vrijdag 19 maart 2010
Solitude
All good things come to an end, and so does my series of blog posts.
The third period at school is almost over, and the exams are near.
My problem with studying is that I work best under pressure. For weeks now, teachers are telling me to open my books and begin studying. And for weeks, I’m denying that I have exams coming up and convince myself that I will have lots of time later to be a responsible student.
Now, a few weeks later and with a lot of deadlines in sight, I really regret my attitude. As always, I’m in over my head and stressed out. I think that the best solution for upcoming week is to lock myself up, turn of my telephone, unplug the internet connection and keep the television turned off!
Don’t try to contact me next week, I’m in solitude!
------
This was the last post of a series of six. I enjoyed blogging for you!
Love,
maandag 15 maart 2010
Presentation: Organising an event
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Organize-a-Seminar-or-an-Event&id=49035
zaterdag 13 maart 2010
Listening assignment C
Video 1:
Children and the effect of new social media
Oxford professor Susan Greenfield claims that with the changes in the media environment, the impressionable mind of children can easily change too. She notes that overexpose to social websites like Facebook or Twitter can result in a shorter attention span, a need for ‘ identity-bolstering’ and increased recklessness among future generations.
Dr. Aric Sigman thinks that the brain of a child is shaped according to what they experience at a young age. He claims that experiencing a phenomenon for many hours could have a long tern effect on children.
Sigman also warns that social network media, as Facebook, can replace real contact between children. Dr. Ben Goldacre disagrees. ‘ There is a lot of evidence of people spending time on social networking sites to intensify the relationships they already have. It could equally well be very beneficial’.
Dr. Sigman isn’t convinced by Goldacres argument. ‘ We should stop for a moment and think more carefully about where our society is going. Children can spend hours in their rooms socializing on the internet, rather than playing with real friend. My concern is that new social media is displacing interaction’.
Video 2:
Internal communication with Social Media
Abi Signorelli, director of Internal Communication at Virgin Media talks to James Bennett, Online Managing Editor at Melcrum about the use social media for international communication. Susan will join Bennett on Junee the 24th, fot a social media workshop.
During this workshop, Signorelli will explain what Virgin Media has done in terms of social media. As an example, she talks about the use of Twitter as a mean for internal communication. Besides Twitter, Virgin Media is also planning to join other communication channels, such as Boo and Vlogging.
Because of the speed of technological changes, Ms. Signorelli is always looking for opportunities for her company. During the workshop, she will not only talk about channels worth using, she will also listen to other people’s ideas about internal communication. She’ll also share some guidelines that her company has produced to help people with the use of social media.
Signorelli clams that the important thing about internal communication is the two-way street. People must have the opportunity to respond on each other. Social media gives this opportunity to create a dialog. ‘ It’s all about sharing expertise and social media are opening a lot of doors on that front’.
Children and the effect of new social media
Oxford professor Susan Greenfield claims that with the changes in the media environment, the impressionable mind of children can easily change too. She notes that overexpose to social websites like Facebook or Twitter can result in a shorter attention span, a need for ‘ identity-bolstering’ and increased recklessness among future generations.
Dr. Aric Sigman thinks that the brain of a child is shaped according to what they experience at a young age. He claims that experiencing a phenomenon for many hours could have a long tern effect on children.
Sigman also warns that social network media, as Facebook, can replace real contact between children. Dr. Ben Goldacre disagrees. ‘ There is a lot of evidence of people spending time on social networking sites to intensify the relationships they already have. It could equally well be very beneficial’.
Dr. Sigman isn’t convinced by Goldacres argument. ‘ We should stop for a moment and think more carefully about where our society is going. Children can spend hours in their rooms socializing on the internet, rather than playing with real friend. My concern is that new social media is displacing interaction’.
Video 2:
Internal communication with Social Media
Abi Signorelli, director of Internal Communication at Virgin Media talks to James Bennett, Online Managing Editor at Melcrum about the use social media for international communication. Susan will join Bennett on Junee the 24th, fot a social media workshop.
During this workshop, Signorelli will explain what Virgin Media has done in terms of social media. As an example, she talks about the use of Twitter as a mean for internal communication. Besides Twitter, Virgin Media is also planning to join other communication channels, such as Boo and Vlogging.
Because of the speed of technological changes, Ms. Signorelli is always looking for opportunities for her company. During the workshop, she will not only talk about channels worth using, she will also listen to other people’s ideas about internal communication. She’ll also share some guidelines that her company has produced to help people with the use of social media.
Signorelli clams that the important thing about internal communication is the two-way street. People must have the opportunity to respond on each other. Social media gives this opportunity to create a dialog. ‘ It’s all about sharing expertise and social media are opening a lot of doors on that front’.
Assignment 11b: A place to live
B:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 13TH 2010
TROUBLES WITH HOUSING ACCOMODATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Utrecht – The Netherlands, March 13th , 2010
In the Netherlands, a lot of foreign students are facing problems with their housing accommodation. In Rotterdam, students are sleeping in cars, tour caravans, hostels or expensive flats.
Foreign students in other cities are dealing with the same problems. In Groningen, a student has been living in the back of his car for three weeks. 70 students in Wageningen are lucky enough to have found a housing accommodation, but at a 30 kilometer distance from their school. And even then they’re sleeping with six students in three rooms.
Housing accommodations are dealing with a lot of parties and there’s no central organization working with them. According to Lisa Westerveld from the National Student Union, various city’s deal with different kinds of problems and offers for housing accommodations. ‘ Some city’s choose to help their own students first. Foreign students will then be placed in containers.’
Remco de Maaijer, director of Kences, The grouping of students housing says that is it very difficult to find cheap rooms for foreign students. He is afraid that if the problem isn’t solved quickly, a lot of foreign students will leave the Netherlands.
ENDS
Contact:
Renee Manders
HU Trajectum
renee.manders@trajectum.hu.nl
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 13TH 2010
TROUBLES WITH HOUSING ACCOMODATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Utrecht – The Netherlands, March 13th , 2010
In the Netherlands, a lot of foreign students are facing problems with their housing accommodation. In Rotterdam, students are sleeping in cars, tour caravans, hostels or expensive flats.
Foreign students in other cities are dealing with the same problems. In Groningen, a student has been living in the back of his car for three weeks. 70 students in Wageningen are lucky enough to have found a housing accommodation, but at a 30 kilometer distance from their school. And even then they’re sleeping with six students in three rooms.
Housing accommodations are dealing with a lot of parties and there’s no central organization working with them. According to Lisa Westerveld from the National Student Union, various city’s deal with different kinds of problems and offers for housing accommodations. ‘ Some city’s choose to help their own students first. Foreign students will then be placed in containers.’
Remco de Maaijer, director of Kences, The grouping of students housing says that is it very difficult to find cheap rooms for foreign students. He is afraid that if the problem isn’t solved quickly, a lot of foreign students will leave the Netherlands.
ENDS
Contact:
Renee Manders
HU Trajectum
renee.manders@trajectum.hu.nl
assignment 11a: Dutch Bikte Tour
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 13TH 2010
FOREIGN STUDENTS ORGANISE DUTCH BIKE TOUR
Avans Hogeschool – Den Bosch
A foreign student of Avans Hogeschool is organizing a Dutch bike tour for his fellow students. The bike tour will take place on the 30th of may and has as goal for foreign students to explore Dutch nature. It is also a proof that foreign students can organize an event in a strange country. The tour will be sponsored by Kaspersky
ENDS
Contact: jp.marin@student.avans.nl
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 13TH 2010
FOREIGN STUDENTS ORGANISE DUTCH BIKE TOUR
Avans Hogeschool – Den Bosch
A foreign student of Avans Hogeschool is organizing a Dutch bike tour for his fellow students. The bike tour will take place on the 30th of may and has as goal for foreign students to explore Dutch nature. It is also a proof that foreign students can organize an event in a strange country. The tour will be sponsored by Kaspersky
ENDS
Contact: jp.marin@student.avans.nl
donderdag 11 maart 2010
Finding a place to live? Not in these times!
For months I have been trying to find a new place to live in Utrecht. And really, it’s a disaster!
When I finished high school, I was looking for a study in a other city. I always found Utrecht a wonderful city and all the study’s of my choice were available here. Accidentally, my boyfriend at the time was also planning to go and study in Utrecht.
Since we were already almost always together, we decided to find a room that was big enough for the both of us and start living together. Soon we found a nice place, in a chatty neighborhood and near the centre of Utrecht.
For a year we were really happy here, but after a summer holiday I founded myself feeling restless and broke up with him. We decided that he was going to search a new room and I would stay in our room. We thought that with my parents supporting me financially, I would be able to pay the rent by myself.
The next year I paid my rent always on time, but I was denying that I actually couldn’t afford to live in such an expensive room. Until a few months ago. I decided I was tired of working really hard just to pay the rent. I started a search for a cheaper room, thinking it may take some effort but that it would be worth it.
Well, I couldn’t be more wrong! In the last six months I have seen many different rooms, some really awful, some perfect. I am just not allowed to move there.. really frustrating!
It isn’t easy to rent a room in Holland. There a way too many students looking for a place to live and way too less rooms to rent. As a result, current renters organize a social event where people who want to rent the room have to introduce themselves in a few minutes. Afterwards, the tenants choose a person who can come life with them.
It isn’t easy, because many people are invited for such evenings. You have to get lucky en get selected. Also, most letters don’t accept any pets in their houses and I happen to own the sweetest cat in the world which I really don’t want to part from.
What can I say? I’m just better with meetings at second sight! When the time comes, I’ll be really happy to move. Until then, me and my cat live happily above our social class in our own apartment!
When I finished high school, I was looking for a study in a other city. I always found Utrecht a wonderful city and all the study’s of my choice were available here. Accidentally, my boyfriend at the time was also planning to go and study in Utrecht.
Since we were already almost always together, we decided to find a room that was big enough for the both of us and start living together. Soon we found a nice place, in a chatty neighborhood and near the centre of Utrecht.
For a year we were really happy here, but after a summer holiday I founded myself feeling restless and broke up with him. We decided that he was going to search a new room and I would stay in our room. We thought that with my parents supporting me financially, I would be able to pay the rent by myself.
The next year I paid my rent always on time, but I was denying that I actually couldn’t afford to live in such an expensive room. Until a few months ago. I decided I was tired of working really hard just to pay the rent. I started a search for a cheaper room, thinking it may take some effort but that it would be worth it.
Well, I couldn’t be more wrong! In the last six months I have seen many different rooms, some really awful, some perfect. I am just not allowed to move there.. really frustrating!
It isn’t easy to rent a room in Holland. There a way too many students looking for a place to live and way too less rooms to rent. As a result, current renters organize a social event where people who want to rent the room have to introduce themselves in a few minutes. Afterwards, the tenants choose a person who can come life with them.
It isn’t easy, because many people are invited for such evenings. You have to get lucky en get selected. Also, most letters don’t accept any pets in their houses and I happen to own the sweetest cat in the world which I really don’t want to part from.
What can I say? I’m just better with meetings at second sight! When the time comes, I’ll be really happy to move. Until then, me and my cat live happily above our social class in our own apartment!
zaterdag 6 maart 2010
Preparations Roleplay
Words & sentences I could use:
Opening the meeting:
- Good morning, everyone
- If we’re all here, lets start the meeting
Welcoming and introducing participants
- Please join me in welcoming ..
- I’d like to introduce ..
- I don’t think you’ve met ..
Stating the principal objectives of a meeting
- We’re here today to talk about..
- I’ve called this meeting in order to
Giving control to the next participant
- I’d like to hand it over to .. , who is going to lead the next point
- …, over to you
Summarizing
- Before we close, let me summarize the main points
- In brief,
- To sum up
Finishing up
- Right, it looks like we’ve covered the main items. Is there any other business?
Thanking participants for attending
- Thank you all for attending
- Thanks for your participation
Closing the meeting
- The meeting closed
- I declare the meeting closed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asking for opinions
- …, can we get your input?
- .., how do you feel about ..?
- Do you (really) think that..?
Advising and suggesting
- We should ..
- What about..
- Ì suggest that..
- I recommend that
Requesting information
- I like you to ..
- Would you mind..
- I wonder if you could
Asking for clarification
- Could you explain to me how that is going to work?
- Could we have some more information, please?
Asking for verification
- Do you mean that .. ?
- Is it true that .. ?
Asking for contributions for other participants
- What do you think about this proposal?
- Would you like to add anything?
- Has anyone else got anything to contribute?
- Are there any more comments?
Correcting information
- I’m afraid that you don’t quite understand what I am saying
- That’s not quite what I had in mind
- That’s not what I meant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the meeting we must decide:
- Why employees still complain about a lack of information within the company
- What could be done to solve the problem
- Whether the magazine is useful in its present form or whether it should be modified or replaced
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My role: The president
Tasks:
- Chair the meeting
- Making sure everyone participates
- Ensure that decisions are made today
Ask for opinions about:
- Communication problems within the company world wide
- Proposed solutions for these problems
- Problems with the magazine
- If continuing the magazine: ways of improving
My point of view:
- Delighted with the magazine and no need to change
- Magazine is glossy, colorful, interested the workforce
- Strong points: my photo onto the front and my editorial on the inside cover
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other opinions:
Head of Information Technology (IT) : Tanne van der Weide
- Convinced that nobody ever reads the magazine
- Admit there’s a communication problem
- The magazine should be replaced by an intranet site and a weekly page of news by email
- Emails should be send in English and Spanish
Personnel Manager, Frankfurt: Laura Matser
- The content of the magazine is too much head-office centred
- The magazine should be in more languages
- Prefers a less glossy publication, with real news
- Articles in simple language about the everyday lives of ordinary employees
- Photo’s of the president should be removed
Communications Manager: Olaf Nijman
- Doesn’t understand the complaints about communication
- Thinks that modern means of internal communication might be considered
- Way to improve the magazine is by removing the photo of the president and articles about workers inside
Financial Controller: Wendy Sprangers
- Close to retirement and old fashioned idea’s
- Internal communication is a passing fashion and isn’t necessary
- The magazine is too expensive and doesn’t reach its goals
- People don’t need to communicate with other departments
- Might agree with a short, weekly newsletter by email
- People of communications department should be fired: too expensive
Opening the meeting:
- Good morning, everyone
- If we’re all here, lets start the meeting
Welcoming and introducing participants
- Please join me in welcoming ..
- I’d like to introduce ..
- I don’t think you’ve met ..
Stating the principal objectives of a meeting
- We’re here today to talk about..
- I’ve called this meeting in order to
Giving control to the next participant
- I’d like to hand it over to .. , who is going to lead the next point
- …, over to you
Summarizing
- Before we close, let me summarize the main points
- In brief,
- To sum up
Finishing up
- Right, it looks like we’ve covered the main items. Is there any other business?
Thanking participants for attending
- Thank you all for attending
- Thanks for your participation
Closing the meeting
- The meeting closed
- I declare the meeting closed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asking for opinions
- …, can we get your input?
- .., how do you feel about ..?
- Do you (really) think that..?
Advising and suggesting
- We should ..
- What about..
- Ì suggest that..
- I recommend that
Requesting information
- I like you to ..
- Would you mind..
- I wonder if you could
Asking for clarification
- Could you explain to me how that is going to work?
- Could we have some more information, please?
Asking for verification
- Do you mean that .. ?
- Is it true that .. ?
Asking for contributions for other participants
- What do you think about this proposal?
- Would you like to add anything?
- Has anyone else got anything to contribute?
- Are there any more comments?
Correcting information
- I’m afraid that you don’t quite understand what I am saying
- That’s not quite what I had in mind
- That’s not what I meant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the meeting we must decide:
- Why employees still complain about a lack of information within the company
- What could be done to solve the problem
- Whether the magazine is useful in its present form or whether it should be modified or replaced
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My role: The president
Tasks:
- Chair the meeting
- Making sure everyone participates
- Ensure that decisions are made today
Ask for opinions about:
- Communication problems within the company world wide
- Proposed solutions for these problems
- Problems with the magazine
- If continuing the magazine: ways of improving
My point of view:
- Delighted with the magazine and no need to change
- Magazine is glossy, colorful, interested the workforce
- Strong points: my photo onto the front and my editorial on the inside cover
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other opinions:
Head of Information Technology (IT) : Tanne van der Weide
- Convinced that nobody ever reads the magazine
- Admit there’s a communication problem
- The magazine should be replaced by an intranet site and a weekly page of news by email
- Emails should be send in English and Spanish
Personnel Manager, Frankfurt: Laura Matser
- The content of the magazine is too much head-office centred
- The magazine should be in more languages
- Prefers a less glossy publication, with real news
- Articles in simple language about the everyday lives of ordinary employees
- Photo’s of the president should be removed
Communications Manager: Olaf Nijman
- Doesn’t understand the complaints about communication
- Thinks that modern means of internal communication might be considered
- Way to improve the magazine is by removing the photo of the president and articles about workers inside
Financial Controller: Wendy Sprangers
- Close to retirement and old fashioned idea’s
- Internal communication is a passing fashion and isn’t necessary
- The magazine is too expensive and doesn’t reach its goals
- People don’t need to communicate with other departments
- Might agree with a short, weekly newsletter by email
- People of communications department should be fired: too expensive
donderdag 4 maart 2010
Spending or Saving?
The problem with making money, is that you’re spending it way too fast!
Maybe you recognize the situation: for months you’re craving for some new outfits which you actually don’t really need. For months you can control yourself. When you’re walking in the centre of the city, on that lovely shopping road, you keep your head down. You set the volume of your iPod at maximum and don’t look op, just to avoid the temptation of window shopping. You’re dying for some variation in your clothing closet, but you just don’t have the money. You need to pay the rent and do the groceries and every month your bank account turns more and more red.
And then there’s that day. That day that you finally can make some unexpected money!
My mother asked me to spend my day off at her work. Her department was really busy and some small tasks just kept lying around for weeks. I helped her out for 7 hours, and made some extra money. Great I thought, since I promised my boyfriend I would save money so that we can go on a holiday together.
But then there’s that temptation again. My mom invited me to walk over some shopping streets centre when we finished work. This was, obviously, a offer I couldn’t refuse. She gave me some new clothes, as a gift. I love my mom and I love how she pampers me, but that new outfit just couldn’t go without those lovely shoes I saw at a display shop earlier. But still, I promised my boyfriend..
I confess. I’m guilty. I bought a new pair of shoes. I immediately spent the money I made that day. They’re really beautiful shoes with way too high heels. I’ll probably never wear them, but they’ll look great in my closet!
P.s. My boyfriend doesn’t understand the womanly urging for new shoes. He seems to think our holiday has a higher priority. But seriously: you can’t go on a holiday without a great pair of new shoes, can you?
Maybe you recognize the situation: for months you’re craving for some new outfits which you actually don’t really need. For months you can control yourself. When you’re walking in the centre of the city, on that lovely shopping road, you keep your head down. You set the volume of your iPod at maximum and don’t look op, just to avoid the temptation of window shopping. You’re dying for some variation in your clothing closet, but you just don’t have the money. You need to pay the rent and do the groceries and every month your bank account turns more and more red.
And then there’s that day. That day that you finally can make some unexpected money!
My mother asked me to spend my day off at her work. Her department was really busy and some small tasks just kept lying around for weeks. I helped her out for 7 hours, and made some extra money. Great I thought, since I promised my boyfriend I would save money so that we can go on a holiday together.
But then there’s that temptation again. My mom invited me to walk over some shopping streets centre when we finished work. This was, obviously, a offer I couldn’t refuse. She gave me some new clothes, as a gift. I love my mom and I love how she pampers me, but that new outfit just couldn’t go without those lovely shoes I saw at a display shop earlier. But still, I promised my boyfriend..
I confess. I’m guilty. I bought a new pair of shoes. I immediately spent the money I made that day. They’re really beautiful shoes with way too high heels. I’ll probably never wear them, but they’ll look great in my closet!
P.s. My boyfriend doesn’t understand the womanly urging for new shoes. He seems to think our holiday has a higher priority. But seriously: you can’t go on a holiday without a great pair of new shoes, can you?
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