Jessie Voigts's Blog, page 127
July 14, 2018
Why Every Teacher Should Make Time for Travel
Travel is a wonderful thing. It opens our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to a myriad of new places, people, and possibilities. It relieves us from the constraints of the everyday, of the nearby, and pushes our boundaries in new and exciting ways.
I’m firmly of the belief that everyone should travel. And that everyone should travel solo on at least one occasion (but that’s for another day).
But for those people who are happy with never venturing o...
July 13, 2018
Make a Plan Before Going to Teach Abroad
Why do you want to...
July 11, 2018
Is your smartphone travel-ready?
There are a bunch of things you can do to upgrade your smartphone before you go travelling to make your phone more than just a phone. We’ve compiled a list of our top phone hacks so you can make the most of your time away with minimal hassle. Take a look at our list to see what you can do with your smartphone.
Try Memrise or Duolingo, language apps that are gamified to make learning a new language fun. Both apps offe...
July 9, 2018
5 Things to Do in Auckland for Educators
Located on New Zealand's North Island, Auckland has a population of around 1.5 million. The University of Auckland was established in 1883, and the metro area is rife with arts, culture, history, and gustatorial opportunities.
Settled by Maori around 1350, Auckland (called the City of Sails!) is located on an isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Auckland has rainforest, dormant volcanoes, and maritime heritage galore.
What does t...
An Easy Guide to Understanding VAT: Understanding Taxes in London
In one of my past blogs called A Quick Guide on Spending Money in London, I discussed the coins, notes, exchange rate, debit/credit cards, and ATMs in London. Now, I want to look at the Value Added Tax (VAT), and what that means for you. Understanding the VAT tax will be very helpful in purchases you make while you are abroad.
Ensuring you are prepared and knowledgeable will help you save money in the long run. Personally, I wish this was somethin...
July 6, 2018
Songs and Tunes of Cape Breton
“There’s a saying in Gaelic that culture is passed on knee to knee, between generations,” says musician Mary Jane Lamond. “My grandparents were Gaelic speakers, so I was always interested in the language. I think I was first drawn to the literary tradition, which is a very oral tradition here on Cape Breton. Gaelic language, spending time with Gaelic speakers became a big part of my social life, and so did spending time with people who were interested...
History Comes Alive in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Passengers aboard a New England to Canada cruise oftentimes visit Sydney, located on Cape Breton, an island that is part of Canada’s second-smallest province, Nova Scotia. Last fall, my Celebrity Cruises itinerary included an eight-hour stop in this port.
To get a taste of this region’s history, I divided my time by taking a half-day Celebrity Cruises shore excursion to the Louisbourg Lighthouse, followed by a guided tour of the Fortress of Louisbo...
July 5, 2018
Through the eyes of an educator: What if the classroom had no walls?
It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere. Days of beach frolicking, no alarm clocks, park picnics, and RV tours are met with nights spent following the trail of fireflies, roasting that perfect marshmallow, and watching nature’s evening show as the sun meets the horizon.
These are the cherished days of summer where traditional schooling is flung by the wayside and finding fun reigns supreme.
If only we could bottle that energy, that joy, tha...
Walk with Zeus: Exploring History in Crete
The birthplace of Zeus, the home of the Minotaur, Daedalus’ labyrinth (and Ariadne’s clue), the launching place of Icarus – where are you? Why, Crete, of course!
The largest of all the Greek islands, Crete is one of the most beautiful – and historic – places in the world. Travelers come for the culture, history, beaches, warmth, famous Greek hospitality, delicious food, village life in the kafeneion (coffee shop), and festivals. And they return, agai...
June 29, 2018
Visiting Evora: 5 Places to See
The Chapel of Bones is an amazing, if not eerie, place to visit in Évora, Portugal. Decorated with the bones of 5,000 dead from the local cemetery, this room certainly gives you a chill when you step inside. Apart from the Chapel of Bones, what else is there to do in the small town of Évora, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal?
There are actually quite a few attractions, and now that you’re in Evora, you’ll be able to find plenty to do. Co...
