Latest news with #studyabroad
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: China warns students to beware safety risks in Philippines
In a statement on Friday, China's Ministry of Education urged students to 'carefully assess security risks' and 'strengthen safety awareness' before heading to the Southeast Asian country. 'Recently, public security in the Philippines has been unstable, with frequent crimes targeting Chinese citizens. The Ministry of Education reminds all students studying abroad to carefully assess security risks when choosing to study in the Philippines and to strengthen safety awareness,' the statement said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that the move reflected Beijing's 'responsible attitude' towards protecting its citizens. 'We urge the Philippine side to take concrete measures to safeguard the safety, dignity, and rights of Chinese students in the country,' Lin said. 02:09 China and Philippines clash over disputed Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands China and Philippines clash over disputed Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
I spent 3 days in Paris with my grandparents. The trip became less about seeing the city and more about seeing them.
During my semester abroad, I spent three days in Paris with my grandparents and their friends. We mixed structure with spontaneity, and I enjoyed seeing the city through their eyes. I learned so much about my grandparents from observing them during the trip. When I decided to study abroad in Ireland in 2024, I expected lots of pubs, great music, rainy days, and a fair share of homesickness. What I didn't expect was that one of the best parts of my semester would be a three-day trip to Paris — with my grandparents. Shortly after I'd arranged my semester abroad, I learned my grandparents would be in Europe at the same time as me. Though most of their trip would be spent on a river cruise, they'd have a few free days in Paris, and I immediately knew I had to meet them there. My grandparents were excited but also a bit nervous. They'd traveled plenty of times before, but this would be their first time in Paris, and they had little experience visiting countries where English isn't the primary language. Plus, they were traveling with more than 50 people around their age (my grandparents were 73 years old at the time), most of whom they didn't know. So, they were worried I might not like traveling with "the old folks." Little did they know, they had nothing to worry about. I enjoyed slowing down and embracing a mix of structure and spontaneity Leading up to the trip, my grandparents and I decided to plan at least one activity each day to provide some structure but leave the rest of our time open to wander. We also chose to make balancing time with their friend group and each other a priority. Initially, they worried this arrangement might slow me down or cause me to do less in the city, but I found it allowed me to appreciate where I was and savor our moments together. Often, the three of us would have breakfast together and then meet up with the group for sightseeing in the afternoon. Traveling with an older group meant I made a couple of accommodations I wouldn't have normally made when traveling solo, such as using ride-hailing services instead of walking or relying on public transit. This was definitely more expensive, but it was nice not having to grapple with the stress of navigating an unfamiliar city's transit system, and we felt it made it easier for all of us to stay together. Throughout the trip, I even found myself slowing down to take in small moments, such as a man playing his violin on our way to the Arc de Triomphe. I also stopped to take pictures of my grandparents' friends during the day. One of my favorite memories was walking through Sacré-Cœur Basilica, taking in the views of Paris, and wandering the Montmartre district, popping into a café for coffee and spending time in local shops. I've always tried to slow down and travel with intention, but my grandparents gave me the nudge I needed to actually follow through. It wasn't that they literally moved slowly; it was that they had the wisdom to know there was no need to rush. That mindset quietly seeped into me, and I was grateful for it when we opted to hire a tour guide to walk us through the Louvre. I was able to have a greater appreciation for the art than I think I would've if we'd just winged it on our own. Another highlight was a girls' dinner I had with my grandma and her friends. I got to hear all of their stories from when they were my age, and watching them joke around and make friends with the waiter was both hilarious and endearing. They were all so encouraging of my travels, telling me to continue seeking out new places and experiences. It was fun to see new places through each other's eyes There's a well-known adage that you don't really know a person until you travel with them. I constantly found myself watching my grandparents throughout the trip to see what architecture caught their eye or what paintings and sculptures interested them at the Louvre. It was also interesting to see how they interacted with their friends. Though we've always been close, I now know that my grandparents are more adventurous than they're given credit for. I know that my grandpa appreciates a good red wine and that my grandma loves a whiskey sour. I know that my grandpa and I both think comfortable silence is underrated. And I know that my grandma and I like to have a sweet treat in the morning to accompany our coffee. I think my grandparents may have learned a few things from me, too, including the French skills I'd been practicing in college and how to use Uber and eSIMs. Travel has always helped me learn about myself, but I'm so grateful to have walked away from this trip knowing even more about — and feeling even closer to — my grandparents. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Infinedi-Owned CEA CAPA Education Abroad Acquires CIS Abroad, CISaustralia, and Barcelona SAE
PHOENIX, July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Infinedi Partners, LP ("Infinedi") announced today that its portfolio company, CEA CAPA Education Abroad ("CEA CAPA" or the "Company"), has completed the acquisition of CIS Abroad, CISaustralia, and Barcelona SAE (collectively, "CIS") from their parent company Global Educators. CIS is a leading provider of education abroad and career readiness programs for U.S. and Australian undergraduate students across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. On an annual basis, CIS serves more than 4,000 students from over 200 colleges and universities, through one study center and numerous international university partners. On a combined basis, CEA CAPA serves more than 15,000 students annually from more than 450 U.S. and Australian universities. Its comprehensive educational and career readiness programs, available in 92 cities in 37 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and Africa, offers a differentiated breadth of offerings for students and sending partners. CEA CAPA's programs are delivered through its 17 study centers and partnerships with international universities, hospitals, law firms and local businesses. Jay Hegenbart, Founder and Managing Partner of Infinedi, commented, "For colleges and universities, the acquisition of CIS brings a host of advantages, including access to a larger and more diverse set of study abroad opportunities across Europe, Asia, and Australia, and ultimately the ability to meet the individual needs of more students—particularly students in high-demand majors such as business, engineering, psychology, health sciences, and more. Universities will benefit from more consistent educational delivery through standardized models across an expanded global footprint, and continued assurance of high-quality academics, student support, and rigorous health and safety protocols across the world." "This integration brings together some of the best partnerships, innovative programs, locations, talent, and experience in the field of education abroad. It allows us to reach more students and have greater impact with more variety, quality, and care," said Beth Stiller, Chief Executive Officer of CEA CAPA. "Our desire is to not only bring our strengths and resources together, but to introduce new classes, study centers, and personalized pathways to help students achieve their academic and career goals." "CEA CAPA's mission is to empower students to be thoughtful and thriving leaders through living and learning abroad. With this combination, we are excited to provide the broadest access to transformative global experiences for students and to offer even more value and support to higher education partners," said Carter Harned, Partner at Infinedi. About Infinedi Infinedi is a private equity firm focused on innovative partnerships with founder-owned businesses and financial entrepreneurs. Based in New York, the firm was founded in March 2018 by Jay Hegenbart. Unlike many traditional private equity firms, Infinedi focuses exclusively on situations where it is the first private equity investor. Additional elements of the strategy include using less financial leverage and having investment durations longer than is typical. The firm's approach is solution-based, working with business owners to create tailor-made private equity investments oriented to maximize effectiveness for all stakeholders. Its investors include a diverse group of prominent institutional investors. Many of these organizations have known the principals for decades and have benefitted from their successful track record of investing. Infinedi is actively seeking new investment opportunities. Visit for more information. About CEA CAPA Education Abroad CEA CAPA Education Abroad is a leading provider of study abroad programs, international internships, and career development opportunities designed to meet the needs of students from a wide range of majors and career interests. CEA CAPA students earn credits toward their degree while learning to embrace different cultures, become better communicators, gain independence, and grow both personally and professionally. The organization is committed to increasing equitable access to education abroad. CEA CAPA's mission is to empower students to become thoughtful and thriving leaders through living and learning abroad. Through its study centers and university partner programs, CEA CAPA offers a broad depth and breadth of curricular options in 92 cities across 37 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. In addition to its standard programming, CEA CAPA offers custom and faculty-led programs at each of its locations. Visit for more information. About CIS Since 2000, CIS Abroad has been delivering study abroad programs for US undergraduate students through international university partners in 29 destinations. CISaustralia, founded in 2013, is focused on delivering study abroad, volunteer abroad, and internship programs across the globe to Australian students. Barcelona SAE, founded in 2009, has exclusively focused on delivering study abroad programs for US undergraduate students through its study center and international university partner network within Barcelona, Spain. On an annual basis, CIS serves more than 4,000 students from more than 200 colleges and universities, through one study center and numerous international university partners. For more information on CIS Abroad, visit For more information on CISaustralia, visit For more information on Barcelona SAE, visit View source version on Contacts Jay HegenbartInfinedi Partners917-596-4593jay@ Emilia KericCEA CAPA Education Abroad800-266-4441ekeric@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
From Karachi to Cork: ‘The class divide is not that apparent here, and that's a very good thing'
'In one of my jobs they were like, hold on a second, you have a bit of a Cork twang to your accent. I was like, yeah, I've heard that before. I didn't realise it was happening, but it's happening somehow,' says social worker Abeer Ali Ansari (35). After completing his undergraduate degree, Ali Ansari worked for a blue-chip company for five years in Karachi, his native city and Pakistan 's largest, with an estimated population of more than 20 million. 'It was always a bit of a goal of mine to study abroad. I said look, I'll finish my bachelor's degree, then I'll work for about five years and then I'll explore my options,' he says. He initially investigated options in Australia but thought, 'it's a bit too far away, in the event of an emergency it would be a bit of a trek to come all the way from there'. With some friends and family in the UK, he also considered universities there, but the uncertainty surrounding Brexit at the time led Ali Ansari to Ireland and ultimately to choosing to study at University College Cork (UCC). He moved to Cork city in August 2017 to pursue a master's degree in business. 'I kind of fell into business, because the family was doing it and they said, look, it'll be easier if you just go down that path because you know you can take help from your brothers.' 'So, I went down that road for a very long time,' he says. Having completed his business masters at UCC, Ali Ansari was working in recruitment in Ireland when the Covid pandemic hit in 2020, 'and that sort of gave me that time to really think about what I wanted'. 'So, I said I want to go into the profession of helping people because that's something that I was really into. I had a couple of friends who already were social workers [in Ireland] so after I spoke with them about the experience of it, it did resonate with me. 'We didn't have a social worker in Pakistan because it's a non-welfare country, so I wasn't aware of this profession.' 'And then I thought about it, it took me a long time thinking about it, and I made the decision to go down that road. I had a bit of money saved from jobs so I said maybe it's time to test the waters and go back to UCC to study a master's in social work.' Having completed work experience and a bridging course in social policy, he was accepted to the master's programme. 'There was a bit of convincing involved,' he says, when it came to telling his family and friends about his career move. 'I talked to my mom, and she's very open and honest about things, so she did say 'Are you sure? Because you work in a business, in a blue-chip company, and they are considered to be good companies to work for'.' 'I was like, mom, look, it's fine. You know, the salary is not exactly millions, but it's not bad either. 'And at the same time, when I close the laptop, when I go home, at least I have that sense of achievement, no matter how big or small, that you have at least tried to make a family's life better.' Ali Ansari, who volunteered with NGOs when he was a student in Karachi, says he grew up in a community with limited access to public resources and witnessed the struggles people faced due to both individual and systemic inequalities. 'In Pakistan, the socioeconomic divide really is very, very, very apparent. So much so that if you can speak English, you are considered to be within a certain socioeconomic category. If you can't, you're considered to be a different socioeconomic category. 'And, of course, education is a privilege, it's not really a right back home. Some people, they would not be able to afford it,' he explains. 'Comparing that to Ireland, the class divide is not that apparent here, and that's a very good thing. 'So in terms of education, food, being able to pay your bills and medical care, it's difficult for people living in Pakistan, let's put it that way.' Now working for a public agency in Cork, Ali Ansari says, 'it does throw you off the deep end, I'm not going to lie'. 'In Pakistan you see [inequality], it's so obvious, it's so apparent, but over here in Ireland, it's less so, but you change the country, you change the language, you change the geographical location [but] society and humanity is very similar. 'So if there are vulnerable people in Pakistan, it would have been naive of me to assume that there wouldn't be vulnerable people in Ireland as well.' Ali Ansari created a great network with his fellow international students when studying his business masters at UCC, but later realised he should have branched out more, as most of his friends returned to their home countries after the course, leaving him at square one. It was when he moved into a house share with 'a few lads – two of them were from Waterford, one of them from Tipperary" that he began to grow his network again. 'It's a bit of a process but once you really hack it, then you are kind of in,' he says. Although it would be a goal of Ali Ansari's to buy a house in Ireland one day, he says: 'I do accept there are loads of challenges because we all know that the housing crisis has not just affected people who are looking to buy, but even to rent. 'It is tough out there. And being in the social work field you see the consequences of that crisis.' But its 'not all doom and gloom' in a house share, he adds, as he often chats to his housemates after a tough day and they have gaming nights and go to the cinema together. Something Ali Ansari misses most about his home city is the food, particularly its level of spice, he says, adding that it's in one of the regions in Pakistan with the spiciest food. He says he has gone to some good Pakistani restaurants in Ireland but he's pretty sure they've tweaked the recipes 'to make them a bit more local', he says. He doesn't miss the tea, however, as he says the blend he's used to is identical to Barry's Gold Blend, and it's served in the same way in Pakistan, with milk and sugar for some. Ali Ansari says he hopes to continue to grow his network of friends in Cork and to 'give it my best shot in terms of my career'. As far as he and his colleagues are aware, Ali Ansari may be the first Pakistani person to qualify as a social worker in Ireland, and he hopes more people born outside of the country will feel encouraged to do the same. 'Ireland, even comparing 2017 to now, has become so multicultural, so diverse,' says Ali Ansari. 'And having people with life skills and the understanding of different cultures and languages and things, I do think that would definitely add value to the [social worker] profession.' We would like to hear from people who have moved to Ireland in the past 10 years. To get involved, email newtotheparish@ or tweet @newtotheparish
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
'They only know Dubai': How students teach foreigners what UAE is, learn host cities' culture
Packing for university abroad is no longer just about clothes and travel documents. This year, a new generation of Emirati students preparing to study overseas is being sent off with thorough knowledge on how to stay safe, culturally grounded, legally protected, and self-reliant. Sessions featuring immersive workshops on security, substance awareness, financial planning, AI literacy, and cultural identity, will run until July 21 at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi. These is part of a week-long Pre-Departure Programme for over 100 Abu Dhabi Scholarship and Khotwa students, organised by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) in partnership with 25 national and international entities. 'We want to help students enhance their positive thinking, resilience, and leadership skills, not just their academic readiness,' said Dr Bashaer Al Matrooshi, Executive Director of Talent Enablement at ADEK. 'This is the first time we run it over a week across 11 key partner centres, chosen based on student, parent and industry feedback.' From crisis prevention to culinary survival Abu Dhabi Police officers warned students about security threats and legal grey areas they may encounter abroad. 'Don't just report to a friend, and lure him into trouble with you,' warned Major Ahmad Al Rumaithi, speaking during a legal awareness session. 'And don't avoid reporting to avoid a scandal; if you report to official authorities they will know how to deal with the issue under discretion.' Authorities also cautioned students against underestimating the risks of drugs and misidentifying dangerous substances, including disguised narcotics and misused herbal supplements. 'When you go there, you may be exploited or targeted," said Major Yousef Al Hammadi, from the Abu Dhabi Police Anti-Narcotics Department. 'These materials are a waste of your ambition, and even if certain substances are legal in some cities abroad, UAE law still applies to you,' he said, addressing the students. The programme also included workshops on preserving Emirati values and showcasing national identity abroad. 'We focus on Emirati cuisine because they'll miss that — and we want them to continue to have that over there,' said Dr Al Matrooshi, explaining why students receive hands-on cooking instruction at the International Centre for Culinary Arts. The sessions, she added, help students learn how to meal prep, shop smartly, and maintain their health without relying on takeout. Digital safety and AI use are also top priorities. Students are being taught how to prompt AI tools for research without plagiarising, and how to critically assess online content that may impact their cultural sensitivity, privacy or academic integrity. Learning from predecessors The programme also features insights from alumni who've experienced both challenges and transformation during their years abroad. Abdullah Al Hashmi, who studied finance in Boston under the Abu Dhabi Scholarships programme and now works at the Central Bank, recalled how little cultural awareness many American students had of the UAE — and how he used that gap as a teaching moment. 'They don't know what the UAE is. They only know Dubai,' he said. 'So, I taught them who we are. The Arabs are not one group — we have our own colours, our own cultures. That's part of our job.' He also advised students to research their host cities thoroughly — from weather to health needs — and to understand local university rules around tuition, documentation, and visa timelines to avoid misunderstandings. Ali Al Hosani, 22, a Khotwa student hoping to pursue sustainable engineering in Australia, said he had dropped out of IT studies before discovering his true passion. He found the sessions by Abu Dhabi Police especially valuable. 'They explained how to deal with harassment or suspicious individuals,' he said. 'And that if someone online or in person asks you to carry a bag for them — you say no.' Abdullah Mohammed, 20, preparing to study IT in Australia, added: 'I learnt how important it is to know the legal rights in each state. And that if someone wants to inspect me, I should ask for official ID and an inspection warrant if the law requires it.' Dr Al Matrooshi confirmed that this extended-format programme is currently a pilot — but the goal is to roll it out to all Emirati students heading abroad, regardless of which scholarship or mission they belong to. 'We've already measured its impact,' she said. 'Mental health, clarity on legal frameworks, cultural awareness — it's all improved. And the idea is to make sure students don't just adapt but thrive and represent the UAE in the best way possible.'
