Thursday, March 15, 2012

Africa’s Governance Problems lie in the Lack of Political Subjectivity.

Allow me to rip my beloved continent bare, to unravel the not so cryptic governance of poor governance in the continent. I have been inspired to write this for so long a time but ensuing the last few have spurred me to dip my feather in ink and scribble reservations with a flawed political culture that ‘is the bane of our (Africa’s) governance problems’ as I perceive them. A few days ago I commented on a status update on one of the major social media platforms. The ensuing comments thread was interesting to say the least and an unbridled revealer of the state of the continent, well at least when it comes to Africa’s social-economic and political state. To begin with I voiced my reservations explicitly about a presidential aspirant my friend was supporting (Raila Odinga). My Facebook friend call him John replied, stating that he could decipher from what part of Kenya I came from and thus I could not support his preferred presidential aspirant. He continued ranting about how his preferred presidential aspirant had acted as king maker and installed our current President (Kibaki) as the country’s head of state. I replied in kind stating in no uncertain terms that Raila was not the only major political leader that endorsed Kibaki’s election for the 2002 elections. Kijana Wamalwa and Charity Ngilu had trooped in with their endorsements before Raila. I challenged my friend to moot out the merits of a Raila presidency on a purely ideological/policy basis as I would counter his arguments, but he was not forthcoming. Anyway I found the idea that my friend could decipher my political preferences from my ethnic name a little unnerving and disconcerting, but hello this is Africa and at times in Africa truth might be stranger than fiction. Whereas the above social media encounter might be so small an encounter to make sufficient inference on the state of affairs in Africa, I am afraid it is a microcosm of the state of Africa. In Africa ethno-religoius jingoism is a big determinant political decision making. In the USA and other developed lands election season attracts phrases like; neo-conservative, liberal, conservative, social democracy and what a view in Africa key determinants of electability include; which region does he come from, what tribe does he come from, from which family/tribe/ clan has he married into, how/where does he worship. For evidence you could always refer to the profanities and hate mongering on social media. Apart from a few upwardly mobile urban middle class who have a real grasp of the real issues that beleaguer the African continent, myriads of mass populations in Africa are in the dark as to what the panacea of; socio-political, and economic limbo is. Unless we take steps to; educate, re-educate ourselves and our brothers and sisters we shall forever remain shackled. For the single magic bullet that we so much for is plain and simple; ‘Political Subjectivity.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Unbridled freedom: The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

Unbridled freedom: The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign CountryMasters In international Business

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country When you decide to go back to school to get your master’s degree, you should first think about where you will get the most out of your time. You will want to find the school that will benefit you most and give you the education and experience you need to meet your personal career goals. Sometimes, this school will be close to your home, but you should also consider those schools that are far away. Your ultimate goal should be to get the most out of your courses, and if that means going to a school abroad, there are a lot of other benefits that will come along with the great education. Specific Educational Experiences When you go abroad to get your education, you will have many educational opportunities that you would never get at a school in your own country. This is especially true if you are interested in a research project going on in a particular country. If you are able to study and get your degree in a country where you can learn more about a field you are interested in, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of that field, which will give you an upper hand when it comes time for you to interview for a job. If the field you are interested in requires research of specific materials or locations, you will definitely benefit from actually being in that place rather than reading about them. It will be easier for you to explain and conduct your research when you can see these things first hand. You will also find that your professors are more knowledgeable because they have been able to study in the right place as well. They may try new or different approaches to the subject that you wouldn’t be able to experience at another school. Expense and Time Commitment Some graduate programs abroad only require one year to complete, which probably means a lower total cost for your degree. Even if the currency exchange isn’t working in your favor, you will only have one year of tuition and fees to worry about. There are also many foreign schools that cost much less than schools in the United States. Some don’t even charge tuition fees at all. If you still don’t feel like you can afford to go to school abroad, many foreign schools are approved for US financial aid as well. Another way you may be able to save money while abroad is with your healthcare. Many countries around the world offer free national healthcare to students who aren’t from that county. This means that you won’t have to worry about paying for an insurance plan. Opportunity to Experience a Different Culture Taking this time to live and study in a different country will give you the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about yourself in the process. You can learn how you interact with different people and if you are able to adapt to a new environment. People in other countries have different values and customs, views on education and government, communicate in a different way, and treat one another differently than you do, so you can take advantage of this experience and observe these differences first hand. Also, because graduate programs tend to attract students from around the world, you will be able to interact with students from other cultures as well. If you are nervous because the people in the country you are considering speak a different language, take it as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture. It may be intimidating at first, but you will slowly improve until you don’t even have to think about it. Amy Griffin is a guest post author who enjoys writing posts about getting an education, small business, and finance. She also created a site that tries to help readers learn how and where they should get a Masters Degree; http://www.www.mastersininternationalbusiness.org

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country When you decide to go back to school to get your master’s degree, you should first think about where you will get the most out of your time. You will want to find the school that will benefit you most and give you the education and experience you need to meet your personal career goals. Sometimes, this school will be close to your home, but you should also consider those schools that are far away. Your ultimate goal should be to get the most out of your courses, and if that means going to a school abroad, there are a lot of other benefits that will come along with the great education. Specific Educational Experiences When you go abroad to get your education, you will have many educational opportunities that you would never get at a school in your own country. This is especially true if you are interested in a research project going on in a particular country. If you are able to study and get your degree in a country where you can learn more about a field you are interested in, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of that field, which will give you an upper hand when it comes time for you to interview for a job. If the field you are interested in requires research of specific materials or locations, you will definitely benefit from actually being in that place rather than reading about them. It will be easier for you to explain and conduct your research when you can see these things first hand. You will also find that your professors are more knowledgeable because they have been able to study in the right place as well. They may try new or different approaches to the subject that you wouldn’t be able to experience at another school. Expense and Time Commitment Some graduate programs abroad only require one year to complete, which probably means a lower total cost for your degree. Even if the currency exchange isn’t working in your favor, you will only have one year of tuition and fees to worry about. There are also many foreign schools that cost much less than schools in the United States. Some don’t even charge tuition fees at all. If you still don’t feel like you can afford to go to school abroad, many foreign schools are approved for US financial aid as well. Another way you may be able to save money while abroad is with your healthcare. Many countries around the world offer free national healthcare to students who aren’t from that county. This means that you won’t have to worry about paying for an insurance plan. Opportunity to Experience a Different Culture Taking this time to live and study in a different country will give you the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about yourself in the process. You can learn how you interact with different people and if you are able to adapt to a new environment. People in other countries have different values and customs, views on education and government, communicate in a different way, and treat one another differently than you do, so you can take advantage of this experience and observe these differences first hand. Also, because graduate programs tend to attract students from around the world, you will be able to interact with students from other cultures as well. If you are nervous because the people in the country you are considering speak a different language, take it as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture. It may be intimidating at first, but you will slowly improve until you don’t even have to think about it. Amy Griffin is a guest post author who enjoys writing posts about getting an education, small business, and finance. She also created a site that tries to help readers learn how and where they should get a Masters Degree;

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country When you decide to go back to school to get your master’s degree, you should first think about where you will get the most out of your time. You will want to find the school that will benefit you most and give you the education and experience you need to meet your personal career goals. Sometimes, this school will be close to your home, but you should also consider those schools that are far away. Your ultimate goal should be to get the most out of your courses, and if that means going to a school abroad, there are a lot of other benefits that will come along with the great education. Specific Educational Experiences When you go abroad to get your education, you will have many educational opportunities that you would never get at a school in your own country. This is especially true if you are interested in a research project going on in a particular country. If you are able to study and get your degree in a country where you can learn more about a field you are interested in, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of that field, which will give you an upper hand when it comes time for you to interview for a job. If the field you are interested in requires research of specific materials or locations, you will definitely benefit from actually being in that place rather than reading about them. It will be easier for you to explain and conduct your research when you can see these things first hand. You will also find that your professors are more knowledgeable because they have been able to study in the right place as well. They may try new or different approaches to the subject that you wouldn’t be able to experience at another school. Expense and Time Commitment Some graduate programs abroad only require one year to complete, which probably means a lower total cost for your degree. Even if the currency exchange isn’t working in your favor, you will only have one year of tuition and fees to worry about. There are also many foreign schools that cost much less than schools in the United States. Some don’t even charge tuition fees at all. If you still don’t feel like you can afford to go to school abroad, many foreign schools are approved for US financial aid as well. Another way you may be able to save money while abroad is with your healthcare. Many countries around the world offer free national healthcare to students who aren’t from that county. This means that you won’t have to worry about paying for an insurance plan. Opportunity to Experience a Different Culture Taking this time to live and study in a different country will give you the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about yourself in the process. You can learn how you interact with different people and if you are able to adapt to a new environment. People in other countries have different values and customs, views on education and government, communicate in a different way, and treat one another differently than you do, so you can take advantage of this experience and observe these differences first hand. Also, because graduate programs tend to attract students from around the world, you will be able to interact with students from other cultures as well. If you are nervous because the people in the country you are considering speak a different language, take it as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture. It may be intimidating at first, but you will slowly improve until you don’t even have to think about it. Amy Griffin is a guest post author who enjoys writing posts about getting an education, small business, and finance. She also created a site that tries to help readers learn how and where they should get a Masters Degree; http://www.mastersininternationalbusiness.org .

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

When you decide to go back to school to get your master’s degree, you should first think about where you will get the most out of your time. You will want to find the school that will benefit you most and give you the education and experience you need to meet your personal career goals. Sometimes, this school will be close to your home, but you should also consider those schools that are far away. Your ultimate goal should be to get the most out of your courses, and if that means going to a school abroad, there are a lot of other benefits that will come along with the great education. Specific Educational Experiences When you go abroad to get your education, you will have many educational opportunities that you would never get at a school in your own country. This is especially true if you are interested in a research project going on in a particular country. If you are able to study and get your degree in a country where you can learn more about a field you are interested in, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of that field, which will give you an upper hand when it comes time for you to interview for a job. If the field you are interested in requires research of specific materials or locations, you will definitely benefit from actually being in that place rather than reading about them. It will be easier for you to explain and conduct your research when you can see these things first hand. You will also find that your professors are more knowledgeable because they have been able to study in the right place as well. They may try new or different approaches to the subject that you wouldn’t be able to experience at another school. Expense and Time Commitment Some graduate programs abroad only require one year to complete, which probably means a lower total cost for your degree. Even if the currency exchange isn’t working in your favor, you will only have one year of tuition and fees to worry about. There are also many foreign schools that cost much less than schools in the United States. Some don’t even charge tuition fees at all. If you still don’t feel like you can afford to go to school abroad, many foreign schools are approved for US financial aid as well. Another way you may be able to save money while abroad is with your healthcare. Many countries around the world offer free national healthcare to students who aren’t from that county. This means that you won’t have to worry about paying for an insurance plan. Opportunity to Experience a Different Culture Taking this time to live and study in a different country will give you the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about yourself in the process. You can learn how you interact with different people and if you are able to adapt to a new environment. People in other countries have different values and customs, views on education and government, communicate in a different way, and treat one another differently than you do, so you can take advantage of this experience and observe these differences first hand. Also, because graduate programs tend to attract students from around the world, you will be able to interact with students from other cultures as well. If you are nervous because the people in the country you are considering speak a different language, take it as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture. It may be intimidating at first, but you will slowly improve until you don’t even have to think about it. Amy Griffin is a guest post author who enjoys writing posts about getting an education, small business, and finance. She also created a site that tries to help readers learn how and where they should get a Masters in International Business Degree; www.mastersininternationalbusiness.org .

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Benefits of Getting Your Master’s Degree in a Foreign Country

When you decide to go back to school to get your master’s degree, you should first think about where you will get the most out of your time. You will want to find the school that will benefit you most and give you the education and experience you need to meet your personal career goals. Sometimes, this school will be close to your home, but you should also consider those schools that are far away. Your ultimate goal should be to get the most out of your courses, and if that means going to a school abroad, there are a lot of other benefits that will come along with the great education. Specific Educational Experiences When you go abroad to get your education, you will have many educational opportunities that you would never get at a school in your own country. This is especially true if you are interested in a research project going on in a particular country. If you are able to study and get your degree in a country where you can learn more about a field you are interested in, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of that field, which will give you an upper hand when it comes time for you to interview for a job. If the field you are interested in requires research of specific materials or locations, you will definitely benefit from actually being in that place rather than reading about them. It will be easier for you to explain and conduct your research when you can see these things first hand. You will also find that your professors are more knowledgeable because they have been able to study in the right place as well. They may try new or different approaches to the subject that you wouldn’t be able to experience at another school. Expense and Time Commitment Some graduate programs abroad only require one year to complete, which probably means a lower total cost for your degree. Even if the currency exchange isn’t working in your favor, you will only have one year of tuition and fees to worry about. There are also many foreign schools that cost much less than schools in the United States. Some don’t even charge tuition fees at all. If you still don’t feel like you can afford to go to school abroad, many foreign schools are approved for US financial aid as well. Another way you may be able to save money while abroad is with your healthcare. Many countries around the world offer free national healthcare to students who aren’t from that county. This means that you won’t have to worry about paying for an insurance plan. Opportunity to Experience a Different Culture Taking this time to live and study in a different country will give you the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn about yourself in the process. You can learn how you interact with different people and if you are able to adapt to a new environment. People in other countries have different values and customs, views on education and government, communicate in a different way, and treat one another differently than you do, so you can take advantage of this experience and observe these differences first hand. Also, because graduate programs tend to attract students from around the world, you will be able to interact with students from other cultures as well. If you are nervous because the people in the country you are considering speak a different language, take it as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture. It may be intimidating at first, but you will slowly improve until you don’t even have to think about it. Amy Griffin is a guest post author who enjoys writing posts about getting an education, small business, and finance. She also created a site that tries to help readers learn how and where they should get a www.mastersininternationalbusiness.org/