It is Time for New Entrepreneur to Develop the Upper...

Jeff was an excellent entrepreneur, but now that the development of the product had started, and Palm would soon be launching the product, the first job that Jeff would need to do was to create an upper management. It was getting essential, as Jeff would otherwise be forced to do everything by himself, which would be disastrous. He was clearly good at designing and development of the product. His various market contacts, and his reputation in the market would mean that he would also be very effective at getting funding. With these two key activities addressed, he must now find one or more managers who would be willing to handle the other key areas namely sales and marketing, financing and a good liaison to communicate with other partnering†¦show more content†¦This would have several benefits, first is that the reps would be pretty adept at reading the market and would effectively come up with bright and novel ideas, as well as discover the subtle market changes. The other b enefit is that the reps would be thorough of the product specifications and features- their individual growth curves would be much better by the time they are in the initiation phase of the sales growth curve. This will result in a much better understanding of the market and the product leading to short lagging times in the cash inflow. Do note that the skills required for a renaissance rep, namely, communication within the organization, tolerance to ambiguity, deep interest in the product technology and extracting valuable information from the customers is exactly what would be needed for the job of surveying the marketplace, and even systematically finding new segments of the market. This early recruitment would ensure that they are the first to find the cellular market. Once the product is passed the beta phase, he would already be in the latter stages of the initiation phase, but still he should avoid using his resources in sales yet. He should let the renaissance reps continue with their role, and since he had partnered up with Tandy, he should use their distribution channels to broaden the list of potential customers. He shouldn’t rush to start selling to the stores, and this would put a little financial pressure.Show MoreRelatedSmall Business Strategy And Offer A Model Approach1352 Words   |  6 Pagesbusiness is to gain and sustain a competitive advantage. This activity can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for a small business where there are many businesses already established in the same industry. Unfortunately, some new business owners do not understand how to gain a competitive advantage or they fail to recognize how important doing this can be for the success of their company. Some new ventures do not secure a market position where there is a reasonable chance of success. OtherRead MoreChallenges of Strategy Implementation1316 Words   |  6 Pagesstudy by Michael Beer and Russell A. Eisenstat, published in the summer 2000 issue of Sloan Management Review, the six silent killers of strategy implementation are top-down or complacent upper management, unclear strategy and conflicting priorities, ineffective senior management team, poor vertical communication, poor coordination across the enterprise and inadequate middle-manager and supervisor management skills. Training and communication are key to overcoming these challenges. Step 1 EngageRead MoreEntrepreneurial Process Essay1031 Words   |  5 PagesEntrepreneurial Process Ivy Harmon UOP Entrepreneurship in Healthcare HCS 567 K. Imlay May 13, 2012 Entrepreneurial Process Successful entrepreneurs tend to follow a multi-step process on four main elements to achieve their goals. These processes include identifying an opportunity, developing a business plan, determining the resources needed, and finally managing the newly developed enterprise (Hirsh, Peters, Sheppard, 2005). A clear understanding of the entrepreneurial process is anRead MoreEssay about Microsoft and Greiner’s Model of Organizational Growth1075 Words   |  5 Pages1: Growth Through Creativity In the first stage of growth, the founders of an organization develop skills and create new products. Learning is a huge component of this phase of organizational growth. Entrepreneurs learn what works and what doesn’t. People’s behaviors are governed by organizational culture rather than by hierarchy (Jones, 2010). As the organization grows in this stage, the entrepreneurs must learn how to manage the organization. It is at this point that a crisis of leadershipRead MoreHow Microsoft Growth Led to Control Problems Essay985 Words   |  4 Pagesresponsible, and having the ability to create value (Jones, 2010). As the organization grows it must develop skills and competences to create value that in turn make the organization attractive to investors thus allowing it to acquire additional resources to grow even more. Resulting growth generates more revenue it creates the freedom to generate surplus resources thereby allowing for even more growth. Over time as the organization continues the growth process it eventually becomes a mature organizationRead MoreMintzberg 10 Roles1426 Words   |  6 Pagesduties as head of the organisation; This role has to remain informed of all projects and issues at all times. Representing the organization they must be able to lead, inspire, and instill the confidence of all external or interpersonal business relationships to influence continued business opportunities for the organization. LEADER: fosters a proper work atmosphere and motivates and develops subordinates; This is one of the main functions of a manager. The manager must be responsible for thoseRead MoreA Call For Action By Anita Roddick1648 Words   |  7 Pages Very often when one thinks of the image and mantra of today’s corporate culture in American, one may visualize the character, Gordon Gekko, a fictional character in the 1987 film Wall Street who espoused the belief that, â€Å"Greed was good† and â€Å"The new law of evolution in corporate America seems to be survival of the unfittest. Well, in my book you either do it right or you get eliminated† (American Rhetoric, 2016). Well, it has been theorized that the evolutionist, Charles Darwin believed oppositeRead MoreThe Wallace Group Strategic Management and Business Policy1298 Words   |  6 PagesStrategic Management and Business Policy: Case Study 2 The Wallace Group The Wallace Group is devised of three operational groups which include Electronics, Plastics and Chemicals (Stybel, p. 2-1). Harold Wallace was the original owner of the electronics company, but now has 45% of the group after acquiring the plastics company and then the chemical company (p. 2-4). He also serves as the Chairman and President of the Wallace Group, but each group is run by a Vice President. Recently, Hal WallaceRead MoreMeltwater Group Research1719 Words   |  7 Pagesexternal publics and the importance to the organizations 4. Suggest ways on how they communicate effectively with their publics Meltwater group is global Software as a Service (SAAS) company that specializes in disruptive productivity solutions. They develop software at a sensible price since 2001. The Meltwater Group was founded in 2001 and prepared with experience from a two-year computer science research program that’s in cooperation with the Norwegian Computing Center, funded by the Norwegian ScienceRead MoreInterview with Elderly Person1101 Words   |  5 PagesRunning Head CAREFUL THINKING Jo Perkins BUS 604: New Business Venture Management Effective Viewing for an Effective Outcome Professor Dr. Jorge Cardenas July 23, 2012 Introduction Elderly people are so comfortable in their own skin because they have lived their lives and some have a continuance, which indicate that this is a true blessing and most of them still have their right frame of mind in order to assist in their living conditions along with their personal retirement plans. The elderly

Essay about Womens Rights Movement - 833 Words

Tuesday, November 2, 1920, the day women voted for the first time. The New York Times called it, â€Å"The greatest voting day in the city’s history.† It was a wonderful day for women all across the country. All of their hard work had finally paid off. The Women’s Rights Movement changed the way women were seen. Before the passage of the 19th Amendment, women in many states were not given the right to vote. The Women’s Rights movement was caused by many factors, greatly impacted the society of the early 1900s and changed American society forever. Women were traditionally seen as the weaker sex – second-class citizens with a lower social status than men. A woman’s place was in the home. Men did the â€Å"heavier† labor, like plowing and hunting.†¦show more content†¦She modeled her Declaration of Sentiments after the Declaration of Independence. The first line of the Declaration of Sentiments and the Declaration of Independence only differed in two words, â€Å"and women†. At the convention, the women signed their names on the document. As one of the youngest signers to the Declaration of Sentiments, Charlotte Woodward became the only signer to see her dream come alive at the ballot box. To discourage the women from taking any further actions, newspapers across the country published and ridiculed the Declaration and its signers. Embarrassed by the bad publicity, several women decided to withdraw their name. However, most women were still willing to fight for their cause. The tea party on t hat hot summer afternoon started an ongoing fight for women’s equality. â€Å"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex† (U.S. Constitution). These are the words that women across the country were fighting to hear. Congress passed the 19th Amendment on June 4th, 1919 and sent it to the states. Seventy- five percent of the states needed to ratify the Amendment for it to be official. Before her son, Congressman Harry Burn from Tennessee, made the crucial vote on Women’s Suffrage, Mrs. J. L. Burn wrote him a letter. She told him, â€Å"Hurrah! And vote for suffrage and don’t keep them in doubt†¦ Don’t forget to be aShow MoreRelatedWomens Rights Movement1336 Words   |  6 PagesThe Women’s Rights Movement Women’s Suffrage is a subject that could easily be considered a black mark on the history of the United States. The entire history of the right for women to vote takes many twists and turns but eventually turned out alright. This paper will take a look at some of these twists and turns along with some of the major figures involved in the  suffrage  movement.   The first recorded instance in American history where a woman demanded the right to vote was in 1647. MargaretRead MoreWomens Rights Movements1199 Words   |  5 Pagesdoes have hope struggling to carry the world. Women are continuously dehumanized because they are not treated as equals in the work place, the media, and school however the women’s rights movement has given women the right of freedom of speech and right to vote I. Need for the movement Although, when the Women’s Rights movement started women were happy but it has then and even now moved quite slowly making women lose their hope. Women have transitioned into the state of mind of being the â€Å"housewife†Read MoreWomens Rights Movements951 Words   |  4 Pagesgovernment went through great length to prevent specific groups from having the right and ability to vote. One group in particular that were deprive voting rights in the past was women. The idea that women wanted to be not above a man, but equal was unfathomable to most men and women. In the past, women were seen as unintelligent servants to their husbands and children. They were deprived many rights especially the right to vote in public state or national elections. This did not change until theRead MoreEssay on The Womens Rights Movement1346 Words   |  6 PagesThe Womens Rights Movement was a significant crusade for women that began in the late nineteenth century and flourished throughout Europe and the United States for the rest of the twentieth century. Advocates for womens rights initiated this movement as they yearned for equality and equal participation and representation in society. Throughout all of history, the jobs of women ranged from housewives to factory workers, yet oppression by society, particularly men, accompanied them in their everydayRead MoreEssay on The Womens Rights Movement1962 Words   |  8 PagesThe Womens Rights Movement History looks different when the contributions of women are included. -the National Womens History Project Throughout history, society has impacted the lifestyle of the individual. Change in society has a particular impact on the individual. During the Vietnam era, change in society was drastic. Many movements began during this time period. One of these was the escalation of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Womens rights was always a concern, but duringRead MoreHistory of the Womens Movement for Suffrage and Womens Rights1200 Words   |  5 PagesPrior to the famous movement for womens suffrage in the society, women had little or no say in the society. If they happen to be working, it was gruelling things like housework that would sometimes extend over the course of the whole day, or, later on during the famous industrialization era that took place, in various factories they get paid very little and work long hours. On the other hand women had the go ahead to vote but in only some states, it was practically a big joke to think of a womanRead MoreThe Goals Of The Feminist And Women S Rights Movements1166 Words   |  5 PagesThe goals of the feminist and women s rights movements are first to create equality amongst all people. All people are deserving of quality health care, unconditional love and mutual respect. Human rights are at the heart of women s issues, whether you are a woman, man or child, everyone, is entitled to basic human rights as individuals. As a marginalized section of the population, women should be interested in the elimination of patriarchal ideologies and systems that continually seep intoRead MoreWomens Right Movement 1970s784 Words   |  3 Pages Womens Right Movement 1970S The Womens Right Movement has been a long enduring battle, which started in 1848 and is still something we are fighting for. Woman Rights in the 1970s wasnt the first wave of feminism which focused on suffrage;this wave was mostly focused on equal opportunity. This movement helped gain the ERA amendment which allowed women equal payment in working fields. This was extremely important because although women were already working and have always worked they werentRead More Womens Rights Movement in the US Essay611 Words   |  3 Pages Women rights Throughout the years of marriage and relationships there has been many changes towards the different roles that men and women play. Over this time though there are also things that have remained the same. The male female relationship has always had a type of â€Å"guidelines†. Over the past forty years these guidelines have become less and less followed. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Men and women’s attitudes towards each other are something that has always, for the most part, remained theRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement Womens Liberation Movement Essay examples2309 Words   |  10 PagesHistory of Civil Rights Movement The 1960s brought about changes economically and socially. The Civil Rights Movement was alive and moving. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s goal was to hopefully put an end to racial discrimination and to restore voting rights in the South. Clearly the 60s was not the beginning of the fight for civil rights in America. The 18th century in the United State was plagued by hatred, racism and slavery. Slavery affected the entire nation. Slavery destroyed families

A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor Essay

A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor In the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, the main character is the grandmother. Flannery OConnor, the author, lets the reader find out who the grandmother is by her conversations and reactions to the other characters in the story. The grandmother is the most important character in the story because she has a main role in the stories principal action. This little old lady is the protagonist in this piece. We learn more about her from her direct conversation with the son, Bailey, her grandchildren, June Star and John Wesley, and the Misfit killer. Through these conversations, we know that she is a lady raised from a traditional background. In the story, her attitude changes†¦show more content†¦I believe that the cat was the only thing that showed her love and attention. Her only son, had a family of his own, her grandchildren were older now, and she felt like she was not important to them anymore, and the children?s mother was involved with the baby. By bringing t he cat, she felt like she would not be lonely. The reader can also tell that the woman is extremely prejudice. She refers to the black child as a ?cute little pickaninny? and a nigger. You can also tell a lot about the old woman by what she is wearing. In the car, she wears white gloves, a sailor hat, and a navy blue dress. She states that the prominent clothes are worn so that if anything happens, the people that find her body will know that she was a lady (Page 427). I think she wore this outfit so that she could think she was something she was not. It is clearly seen that in her youth, she lived in prosperity. She had everything from youthfulness to money and to love. Now, she almost dreaded life because her beauty and youthfulness were gone. She would talk about her past because it would take her away from the misery of the present. One of the most important scenes in the story takes place in the vehicle. The grandmother spots an old family graveyard that once belonged to a plantation. She tells the children that the gravesShow MoreRelatedA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor1196 Words   |  5 PagesA prolific writer, famously known as Flannery O’Connor in 1953, wrote the short narrative titled â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† (Scott 2). However, it was published two years later in 1955, in her second collection of short stories. This particular collection presented the author as a key voice in the ancient American literature world until she met her sudden death in 1964 when she was only 39. The collection also won her tremendous fame, especially concerning her unmatchable creativity and masteryRead MoreA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor748 Words   |  3 PagesFlannery O’Connor’s Southern Gothic short story, â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find,† is o ne of sudden violence; although, it begins rather uneventful (Kaplan 1). Bailey, his wife, and their children, John Wesley, June Star, and a baby boy, are all looking forward to a trip to Florida. Grandmother, Bailey’s mom, wants to go to east Tennessee to see her relatives, not Florida. She uses an article in the newspaper that tells of an escaped criminal, the Misfit, which is headed to Florida to try to persuadeRead MoreA Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor645 Words   |  3 PagesA Good Man â€Å"She would have been a good woman†¦if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life† (Gardner). Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† tells of Bailey, his wife, their three children and Bailey’s mother all heading to Florida for vacation. In this paper I will summarize the story, and discuss the irony of the story and the morality and religion in the story. The family, Bailey, his wife, three children and his mother, are set to go on vacation to FloridaRead MoreA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor 664 Words   |  3 PagesIn the story â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† Flannery OConnor uses the grandmother as a person who gets what she wants. At first she doesnt want to go to Florida she wants to visit her relatives in Tennessee. We also learn she is manipulative when she tries to change Baileys (her son) mind. Whenever something doesnt go her way she wants she isnt pleased. She uses the story of the Misfit to scare the family so that they would go to Tennessee. Something else the grandmother says about herself inRead More The Journey in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor690 Words   |  3 PagesThe Journey in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor In A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Flannery OConnors character searches for grace and redemption in a world full of sin. Grimshaw states, each one, nonetheless, is free to choose, free to accept or reject Grace (6). The Grandmother in A Good Man is Hard to Find, is on a journey for grace and forgiveness in a world where the redemption she is searching for proves to be hard to find. The Grandmother often finds herself at oddsRead MoreEssay on A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor1564 Words   |  7 PagesA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor A Good Man is Hard to Find is an extremely powerful commentary that elucidates Flannery OConnors opinions about religion and society. Like the majority of her other works, A Good Man is Hard to Find has attracted many interpretations based on Christian dogma (Bandy 1). These Christian explications are justified because Miss OConnor is notorious for expressing Catholic doctrines through her fiction. Once she even remarked I see fromRead MoreA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor Essay1033 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find,† written by Flannery O’Connor tells the story of a dysfunctional family headed to vacation and their inevitable death. The family, including their matriarch, the grandmother, represents the delusion perfection that many modern Christians have. The family displays an extreme sense of vanity, self-centeredness, and disobedience during the first half of the story. The first half of the story does not follow a specific pattern nor does it hold significance to the family’sRead MoreA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor Essay1959 Words   |  8 Pages Who is the Misfit? In the short story, â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard to Find† a family comprising of a grandmother, a father, three children, and a wife is headed on vacation has the misfortune of meeting a murderous band of serial killers. The Misfit and his band of serial killers are recently escapees of a federal prison. In the following paragraphs this paper looks into the issues of, what one would do in a situation such as that and the background of the the family and murderers as well. The MisfitRead More Symbolism in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor1038 Words   |  5 PagesUse of Symbolism in A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor is a short story that depicts a familys vacation to Florida that turned into an abysmal tragedy when they met with the Misfit, a convict who escaped from prison. This story is meant to be interpreted as a parable, whereby OConnor made skilful use of symbolism to bring about messages such as the class-consciousness and the lack of spiritual faith that exist amongst human. Read MoreA Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor Essay1612 Words   |  7 PagesIn the short story A Good Man Is Hard to Find, written by Flannery O’Connor, the theme that the definition of a ‘good man’ is mysterious and flawed is apparent. The reader must realize that it is difficult to universalize the definition of a good man because every person goes through different experiences. Thus, these experiences affect his or her viewpoint and in turn flaw ones view on a good man. O’Connor conveys this theme through her excellent us e of diction, imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism

Leadership Managing Organization & Leading People- Assignment Help

Question: Conduct a leadership evaluation of your own leadership by doing the following: Reflect on the results of your Seven Habits Profile, including what those results might indicate about your leadership style. Evaluate three strengths of your leadership practice using a scholarly leadership theory. Evaluate three weaknesses of your leadership practice. Recommend three theory-based changes that you could make to maximize your success in managing organizations and leading people in the future. Answer: Introduction This paper will provide an insight to the personal leadership practice. This paper has undertaken a self assessment of leadership practice with the aid of specific tools. Seven habit profiles will be used in this case for evaluating the personal leadership practice (Buller, Schuler Schuler, 2000). Thus, this paper will help in identification of the strengths along with the weakness of the leadership practice. The discussion will be linked with the theoretical framework of leadership practice. Additionally, SMART goals will be set for facilitating personal development. Personal Leadership Evaluation Personal leadership evaluation is important as it will help in the identification of the strengths as well as limitations of the person. Therefore, the strengths need be capitalized and limitations need to be overcome for self development. This paper has focused on the self evaluation of the leadership style through conducting a self assessment of seven habits profile (Hiriyappa, 2009). Results of Seven Habits Profile Seven habits profile has been designed and proposed by Stephen Covey on the basis of the distinct phases of personal growth through these specific habits. In order to achieve personal growth, development of these seven habits is essential. Hence, it is important to assess my habits in order understand the need for improvement (Kreitner Kinicki, 2004). It has been found that in order to evaluate my seven habits; I had to put responses for 27 questions. The results of the seven habits profile are attached with this paper and this section will focus on discussing the results of the seven habits profile. Foundational habits: Emotional Bank Account: This is one of the most important foundational habits. The result demonstrates that I am quite good in keeping promises and honor other people. It also show that I prefer to not to talk negative things about people in their absence (Buller, Schuler Schuler, 2000). Life Balance: Life balance is an important aspect of life which is important to maintain. However, it has been observed that I have scored moderate in this category which implies that I am not able to maintain very good balance between work and personal life (McShane Von Glinow, 2000). Seven Habits: Be Proactive: Being proactive helps an individual to manage their activities better. I have scored well and there is lot of scope for improvement. It reflects that I have a moderate level of control on my life and activities. Begin with the End in Mind: It is essential to set a target for becoming successful. This habit indicates that one must be aware of the end or the ultimate position to achieve. It has also demonstrated moderate level of goal setting and planning activities. There is a lot of scope to improve my planning and organizing skill for ensuring success (Kreitner Kinicki, 2004). Put First Things First: Prioritizing is considered to be one of the most important success factors for the leaders. It is important to adopt the art of prioritizing things so that the entire process runs smoothly. It has been observed that I scored poor in prioritizing things which leads to a disorganized state. The results clearly indicates that the I need to put significant effort for learning the art of prioritizing work for ensuring completion of each activity on time. Think Win-Win: Thinking of win-win strategy refers to the attitude of an individual for considering benefits of others. It is very important to solve conflict by adoption of a win- win strategy which will satisfy both the parties. The results show that I am very good in resolving conflict by satisfying both the parties. It implies that I co-operate with others and concerned about the consequence of a decision for all the stakeholders (Hiriyappa, 2009). This is a very important trait for becoming a successful leader. Seek First to Understand: Interdependence is considered to be one of the most important aspects of successful leadership and personal development. The results of seven habits profile demonstrated that I am a very good active listener. It has been found that that I honor the feelings and idea of others. I am sensible and try to comprehend the perspective of other people. Additionally, while listening to someone I try to understand it from the perspective of that person instead of sticking to my point. Synergize: In order to become a successful leader it is very important to achieve participation of others. For making a project success, it is important to consider inputs from other people as it enhances creativity. From the seven habits profile, it is evident that, I do value as well as ask to share the insights of others. I strongly encourage other people to share their ideas and opinions regarding a particular decision or event. Thus, I am able to be creative while looking out for solutions and new ideas. Sharpen the Saw: This habit states that it is important to evaluate the ongoing activities along with the progress. It will be helpful in enhancing the personal development. It is true that development of new skills takes time and requires effective practice. Hence, evaluation of the ongoing practice will helps in learning the new skills fast (McShane Von Glinow, 2000). Analyzing the seven habits profile, it can be identified that I am consultative democratic leader. According to the leadership theories, democratic leadership style helps in effective decision making and improves cohesion among the teammates. The democratic leaders have been able to positively motivate others in order to achieve high level of co-operation from their end. The seven habits profile assessment has demonstrated that I encourage others to share their opinions. I respect the feeling of an individual and listen to their comments(Pencheon, 2000). I am a consultative leader as I prefer to consult others prior making decisions. I feel that it is important to consult others as it provides creative solutions and a new approach for a particular situation or event. As I found it helpful, I shall prefer to continue to be a democratic consultative leader (Bhatti, Maitlo, Shaikh, Hashmi Shaikh, 2012). Evaluation of My Leadership Practice The seven habits profile has significantly helped in comprehending my strengths and weaknesses along with the scope of developments. In order to become a successful leader, it is important to develop strategies on the basis of the present condition. Hence, this section will identify my strengths along with weakness in order to develop an effective plan for improving my leadership practice (Vecchio, 2000). Strengths The major strengths of leadership practice are: First of all, most important strength of my leadership style is my Win-Win negotiation strategy. It has been found that I prefer to satisfy both the parties who are engaged in the conflict. I focus on co-operating with others and listen to all the concerned people while making decision. It helps in resolving a conflict easily by satisfying both the parties which has a positive implication(Pencheon, 2000). Secondly, one of the most important strength of my leadership practice is I focus on listening to others perspective and ideas from their point of view instead of considering my perspective. It has been found that, when an individual feel valued, it makes him/ her more engaged into the work. It has been observed that it helps in enhancing creativity as well as productivity of a team. Hence, it will help in becoming a successful leader(Robbins, 2000). Third strength of my leadership style is I express my concern for others. I do keep promises and commitments which enhance my image and the followers trust me. I do share negative words regarding a person when he is not present. It makes me more trustworthy and responsible for leading a team. This trait helps me in motivating the followers in a positive manner (Schermerhorn, Osborn Hunt, 2000). In this context, participative leadership theory can be applied for substantiating the findings of the seven habits profile. In this section, major three strengths of my leadership style has been identified which can be explained with the theory of participative leadership. Participative leadership theory has focused on the study of a particular leadership style which considers view of others at the time of decision making (Schermerhorn, Osborn Hunt, 2008). The name itself suggests that, this leadership theory focuses on seeking participation of the people who get affected due to the decision made. According to this theory, when a leader makes decision without consulting with others, it may lead to issues as the leader may not consider all the pros and cons of the decision. Hence, it is better to involve all the concerned employees in the decision making process. Participative leadership theory is based on some assumption such as several people make better decision instead of one an d people are more committed to the activities where they are involved in the decision making (Kreitner Kinicki, 2008). Additionally, this theory believes that people are more collaborative while they are actively participating in the decision making process. A participative leader does not make autocratic decision and considers all the perspectives for reaching consensus. Analyzing my seven habit profile, it can be found that I am a participative leader. I consider perspective of all people for making final decision and adopt win-win negotiation strategy. My second strength states that I listen to others views and perspectives. This clearly reflects I am a participative leader. On the other hand, I have been able to exhibit my concern regarding others through keeping promises. Participative leader values other team members or followers and hence, from this analysis, it can be concluded that, I am a participative leader (Luthans, 2008). Weaknesses The major weaknesses of my leadership practice include the following: First of all, I am not good enough in maintain the balance between work and personal life. I get engrossed in my wok and ignore some personal engagements and duties. This may significantly affect the leadership style as I will be disturbed all the time. This may also lead to stress (Vecchio, 2000). Secondly, the seven habits profile has implied that I lack prioritizing skills. Hence, it has been observed that the important activities get lost due to the busy schedule and lack of planning. There are no specific goals set for a particular time. It is one of the major weaknesses which need to be improved (Robbins, 2000). Third, it has been identified that I give significant importance to others. Sometimes, it may lead to the internal conflict and delayed procedure as it will take more time to reach consensus if everybodys view is considered. Hence, it is important to have a little bit control over the entire procedure in order to ensure it is completed within time. Trait theory of leadership has focused on defining the specific traits of a leader which is essential for becoming a successful leader. Trait theory can be applied in order to substantiate the identified weaknesses of my leadership style. First of all, it can be found that the trait theory of leadership states that leaders are very intelligent and emotionally matured (Colbert, Judge, Choi Wang, 2012). Consequently, they will be able to maintain a balance between the work life and personal life. From the seven habit profile it has been found that, I have not been able to maintain balance between professional and personal life. It clearly reflects that I lack emotional maturity and desired level of intelligence for managing everything. Trait theories have clearly identified the characteristics that differentiate a leader from others. It has been found that job relevant knowledge, self confidence, intelligence help in managing tasks effectively. Hence, the leader is able to prioritize tasks efficiently and lead a group successfully (Kreitner Kinicki, 2008). However, it has been found that, I lack prioritizing skill which is essential for managing all the activities efficiently. It clearly indicates I lack job relevant knowledge and desired level of intelligence for prioritizing tasks efficiently. On the other hand, it has been identified that I give too much importance to others while making decision. According to trait theory of leadership, leader must be self confident and decisive. It means that, the leader will be able to make decision quickly. However, I give unnecessary importance to other people at the time of decision making which leads to delay the procedure and gives rise to internal conflict which is not desired at all (Robbins Judge, 2009). Recommendations for Personal Leadership Some recommendations can be given in order to overcome the limitations for personal development as a successful leader. It has been found that setting SMART goals will be helpful in achieving personal development. This section will provide some recommendations along with specific goals and specific activities. I must adopt the transformational leadership style which will help in managing my activities efficiently. Thus, I will be able to identify the desired changes and inspire the followers by establishing a clear vision. I must set examples for my followers and become their role model. Adoption of transformational leadership will significantly contribute in the enhancing the employee morale, motivation along with the performance of the followers. Thus transformational leadership style can help me in providing the desired spark and change in the organization. Additionally, I need to encounter challenging situation through innovation. Innovation clearly indicates creativity which wil l help in resolving an issue in a different manner. It is an important characteristic of a leader and for nurturing the creativity; I must keep myself updated regarding the surrounding activities. Thinking must be extensively practiced which will trigger the cognitive skills to come up with innovative ideas for providing a great solution. Hence, I need to consider various perspectives of a problem as well as solution. I must continue to listen to others and ask everybody to share their views as it can significantly contribute in managing people in an effective manner. The followers will feel valued and thus my leadership style will be effective in organizational settings. Transformational leaders can bring significant changes for the organization as well as followers (Bass Riggio, 2006). SMART Goals SMART goals refer to the goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic and time- bound. For me, the SMART goals will be the following: I need to learn prioritizing works through use of Action Priority Matrix. Thus, I will be able to plan effectively and manager any kind of interruption and ultimately will be able to complete the task within the given time frame. This skill need to be improved within 3 months and there must be less number of cases where deadline is missed (Robbins, 2003). The second goal is to maintain a balance between the work life and personal life. This is also essential for managing stress (McShane Von Glinow, 2000). It is recommended that I must focus on developing planning and organizing skills. Additionally, I need to focus on the time management and planning activities in order to manage activities effectively. I must focus on the win-win negotiation strategy and it will be helpful in influencing other members. Specific Actions The specific actions of the leader for meeting the SMART goals are presented in this section: First of all, I need to get an insight regarding Action Priority Matrix. The subject must be studied and it needs to be applied in real life context for prioritizing activities efficiently. Thus, time management skill can be improved. In order to manage stress, I need to focus on giving importance to both work and personal life. For managing stress, I must be able to make some time for nurturing my personal interests and relaxation. Every day, to do list must be developed where I must allocate some time for the prioritized works and personal activities (Kreitner Kinicki, 2008). Conclusion It has been found that I am a participative leader. The major strengths and weakness of my leadership style has been assessed. Additionally, SMART goals are set for achieving personal development and improving leadership style. References Bass, B., Riggio, R. (2006).Transformational leadership. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates. Bhatti, N., Maitlo, G., Shaikh, N., Hashmi, M., Shaikh, F. (2012). The Impact of Autocratic and Democratic Leadership Style on Job Satisfaction.International Business Research,5(2). doi:10.5539/ibr.v5n2p192 Buller, P., Schuler, R., Schuler, R. (2000).Managing organizations and people. Cincinnati: South-Western College Pub. Colbert, A., Judge, T., Choi, D., Wang, G. (2012). Assessing the trait theory of leadership using self and observer ratings of personality: The mediating role of contributions to group success.The Leadership Quarterly,23(4), 670-685. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2012.03.004 Hiriyappa, B. (2009).Organizational behavior. New Delhi: New Age International. Kreitner, R., Kinicki, A. (2004).Organizational behavior. Boston: McGraw Hill/Irwin. Kreitner, R., Kinicki, A. (2008).Organizational behavior. Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Luthans, F. (2008).Organizational behavior. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. McShane, S., Von Glinow, M. (2000).Organizational behavior. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill. Pencheon, D. (2000). Leadership and motivation.BMJ,321(7256), 2-2. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7256.s2-7256 Robbins, S. (2000).Essentials of organizational behavior. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Robbins, S. (2003).Organizational behavior. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Robbins, S., Judge, T. (2009).Organizational behavior. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. Schermerhorn, J., Osborn, R., Hunt, J. (2000).Organizational behavior. New York: Wiley. Vecchio, R. (2000).Organizational behavior. Fort Worth: Dryden Press.

Saturn Essays (728 words) - Astronomy, Planetary Science

Saturn Jessica Alcalde Earth and Space Saturn SATURN Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and it is the second largest of the nine planets in the solar system. In Roman mythology it was believed to be the god of agriculture, he ate his children. Its Greek name is Cronos. Saturn is distinctively known for its ring system, which was first seen by Galileo in 1610. Of all the planets Saturn has the most moons, with a total of twenty-eight. Until recently, there were only 18 known moons that were orbiting Saturn. In the last ten months astronomers have discovered ten more, making the total twenty-eight. The diameters of Saturn's moons range from 20 to 5150 km. They are mostly made up of ice, gas and dust nebula form which the solar system was formed and from where the sun could not evaporate the frozen gases and ice. The five largest known Saturn moons are Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione and Rhea. Dione's surface is believed to be 40% rock material and it has many craters that have been caused by meteorite impacts. Many astronomers think that there is tectonic activity happening on Eceladus. Dion and Rhea look very similar on the outside because they are both very bright and wispy streaks on their surface, caused by ice from the interior that has moved to the surface. Last week, a Canadian astronomer named J.J. Kavelaars, discovered four of the ten new moons. These newly discovered moons are different from the other moons. The new ones are much smaller and their orbits are highly inclined relative to Saturn's rings and its equator. Also, they are highly elliptical. Some of Saturn's moons orbit in the same direction as Saturn and others go in the opposite direction. Because of the unusual orbit of some of the moons, many astronomers believe that Saturn captured these moons after it was formed 4.6 billion years ago. The density of Saturn compared to Earth is eight times less because Saturn is made up of mostly hydrogen. It has 88% hydrogen, 11% helium and also has methane, ammonia, ethane, acetylene and phosphine. Probes that have gone to Saturn have sent back images that show whirl winds and clouds in a deep haze. The enormous weight of Saturn's atmosphere causes the atmospheric pressure to increase significantly toward the center of the planet, where the hydrogen gas becomes condensed into a liquid. Toward the center of the planet, the liquid hydrogen is compressed into metallic hydrogen which is an electrical conductor. Electrical currents in this metallic hydrogen are what is the cause for the planet's magnetic field. At the center of Saturn, the core is thought to have a temperature close to 15,000? C. The average temperatures of Saturn's clouds are ?176 degrees Celsius. On Saturn, the time it would take to make a full rotation is ten hours and eleven minutes. Because of Saturn's fast rotat ion it concludes that the winds of Saturn's equator go as fast as 1060 mph. The rings of Saturn are named in order of their discovery. They were named after the letters in the alphabet. From the planet outward they are called D, C, B, A, F, G, and E rings. These rings are now known to comprise more than 100,000 individual ringlets. All of the rings of Saturn circle the planet. There are dark spots in some places on the rings and in the past have been mistaken for some of Saturn's moons. One of Saturn's moons Enceladus, is thought to give particles to one of the rings and they orbit together. Saturn's visible rings stretch out to a distance of 84,650 miles from the center of Saturn. But in some places the rings are only 5 miles thick. Saturn is definitely one of the more unique planets. Because of its distinctive ring system, and it's twenty-eight moons. From earth Saturn appears to look like a bight yellow object, one of the brightest in the sky. The sixth planet from the sun and it is the second largest of the nine planets in the solar system. In Roman mythology it was believed to be the god of agriculture, he ate his children. What a fantastic, great planet. Bibliography References http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/cassini/ http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=01369000 www.looksmart.com/eus1 www.astronomy.com www.universetoday.com www.nasa1.com Science

Creating Multiple-Choice Test Questions

Creating Multiple-Choice Test Questions Ten Essential Rules for Creating Multi-Choice Questions This article covers the basic rules for creating multiple-choice test questions. These types of tests are often undervalued and not often discussed, partly because they are less exciting than some learning and test techniques such as 3-D learning methods. If your work requires you to use test materials, then it is best to reduce or eliminate the errors that can arise from badly-written test questions. The writing rules listed in this article are designed to ensure tests are more precise. The aim is to end up with questions that are understood as they were intended and that the answer choices are clearly-written without providing hints. And, in case you are not very familiar with the terminology that goes with multi-choice questions, this is also explained below. How Multiple-Choice Questions are Made UpThe questions stem. A number of optional answers.Here is a question and some possible answers: The abbreviation ISD stands for which of the following: Irregular System DesignInstructors Systematic Design Instructional Systems Design Irrelevant System DesignIn this, a), b), c) and d) are the answer options, while a), b), and d) are distractors and c) is the right answer. The following are ten important rules. If there are any others you would like to add, please use the comments form ons website.Questions designed to test critical thinking skills and comprehension rather than merely recallSometimes, multi-choice questions attract criticism for testing nothing more than superficial knowledge recall. It is possible to go deeper by asking students to evaluate events or situations, interpret concepts and/or facts, analyze causes and effects, predict outcomes, and draw inferences.The majority of words should be placed in the stem of the questionIf your preference is to use a stem as opposed to a whole question make sure you put most words in the questions stem. This will allow you make answer choices shorter, thereby rendering them easier to read with less room for confusion.Use precise words and make the structure of sentences simpleThe structure of test or exam questions should be simple so that each one can be easily understood. Do your best to be as accurate as you possibly can be. Different words can mean different things depending on their context and how they are used colloquially.Make answer options a similar lengthAlthough this is not necessarily easy, those who are accustomed to taking tests can get clues to the right answer from the length. Frequently, the right answer is the longest one. If you cannot make all answers a similar length, try to write two long answers and two short ones.Do your best to make distractors sound plausibleIncorrect answer options should seem believable. While this can be difficult, it is best not to throw in obvious distractors (also spelled distracters) because this reduces the validity of a test.The order of correct answer options should be mixed upTry to ensure the majority of correct answer options are not, say, a or b. This happens frequently. Spread correct answer options in random order and do not allow them to form a detectable pattern. When you have written a test, go back and do some reordering if needs be.Double negatives should be avoidedThis should not sound like news! Words like no, not and nor should not be combined in sentences, nor with un prefixes. The following question could, for instance, cause confusion for test-takers: which of these situations would not be unpleasant to a workforce? Turn it around to its positive version e.g. which of these situations would be pleasant to a workforce?Try not to trick those taking your testWhile they may have their faults, the purpose of a test is to evaluate knowledge. So, do not use questions or answer choices that could trick a test taker. If a question or answer option is in any way ambiguous, revise it.Be cautious when using All or None as an answer optionA lot of test writers do not like this particular rule because they find ALL or NONE of the above useful when they run short of distractor ideas. However, these do not necessarily help learning. For example, if it is not used in a consistent manner all the ab ove can be a throwaway answer. This option can additionally promote guesswork where a test-taker feels one or more answer is right. A further problem with the answer none is that you cannot judge if the student really does know the right answer.Use a consistent number of answer optionsHaving answer options that go to i for one set of questions and only to d in the next can leave the test-taker not knowing what to expect and it can create a user-interface problem. Studies cannot seem to agree on whether or not it is best to have three, four or five answer options. However, many believe that four options is a fair and realistic number.

Should You Really Study Abroad in High School

Should You Really Study Abroad in High School SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you interested in improving your language skills, traveling, or experiencing new cultures while in high school?Study abroad programs are growing in popularity among high school students, and they area great way to gain new skills and meet new people, although they can also be expensive and challenging if you aren't properly prepared. Read on to learn what a high school study abroad program is, what the benefits and drawbacks are, and whether or not you should participate in one. What Is High School Study Abroad? High school study abroad programs are any program where high school students live in a foreign country and attend school there, usually for a prolonged period of time.They offer students the opportunity to experience a new country and culture, meet new people, gain knowledge, and participate in another country’s education system. High school study abroad programs exist in many countries, with Europe being the most popular continent to study abroad in. Many students choose to participate in programs where they can practice the foreign language they are learning in high school, making Spanish-speaking countries, like Spain and Argentina,someof the most popular destinations. These programs can last anywhere from one week to an entire year, offering participants a lot of variation for how in-depth they would like their study abroad to be. Sometimes these programs are exchanges, in whichyou'll study in a country for a certain period of time while a student from that country comes tostudy at your high school and often live with your family. Some study abroad programs have a specific focus, such as language immersion or intense study of a certain subject;other times you simply study the standard curricula of the school you are attending.As a high school student, I did two study abroad programs: a ten-day exchange in France and a month long program in England. Both were very different from each other, but each had great benefits. What Are Some Popular Study Abroad Programs for High School Students? Studying abroad while in high school has become more popular in the last few decades, and there are now multiple organizations and companies that help match students with relevant programs. Your high school may offer its own program. If it does, this is often the best way to go because it will usually make the logistics of applying to the program, obtaining a visa, and transferring credits (if necessary) much smoother.However, if your school doesn’t offer a study abroad program or the program they offer isn’t what you are looking for, then you can look for programs run through outside organizations. There are a lot of options for high school study abroad programs these days, based on where you’d like to study and what you’d like to do while there. Below are four popular organizations that offer some of the best study abroad programs for high school students. Quest Exchange When: Offers programs in the summer and during the school year Where: Programs in roughly 20 different countries, including Spain, Ecuador, and Thailand Program Length: 3, 5, or 10 months Housing: Choice between host family or boarding Focus: Some programs have specific focuses, such as language or cultural immersion Good option for: Students who want a lot of options. Quest Exchange programs offer participants a wide range of options in terms of where they’d like to study, how long they’d like their program to last, and what type of accommodations they’d prefer. AFS When:Offers programs in the summer and during the school year Where:Programs in over 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America Program Length:2 weeks to an academic year Housing: Host family Focus:Some programs have particular focuses such as community service, language acquisition, and cultural immersion. Good Option for:AFS offers programs in a wide variety of countries, so it may be a good option for students interested in living in a country not offered by other study abroad programs. ECI When: Only during the summer Where: France or Spain Program Length:Programs range from 2-4 weeks, with options to extend Housing: Host family Focus: Foreign language skills.They offer group programs where you learn with others in a classroom, or individual programs where you develop your language skills by communicating with your host family. Good Option for:Students who want to improve their French and Spanish skills and live closely with a local family. The individual program option may also be good for students who want to learn language skills in a non-academic setting, since those programs don’t include formal classes. US Department of State The US government offers several opportunities for high school students to study abroad,including the American Youth Leadership Program, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program, and the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program. These are competitive programs that are often more difficult to get accepted into than most other study abroad programs.The US Dept. of State also offers scholarships for other study abroad programs. When: Year-round Where: Varies depending on the program Program Length: Most programs last an entire academic year, though some are only a few weeks long. Focus: Programs often focus on learning about different cultures. Good option for: Those looking for a deep cultural experience and who are able to spend an entire academic year in a foreign country. These programs are also a good option for students who may not be able to afford a traditional study abroad program because their costs are typically much lower, and sometimes all expenses are paid for. There are also many other programs available that can be found by searching â€Å"high school study abroad programs† or including a particular country or skill you’d like to learn in the search. You can also ask your guidance counselor for program recommendations. Benefits of Studying Abroad in High School Why would you want to participate in a high school study abroad program? Read on to learn about some of the most important benefits. Gain New Skills and Knowledge If you attend a great program and are motivated to learn, you can gain a lot of new skills and knowledge during your study abroad.The most common of these is improved language skills. Living in a country where a foreign language is spoken is the best way to become fluent because you are exposed to that language all the time. If you attend a program with a focus on language immersion and make it a priority to improve your foreign language skills, you can see significant improvements in your ability to speak another language, especially if you attend a longer program. Study abroad programs can also help you learn more about a particular country, culture, or school subject, depending on the program's focus, although for all programs you have to put effort into learning to get a lot out of your study abroad. Learn About New Cultures Living in a foreign country can expose you to new cultures and ways of living, such as new food, sports, and celebrations if you make an effort to learn about them.Living with a host family also makes it easier to learn about a new culture because the family you are living with will often introduce you to local life by showing you new foods, places to visit, and activities to do. For example, you may learn how to play cricket in India, celebrate Carnevalein Italy, or eat snails in France. While not all study abroad programs make cultural learning a priority, if you attend a program that does it will often offer special events and field trips to help you learn more about local culture.If you are motivated to learn about a new place, even short programs can give you a lot of cultural experience. The ten days I spent in France taught me more about French culture than several years of French class. Meet New People Studying abroad is also a great opportunity to make new friends from other countries and cultures.You will meet new classmates and fellow program participants, as well as members of your host family if you are doing a home stay. Can Include It on College Applications and Resumes Studying abroad while in high school is a great thing to be able to include on your resume and college applications.Studying abroad shows independence, motivation, and a desire to have new experiences and meet new people, all qualities that employers and college admissions officers like to see. Some high school study abroad programs also offer programs that allow you to focus on an area you want to continue studying, such as history or environmental studies. If you choose to participate in one of these programs, you will have even more specialized experience to include on applications. For the program I did in England, I took an archaeology course, and my group ended up discovering evidence of a new Roman-age village. Not only was ita cool experience, but I also included it in my admissions essays for college. Drawbacks of a High School Study Abroad Not everything about studying abroad will be perfect, and it's important to know potential downsides before you enroll in a program. Below are some of the most common drawbacks of high school study abroad programs. Culture Shock While living a new country and experiencing new things can be very exciting, there will also be times when it will be difficult and lonely.Especially if you are participating in a longer program, be prepared for times when you feel frustrated, lonely, or disorientated. Usually these feelings are temporary, but sometimes they can last for a long time and can seriously impact your studies, not to mention how much you enjoy your study abroad experience.Participating in a study abroad program while having culture shock can cause your grades to suffer, make it difficult to make new friends, and leave you with negative feelings towards certain countries or cultures, none of which is good. May Make It Difficult to Graduate on Time Even if you are taking a full course load in a foreign country, not all your credits may transfer to your regular school, or they may not meet the specific requirements you need in order to graduate high school.This may cause you to have to take summer school classes or graduate a semester or year later than the rest of your class. This is typically only a problem for students who do longer programs (semester or year-long) during the school year that aren’t organized through their high school. High Cost Many high school study abroad programs are quite expensive.The specific cost will vary based on the organization running the program, where the program takes place, and how long it lasts, but nearly all cost at least a few thousand dollars, and many semester and year-long programs cost $10,000 or more. Paperwork and Red Tape For many of these programs, you will have to fill out a significant amount of paperwork.Some shorter programs and those organized through your high school may require less paperwork, but in general applying to the program and applying for a visa will take a significant amount of time. If you want to attend a longer program, you will likely have to apply for a student visa for the country you will be living in. It varies by country, but, in general, if you will be studying for a semester or a year, you will have to get a student visa. Obtaining a student visa takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. You will often have to send papers to the country’s embassy or consulate in the United States, and you may have to make an in-person visit as well.Filling out the required paperwork and waiting for different government agencies to respond will also take time, so, in general, you will need to start preparing at least a few months before you wish to begin a study abroad program. Limited Benefits Unfortunately, some high school study abroad programs are better than others. While all claim to offer great classes and cultural experiences, some are little more than extended vacations or opportunities to post exotic pictures on Instagram. In these programs, you may not learn much or meet anyone besides other American teenagers, and this can be extremely frustrating, to say the least, if you spent a lot of time and money on a program you thought was going to provide you with new skills and knowledge. In order to minimize the impact of this happening, research a program carefully before you enroll in it. Read as many reviews from past participants as you can, and don't be afraid to contact the organization to ask for more information on how students spend their time and what activities they participate in. Read on to learn more about what else you should consider in order to choose the best study abroad program for you. Considerations to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Program There are clearly benefits and drawbacks to participating in a high school study abroad program. Carefully considering different programs before you choose one can help maximize the benefits and your enjoyment of the experience. Below are several aspects you should keep in mind when considering programs. Where to Go Choosing the country where you’d like to study abroad is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make when looking at study abroad programs.You will often choose where to study based on what skills you’d like to acquire. For example, if your primary motivation for studying abroad is to improve your Spanish skills, then you should study in a Spanish-speaking country.You can also choose to study in a specific country that you find interesting, want to learn more about, or that relates to your own background or heritage. You should also think about potential culture shock. While all countries have unique qualities, generally Western European nations (and Australia) are the most similar to the United States and will be easier to adapt to. If you choose a program in Asia, Central America, or Africa, your life will likely be much different than it is back home. For example, you may have to deal with cockroaches in your bedroom, foods you can't identify, and crowded buses where people pile on top of each other. If you can adapt, you can have great experiences in these countries, but not everyone wants to deal with those changes on top of their schoolwork, and there's no shame in admitting that. Where in the world do you want to study abroad? When to Go Another decision you must make is whether to study abroad during the academic year or the summer. Some shorter programs can also be done during school holidays like winter or spring break. Studying Abroad in Summer (or During Another Vacation) Studying abroad in the summer removes issues with graduating on time, but you may not have as authentic an experience because you will often be in special classes with other internationalstudents and may not meet as many locals. Studying AbroadDuring the School Year Studying abroad during the school year will often give you more options for classes because school will be in session, but it may make it harder for you to graduate on time. Many programs are open to high school students in any year, but some grades are better to study abroad in than others.It’s not recommended that you study abroad your freshman year because you should have some high school experience under your belt to help you be more prepared for foreign classes and ways of learning. Also, you most likely don’t want to study abroad your senior year because this may make applying to colleges difficult, and this is also often the last year you have to be in school with many of your current friends.Sophomore and junior years are often the best time to study abroad. How Long to Go For High school study abroad programs can range from one week to an entire year in length.When considering how long a program you should participate in ask yourself the following questions: How long can you be away from your regular school? How long do you want to be away from your family, friends, and home country? How expensive of a program can you afford? (Longer programs typically cost more.) How long do you need to stay in order to gain the skills you want? Spending 3 weeks in Spain may help you improve your Spanish skills, but if your goal is to become fluent, you will likely need to spend more time there. How deeply immersed do you want to become in the local culture? Spending several months in a foreign country will help you get a much better understanding of its culture and people than a program that is only a few weeks long. Program Focus Certain study abroad programs have specific focuses, such as language acquisition, cultural immersion, or focus on a specific school subject.Summer programs often have a wider variety of focuses, including community service, sports, or traveling.If you have a specific topic you’d like to study, look for programs that offer it. Living Conditions Some programs offer dorm housing where participants live with other students. This option can make it easier to make friends, but because many of your roommates may also be foreigners, it can be harder to meet locals and learn about the area’s culture. Other programs offer home stay arrangements, where participants live with a local family. This is a great way to improve your language skills and see how local people live, but it can also be difficult for people who want to be around others their own age and from their own country. Cost As mentioned above, the cost for study abroad programs can vary widely depending on how long the program is, where it takes place, and who organizes it. Search multiple program websites to get an idea of the costs of different programs. High school study abroad programs can have a high price tag. Should You Study Abroad in High School? So, should you participate in a high school study abroad program? There's no one right answer for everyone, so ask yourself the following questions to help make your decision. Why Do You Want to Participate in a High School Study Abroad Program? The first question you should ask yourself is why you want to participate in a study abroad program. Do you want to become bilingual? Experience a new culture? Have an experience to help your college applications stand out?Then ask yourself if the benefits of this program will outweigh the costs: monetary, time, and effort. Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? For example, is becoming fluent in Spanish important enough to you to spend thousands of dollars and possibly delay your high school graduation?There is no wrong answer to these questions, so think carefully about them and be honest with your answers. How Will This Affect Your Class Schedule? Before you agree to participate in any high school study abroad program that lasts a semester or academic year, you should speak with your guidance counselor and possibly some of your teachers to learn how this will affect your high school graduation requirements. Depending on how many classes transfer and what particular classes your high school requires to graduate, you may have to take summer classes or graduate later.Even if you are able to graduate on time, be aware that you may not be able to take all the advanced classes you’d like to in foreign countries, such as AP classes. This may have an impact on your college applications if you are applying to particularly competitive colleges, although many are understanding of study abroad programs and know they have significant benefits. Can You Afford It? High school study abroad programs are usually a significant financial undertaking, and it can be difficult to justify spending that much money, particularly with the rising cost of attending college.Many people may not be able to afford a program that costs $10,000 or more.If money is a concern, consider government-sponsored programs, programs shorter in length, or look into study abroad scholarships for high school students. Are You Prepared to Live in Another Country? Think carefully about this before you agree to a program.Imagine what it would be like to be living in a foreign country with different rules and cultural standards. Depending on your program, also consider what it would be like to live in a country where the native language is not English. From my own experiences, I can say that my ten-day exchange in France was much more challenging than my month-long program in England, due to the language barrier. Small problems like not knowing which bus to take, where the closest ATM is, or how much something costs can become much more frustrating when it is difficult to communicate. Ways to reduce culture shock while studying abroad include joining programs that are shorter, take place in countries where English is spoken, andliving and studying with other students from the US. The Bottom Line on Studying Abroad in High School Studying abroad while in high school can be a great way to gain skills, meet new people, and be exposed to new cultures. However, these programs can also have drawbacks, such as the possibility of culture shock, a high price tag, and the possibility of delaying your high school graduation. It’s important to research programs, speak to your guidance counselor about transferring credits, and think seriously about how well you’d be able to cope with living abroad for an extended period of time before joining a program. If you are unable to do in a high school study abroad program, there is always the option to participate in one during college instead. What's Next? Wondering what is the best foreign language to study? Check out our guide and learn which foreign language you should take. Are you considering doing volunteer work in a foreign country as well? Check out our guide on volunteer abroad programs and learn whether or not you should participate in one. Wondering whichclasses you should take in high school? We have a guide that explains which classes you should take for every major high school subject. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: