At my sister’s high school, the students have the opportunity of applying for a student exchange to Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The application process is obviously long and the competition tough.

When the teacher’s were informing the students about the program they also said, “Only take a form if your parents are willing to pay for the exchange.”

Obviously exchange programs involve a lot of money – getting passports and visas, travel costs, possibly accommodation costs, as well as pocket money.

These utterances, however, are the most blatantly exclusive that I have heard in a long time.

It is an honour to be chosen as an exchange student. It means that you have excelled at the interviewing process, that you are deemed a true and efficient ambassador for your country.

It is also an opportunity that many people will never have.

The statement by the teachers reflects that they lack understanding of exchange programs in the context of developing countries, such as our own.

It also reflects unwillingness to put in a little extra effort, if a poorer student is selected, to help with fundraising. A child given the opportunity to see a different part of the world will have no problem thinking of and implementing means in which to raise funds.

I am not poor, but I can certainly not afford a trip overseas. In fact, I am attending International RYLA in Montreal, Canada in June and I am busy raising funds for myself at this very moment.

It is time for the rich to cease trying to “buy” opportunities. In the 21^st century, we should know better than to exclude people from opportunities because they cannot afford it. All it means is that if the person cannot afford the opportunity, he/she must be willing to put in the effort of raising funds.

So what's with the online marketing right now? Many would say that they've gain so much profit using online business. Thus it really helps in times of recession? Actually even youths nowaday are engaged on it. And believe it or not some find this a good job in times of unemployment rate is high. Youth were more engaged in Internet, so they are fully aware of this.

If you use your mind, there is no reason why you can´t use the World Wide Web to make a living for yourself. As far as markets, with a click of a button you can go just about anywhere. As research goes, you can find about anything you need to know, and as to potential revenue, there's no limit. 

The good news about making money online is it can cost you little or nothing compared to a physical business which could cost and risk you an arm and a leg or more. Realize, however, that making money online doesn´t come easily for everyone. For most, it takes hard work and a good dose of “trial and error.”

Share and learn more thoughts. Try to be a worthy youth in making your time and skills visible and effective every now and then.

As a youth volunteer in our community, one of the problems that I recently encountered is the Swine Flu vaccines shortage. Many in our community cannot afford to get vaccinated in private hospitals or clinics since its quite expensive. So they are after to free medical mission in our public health center.  But as always, the government couldn’t provide more vaccines to our people since the budget are not enough.

 
It is said that medical expenses are one of the leading causes (in fact, according to some sources, THE leading cause) of bankruptcies.  Eventually, medical expenses happen – period.  (I don't care who you are – this isn't the Dark Ages.)  However, you can save on medicine and still get care from doctors – and we don't mean "tree doctors."  Try this – negotiate prices.  Even talk to the CFO if you have to.

 
Negotiating can actually save up to 60% in some cases, and up to 93% of people who negotiate succeed at some point.  Also, pay promptly – some hospitals have prompt pay discounts.  (They should, the thieves.) Believe it or not, you can save money on medical expenses by negotiating with hospitals.

Share your youth voice and be heard here for others to be aware of the present community's problem and issues.

The new law requiring Texas schools to add the Bible to their curriculum has confused teachers who maintain that the law has provided no guidelines or resources for these new lessons. Furthermore, the law requires that teachers be trained to teach these classes, but did not specify what kind of training that would be, or provide any funding sources for the classes and training.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6605883.html

California, Wisconsin, and Nevada have laws that forbid linking teacher reviews and test performance, though they may have to hurry and fix that, thanks to President Obama's plans for education. While Education Secretary Arne Duncan claims these teacher review laws are "simply ridiculous," the teachers' unions are protesting, and I have to agree with them. Basing a teacher's future and a school district's income on one test forces them to only concentrate on prepping for that test--not actually teaching the students anything--and pretty much ignore any students' individual learning style in favor of drills and rote memorization. And of course, there's always that one student in the class who can test incredibly well, and that one student who simply cannot test at all.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5irQ98Fr6me-yudqhyVUlUEfEfPTQD9AK0JN80

The Washington Post claims that online education will soon replace actual colleges and universities, just as blogs and online newspapers have replaced the print versions. The only holdouts will be the elite institutions--whether it's the Ivy Leagues or the New York Times.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091104312.html

And meanwhile, it's my first week back from school and already my school district has proved it has its priorities mixed up again. We got money for site improvements from California's Prop S, and my school had planned to use it for air conditioning (a fully legal use of the funds, I believe). It's practically summer year-round in Southern California, and only a couple of our brand new buildings have air conditioning--enough for about 90 students out of 2400 per period. However, our school district has decided that we need smartboards (interactive whiteboards)--I think the product we're getting is this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promethean_Ltd#2006:_Activboard_.2B2_Adjustable_Height_Interactive_Whiteboard_System . This is possibly the most ridiculous way ever to spend our money, especially since we just got spiffy new projectors a couple years ago. It's almost as bad as my principal's last plan to build a skatepark with the Prop S funds.

Hey everyone.  I have a personal question that I need answered.

My friends and I are currently living on campus in a new apartment.  They are very conscious about money, and recently it's gotten to the point that we all must buy our own bread and food, put our names on our things, and not touch anyone else's. 

They have a list of "who-owes-who" on our fridge, with amounts like $1.00 to Liz. 

Nobody is allowed to touch anything that others buy, even something like paper towels.

This morning, we signed a "constitution" on our things.

----

It's really bothering me, because I wasn't raised like this.  My house was usually open to everyone, and everything I had I offered to others, just to be hospitable.

It was only right.

Friends usually share things with others, especially when you live with your best friends.  Having three heads of cabbage in a fridge does not make much sense to me.

 

Is this a bit nit-picky?