Archive for the Lattitude News Category

Shopping Abroad: How to Haggle

 

haggling in the markets, tips for volunteers and backpackers

haggling in the markets, tips for volunteers and backpackers

By Roberta Geraci

Whenever we go away, we are always obliged to buy something; be it souvenirs, local goods and produce or something that simply costs less abroad. Everyone loves a gift and no one really wants a “my boyfriend/girlfriend went to New York and all I got was this lousy T-shirt” T-shirt. So how can you shop smarter, get the goods you want of better quality and for a cheaper price? I present the guide to Smarter Shopping abroad. Part one will look at Markets and how to haggle like a pro, and part two will deal with what and where to buy some of the best exotic or traditional treasures a region has to offer.

One of the best ways to shop smarter abroad is to avoid the big retail stores and head to the market. A good market can host a treasure trove of local foods, high quality hand made goods, rare or unique antiques or simply a bargain. Whether its Portobello market in London, Istanbul Grand Bazaar in Turkey or the Jalan Gaya Street Fair in Borneo, markets can be vibrant and exciting places to visit.

But, negotiating markets abroad can be a tricky and sometimes daunting prospect. Foreign money may seem like Monopoly money, sellers can be pushy and try to rip you off and faked goods may seem like the real deal. So when shopping in markets abroad, follow these tips to avoid any pitfalls and learn to master the art of haggling like a pro.

1.    Money matters!

Firstly cash is king in markets, and local currency will always work out cheaper for you. Your average market seller is pretty wise to exchange rates and it is unlikely you will be able to get a good exchange rate from them. So be sure to carry the local currency, but importantly know how much it equates to. A handy tip is to work out the equivalent of 5,10,25,50 and 100 in local currency and either write it down or remember it. Working out how much something costs is essential to avoid being ripped off and you could always use a currency converter app on your phone (link to travel apps). Remember that carrying cash in a market can make you an easy target for pickpockets (link to travel safety), ensure you divide your money up and never bring out a huge wad of cash when paying for something.

2.    Research

The second thing to do is research how much something should cost in the local area, especially if it is a high price item. What may seem cheap to us could actually mean a tidy profit for the seller. The internet is filled with good tips and sites like Martins money saving tips can be a good place to start before you go away. While abroad don’t be afraid to shop around, large markets usually have hundreds of stalls selling similar items so get several prices before buying the first thing you see.

3.    Haggle

Confidence is everything when haggling, so stop caring what people think and don’t be embarrassed. Set your standards before you start and think, how much do I want to pay for this item? A handy tip from Joe Questel, a marketing consultant,  is do not be afraid of silence. “Silence almost always works in your favour. It says you’re on the fence, that you need just one more goodie to get the deal done.” Hesitate during your negotiations and pretend to consult with a reluctant partner if the seller is not budging. Looking like you will walk away is the best way to grab the sellers’ attention. Remember pick your battles wisely and if the seller is not meeting your satisfied price, be prepared to walk away and try again elsewhere. All in all being courteous, polite and friendly will more likely get you a deal then being rude and aggressive.

 

Places worthy of an Oscar

Locations worthy of an Oscar

By Roberta Geraci

With the Oscars just around the corner, the film awards season is coming to its climax. While actors and actresses are frequently praised for their performances, in lots of films the real star is the location. An excellent setting can be central to the storyline, provide an incredible backdrop or in some cases be an important character.

So in order to award these spectacular settings their place in the spotlight, below are a list of five of the best film locations from around the world and the films that feature them. Action!

Lattitude volunteers exploring some of the peaks in New Zealand, taken by sam

Lattitude volunteers exploring some of the peaks in New Zealand, taken by Sam

1.    New Zealand – The Lord of the Rings

While Middle Earth is an entirely fictional place the stunning landscapes seen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy are situated in various places across New Zealand. Director Peter Jackson a native New Zealander did more to boost the tourist industry in the islands than anyone else and the Lord of the Rings went on to become on of the largest grossing franchises in cinema history. With The Hobbit due on our screens again this year, New Zealand’s stunning vistas will return together with Hobbiton, which is now open in New Zealand to guided tours!

2.    Hollywood, California – The Artist

What would a list about film locations be without the spiritual home of cinema, Hollywood. The Artist is the hot favourite to win best film at the Oscars this year with its 1920’s romantic view of Hollywood and the film industry from yesteryear. Hollywood is absolutely central to the story and while much of Hollywood has changed dramatically from that era, fortunately, certain Theatres remain including The Million Dollar Theater and nearby theatres like the Orpheum Theatre and The Los Angeles Theatre.

Some of our recent volunteers in the UK enjoying their orientation in London

Some of our recent volunteers in the UK enjoying their orientation in London

 3.    London, England – Sherlock Holmes

London has been central to many great films over the years but with Sherlock Holmes in the cinema’s and the BBC’s excellent modern television adaptation, the great detective appears to be witnessing a surge in popularity. The books originally by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle always placed London at the turn of the twentieth century as a central character and the films and television series successfully capture both London’s charms and darker side. Make sure to visit 221B Baker Street and see where Holmes and Watson were said to have lived. Elementary.

Beautiful sunset on Fiji taken by volunteer Richard

Beautiful sunset on Fiji taken by volunteer Richard

4.    Monuriki, Fiji – Castaway

Monuriki is an uninhabited tiny island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to a series of Islands that make up Fiji. A beautiful paradise island with white beaches and tropical flora it sounds like a great location, yet Tom Hanks in Castaway didn’t seem too happy to spend months on end alone there. Still Fiji remains a fantastic destination and an incredible setting for the film which rightly landed Tom Hanks an Oscar. But who could forget the excellent performance of Wilson the volleyball who sadly missed out on the best supporting actor Oscar that year.

Business meets tradition on the streets of Japan, taken by volunteer Dafydd

Business meets tradition on the streets of Japan, taken by volunteer Dafydd

5.    Tokyo, Japan – Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation  was a highly acclaimed film from director Sofia Coppola and was nominated for four Oscars. Actor Bill Murray gave one of the performances of his career but the real highlight was the city of Tokyo. Tokyo’s bustling city streets, neon lights and technology obsessed inhabitants made for a stark contrast when compared to the loneliness and sadness the main character portrayed. The film used actual locations and all of the places, bars and businesses existed in Tokyo at the time of filming, giving it a heightened realism. Tokyo remains a unique location where the traditions of Japan’s ancient temples and gardens meet with the hustle of one of the largest cities on earth.

Pancakes of the world!!!

Pancake Day

By Roberta Geraci

 

Today is Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday and is celebrated here in the UK with the traditional pancake recipe we all know and love. But did you know that around the World many other countries celebrate Pancake Day with different festivals, carnivals and differing recipes for pancakes? Below are some of the ways other countries celebrate and some delicious ideas for a more adventurous pancake day.

 

France – Crêpe

France celebrates Mardi Gras in a big way particularly in Nice by staging a 10 day Carnival. It is traditional to dress up and wear masks and parade through the streets. While England has a more muted experience you can still celebrate in French style at home by making traditional French pancakes or crêpes.

Crepes are normally thinner but larger pancakes and can be made either savoury or sweet. Traditional French recipes include Crêpe Suzette which is commonly made by pouring liqueur (usually Grand Marnier) over a freshly cooked crêpe with sugar and lighting it. This will make the alcohol in the liqueur evaporate, resulting in a thick, caramelised sauce. Tres Bon!

 

India – Dosa

While India does not traditionally celebrate Pancake Day they are home to a great pancake recipe, the Dosa. This savoury pancake originates from Southern India, but has become popular right across India and increasingly Dosa restaurants are found here in Europe.

Dosas are a thin and crispy pancake, which make the perfect accompaniment to chutneys, pickles or served with curry.

 

Sweden – Raggmunk

In Sweden, Shrove Tuesday is known as Fettisdagen which translates to “Fat Tuesday” a fairly accurate description considering what most of us eat on Pancake Day! In Sweden pancakes are known as Raggmunk and are made with potatoes for a thicker consistency.  Raggmunk are often served with thick slices of fried pork or bacon and lingonberries for a tasty and filling meal.

 

USA – Pancakes

The United States is home to lots of carnivals and festivities for Mardi Gras but the best known is in New Orleans. Celebrations are long and extravagant and usually begin two weeks before Mardi Gras culminating in the largest parade today. In the USA pancakes are often eaten for breakfast usually served in a stack with bacon, eggs and syrup. For a healthier alternative try serving them with blueberries or bananas. American Pancakes are thicker and more fluffy than the UK equivalent as they use beaten egg whites.

How to deal with Homesickness

by Roberta Geraci

Dealing with homesickness, volunteering overseas

Anyone living abroad for an extended period will be able to tell you that while volunteering or travelling is an incredible life changing experience, we have all had the odd day where we wished we could be at home. Homesickness can come in varying forms and to different extents, be it missing; loved ones and family, friends, home comforts, certain food and drink, or just your own bed.  The key to combating homesickness is to realise that you are not alone and it is a perfectly normal part of living abroad.

Scientists, Psychologists and Authors have long debated, discussed and hypothesised about the reasons behind it, dating as far back as Homer’s The Odessy, where Odysseus wept and rolled on the hard ground thinking of home. Culture shock or the feeling of not belonging even has a graph associated with it, the so called “W-curve.”

So while homesickness is nothing to be embarrassed about and is a normal part of spending time abroad, can anything be done to lessen the effects, or in other words, how can you cope with being homesick? Below are a number of useful tips originating from discussions with experienced travellers and volunteers, which can have a real benefit to help you overcome homesickness.

 

1.    Get stuck in

The most common tip from people who have experienced extended time away from home is to immerse yourself in the new culture, meet people, taste the food and drink on offer, experience the sights and sounds and become more like a local. Getting stuck in to your new way of life and keeping busy is the best way to enjoy and get the most from your experience, to make new friends and to learn a great deal. When you leave your placement the time you spent will be filled with positive memories and the place will feel like a second home.

 

2.    Keep in touch

There are a whole host of ways to keep in touch with friends and family back home these days, including; phone calls, letters, emails, facebook, skype, carrier pigeons etc…The important thing to remember is that whilst you should make an effort to keep in touch with those back home, calling them every day or spending hours on the internet will likely make you feel more homesick. The best thing to do is to arrange a time to call your family once a week and try to stick to it. Of course, should circumstances change you should keep people at home informed of your whereabouts  but remember to enjoy the freedom of your time abroad.

 

3.    Practice makes perfect!

Some psychologists feel that homesickness is best dealt with by practising being away from home, and this makes a lot of sense. If you are used to going everywhere with your friends and family, try spending sometime on your own and practice being content with some alone time. Other ideas could include spending a week or two on holiday with friends or visiting other relatives without your siblings or parents, especially if you know you have a long-term placement on the horizon.

 

4.    Dear Diary….

A great tip is to keep a journal of your experiences, or today’s equivalent a blog. This can be a great way to jot down memories and experiences and share them either instantly with those back home or when you get back. Keeping a diary is said to have therapeutic effects and can help give structure and reflection to your time abroad.

 

5.    A Home away from Home

Finally remember that a home is not just a physical space but an emotional one. Try bringing some photos, your favourite book or small memorabilia with you to carve out your own space in your new country. Often making the place reflect your personality by decorating and customising it will make you feel more cozy and comfortable. A positive attitude will go a long way to helping you combat homesickness and getting the most from your experience.

 

How to travel light on your gap year

Matt volunteered in China as an English Teacher on his gap year

We have all been there the night before an exciting trip, packing and repacking the suitcase, trying to decide between 4 pairs of shoes for a weekend away and coming to the conclusion that you need all 4. Well imagine packing for a long term placement abroad between 3-12 months and it may seem impossible. The following tips should help ease the process.

1. The most important tip is to pack for the environment you are visiting and to take practical clothing. T-shirts and shorts might seem like a good idea but not if you are going to the arctic circle!

2. Bring a Swimming costume. Even if you are not heading to a hot location, with a costume you will be able to shower anywhere.

3. A pair of Flipflops are great for the hottest days, for walking around hostels and showering in some of the less desirable places. They are light and buoyant useful if travelling anywhere by boat!

4. Take your medicine and a prescription. You will need a doctors prescriptions for any medicines when crossing borders and going through customs. If you loose your medicine than a prescription will help foreign doctors determine what to give you. Pack enough reserves to last your trip and try to remember the names of the drug you are taking just in case.

5. Whatever you forgot you will most likely be able to buy there. Buying clothes locally will make you look more like a local and are probably more appropriate for the climate and environment where you are staying. Electricals are generally cheaper elsewhere and if you buy them at airports you may qualify for duty free prices. Don’t forget that if using UK equipment such as mobile phone recharges you will most likely need an adaptor, these can be bought at airports. Remember to check the voltage of any electrical equipment and the voltage of the country where you are going. For example travel hairdryers often have two voltage setting. Generally it may be cheaper to get hairdryers on location or if staying in a hostel it might be provided or you could always try to borrow your room mate’s one!

6. A good rucksack is an essential purchase before leaving as it gives you added flexibility and comfort. Some of the larger packs have detachable day packs which can be a great way to travel within your destination. When taking luggage or rucksacks, remember whatever you bring you will need to carry yourself so try not to make it too heavy.

7. A light and foldable rainmac is an essential item in even the hottest of locations.

8. Sunglasses and sunscreen are neccessary when travelling to hotter destinations. Make sure to get a higher Spf number sunscreen if staying in the sun for long periods of time.

9. A Collapsable water bottle and water tablets are good purchases if your unsure of the quality of water abroad.

10. Comfortable, water proof shoes are far more practical than Jimmy Choo’s and important when travelling long distances.

11. Clothing:For guys a blue long sleeve shirt can double up for a casual look during the day, with the sleeves rolled up and smart at night. You will probably look less like a tourist too, as this is popular around the world.

12. Beware of scams over the internet. A good idea is to set up a password or a secret word that only your family or friends know so if you email them asking for money they will know it is you and not an hacker. Remember when travelling across borders there are limits on the amount of Cash you carry. It is also useful to take two types of money eg. Cash and card or travellers cheques etc.

13. Learn few important numbers by heart, eg your embassy and keep them written down in a safe place for example in the inside of your shoes! Don’t forget when abroad the dialling code for the country you wish to call,  for example +44 is the UK dialling code.

 

 

5 Quick and Easy English Games for the Volunteer Abroad

5 Quick and Easy English Games for the Volunteer Abroad

Will Peach is one of the site editors over at Gap Daemon, the gap year travel website for backpackers and young travelers. You can also catch him writing on My Spanish Adventure about his travels in Spain where he works as a private English tutor.

So you’ve rocked up abroad and you’re about to start your new teaching placement. Nervous yet? It’s only natural. But before you start quaking in your boots and worrying about how you’re going to fill your time in front of class, take a moment to breathe and grab yourself a warm cup of coffee. I’m about to soothe your pain.

Quick and easy “teach English” games are a staple in the life of the volunteer abroad. As any teacher will tell you, having these in your arsenal is a failsafe akin to travelling the world on the riches of Bill Gates. The best thing about these however? You don’t need a classroom or much time to prepare. They really are simple enough to take with you and use anywhere at anytime.

Ready? Let’s get cracking.

 

Bonk

The rather rude sounding “bonk” is actually rather innocent in nature. This game involves getting all your “students” to stand in a circle and then you start off by shouting out a category they will know vocabulary from (works well with beginners and things like animals, sports and months – with higher levels use things like adverbs for example). Each student shouts a word related to the category out in a clockwise motion starting from the student on your left. If a word is repeated or a student hesitates you “bonk” them on the head with a soft object and they sit out the game. The last one standing wins.

 

Listen Closely

“Listen Closely” is one of my favourite teach English games because it allows you to really get to know the personalities of your students. It works by dividing the students into teams (pairs or threes works best) and giving them each a name. You then say a sentence that is either correct or incorrect using the vocabulary they know. For beginners try: “Will is wearing a skirt and blue socks” and for higher levels say something like “Will studied in the University of Sussex”. Each team has to then say whether the sentence is correct or not and if not they have to give their correction. Switch around the team that goes first to make it fairer.

 

Draw What You Hear

This game involves having something to draw on and works best if you have students running (or walking) from a distance. “Draw What You Hear” is a great game to gauge the language level of your students and to revise things they might have just learnt. It involves separating a class into two teams and then having them run to some paper or a board and drawing what you describe. The fastest team to draw the correct thing gets two points, if the opposing team draws the correct thing you also award them a point. This is especially great for describing things like people (body parts/clothes) and landscapes (natural/buildings).

 

Would I Lie To You

How many times have I used this one? I can’t even remember! “Would I Lie to You” is based on the BBC panel show featuring Rob Brydon and is an incredibly useful game for introducing yourself to a new group of students in order to “break the ice”. Playing it is easy. List five things about you, three sentences must be true and two should be lies. Make these sentences relatively easy to understand if it’s your first time with a class and be willing to repeat them several times until understood. Once finished get the students to place bets on the ones they deem true and the others they feel are false. Once finished and the correct answers are revealed switch the game around and get your students to do the same for each of themselves and play as a class.

 

Hot Seat

This last game I’m recommending I’ve taken with me to places like Russia, Vietnam – and now Spain – and still students seem to love it. Setting up is quite easy; all you need is a more than four students and a bit of space for two of them to sit with their back to you. You’ll need to choose words or phrases they’ve previously studied and have them written out or whispered so that the students facing you can understand them. Then these students have to mime or explain the word or phrase (without saying the word itself) so that the students with their backs to you can guess. The first correct guess wins.

And that’s it! It’s pretty safe to say that these five games became the lifeblood of my English classes abroad and it’s entirely possible, of course, to interpret them in a way fit for your own circumstances. Just make sure you get some serious teaching in their somewhere!

Good luck and safe volunteering.

 

Overseas volunteer UK orientation Jan 2012

overseas volunteers on the walking tour in London

overseas volunteers on the walking tour in London

Orientation January 2012

Four o clock in the morning is not a time of day many people like to get up, but as it was the 10th of January and the beginning of the orientation for 135 overseas volunteers from around the world it was the time several Lattitude Global Volunteering staff got up to head for Heathrow.

By half 6 the first wave of volunteers arrived. Tired eyed and weary from their 24 hour flight from Australia, 45 volunteers staggered into terminal 3 where they were met, all accounted for and within 20 mins on their way to London and the start of their volunteering experience.

Lattitude staff with a bus full of overseas volunteers

Lattitude staff with a bus full of overseas volunteers

Throughout the morning more and more arrived from South Africa, Brazil and a large influx from New Zealand. And so by 1 o clock everybody had been transferred from Heathrow to central London where the Lattitude Global Volunteering Orientation was held.

Throughout the afternoon there were seminars and lectures to help volunteers adjust to life in the UK and how to stay safe and enjoy themselves. It was also a great opportunity for all volunteers to ask any questions they may have about their placements, the UK and what their duties may entail.

overseas volunteers on the bus to London.

overseas volunteers on the bus to London.

Later in the evening we offered the volunteers a chance to relax and see a bit of London by embarking on the Ghost Bus Tour. A great chance to see London by night and hear a bit about its murkier history.

The next morning, after breakfast all the volunteers headed to Westminster to experience more of London by embarking on a walking tour. On the tour volunteers get a chance to see Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral, HorseGuards, St James Park and Buckingham Palace to name a few. Hopefully it will help them to experience London a bit too so if they come back within a break or school holiday they have had a bit of experience navigating the underground and walking around London and its traffic.

volunteers at the orientation hostel in central london

volunteers at the orientation hostel in central london

After a quick lunch, all volunteers were then escorted to their relevant London station terminals by Lattitude staff and helped onto the correct trains and buses where they would then be met by their hosts and taken to their schools, outdoor centres, field centres and care homes.

It was an activity packed couple of days and we hope all our overseas volunteers enjoyed themselves and gained from the experience. We wish you all the best for the next year and would like to remind you all that of course we are here to help you out should you need anything

overseas volunteers aussies in a phonebox

overseas volunteers aussies in a phonebox

Happy New Year – 2012 New Years Resolutions

After the all the food, drink and excesses of Christmas, comes a common pledge by many of us to change something for the better in the New Year. New Year’s resolutions often seem like great ideas at the beginning, but by February many of us simply give up. Well, in 2012 why not make have the desire and commitment to see a positive change through to the end. Below are four of the most common resolutions and tips on how a long-term volunteer placement could help you achieve your goal.

 

1.    Make a difference

A year at times, can appear to fly by, yet, when you think about everything you could achieve, then the opportunity to make a real difference seems possible. When you look back on 2011 and think about all of your happiest memories, it is those moments where you were able to share your joy and experiences with others that really stand out. Selfless acts like sharing your skills and time, are a great way to benefit others and motivate yourself to make a positive change. Long term volunteering placements such as teaching English abroad, caring for the elderly and people with disabilities, can prove a rewarding experience and a great way to help others.

 

2. Stay active

All of us could do with more exercise after the festive indulgences, but many dread the hours trapped inside at the gym, with your headphones in. Imagine, if you could stay fit and enjoy yourself, in a beautiful location, outside, with the sun on your back.  Does that sound more appealing? If so, why not volunteer in an outdoor camp abroad, assisting children with sports and activities. Take the opportunity to learn a new sport or teach others one you are already good at. As well as those who volunteer in outdoor activity camps, many other volunteers use sport or exercise to challenge themselves and raise money for their gap year. For example, participating in a Marathon or taking part in sponsored bike rides, are great ways to raise funding for a volunteer placement.

3. Learn a new skill

Like many celebrities we all wish we could take up a new activity or learn something new. One of the most popular New Years Resolutions is to learn a new skill and long-term volunteering placements are a fantastic opportunity to gain a whole range of new skills. These could include learning a new language, improving your social skills, or learning how to teach others. The skills you develop while on your placement will also help you on your return and have the added benefit of improving your employability.

4. Visit somewhere different

The holidays are a great time to hear stories of your friends and families travels, even if it means sitting through hours of photo slideshows. But you may have wanted to visit somewhere for yourself or travel to somewhere off the beaten track, more exotic or with less tourists. Volunteering abroad can be a fantastic way to travel, experience new cultures and visit spectacular sights, all while doing something rewarding and beneficial for others. Take the opportunity to really immerse yourself in a new culture rather than just pass through and see the real benefits of your efforts.

Beat the price rise!

Gap year volunteering price freeze

Gap year volunteering price freeze

Are you thinking of embarking on a challenging and rewarding overseas volunteering experience some time in the future?

If you think that this is something you are going to do over the next couple of years we are offering you the chance to apply now and beat future price rises. Whether you are planning on departing in 2012, 2013 or even 2014: by applying now you effectively freeze the Lattitude Global Volunteering fee at the 2011 price. Better still you won’t actually have to pay the full fee until 2-3 months prior to departure!*

As a charity we always keep the costs as low as possible, simply covering the costs that we incur in running our volunteering placements. But as our costs go up we have to reflect these in the fees. So if you do not want to be affected by future fee increases get your application in before the 3rd of January 2012.

 

*Please note you will be asked to pay a deposit of £250 to secure your place post interview. Fee does not include the cost of getting abroad, insurance or medical costs, for full details please click here.

 

Increasing popularity for Japan for gap year travellers

 

Lucy volunteered in Japan for 6 months in her gap year

Lucy volunteered in Japan for 6 months in her gap year

A recent article by Mary  Short of gapyear.com has highlighted the increased demand of gap year travellers to head for Japan. Making the country once again one of the more popular gap year destinations since the devastating earthquake in March.

A survey by  Hotels.com showed that more than 60% are open to visiting Japan and 86% are considering a trip within the next year. Also, Japan was ranked in the top three for favourite countries to travel to in 2012, either on a holiday or as part of a gap year.

“I am very encouraged that so many people in the Hotels.com survey indicated that they are willing to travel to Japan. I hope that everyone can visit Japan and experience the best of Tokyo’s fantastic hospitality which never changes. Moreover, I would like everyone to see that the whole of Japan is working together for a rapid recovery.” Said Hideki Yokoyama, senior director of the tourism division of Japan.

It is fantastic to see people returning to Japan but interestingly we at Lattitude Global Volunteering experienced no decline at all in our Japan volunteering programmes throughout the year. In fact quite the opposite!

The popularity for placements in Japan continued to grow throughout the whole of 2011 with many people calling in and enquiring into the possibilities of working in Red Cross hospitals in order to help throughout the crises. This is a feature that has continued as the 6 month programme we offer is already starting to book up for next year and the following years’ departures.

We are very happy to be able to offer the placements we do in Japan, supporting young people and all the good that they do in both medical and caring placements. We are of course also very proud of their achievements and their conviction to make a difference.