship is provided by the government rather than a specific college or university (READ: 8 Reasons Applicants Fail to Get Into the College of Their Choice). 2. Money directly from universities In addition to government scholarships, many universities offer either merit or need-based scholarships. Some of these programs include the Amherst College scholarships, Arkansas University scholarships, Columbia College scholarships Cornell University scholarships and so on. A full list is available here. Particularly impressive is the help offered from Berea College, where every admitted student can receive a four-year tuition scholarship. Colby-Sawyer College offers up to $24,000 per year in aid and Concordia College offers up to $25,000 per year. 3. Private institutions and non-government agency scholarships The AAUW International Fellowship provides international female students with the opportunity to conduct full-time study or research in the US. This fellowship is for post baccalaureate study and can provide up to $18,000 for Masters Degree study and $20,000 for PhD study. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme offers a small number of scholarships for postgraduate studies that can be used in the United States. This is meant for students who can find no other way to finance their studies. Although a few extremely lucky international students will receive full scholarships or hefty aid packages, many students will find that education is partially funded through a scholarship but that they are responsible for the remainder. So what is the next step for students who need to come up with enough money to make ends meet during their international studies? 1. First off, always contact the financial aid offices of each college or university directly. Larger universities generally have some money set aside for international aid. However, its entirely up to the student to ask for and gather this information on their own. 2. Have a high score on the TOEFL. The majority of colleges and universities that give merit-based or need-based financial aid to international students from countries that don’t speak English, will require a high TOEFL score. The higher the score, the better the chances. International students who are hoping for aid packages should be prepared to take the TOEFL two or three times even if they are already conversational or fluent in English. 4. Beware of Scams! There are many fabulous legitimate scholarships and financial aid packages out there, but international students coming to the USA are subject to people who are trying to scam students out of their hard-earned savings. Students should look out for a few red flags when applying for international scholarships (READ: 5 Tips For Your College Entrance Essay). 1. Too good to be true? Programs that offer an incredibly large amount of money, or some sort of guarantee, or any other thing that seems too good to be true, probably is. Scholarship programs never give money away so it’s important that students watch out for this type of scam. 2. Money and fees. If the program asks for a hefty fee upfront or a lot of money to process the application, the applicant should be under alert. If the program advertises that they will give $100,000 in scholarship money in exchange for $250 upfront, its probably a scam. 3. Social media checks. Students can protect themselves by doing social media checks on suspicious scholarship programs. Its highly likely that somebody who was scammed in the past will have written about it online. Any scholarship that looks even slightly suspicious should be a red flag for students to do an online background check. Always make sure to talk to somebody in person or on the phone, look for complaints, and get appropriate references. Always use your best judgment. Although funding study in the United States can be very difficult, its a fabulous place to learn and live in, and at the end of the day there are so many great options for international students. Sources: International Student: Avoid Scholarship Scams International Student: International Scholarships All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.