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.

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.

With today being valentines day, it is said there is no better way to the heart than via the stomach. There is also no better way to get to sample and experience a country’s culture than through its food. With that in mind, below are four traditional regional delights for travellers, volunteers or culinary enthusiasts to try while abroad.

Fiji - Fijian Curry

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific, formed of more than 300 Islands. Fresh fruit, vegetables and fish combined with a rich mosaic of foreign influences, from Europe, India and China have meant Fijian cuisine has developed a unique and complex nature. A product of this blend is a Fijian Curry, a tasty mix of fresh ingredients combined with foreign influence. Imagine an idyllic setting, near beautiful beaches with friendly locals and excellent food and one can understand why Fiji is considered a paradise.

Chef William Anatooskin has a recipe you can try at home and stated how his passion for the dish came about: “I developed this recipe after spending two months of holiday time in Fiji. Fell in love with the Indian style of cooking. The Chefs would not give me details as to how they made their recipes, except to tell me, add a little of this and a little of that to suit your taste.”

Argentina – Beef Steak

Argentina is famed for its Beef and one dish in particular, grilled steak. Argentina apparently has the world’s second highest consumption rate of beef, with yearly consumption at 55 kg per head!!! Some of the finest cuts of beef, from cattle raised on high quality pastures means Argentinean Steak is known and imitated throughout the world, however, nothing compares to tasting the real thing.

Argentinean Steak is traditionally cooked over a charcoal flame, or asado, and served with a wider selection of grilled meats, salads and relishes.

Malawi – Nsima

Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, known as the “warm heart of Africa.” Despite its natural riches, Malawi remains a poor country, where the majority of people grow their own food in small gardens. This farming style has meant Malawian cuisine is very traditional and rich in carbohydrates to provide energy for a hard day’s work.

The staple of this diet is the ubiquitous nsima. Nsima is made from ground corn, and usually served with relishes, or side dishes, often consisting of meat and vegetables. Nsima is enjoyed by some Malawians for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Together with Nsima, Malawi is a huge exporter of some of the finest Tea, so be sure to try a traditional tea with your meal.

Vietnam – Pho

Vietnam is home to some of the most biologically diverse jungles, rivers and national parks in the world. With the differences in latitude, there is a marked variety in the Vietnamese climate from place to place. This gives rise to a host of different culinary styles, however, rice and noodles remain the most popular dishes of Vietnam. The most famous of which is Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup, closely tied to the city of Hanoi. Pho is traditionally served in a bowl with a specific cut of white rice noodles in clear beef broth, with slim cuts of beef. There are an infinite number of variations featuring tendons, tripe, meatballs, chicken, additional garnishes or seasoned according to differing tastes.

Pho has recently seen a huge rise in popularity in Western cities as a number of Vietnamese restaurants have opened, however, for a truly authentic experience it is best to head to the bustling street stalls in Hanoi and try it for yourself.

Overseas volunteering in Fiji, orientation facilitators

Bula! On Wednesday 18 January, 24 Lattitude volunteers arrived in Nadi, Fiji for their five day orientation.  There were a mix of 9 Australians, 8 Brits, 5 Kiwis and 2 Canadians who were slowly assimilated into the Fijian way of life.

There were lots of different highlights from the orientation. First off there was Fijian night where everyone ate Fijian food and drank kava, the local drink.

There was also Indian-Fijian night where the volunteers got to watch a traditional prayer session.  The volunteers ate Indian food, tried on saris and struck their best Bollywood moves.

It wasn’t all dinners and socialising though, the volunteers did half a day of learning language skills where they learnt to count to 10 and introduce themselves in Fijian. They also addressed practicalities like buying simcards and had a safety briefing with the local police.

One session was spent listening to a presentation by the British High Commission where the volunteers met with local representative Jenny Mosese over lunch. They impressed the High Commission so much that they now feature on their website

After their five day orientation the volunteers were ready to head off to their placements but the weather had other ideas. On the Monday morning the  volunteers were due to depart the rains swept in and kept the volunteers stuck in Nadi for a few more days. Luckily on the Thursday the rains subsided and the volunteers were finally able to head off to their placements to begin their real volunteering adventures.

A recent article by The Telegraph investigated some of the negative impacts of short-term visits by tourists on Cambodia’s orphans.

The article noted how the orphanages have become a popular tourist attraction as the number of people who visit wishing to volunteer has continued to rise, but at the same time so has “the controversy surrounding it.”

In the last five years the number of orphanages in Cambodia has dramatically increased from 153 to 269, according to a report by UNICEF. As Monica Pitrelli notes “perhaps even more troubling, UNICEF says that of the nearly 12,000 children living in Cambodian orphanages today, only 28 percent have lost both parents.” Which begs the question why are these children living as orphans?

The worry highlighted by several NGOs operating in the region is that the orphanages have become lucrative tourist attractions, where children may actually be kept in poverty in order to attract more volunteers. Saundra   Schimmelpfennig of the organisation Good Intentions are Not Enough notes that “the best way to keep donations rolling in is to keep the children at a substandard level, so that any volunteer or donor showing up will see with their own eyes how critical it is to donate to the orphanage.” Instead of these donations going toward improving the conditions for the children, it is believed that a few people are profiting from the children’s continued poverty and suffering.

While the tourists involved in volunteering at the orphanages seem to gain from the experience, it is believed that the children whom they aim to assist actually suffer. As the Human Sciences Research Council highlighted “In many cases these short term placements can actually create a great deal more harm than good.” Children are unable to build any lasting or meaningful relationships with the so-called “voluntourists” as they stay for such short periods of time, and “voluntourists” may crowd out local workers from performing the same jobs.

The article in The Telegraph serves as an important reminder for those looking to volunteer abroad about the importance of researching and selecting a well monitored and structured long term volunteer placement, over a potentially detrimental short term one. Going with a charitable organisation will help to ensure that the first priority is to help those people in need and not to make profit.

The campaign for real volunteering highlights what to avoid when looking to volunteer abroad and offers sound advice on how to choose a placement that is beneficial for all involved.

As many parts of the UK saw heavy snowfall over the weekend and with one of the coldest months in history gripping Europe, many of you may be looking to escape the big freeze with a winter getaway or planning a hot summer holiday. To help take your mind off the chaos that appears whenever the first snowflake hits the UK, below are five of the hottest travel destinations in the world, both in terms of temperatures and attractions.

The Dead Sea, Israel

The Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest elevation of earth measuring 423 metres below sea level, and has a salinity of 33.7%; making it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world and meaning it is possible to float on the surface. With temperatures reaching highs of 40 degrees Celsius in the summer and constant dry air, the Dead Sea is one of the hottest places on earth and filled with history. Take a cable car up to Masada, and experience spectacular views or indulge yourself at some of the hotels that use the Sea’s unique properties for relaxing spas.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech has become one of the most popular travel destinations outside of Europe in recent years as its vibrant markets and crowded streets have proved an appealing getaway for those keen to visit somewhere different. With cheap accommodation, the arrival of low cost airlines and temperatures reaching above 35 degrees in summer, Marrakech is becoming known as a cheap hotspot for European travellers.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Famed for its lavish casinos and high roller lifestyle, Las Vegas remains an incredibly popular tourist resort. Situated in the Nevada desert, close to the famous Death Valley, temperatures are known to reach highs of over 47 degrees Celsius. While the gambling remains the main attraction, boxing and famous singers including Cher and Elton John, have provided extravagant entertainment to visitors from across the world.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and will play host to the next Football world cup and the next Olympics after London. There has simply never been a better time to visit this cultural hub of South America and enjoy spectacular views, great food and hot temperatures. Rio’s hottest months are January and February and February also contains the largest street party in the world the famous Rio carnival.

Adelaide, Australia

As South Australia’s capital, Adelaide is one of Australia’s largest cities but avoids many of the tourists, who typically gravitate to Sydney or Melbourne. While Adelaide is a typical Australian destination with hot climates and beautiful beaches it is also a way into the South Australian outback, home of vast, ancient and beautifully sparse deserts. Adelaide is also close to Kangaroo Island, one of the most spectacular wildernesses on earth.

With the huge rise in the popularity of Smartphones and mobile applications, or apps, many travellers couldn’t imagine leaving the country without them. Smartphones have become the essential item for many seasoned travellers, replacing cameras, guide books, maps and phrase books with one pocketable device.

While Smartphone users abroad should be aware of extravagant mobile data charges, many countries offer free or cheap WiFi particularly in airports or coffee shops, meaning travellers can download or update the latest apps and continue with their journey. Below are ten of the best applications for use while travelling and will help with where to go, what to bring and what to see.

Layar – available on iPhone and Android.

Layar is the “world’s first augmented reality browser” which enables users to see “layers” on top of their cameras field of vision. This means your Smartphone can display a whole host of useful and interesting information for your travels. For example point the phone at a famous landmark and layar will automatically bring up the Wikipedia page detailing all the history and information in real time. As an added bonus it feels like something from a Sci-Fi movie!

Tripadvisor – available on iPhone and Android

Tripadvisor’s excellent mobile app brings you access to over “50 million reviews and opinions by travellers” on virtually all aspects of your trip from Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions. With quick links to maps and phone numbers you can plan in meticulous detail every aspect of your trip or simply check the overall rating before entering an unknown restaurant.

Tube Maps – various applications available on all platforms

While not one app in particular, the ability to bring up Tube or Metro maps in your pocket at all times is a Godsend particularly when travelling in big cities. A quick glance at the Tokyo tube map will help demonstrate that without a map you simply wouldn’t stand a chance.

Google Translate – available on iPhone and Android

The Google Translate app allows you to translate words or phrases between more than 60 languages. You can save useful phrases for offline use, get the phone to pronounce the words correctly or even translate directly from your own voice. You will never be stuck for the translation to “I need the loo” again!

XE Currency Exchange – available on iPhone and Android

The XE Currency Exchange app couldn’t be simpler, “it features a currency converter with up-to-the-minute currency rates, charts, and even stores the last updated rates, so it works offline.”

Lonely Planet Applications – available on iPhone and Android

Lonely Planet offer a range of apps covering over 150 destinations, including city guides, language translators, audio walking tours and audio phrasebooks. Crucially for the traveller “with no internet connection required, you won’t incur any roaming fees.”

Packing Pro – available on iPhone

An excellent app for those of us who are perhaps a little forgetful, or those who tend to leave packing until the last minute. Packing Pro will automatically assist you with what to bring based on a range of variables including “the number of adults (males & females), children & days, as well as temperature, destination, food preparation & clothes washing preferences.”

FlightTrack – available on Android

FlightTrack means you will never be caught unaware by a plane delay again, useful for those travelling and their family or friends. It works by tracking all International flights and gives you real time flight information, departure details and gate numbers at your finger tips.

Airline Check in Apps – various applications available on most platforms

Many of the major airlines now offer the ability to save your boarding pass to your mobile phone or access to online check in. These apps are a great way to avoid losing your ticket and help you to avoid the stress (link to previous article) of modern airports!

Dropbox – available on most platforms

While not strictly a travel application, Dropbox can help you get out of sticky situations abroad, by providing access to your most important documents such as flight details, photocopies of passports or visas and any other important documents you may need. The application lets you save documents for offline use and all the information is available from any computer with an internet connection thanks to the 2GB free cloud storage. A very handy app, just make sure you password protect your important documents!

The government announced this week that University places would be cut by up to 15,000 as it disclosed full details of the higher education budget for the next academic year.

The Government plans to  withdraw the additional 10,000 places which were allocated last year to cope with the increased applications, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England has been given instructions to remove a further 5,000 extra places which are normally used to aid universities that over-recruit. In addition fines will be issued of £3,800 for each student recruited over the strict limits.

The information was detailed in a letter a letter to higher-education spending watchdogs from the Business Secretary Vince Cable and the Universities minister, David Willetts which justified the cuts as it would expose “Government to higher than budgeted costs which cannot be absorbed at a time of financial constraint”.

The news has been met by students with “outrage” according to the Telegraph as the drop in the number of places coincides with the increasing fees in the 2012/2013 academic year.

The National Union of Students President, Liam Burns said: “As the country stands on the brink of recession and youth unemployment reaches record levels, ministers have effectively cut places by 15,000 and extinguished hope for many prospective students and set back economic recovery in the process.”

The news was accompanied by cuts to the state funding for teaching of £830m or 18% when compared to last year. David Willetts, the Universities Minister, defended the cuts as he explained: “We are increasing the total funding available to the sector… and our reforms will enable successful universities to expand if they wish to do so. However it is also essential that the sector works collaboratively to lower their costs.”

The Government’s aim is to offset the reduction in state funding with the increase in student fees, and while it is predicted that there will be fewer applicants for University places this year, (link to previous article) the cuts are still likely to mean some will miss out.

Pam Tatlow, of million plus, a University think tank, said: “The reduction in the total number of student places is likely to dash the aspirations and ambitions of many well-qualified applicants.”

While the next academic year likely marks a turning point in the higher education system, the Government have managed to push through the majority of the changes without further legislation as the Higher Education Bill looks set to bedropped or delayed and is likely to “not be part of the government’s legislative programme in the Queen’s Speech.”