Author Archives: Pingo Blog Editor

Best Practices For International Job Interview Questions

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

When applying for an international job, how should you go about it? The best practices for an international job interview questions actually require the same detailed research and planning as you would do when applying for a normal interview for a job back home. Anyone from India or the world expecting to take part in an interview of this type needs to thoroughly consider a number of things before the Int. job interview actually happens.

The first thing that any interviewee needs to understand is that the interviewer has already looked at their resumes and their technical skills and has been impressed to a certain extent. Being chosen for the International phone interview means that the interviewer is already considering the interviewee for the position and the outcome will be determined by how well this person does in the Int. job interview process, and how adeptly they apply the best international job interview practices.

Preparation is vital

Preparing for the interview is essential and extremely important. The first of the international job interview best practices is to take time to research the company that is doing the hiring. Conducting proper research will allow you to understand the employer better and also build a strategy about how you are going to answer the questions. As you find out what the company stands for and what working for them would involve, think of possible International job interview questions they might ask, and be sure to gather all the information necessary beforehand that you will need to answer any questions they might ask. This way you will already have the answers at your fingertips when you are actually on the phone for the interview. Also remember to keep your answers as short and straight to the point as possible.

Background noise can make a big difference

In any international call, both parties should be able to understand each other. A second one of the important international job interview best practices is to make sure that your surroundings are quiet at the time that you are expecting the call. Receiving the call at a place that is quiet will allow the interviewer to hear all your answers and make it easier for them to understand you even if you have an accent.

Be sure to have a reliable phone service like Pingo that backs every call with 100% call quality guarantee to ensure you have a clear line to call your interviewer with VS attempting to be cheap with a free but really low quality VoIP service.  So that you avoid dropped phone calls or lousy call quality to not hear your great job interview answers.

Focus is another very important part of the international job interview best practices. It requires that one be attentive and listen to every question that is being asked. After listening carefully to the question, then focus on answering as clearly and concisely as possible.

In any interview, one hopes to portray characteristics that he believes sets him apart from the rest of the applicants. It is no different when it comes to international job interview best practices. When participating in an international interview, answer in such a way as to state clearly what you will be bringing to the company and how the company is going to benefit by hiring you over another individual. This is where the person from India being interviewed gets to state their strong points.

Make a first impression that’s worth a second look

Since the interviewer is not able to look at your facial expression during a phone interview as they would in a normal interview, international job interview best practices state that one should always be enthusiastic as he speaks. Speaking enthusiastically about the company that you are being interviewed by, about the industry that they work in, as well as about the position that you have applied for, leaves one at a better position as the interviewer is also motivated to listen.

Lastly, international job interview best practices require that one be able to create a lasting impression. How one answers the questions will show whether they are professional and well prepared for the interview or not and this is what can make one stand out from the rest.

* Use this only as an informational guide and please seek professional advice from a certified International job placement recruiting coach.

**Photograph “George” by Abbiemead under Creative Commons Attribution

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Posted in Expats, International Work Abroad

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Information on Semester Study Abroad Programs

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

For those who are interested, there are many different types of semester long study abroad programs in the United States as well as in other countries. By attending this type of program, the student’s educational opportunities can be greatly enriched with different customs, cultures and languages. In fact, students that take advantage of these opportunities can also increase their earning potential substantially. It is also considered to be an invaluable experience that many companies need in order to compete in the worldwide business market.

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Presently, there are at least two types of programs available in the United States for students who are interested and want to apply. The two types that are most commonly known are school sponsored semester study abroad programs and private study abroad programs. Each type has their own set of requirements and they must be met before a student becomes eligible.

With a school-sponsored semester study abroad program, a student can take classes abroad and the credits can be applied to the major that they are pursuing. Private study abroad programs are available for students who want to attend a college or university abroad instead of in the states.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Semester Long Study Abroad Program in the US

Prior to pursuing any type of program, a student should consider several things before applying. Some of the things that should be considered is the language that is spoken, the finances needed, the student’s interest, the credits that can be transferred, and the past study abroad program reviews of other students.

Language is a major consideration because some study abroad programs require students to speak a certain language before the student becomes eligible. For example, non-English speaking countries like Portugal may require the student to speak Portuguese as a requirement for acceptance. Also, finances for the studying abroad program should be reviewed, especially if the person cannot pay for the living expenses and the program cost.

Each student that applies may have a specific interest in a certain culture, which means this should be taken into consideration when applying. Their interest may also coincide with their college major. In addition to looking at specific interests, the student should also look at past studying abroad reviews from students who attended the abroad student program. These studying abroad reviews will often indicate both the advantages and the disadvantages of certain study abroad programs.

Contacts and Mentors

When researching these studying abroad student programs, you should look for program contacts and mentors that can provide essential information about the full details of the study abroad program. These contacts will depend upon the type of abroad study program that the person is researching. For example, if the college abroad program is school-sponsored, the colleges will have advisers that can help the student find a college abroad program that will meet their specific needs.

In some colleges and universities, peer mentors are hired to provide interested students with essential college abroad program information. For example, the University of Maryland International program hires peer mentors to help with promoting these college based abroad programs on their campuses. These peer mentors can assist students by providing information on both the pros and cons of each semester college abroad program that is being offered. Which we highly recommend you seek a professional from a credited school to assist you and only use this article as a starting guide to your journey to studying & living abroad.

**Photograph “Get Trained for ‘New GRE’” by Achieverspointweb under Creative Commons Attribution

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How To Backup Text Messages on iPhone, Android or Blackberry Mobile Phones

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Mobile phones have become a necessity for many people across the globe. This is mainly because the advent of mobile phones has revolutionized the way people communicate with each other. Mobile phones enable us to keep in touch with our family, friends and business associates. Besides serving as a communication tool, they are used to send and receive text messages, listen to music, browse the internet and even play mobile games. Text messages are the preferred method of communication as they are short, simple and easy to read right away. Mobile phone users use text messages to say hello, exchange useful information and to stay connected with friends. Text messages are proactively delivered to mobile phones and can be stored for future reference. This post will walk you through how to keep all your data safe to learn how to backup text messages you’ve sent.

Backing up of text messages

Unfortunately, many mobile phone users either lose or break their mobile phones which result in loss of valuable data and information. However the user has the option of backing up text messages and all this valuable data onto his or her computer if anything goes wrong.

How to backup text messages on an iPhone

Generally, iPhones have a limitation to the number of text messages that can be stored. In case the number of text messages exceeds the limit, then there arises a need for deleting the messages to create room for new messages. However if the messages are quite important, then the backing up of your iPhone text messages is extremely important. This is how it can be done.

Step 1- Connect your iPhone to the computer with the help of a USB cable.
Step 2- Launch and open iTunes. Now choose your phone model from the list on the left-hand side. Now right click on your phone and select ‘Back up’ to back up all the iPhone’s text messages and other valuable data to your computer.
Step 3- Wait for a few seconds or several minutes till the back up process is complete. Now disconnect your iPhone.

How to backup text messages on an Android phone

If you possess an Android phone and you text often, then there are chances of accidentally losing important messages. However Android phones have third party applications that enable you to back up your text messages. Android text message back up is made easy with a simple free Android tool called Mobilego Android manager. Let us see how this tool works.

Step 1- Initially you have to download and install Android contact manager on your computer.
Step 2- Once the installation is over, launch it and connect your Android phone to the computer.
Step 3- Mobilego Android manager will detect your device. Click on the ‘SMS tab’. Now select the text messages and click the “save as” button and save the messages on your computer in .txt format.

How to backup text messages on a Blackberry

Step 1- Install Blackberry desktop software on your computer.
Step 2- With the help of a data cable, connect your mobile with the USB port on your computer.
Step 3- Launch the Blackberry desktop software and when the icon in the window changes to ‘sync’ or ‘sync all’, click ‘back up now’.
Step 4- Scroll down the list until you locate ‘SMS messages’. Now click on the check box next to the ‘SMS messages’.
Step 5- Now enter the name of the back up file by clicking the text box next to the ‘file name’.
Step 6- Click ‘back up’ to initiate the back up process. Now your text messages are safely stored onto your computer.

Conclusion

Losing important data and text messages from your mobile phone can no longer be a nightmare if your keep your data backed up safely. Please use this information as a basic guide on how to backup your text messages for iPhones, Android or Blackberry mobile phones.  Contact your mobile phone provider for additional backup help support.

**Photograph “SMS Parlament” by Saul Gordillo

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Advice To Finding Paid International Internships Abroad

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

The hardest thing to do is find a powerful, high-paying job that you can attain directly out of school. Many professions, especially in the practice of nursing and various fields of science, will never hire or accept someone that has little or no experience. We hope this post helps you in finding paid International internships abroad.

So the question has always been “how do I get experience?”. Difficult without a job that pays, it is sometimes only found through the art of an International internship. Here, you can begin developing the skills you plan on using throughout your global career. But, there are plenty of things to consider and be aware of before you begin an internship abroad, regardless of what type of profession you may be seeking for the future.

A few tips

A good practice is to basically keep talking. Start by talking to strangers regularly. You’ll need the practice and familiarity of involving yourself in a new cultural environment with new faces and people. It will give you the opportunity to practice your conversing abilities, language skills, and master the ability to communicate in general.

Not to be forgotten, you must also listen to what others are saying. Communication comes in two parts, and strongly depends on your ability to listen and pay attention to what is going on around you in this new country that you may be immigrating too. During a work abroad internship, you must be quick to learn and adapt, especially since you must conduct work while you expand your knowledge.

Think before you do. Don’t just dive in and buy a plane ticket, even if you’ve been told that you need to act fast, and even if it costs reasonable thinking. You are in a learning situation in which you are here to learn from those that already know, so rely on them to teach. Mistakes will eventually happen, but an internship abroad must rely on what they know, not what they assume. Always hit the books, at least until you find your own career path.

Set up and arrange goals before you aim to tackle a task. Make your goals realistically challenging. Don’t aim too high, but don’t set yourself up too low or you won’t be able to hit your target.

Time is a commodity

While global internships abroad have plenty of knowledge to offer an expectant and open mind, it comes with a valuable cost: time.  Internships abroad offer education and experience in the stead of a high monetary compensation. Basically, you normally don’t get paid for the work you perform with most internships. So you need to work harder to find a paid International Internship abroad. Even paid, the cost of living may leave you with the need to produce a quality source of income, such as a second evening or weekend job.

Of course, juggling both an internship and a second job is difficult, especially when school becomes another factor in the situation. We’re limited to only a certain amount of time each day, leaving interns with limited amounts of opportunity for themselves and personal time. This can become a psychological issue which must be prepared for in order to properly handle. One of the biggest problems is that those that are interns living abroad, do not anticipate the lack of time within a day or even for the next weeks or months during which they can “take a breather” or a break-like opportunity. If you are going to participate as an intern, plan to be working around the clock with little to no time for yourself. So plan some extra time to travel and enjoy the country at the end of your work abroad internship.

So how do you handle yourself when time seems to fight you at every angle? You have to provide for yourself and consider the future at the same time. Being of two minds in one place can be difficult, but if you plan your day correctly, you can squeeze every valuable moment out of your day.

One thing you can never ignore is your ability to stay in touch with everyone. Paid International internships abroad are all about preparing for the future. You gather valuable practice and education and will eventually be awaiting career openings wherever the best opportunity may be- regardless of where they are in the world. That leaves you to consider buying a prepaid international calling services for communicating with family and friends anywhere in the world. If your internship demands travel, then you’ll always be able to make the most out of every moment of your day without dealing with expensive long distance calls and limitations that Telecommunication carriers may have.

Work abroad internships will be a challenge for anyone anywhere in the world. Preparing the mind to not only provide for themselves but also work to gain education and fight time can be a difficult challenge. But, those that understand what lies ahead and know what to plan for will be able to tackle such a challenge and be ready for the opportunities that the future will provide in this growing global economy.

* Please use this material as a guide only and seek professional help from a certified International internship placement service or college work abroad support office.

**Photograph “Working” by Alex: under Creative Commons Attribution

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Posted in Expats, Immigration

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Living Abroad with a Sponsored Family

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

In today’s open world, the ability to immigrate is a fast growing trend. If one doesn’t like their present situation or lifestyle, they have the option of relocating to a new place with new opportunities. For these reasons, many nations are composed of not just one culture, but are becoming a conglomeration of different people from different places all living abroad with sponsored family.

When finances become difficult or opportunity comes with limits, it is a popular choice for children to immigrate to live with sponsoring families elsewhere. A child may find himself living with a completely new family, perhaps cousins or distant relatives, or perhaps brothers and sisters who’ve immigrated before and have settled into their new community.

But there is a trick to this type of situation, mostly because a new person, especially a child, brings along many new responsibilities. Children will likely need to attend schooling, won’t be able to work, and will leave traces in every aspect of a common household.

Not just for the family, the child must be responsible as well. The child must consider himself a guest within his or her new home rather than expect the sponsoring family to be completely obligated to the child.

Consider the family members that are already occupying the household. Many immigrating children find themselves living in an overcrowded home.

It’s also important to consider that some kids may be accustomed to different lifestyles and habits. In a new household, this can occasionally become a problem while living abroad with family. There may also be a language barrier as well.

While it’s important that children get the help they need and feel that they are in a situation where they are free to ask whenever, it is often small habits and practices that can sometimes get in the way or make someone feel like a burden when moving into a new home.

Keep the load light

So how does one lighten the load your sponsoring family experiences with a new addition to their family? There are many things to consider, some blatantly obvious while others are often overlooked or misconceived.

The best places to start consist of keeping condiments, such as your toothbrush and other toiletries out of sight and avoid cluttering the household you live in. Basically, the art of cleaning up after yourself is something one should master when living with a sponsored family. Always keep in mind the many burdens and responsibilities that are often unseen and rarely discussed, such as feeding an extra mouth, transportation, and even clothing. Take care of what you’re given and always show appreciation.

You can also help out wherever you can, such as household chores. Things as simple as washing the dishes, yard care, and even simply doing your own laundry can really make a difference by lightening the load your family experiences.

What about the simple concept of “getting on each other’s nerves?” This is a big issue that isn’t normally discussed, but often goes undetected and can bring about uncomfortable issues within the household. Schooling incorporates homework, which may demand quiet or study time. This can demand space and silence to provide a quality environment for education. Be aware and respectful of these important times of the day, and consider organizing your own schedule to provide an environment that is accommodating to your sponsoring family, rather than expecting them to accommodate you.

What about coordinating time for privacy? This is especially important when considering who is going to sleep where as well as restroom availability. More than likely, you’ll have a designated domicile that you might have to share, especially when you live in a large family or large household. Don’t spread yourself out across the home or create clutter, such as messy laundry and equipment.

Finally, help others do the same for you. Communication is perhaps the most effective tool when adapting yourself to a new home environment. Be open rather than reclusive.

Stay in contact by utilizing prepaid international calling services, where you’ll be able to contact family overseas. You can ask for advice or just listen to the comforting familiarity of your home while you’re adjusting to your new environment. The best thing about international calling services is that they are easily affordable and won’t hinder your sponsoring family’s phone bills with high-cost long distance calls. It’s a great way to be financially sound while staying in contact with family back home.

When you find yourself in a new country with a new culture, it isn’t just the practices and traditions you need to adapt to. Consider your new sponsoring family and the sacrifices they’ve made to provide a new opportunity for you.

* Use this only as a guide, please seek professional help from a certified counselor that has experience with family immigration support.

**Photograph “Everybody Clean Up” by NazarethCollege under Creative Commons Attribution

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A World of Father’s Day Celebrations

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Pingo prepaid international calling serviceFather’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays throughout the world. While many cultures have their own histories, religions, and specific cultural ideals, there are a few common similarities that everyone in the world shares. Fathers have played a key role in just about every society, raising their children, protecting their families and lands, and passing on their teachings to the next generation so that they too can do the same for their own families.

While a father is often renowned for his position in the family, in many cultures, father-figures are also honored with equal or greater passion. These figures may be patriots or even teachers that make an effort to create a safer world for all of us to live in.

A background of impression

Mrs. John B. Dodd of Spokane, Washington was the founding initiator of Father’s Day, advocating its message in honor of her own father who had fought in the American Civil War. After the war, his wife had died, leaving him to care for all six of his children on his own. Witnessing an inspiration amongst father figures, Mrs. Dodd continued promoting the holiday to churches, organizing the first initial date of June 19th. It wasn’t until President Woodrow Wilson approved it in 1916 that it became increasingly celebrated. In 1924, President Coolidge made it an official part of American culture. But even before its initial establishment, the principle of honoring our fathers and father figures had spread out across the world, often the only difference being the date on which to honor those that have affected our lives so greatly.

Celebrated throughout the world

The most widely celebrated date for Father’s Day is always on the third Sunday of June. People from all over the world use this common day to pay respects to fathers and father figures in their culture. But there are also cultures that imprint their Father’s Day traditions on a specific date, rather than a day. Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Uganda all share the common date of June 21st, which also celebrates the first day of the summer season. Regardless of whether or not it lands on a Sunday, Father’s Day is celebrated on this day, possibly because it was the initial date selected by its founder.

Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea all share a similar date which is invariably different from other locations in the world. The first Sunday of September marks their Father’s Day celebrations, which is very similar to what is practiced in the United States. In the northeastern parts of Europe, Father’s Day finds itself pinned to yet another unique date. Finland, Sweden, and Norway have dedicated the second Sunday of November to honor their fathers. Originally, the idea of Father’s Day was inspired by American practices, and the date on which it is celebrated is seemingly the only difference between the vast distances of the world.

Honoring fathers

In many of these countries, like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, Father’s Day celebrations are similar. Sunday is often a day when most businesses are closed, giving fathers an opportunity to spend time with their families. Such traditions may incorporate festivals in the park, enjoying entertainment such as movies or concerts, and even simply enjoying an opportunity to relax for the day.

There are also those that encourage the practices of being a father with others. Education and becoming proactive in their community are popular practices, often considered an honorary role in their society. Here, they pass their fatherly wisdom onto new or future fathers within their community, encouraging a better life for everyone they encounter in life.

Regardless of where you are in the world, it is always important to be able to contact fathers that have impacted your life in some way. Your travels may separate you from each other, but you always have the option of giving them a call. International calling services are ideal for such scenarios, allowing you the luxury of staying in contact with those that matter the most.

While Father’s Day has only been officially recognized for little under a century, its principles have been practiced by people throughout history. Honoring your fathers by learning from their wisdom and passing it onto the next generation is the most powerful gift you can give. Fathers are more than just a family title or position, they are the people that teach and help others in hopes of creating a better world for tomorrow.

**Photograph “Father gives playful chase to his daughter on the beach” by Mikebaird under Creative Commons Attribution

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Royalty Across the World

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Throughout the world, there are various types of governments and constitutions that represent our homelands. Some have presidents, some have parliaments, and some rely on the representation of the people through the senate. However, royal monarchies have been around since the dawn of time, represented by the titles of their kings and queens who reign over the lands.

In a world where democracy and republics have become the popular style of governing, the image of the monarchy has fallen into the background, replaced by democratically governed bodies. And while these governments continue to work for the people, there is still a place in the public eye for the royalty that exists in the present day.

So first you may consider asking yourself if it is important to celebrate royalty. Why should we celebrate another country’s royal holidays? Perhaps you’re in a new country where the celebration is popularly celebrated. Shops close down and crowds gather to watch parades and enjoy festivals.

While there are those native to their own lands who feel strongly about supporting their royalty and what they represent to the people of the culture, it is also important to consider that royalty has an attraction for people throughout the world. The image of a queen or king can attract those that aren’t native to a nation, and these celebrations find their way into the world news, bringing the world a little closer together.

Under the constitution, Queen Elizabeth II of England has been a reigning figure over the United Kingdom for over half a century. The recent Jubilation Day was celebrated to commemorate the enduring reign of the Queen over more than just the nation of England. Sovereign nations throughout the world fall under the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Australia, Jamaica, Grenada, and Belize are just a few to list. In all, the Queen is head of sixteen sovereign states and is the head of the fifty-four member Commonwealth of Nations.

The recent call for celebration in England commemorated the standing sixty year reign, currently regarded as a Diamond Jubilation, which is the second longest reigning period in the history of the British Monarchy. Needless to say, it was a grand reason for celebration.

However, that is not the only holiday dedicated to the Queen. Australia celebrates the Queen’s birthday on the second Monday of June, commemorating a yearly celebration to honor the leading figure of their governing body. This national holiday is separate from the celebrations that take place in England, and are associated with festivities and entertainment.

Across the land and sea, Japan also dedicates its own day to honor their Emperor. Currently, Emperor Akihito’s birthday marks the celebration on December 23, but the royal holiday actually changes with each new emperor. Known as Tenno no Tanjobi, the celebration always changes to reflect the current emperor’s birthday and has so for the past 2000 years.

With a current government very similar to that of the British Monarchy, Japan’s emperor represents the image of the people and plays little role in the political governing of the nation. But on December 23rd, the festivities take off with public appearances and speeches offered by the emperor, accompanied by banners and flags to commemorate the legacy of the nation, not just the emperor.

There are also countries that celebrate what helped design and create their nation. Norway’s royal family recently celebrated their National Constitution Day on May 17th, which has been one of their biggest celebration events since 1814.

Everybody dresses in the best spring clothing because the spring-time atmosphere results in many outdoor festivities. Children enjoy hotdogs and ice cream while adults stick to cured meats and sausages. Breakfast parties are thrown prior to the parades and following festivities.

Though not considered royalty, even the Presidents of the United States have their own particular celebration to commemorate the services that the office of presidency provides for the people by the people. Other democracies and republics throughout the world also celebrate their own political figures, and though not dubbed the titles of kings and queens, the Office of the President is certainly something to celebrate too.

Regardless of where you are in the world, the celebration of royalty is largely popular, even amongst non-natives. Much like the popularity of the Queen of England’s Jubilee celebration, there were those that wanted to be there but couldn’t because they were traveling. For these reasons, international calling services allow you to stay in touch with your homeland celebrations, regardless of where you are. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in touch with your fellow natives so that you can always take a moment to celebrate your country’s royalty.

**Photograph “64509199 – Prince Harry and Lady Louise Windsor” by Loren Bentes under Creative Commons Attribution

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Calling All First Generation Immigrants

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Every day, people find themselves in new places, cultures, and environments. Some travel for business, while others travel for pleasure. But, for those immigrating to new lands, their purpose is often a little more permanent. With these changes, there come many challenges that must be faced. Not only are there environmental factors to consider, but emotional challenges to face as well. And it’s not only you who has to face these challenges, your family and children must also face them as well.

But what does it mean to be a first gen immigrant? The biggest goal for anybody is to find and provide a better opportunity in life. For many immigrants, this is the main reason that one might travel to new lands in search of economic freedoms, liberties, and a fair chance at the market.

In addition to their own personal desires, it is the very nature of parents to want their children to be better off than they were. This is why they migrate to seek economic freedom and better education opportunities, giving their children a chance at something they didn’t. Of course, the goal isn’t only a matter of education, but also stretches to include the opportunities that their education will provide for them and their families in the future to come.

Challenges to overcome in a new world

One must always consider the challenge of comfortably settling in a new environment. Immigrating families find themselves far away from familiar cultures and people. Change of scenery isn’t the only thing many immigrants notice, but also the fast paced environment of American cultures.

For any individual, adapting to the many challenges of the business world and work environment is one of the first goals of an immigrant. In an open society where those that work succeed, finding quality work is essential in providing for yourself and your family.

Getting a quality education for you and your children is one of the greatest opportunities that exist in America. Public and private school systems provide one of the best educational sources in the world, while universities and graduate schools are readily available all throughout the country. This is one of the leading reasons that many immigrants seek education in the United States, and there is the combination factor in which grants provide an increased opportunity and advantage for immigrating families, enabling their children and themselves to attain a higher education.

A challenge within

One of the biggest challenges of migrating is adapting to a completely different culture. You’ll be leaving family and friends behind which can be an emotional and distressing event. Children are also particularly affected when they are displaced from their homeland.

For children, issues of “fitting in” are often far more difficult than for an adult. New places will mean new faces and usually new languages. Keep in mind that language isn’t just words, it is a combination of accent and pronunciation as well, which can be difficult to adjust to in a new culture, making communication a challenge for many first generation immigrants and their children.

While communication may seem like a physical challenge, it can take emotional tolls on people as well, leaving immigrants frustrated. While there are those in the world that want you to succeed, there will be those that will try to hold you back. It is always important to dissuade negativity and surround yourself with people that will support your success in your ventures. Many immigrants actually seek areas where their own culture is still strong, such as neighborhoods where fellow immigrants have relocated to. Here, support is readily available, and there will be others who can help you adjust to the new cultural changes.

One of the best ways to help alleviate emotional stress is to maintain a balance in cultural differences. International calling services will allow you to communicate with friends, family, and business in locations throughout the world. As many immigrants may realize, relocating to a new land isn’t a singular event, often taking years of planning and travelling. Many of these prepaid calling services are less expensive than regular service providers, and can be taken with you wherever you go in the world.

Immigrating to a new land will challenge both you and your family. But finding a new home with new opportunities is a reward that is often worth the trials you may face. Just remember that you never have to face them alone, as long as you have someone to talk to regardless of where they may be in the world.

**Photograph “American Airlines B767″ by RHL Images through Creative Commons Attribution

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Republic Celebration Day – Ghana

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Many countries throughout the world celebrate their great accomplishments of freedom and change. And why not celebrate such an important thing? Freedom is never free and should be graced with praise by those that have such a great opportunity in life.

To really understand where this freedom comes from, it is important to understand what a republic is. This government is founded on the principles in which decisions and laws are established based on the will of a significant portion of the people. In other words, the people have the power to do what they believe is necessary to maintain freedom and become a thriving nation.

For the inhabitants of Ghana, July 1 is the Republic Celebration Day, although this year, it will also be celebrated on July 2 as well. In order to commemorate the anniversary of 1960, when Ghana declared itself a Republic within the Commonwealth of Great Britain, this day has been designated specifically to Ghana, while many other countries also have their own specific Republic Celebration Days to commemorate their success for freedom.

Celebration:

While the majority of celebrative activities involves the rewarding of excellence, dedication, and the hard, selfless work of the citizens for their contributions towards the advancement of the republic nation, there are also the simple reflections that honor those that have dedicated their lives and efforts to strengthening the Republic of Ghana.

But the celebration doesn’t stop with the bolstering of flags, wreath decorating, and dinner parties. There are many more ways and opportunities in which the people can not only celebrate and honor their republic, but also ensure that the practice is passed on to the next generation.

While the freedom of the people brings a great deal of inspiration to all, it is also important to take the time to give thanks to the Almighty. National Republic day isn’t only a day of celebration, but also dedicated as a national prayer day as well.

As a practice of any free nation, it is the practice of the republic to vocalize their National anthem and patriotic songs to commemorate their nation.

In addition to festive celebrations, it is also essential that the quest for knowledge and education continue in order to help freedom find prominence in our culture, wherever we may be. Freedom is incredibly inspiring, providing the opportunity to dream, think, and believe whatever we will.

Keep in mind that freedom starts at birth, and must be taught to succeeding generations that will inevitably follow your path. Youth must be empowered to take on the roles of leadership needed to ensure the continuation of freedom for the people.

One of the main tasks of the Republic Celebration is to educate the youth concerning the roles they must play in society. In the Ghana Republic, the youth are allowed to participate in many levels of political policy, activities, and processes, although they often remain on the periphery, much like an internship that provides education and prepares them for the roles they will play later on in life.

Education continuously involves students across the nation, incorporating the practice of inter-school essay competitions and the celebration of national republican pastimes and practices. Within the education system, these beliefs are passed onto students so that they can carry on and succeed their leaders in the years to come.

Afar, yet celebrating your culture

While there aren’t many international celebrations for the nation of Ghana, those who have migrated to other parts of the world will want to remember the source of greatness that made them who they are. International calling services allow you to stay in contact regardless of where you may be in the world.

In America, the practice of many nations is found throughout the culture. While not prominently practiced due to the overwhelming cultural conglomerations, the celebrating of national and cultural heritage remains a popular practice throughout the country within similar communities.

One of the best ways to integrate and celebrate your own culture is to find similarities with the surrounding philosophies. By educating and sharing outside of your community, you empower the practice of Freedom, ensuring that it will continue on throughout the future generations of many cultures.

Celebrating your heritage isn’t just about reflecting on your own nation and what it has accomplished, but includes the essentiality of sharing it with the world around you. Share your freedom, hopes, dreams, and culture with those around you. When you give the world new opportunities, you will truly understand what it means to celebrate Ghana’s Republic Day.

We happily serve many in staying connected with their family and friends in Ghana.  We at Pingo.com wish all the Ghanians a very happy Republic Day!

**Photograph “Ghana – The Black Stars” by Amanda Rykoff under Creative Commons Attribution

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Lifetime Winners!

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Have you heard of Pingo yet? If you’re looking for great rates, excellent service, and clear call quality for international calls, then Pingo’s for you. It’s one of the best prepaid international calling services available today, enabling you to talk to family, friends, and even do business over the phone internationally.

Back in 2004, when Pingo was first launched, they gave out free minutes for life to two lucky winners. These two winners received $2,000 Pingo phone credit valid for life. We interviewed the winners and asked them how they are finding the free Pingo services that they had won.

The first winner is Fred Schlette and he is all praises for Pingo. He’s been a customer for 6 to 7 years and he calls Colombia the most. His favorite features of Pingo include Pingo Soft Phone, Pingo EZ Dial, Pingo Speed Dial, and PINPass Numbers. He raves about the Call History feature, which lets him see all the calls he has made in the past so he can easily call them again. He also enjoys the Recharge feature which automatically recharges his account so he doesn’t have to worry about suddenly getting disconnected while on a call.

Being Pingo’s lifetime winner has really changed his life. Since he has many family members spread out in different countries, Pingo has really made it easy and convenient for him to keep in touch with them. He enjoys the different advantages that using Pingo offers, such as the fact that he doesn’t have to recall any numbers since Pingo remembers them for him, as well as the fact that Pingo lets him use his home number as his account number, which makes it easy for him to recall.

He is also very happy with Pingo’s customer service. Whenever he has a problem, whatever issue he has is always resolved in less than 5 minutes. Because of his love for Pingo, he is even willing to have potential customers call him to hear about what he has to say about Pingo.

For him, “easy to use and easy to remember” is what sums up Pingo. His message to anyone considering signing up for Pingo is: “Do it! You will not be disappointed.”

Our second Pingo lifetime winner requested that we honor his privacy and not use his name or information, but we still interviewed him to see how he’s enjoying his award. This anonymous winner uses Pingo to promote pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other holy sites in the world. He considers winning this prize a blessing as he is able to share his message to more people.

He’s been a Pingo customer for 8 years now and he mostly calls Israel, Rome, Fatima and Lourdes. Some of his favorite features of Pingo include easy international dialing and speed dial. He also loves that it gives him the ability to call home often.

Being a lifetime winner of Pingo has changed his life by helping him make all his
important calls easily and so that he can better promote pilgrimages to holy lands. After successfully using Pingo in his first pilgrimage to Israel, he told other people about the service and to date, he has always seen the 3 telephone booths at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem with a line of pilgrims calling home using Pingo.

To those considering to sign up for Pingo, he says that it’s easy to use and a great way to connect with your family if they’re apart from you.

Winning a lifetime of free calls at Pingo has truly made a large impact on these two people’s lives. You yourself can also enjoy the excellent international call services at a very affordable rate by signing up to Pingo as well.

You don’t have to worry about any hidden charges or fees as the rate you see is the rate you pay. Pingo also offers a satisfaction guarantee or your money back, so you can try their services without any risk of dissatisfaction.

Using Pingo Soft phone for web dial calls from 200 countries will only cost you 1.8 cents per minute. Imagine that? So be sure to try Pingo’s services today… you never know – it just might change your life, too.

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