Video Presentation: Reflections on my Personal Brand

The Best Social Media for your Travels Abroad

There is no doubt that social media has revolutionised the way we interact. Everything from applying for jobs to catching up with friends has shifted online. So why wouldn’t it be an important tool to use while you’re away? I’ll share the latest social media that will help you make the most of your year abroad. Open a new tab, and get ready!

Twitter – For Short and Sweet Updates

Facebook is in danger of becoming the latest Myspace, as more of us swap posting pictures of what we’re eating in favour of speedy 140-character updates. At first it may seem like a page of random thoughts, but judging by the number of us who appear glued to our phones, it soon becomes addictive. Twitter is most useful for getting information fast. By following friends, newsfeeds and *insert random celebrities* you can see what’s ‘trending’ locally and globally.

Skype – ‘Phone Home’

In the words of E.T. ‘phone home’, but Skype is slightly more technical than pointing your finger to the sky. The video calling service allows you to contact friends and family without running up expensive phone bills. You can add contacts; sort them into groups and share videos and websites. Think of an updated MSN messenger but with webcam. And best of all, it’s free. All you need is a good internet connection, so there’s no excuse for not keeping your family informed about every little detail of your year abroad. 

Instagram – DSLR-it-up!

Instagram is fast becoming the ultimate photo-sharing website. Its many editing features give your photos a professional look by replicating the effects created by expensive DSLR cameras.  Another plus of Instagram is that you can follow your friends to see their latest snaps, and share your own photos. So when you visit that gallery abroad why not ‘Instagram-it’?

Pinterest – To Aspire and Reminisce

If you’re deciding to go on a year abroad you’re probably a fairly organised person. In that case, Pinterest is your greatest ally. It’s a site that allows you to ‘pin’ articles, pictures, anything, and organise them onto virtual boards. It’s simple yet very effective. The boards can be private or public, and depending on your interests you can follow boards and ‘repin’ what you like. So whether you want to save handy travel blogs, or repin a picture of a place you’d like to visit when you arrive, Pinterest is a brilliant way to collate and sort information. Much better than storing it all in your head, right? 

LinkedIn – Stay in Touch and Look Ahead

If you thought LinkedIn was only used by your university lecturers and past school teachers you would be doing the site a disservice. Joining LinkedIn is a great way to stay in touch with professional contacts you make while you are at university, on work experience or studying abroad, all of whom may prove useful in the future. It’s better to start building up your network now, while you’re at university, as opposed to tracking down potential contacts once you’ve graduated. The site is aimed at young professionals and allows you to advertise yourself accordingly (i.e. no embarrassing Facebook photos). You can join groups and forums that are related to your preferred industry and it also allows you to get recommendations and endorsements from contacts that can vouch for your skills. LinkedIn will help you match up to the competition and give you an insight to your chosen career path. 

So now you’re all clued up on the world of social media, why not get started now?

In the meantime, share your favourite social media below!

Newswire: Animal Culling - The View Worldwide

The pilot badger culls in west Gloucester and west Somerset are dividing England, as campaigners and government bodies jostle arguments of practicality over issues of humanity.

Practices to curb bovine TB stretch far beyond English shores and as countries such as Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, achieve successful results through the targeted use of culling, it is fast becoming an appealing prospect for the English government.

TB Free England is a prominent supporter of the badger cull in England and the organisation's figures on the rising number of cattle killed due to bovine TB are compelling. Since 1998 the number of cattle killed has quadrupled, 28,284 cattle were slaughtered last year compared to 6,000 in 1998.

However, Kate Fowler from Animal Aid rejects claims that badgers are the primary contributing factor to depleting cattle rates in England, she says: “Independent scientists and wildlife experts agree it will not contribute meaningfully to the reduction in bTB in cows. There are several other diseases and conditions that dairy cows suffer from - including lameness and mastitis - that leads to the premature deaths of many more cows than TB. Why scapegoat badgers? Shooting badgers in the dark as they run for their lives is a welfare disaster.”

Ireland

Since the Irish government extended its culling policy in 2004 the number for cattle testing positive for the disease has dramatically decreased. In 2000 40,000 cattle were affected by the disease compared to 18,500 last year. Methods include imposing traps and shooting badgers in zones situated 2km or less from animal farmland. Following the enhanced legislation last year 7,000 badgers were culled in Ireland. The Irish government’s willingness to impose culling can be attributed to the fact that a large proportion of the Irish workforce rely on dairy farming as a source of income, in 2011 the number of dairy producers in the Irish Republic was shown to be 25 times greater than in the Britain.

New Zealand

New Zealand is regarded as the poster-child for successful animal culling against bovine TB. Since possums are non-native to New Zealand, authorities have been able to aggressively target the population with relatively little resistance from the public. The result has been that bovine TB is eradicated in ten out of New Zealand's twenty-five previously affected locations. The number of herds affected by TB in 2012 stood under 200.

Although New Zealand has reduced TB by 94% since the culling of possums began in 1990, its extensive use of the poisonous white powder has led many to question New its ethical code. Animal deaths from consumption of 1080 poison range from six hours to a unethical eighteen hours until the animal experiences cardiac arrest.  Its controversial use of 1080 poison in the culling of possums has attracted fierce criticism from animal campaigners, such as Animal Aid who have labelled the practice ‘hideously protracted'.

Australia

Through intensive culling, quarantine and surveillance Australia has also reduced bovine TB. Their success can be attributed to the rigorous targeting of the feral buffalo population during the Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign. In Kakadu National Park the aerial shooting of feral buffalo, reduced the population from 20000 in 1979 to under 250 in 1996. Overall Australia has effectively reduced the risk of bTB through targeted culling. Since the 1980s the population of feral buffalo in northern Australia has plummeted from 350,000 to an estimated 150,000 in 2008. Its last outbreak was reported in wild buffalo in 2002, but officials concede the ability to entirely cull the population is impossible.

America

The US is no stranger to animal culling with rigorous tests for bovine TB in the white deer population beginning in 1995. Across the US there are an estimated 30 million white-tailed deer and methods to cull the expanding population are met with virulent opposition from campaigners and deer-friendly communities. The disease which poses a threat to cattle herds is still prevalent in California and Michigan. Following an outbreak last year, 23 animals were identified to have contracted the disease. Although bovine TB is currently under control with occasional sporadic outbreaks, it appears the US is yet to find a universally accepted solution to control bovine TB long term.

Canada

Following a series of TB related issues among wild elk in Manitoba, Canada during the 1990s the government chose to tackle the bovine disease by implementing a series of controls. Artificial barriers were erected to protect cattle populations, while wildlife reservoirs were created to prevent the migration of infected herds outside of Riding Mountain National Park. In 2009 the Canadian government organised a cull of the remaining infected elk, but rather than simply destroy affected populations, Canada's aerial cull also aimed to study bovine TB and solve future potential outbreaks in cattle stock.

Wales

Between 2011 and 2012 reported cases of cattle carrying TB in Wales rose 15%, resulting in the culling of 9,307 cows. The rising numbers have prompted the Welsh government  to find a long term solution to the problem. Vaccines are now being used to raise immunity against bTB within badgers. Intensive Action Areas have been set up in North Pembrokeshire and parts of Ceredigion, and since May 1424 badgers have been vaccinated. In the last five years 48,000 cows have been destroyed in Wales due to bovine TB, and officials accept that the desired results from vaccination will not be instantaneous.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: "There is no quick fix to tackling this disease. It demands a sustainable and long-term approach that includes a range of different measures, including strict biosecurity protocols and cattle movement restrictions.

This should over time result in a decrease in the level of infection and reduce the risk of the disease spreading to cattle.”

Supporters of the badger cull however remain doubtful of the longevity of the programme, deeming it costly and and time-consuming. TB Free England estimate that the total cost of  the Welsh government's five year vaccination programme will amount to an extortionate £3,310 per badger.

With countries around the world adopting different strategies towards tackling bovine TB, will the aftermath of the badger culls in England encourage the British government to consider alternative methods of bTB prevention? The National Farmers Union has rejected vaccination as costly, but it may just be the long-term solution needed to effectively tackle bovineTB.

Irrespective of previous trials, animal campaigners remain doubtful that the badger cull will have a significant effect on bTB rates and claim the logistics of the operation are flawed. Kate Fowler says, “The marksmen are told to shoot animals broadside, while the nearside front leg is forward to expose the heart, but not near the sett or long grass - how are they supposed to shoot 5000 badgers in six weeks while following those conditions? It is impossible.”

Who is your favourite coming-of-age protagonist?

Who is your favourite coming-of-age protagonist?

The age old story of a young person finding their place in the world never fails to captivate and amuse, but which character holds the top spot for you?

With promises this week from the authors of JD Salinger's new biography that more of his never before seen works will be published, we want to know which coming-of-age characters are dear to your heart.

Many will know and adore Holden's fiesty demeanor from a 'Catcher in the Rye', but there is also a fair argument for young characters from more recent times. Perhaps Miles from 'Looking for Alaska' and his morbid fascination with famous last words struck a note upon your first reading? Or maybe you were inspired by Callum's steely determination to defy the racial hierachy in Malorie Blackman's dystopian fiction 'Noughts and Crosses'?

But let us not forget the young things of the English classics. Who can forget Fanny's often comical reportage on the shenanigans of the upper classes in Nancy Mitford's novel 'Love in a Cold Climate'. Or how about the vulnerable darlings that blossom into assured adults? Burney's initally nameless Evelina navigates her way around 'the world', avoiding a series of clingy suitors before successfully amassing a title, inheritance and happy marriage. If the journey from nameless beauty to reverred socialite is not quite up your street, maybe Pip from Dickens' 'Great Expectations' stole your sympathy?

Your favourite coming-of-age character might be one or none of the above. Whether they dominate lead roles in blockbusters today or are from times gone by, share your best-loved coming-of-age characters below.

Lovebox - A soundclash of European Music

At last! My Letter of Admission from Heidelberg arrived this week. Now my plans for next year are set in motion, I aim to enjoy the summer with my nearest and dearest before leaving for Heidelberg.

Yesterday I attended Lovebox, a music festival in Victoria Park, London. The festival is a mash-up of the latest trends in fashion, art and most importantly music that the capital has to offer. Its slogan – ‘Heart, soul, rock and roll’ reflects the diverse crowds Lovebox attracts and the positive vibes that everyone from its artists to ravers enjoys. 

My sister and I went to our third Lovebox this summer and the line-up didn’t disappoint. The best act was Rudimental who got the crowd jumping in the sunshine and singing along to their trumpet playing. 

There was also a massive display of electronic dance acts this year which featured Duke Dumont and Disclosure. Even Azealia Banks who graced the crowd in a lime green bodysuit and neon pink megaphone had a set inspired by the German electronic dance scene, most evident in her song ‘Bambi’. 

I’m still waiting to find out if I have been successful in gaining a room in the university-run student halls. Although there are alternatives, being offered a room in the student halls is more convenient. Private rents in Germany vary, starting at a reasonable €200pcm and peaking at an eye-watering €500pcm. 

In the meantime, I’ve joined the University’s Facebook page for incoming international students. If you’re going on a year abroad, joining the university’s official Facebook group is an easy way to keep up to date with important developments and get a fast response to any questions you may have. I’ll keep you posted!

German Culture

I’ll be departing for Germany in under a month, and its nearness has gotten me thinking about leaving one community and joining another. I’ve devoted this latest post to German culture. 

This week the BBC aired the documentary, ‘Make Me a German’. It’s a must watch and provides a great insight into the varying cultural norms of European cities. The show a social experiment takes a conventional British family and gives them the identities of average German citizens. Situated in Nuremberg, a city with a staunchly nationalist past, the family must act out their lives as conventional Germans to the tiniest detail. This includes housewives with four hours of daily cleaning, husbands who are the sole bread-winners, and being efficient, especially at work where in some companies phones are prohibited for the duration of the day. 

One key point the documentary highlighted was the familial tensions created when the British family were expected to conform to rigid gender roles. The wife’s desire to detach herself from the identity of a housewife was most evident as she shook off her inability to reach daily housekeeping quotas with nonchalance, while the husband who was given a job at a pencil factory, also struggled to maintain the average work ethic of a German male. In the factory where success is determined by the performance of the whole team, he was frequently picked up by the factory supervisor for punctuality, slowness and using his mobile. 

‘Make Me a German’ which sought to find out why Germans are so successful perhaps unsurprisingly concluded that as an industrial nation, teamwork and ‘doing your bit’ is an integral part of German culture.  In the UK, when it comes to achieving success greater emphasis is placed on the individual and reaching goals independently. The documentary made me consider whether the freedom to make your own choices independent of the group outweighs making sacrifices for the greater good. Although in reality these two factors would not be mutually exclusive, at least for me personal agency is paramount. 

This being said, it would be ridiculous to assume to know everything about a country’s culture within the space of an hour length documentary.  I hope my own experiences in Germany over the next year will give me a positive impression of the country. 

On a lighter note, electronic dance music is also a big part German culture. Laserkraft 3D’s ‘Nein Mann’ is a funny take on the scene, their video has gone viral with over twenty-seven-million hits on Youtube. It’s well worth checking out for the dancing and neon faces alone!

And if you have watched ‘Make Me a German’, what did you think? Share your comments below!