It's Not the Destination, It's The Journey

It's Spring Break for ARCC students. We thought about how many ways there are to travel, and this is what we found:


Plane:
Technically, the shortest flight in a commercial airplane takes 47 seconds. This is a small 'private' plane, and travels between two islands in Scotland:  http://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/08/worlds-shortest-commercial-flight-is.html


In our area, a flight from Minneapolis to Milwaukee takes 53 minutes.On the other end of the spectrum, flying nonstop from Chicago to Hong Kong takes 15.5 hours.

Train: Here are some epic trips you can take in exotic countries; you'll have to take a plane to get there, however:  http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/play/10-great-train-journeys-596056/
And a list of interesting train journeys in the U.S.: https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/united-states

Automobiles: It would cost you about $604.00 to drive your car from New York to Los Angeles based on 2774 miles, 25 miles per gallon, and gas costing $2.70 a gallon. This is just driving, not stopping to spend a night in a motel/hotel, and not for meals. It also doesn't factor in the chance you could have car trouble or a flat tire along the way. It would take roughly 42 hours to drive this trip.


Hot Air Balloon: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/06/20/8-amazing-hot-air-balloon-trips-in-us.html The pictures alone are breathtaking....

Bus: Maybe you'd rather keep your feet on the ground. Check to see where you can go by bus: https://www.greyhound.com/

Taxi: Want to go to the airport or get home from the airport? You can hire a taxi: http://www.airporttaximn.com/rates/


Limo: Feeling luxe? Hire a limo to take you there in style. http://www.limostar.com/

You can hire a Pedicab in New York City for $3-7 per minute...  
http://www.centralparkpedicabs.com/p/faqs.html


Rickshaw: Read a blog about someone who 'hired' a rickshaw that took him a long way in insufferable heat and was paid $1.60 for that work.   http://www.wanderingearl.com/how-much-would-you-pay-this-rickshaw-driver-india/


Ship: The cost of a 'luxury' cruise might be $500-$1,000, per person, but there's more expense than that. http://experience.usatoday.com/cruise/story/cruise-101/2013/05/06/cruise-costs/2139067/


Spaceship: $500 Million, but that probably includes freeze-dried stew and untethered drinks galore. Why so much? Because: It is rocket science.

Walking:
This one costs $0, and depends solely (see what I did there) on your choice of footwear and how often you feel the need to replace it.

Olympics, Summer 2016

Who's this?

 His name is Vinicius, and he's the mascot for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Learn more about how he was chosen here:

https://www.olympic.org/mascots

 

Did you know these things about the Olympics?

• The Olympics began in Greece in the 8th century BC and were based on combat and chariot racing. The ancient Greeks competed in the nude.
• In the year 393, the Olympics were banned by a ruler named Theodosius because he thought they were encouraging paganism. (Paganism- PAY gun ism, worshiping false gods). In 1894, renewed interest brought the games back.
• Since the Greeks were the originators of the Olympics, they are always the country leading all the rest when they enter the stadium for the opening ceremonies.
• Boating was an Olympic sport in 1908.
• Women were first allowed to compete in the Olympics in the year 1900.
• The United States currently holds the most Summer Olympic medals (total) at 2400 medals.We have won 281 medals in the Winter Olympics.
• The first International Olympics had 14 countries participating.

• The Olympic flag has 5 circles, which represent the continents: Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe, and 'Oceania,' (the area in the Pacific Ocean including Australia and several islands).
• The color of the rings were chosen because every nation has at least one of those colors in its flag.
• Russia didn't participate in the Olympics from 1912 to 1952.

 

• There were no Olympics in 1916, 1940, or 1944, due to World Wars I and II.
• The last time gold medals given at the Olympics were solid gold was in 1912.
• In 1960, the Olympics were held in Squaw Valley, California and Walt Disney was in charge of the opening ceremonies.
• Ice Hockey and Figure Skating used to be part of the summer Olympics.
• Up until 1994, both the Winter and Summer Olympics were held every four years. After 1994, they were 'staggered' so that one or the other is held every two years, but still in four year intervals. That means the Summer Olympics were held in 2008, and will be in 2012, 2016, 2020. The Winter Olympics have been/will be in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018.
• Professional athletes weren't allowed to compete in the Olympics until 1981.
• The youngest person, or at least one of the youngest persons, to win a gold medal was Marjorie Gestring of the United States, who won for diving in 1936. She was 13 years old.

A history of Olympic Medals: https://www.olympic.org/olympic-medals

• The Olympics had never taken place in South America until now, and have not taken place in Asia or Africa. The games are specifically held by a city and not a country.

What about the torch that will light the Olympic flame?

• The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, as the tradition dictates. For these summer games, it was lit on April 21. It arrived in Brasilia on May 3. Follow its journey here: https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-torch-relay  On August 5, it will be used to light the cauldron in Rio to signify the opening of the games.  
• The Paralympics are also held every four years (Summer and Winter), for people with disabilities. Learn more about it at:
  
  
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_Games  And specificically the games at Rio:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Summer_Paralympics  This year, they will take place from September 7 to the 11th, after the 'regular' Olympics.  

What sports are going to be in the Summer Olympics?

The Summer Olympic sports are archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe / kayak, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, gymnastics, handball, judo, modern pentathlon (shooting, fencing, swimming, show jumping, and running), mountain biking, rowing, sailing, shooting, soccer, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, track and field, triathlon (swimming, biking, running), volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.

How long before you realized there were two divers?

 

Here is the Rio Olympics website:   https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016   You can also follow the 2016 Summer Olympics on Facebook and Twitter.



Going Places: Careers That Involve Travel

There are plenty of ways to have a career in another country. Be aware, though, that simply wanting to do it needs to be coupled with a number of factors...

• Adaptability
• Ability to earn enough money
• Self-confidence
• Openness to other cultures

Obviously, being able to converse in another language will be key. It will always be helpful to include any studies about world economics, world culture, geography, and political science.

A great piece that explores things to think about: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0401/what_it_takes_to_life_and_work_abroad.shtml








Retail buyers buy merchandise to be sold for their companies. In other words, the company sends them to find things that will sell in their stores, the buyer figures out how many of each item they'll need in a store, and it's then purchased and shipped to the stores. Often, buyers are sent to countries where the products are made (they may be made in another country for less money) to choose what to offer their customers.

• Majors: Marketing, Business Admin, Business, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Merchandising.

An Au Pair cares for children in their home and usually also lives in the home with them. Typically, an au pair has her own room and possibly a small 'apartment' within the childrens' home.The Au Pair may travel with the family. 

• Majors: Elementary Education, Child Psychology, Nursing.

A Language Translator will always be in demand. The more languages you master, the more in-demand you will be. In some areas, there are widely different dialects, or versions, of the same language. See Triogenius, March 10, 2014, about work as a translator.

• Major: One or more languages, as well as Sociology, Linquistics, and Political Science. Study areas: foreign relations, social studies, economics
• You can also work as an English teacher in another country.

Geologists There is a constant need for fuel, and so geologists study resources worldwide. Geologists also work to improve roads, dams, and bridges, as well as cleanup of pollution of the earth. *look for a future blog at Triogenius about Geology as a career.

• Major: Geology, obviously, but if you plan to travel, include social studies and other world languages.

Here's one source that talks about different kinds of geologists: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~cschweit/Stark/whygeologymajor.htm

You could work for the State Department at one of our U.S. Embassies in another country. Jobs include Accounting, Visa/Passport Services, Legal, and Technology. http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/local-employment

• Major in: Social Studies, Communications, Geography, International studies, World History; Law, International Law, Accounting

           
                                    U.S. Embassy, Rome, Italy
**WOW for 1-25-2016: Embassy: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embassy ***



Doctors and nurses are always in need, here and in other countries. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and World Relief, will be happy to have you working with them.


International Aid Workers are always in demand, whether you have a medical background or not. There is also a need for pharmacists and lab techs.
Majors: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/who-we-need

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Social Work with an emphasis on Third World Economics

 

Archaeologists study past civilizations in other countries. If you're into relics, fossils, and generally uncovering the mysteries of centuries ago, consider this as a career (See Triogenius November 4, 2013)

Tech wizards can always find work in any country: Again, studying a foreign language will be helpful as well. Tech Security will be an ongoing concern worldwide.
Majors: Technology, Criminology, Sociology; coursework in International Studies.




If you love travel, Africa, and photography, consider leading Photography Safaris: Tourists take only pictures of the amazing animals they see. You help them get their best pictures, so knowledge of cameras and the art of photographing wildlife is essential. Other uses for photographers include map-drawing, and news photography.

• Areas of study: Photography, language, Political Science, Geography, International Relations, World History

You can travel for years or only for a while, or sporadically throughout your career. If you have a desire to see the world and meet lots of different people, consider a career involving travel.


For a post about studying abroad, see Triogenius May 5, 2014.