Monday 21 December 2015

Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton - Tips for Living in Florida

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
One of the big life changes for Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton was when she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While Florida is known as being a warm, friendly place with an ideal climate, there are many things that people should know before deciding to move to the infamous state. Ramona herself had to learn a few tricks to make living in Florida the vacation-like life she pictured. One common misconception about Florida is that the weather is always nice. While Florida may be referred to as the sunshine state, it has also been known to have a lot of volatile weather. In fact, it is America’s lightning capital, and sees frequent hurricanes as well. Not just that, Florida is also known for having a high level of humidity, one that frizz hair and make an outing outside unbearably uncomfortable.

When Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton moved to Florida, she had to adapt her style of living considerably. She had to learn when and how to avoid the crazy weather. When she did avoid the bad weather however, she found ample opportunities to visit the beach. Florida is surrounded almost entirely by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. While that can make it a prime target for hurricanes, it also makes it one of the best places in America to enjoy the beach. When the weather permits, Florida is an ideal place for water sports like surfing, swimming, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, and even fishing. The ocean depths hide lots of hidden treasures and unique ocean-dwelling marine life. It even houses a few reefs. Going to the beach is a great way to enjoy Florida.

Ramona Maharaj of the City of Hamilton knows that Florida can be a fun and interesting place to live. However, some of the things that makes Florida so unique and charming, can also make it dangerous as well for those who are too nonchalant. The Everglades National Park for instance houses a truly unique ecosystem that has everything from forests, to prairies, to jungles, to swamps. It also houses a considerable amount of unique wildlife. However, this wildlife can also be dangerous. Things like alligators, pythons, and even some iguanas can pose a threat if not taken seriously. That is why it is important to respect the wildlife in Florida.

Living in Florida has been a unique and interesting experience for Ramona Maharaj of the City of Hamilton. After moving to Fort Lauderdale she has learned just what it means to be a Floridian. Part of her experience included things like sun-bathing, surfing, and scuba diving. She has also gotten the chance to explore unique ecosystems and wildlife that doesn’t exist in many other parts of the world. Florida is a unique place that offers one of a kind experiences.

Friday 13 November 2015

Ramona Maharaj on the Move from the City of Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale

Ramona Maharaj says the move from the City of Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale was one of the best decisions she’s made in her life. Maharaj is at work on completing her Master’s degree in English at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Fort Lauderdale. She loves the excellent weather year-round, the sandy beaches, and the artistic community that she found in Fort Lauderdale when she moved there.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton Fort Lauderdale was mostly uninhabited from the 15th century until the 1890s for various reasons. The native inhabitants declined in population since first meeting Spanish explorers, and white settlers struggled to gain a foothold in the region. The first Fort Lauderdale was constructed in 1838 to help US forces battle the Seminole Indians. The fort was abandoned in 1842 after the war concluded. In 1893, Frank Stranahan opened a ferry across the New River. More people arrived in the area after the Florida East Coast Railroad completed a route through the area in 1896. Fort Lauderdale was incorporated in 1911 and designated the county seat of Broward County in 1915. In the 1920s, people flocked to Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area during the Florida Land Boom, which ended abruptly in 1926 during one of the worst hurricanes on record, and later the Great Depression. Today, over 1.8 million people live in the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton moved to study English at FAU. She hopes to one day teach English at the college level and write criticism, fiction, and nonfiction.

Monday 2 November 2015

Ramona Maharaj - An English Major from the City of Hamilton

Ramona Maharaj moved from the City of Hamilton to attend the English graduate program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, not far from her adoptive home in Fort Lauderdale. Maharaj wanted to be an English major since her time as a reporter for her local high school’s newspaper. She has loved to read and write for as long as she can remember. But an English degree can be beneficial for those who aren’t bookworms as well. For anyone who wants to run their own business or become a lawyer or journalist, earning an English degree can be a great start to a promising career.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

English classes teach students how to write effectively and to read closely. Both of these skills are often overlooked, but business leaders, lawyers, and journalists all have to be proficient at reading comprehension and writing clearly and concisely. An English degree can be a great precursor to an advanced law degree, a degree in journalism, or an advanced business degree. English majors can take their reading, writing, and editing skills and create their own business if they desire. Freelancers can make excellent wages working for themselves with individual clients in a variety of business settings, including advertising, public relations, and more.

Ramona Maharaj decided to move away from the City of Hamilton to continue her education in the English discipline because she wanted to improve her chances of working as an English professor one day. Maharaj has long dreamt of contributing her thoughts and instruction concerning contemporary American literature.

Sunday 25 October 2015

Ramona Maharaj of the City of Hamilton - Benefits of an English Degree

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton has always been drawn to writing and reading from an early age. She decided she wanted to be a writer in high school, and, after writing for the school paper for four years and contributing to her high school’s literary magazine, she earned an undergraduate degree in English following graduation from high school. She wanted to study English because she loves books, reading, and writing, and it seemed like a natural choice. With her degree, she also has the skills to communicate clearly in written communications, and she has a deeper understanding of contemporary American literature, as well as what literature says about cultures around the world.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton


English majors have unique opportunities after earning their degree. They are in great position to enter Law school, political science and government, public administration, psychology, counseling, business administration, communications, and more. English majors can start a lucrative and promising career in advertising or public relations, as long as they are prepared to start at an entry-level position. Many English majors go on to teach at all levels, from public high and primary schools to college. English members have to complete a master’s degree to teach at the college level, but a bachelor’s degree in English is a great first step.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton, and she wants to teach at the college level in addition to contributing to the discussion of contemporary American literature. She is currently in the process of completing her Master’s degree in English at Florida Atlantic University.

Saturday 17 October 2015

Ramona Maharaj From the City of Hamilton on Why a Graduate Degree is Worth it

Ramona Maharaj, from the City of Hamilton, is enrolled in the Master’s degree program in English at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, near her home in Fort Lauderdale. Maharaj took some time to decide to attend FAU to study English for many reasons. She wanted to get the required education in order to teach college English as a professor and to write professionally. Here are a few typical reasons to consider graduate school as Maharaj did:
Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
  • Required for your professional field. Maharaj knew that English professors at universities are required to at least earn their Master’s degree, so she wanted to continue her education. Many other professions all but require master’s degrees to succeed, including health care, law, and social work.
  • Career improvement. New skills and abilities that you pick up in graduate school can help you advance your career quickly and get to the most desirable leadership positions. Earning a graduate degree shows that you have talent, intelligence, persistence, and drive, all qualities that managers and directors have to possess to be successful.
  • Increase your options and prospects. Earning a graduate degree increases your professional prospects by opening doors to leadership positions across all fields. You can gain some flexibility in your career prospects by earning extra education as well.

Ramona Maharaj, a native of the City of Hamilton, came to Fort Lauderdale to earn her extra education and put her in a position to realize her dream of writing professionally and teaching English at the college level.

Tuesday 13 October 2015

ADVANTAGES OF TEACHING ADULT LEARNERS

Teaching adults can be rewarding to the teacher. At the very core, you are dealing with individuals who have lives outside the classroom. While this can pose a challenge when it comes to attendance, adult learners also come equipped with learning tools and experience that present advantages to teachers. As an ESL teacher, you can use these benefits to help you make the learning experience a better one.


Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

Autonomous learners

Adult learners have, to varying extents, a set of learning skills acquired from earlier schooling experience. At the very least, they have the skills to enable them take notes, ask relevant questions and initiate dialogue. They know the benefits of regular class attendance and the importance of being committed and organized.

While many adult learners might not have loads of free time on their hands, they will benefit from having mentally-challenging assignments.

Intrinsic motivation

Many adults who enroll for courses make a conscious decision to do so. They might have varying needs, but they are motivated to become better at what the course offers. Whether it’s an English course or a postgraduate degree, adult learners have the internal motivation to go through with the course.

As a teacher, the best way to keep this motivation alive is by considering their goals when setting class tasks and activities. This way, you can come up with tasks that best fit the end goal, like planning job interview role-playing activities for English learners who want to speak the language in their business endeavors.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton understands what it takes to keep adult learners motivated. She has years of experience as an ESL teacher and currently works in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Wednesday 30 September 2015

HIKING ETIQUETTE

In life, rules are set to help govern the activities of individuals and make things more enjoyable for all involved. While there are written rules that maintain, unwritten ones such as not cutting in line at a bank or keeping the elbows off the table while eating enforce etiquette for different settings.


Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton


When it comes to hiking, there are rules that make the experience pleasant for everyone. Among the most common practices are:

Plan ahead

Research on the region you plan to hike and the weather conditions common to the area. Prepare for any weather surprises and minimize any impact by hiking as a small group.

Waste disposal

Whatever you bring with you ensure you take it out. This includes biodegradable waste such as fruit peelings and food wrappers and containers. Also, pick up any trash you come across that’s left by other hikers. Human waste should be buried in 6-8 inch deep holes that are not near any water source.

Look, but don’t take!

You can admire nature and all it has to offer, but leave everything in its natural habitat. Avoid picking rocks or plucking leaves and plants from their natural settings.

Don’t feed the animal

While many animals will not be particularly inclined to show themselves, there are some that will want a sniff of what you eat. Resist the urge to give them food as it will only disrupt their hunting habits.

Walk through puddles

Avoid walking around puddles or any obstacles that cause the trail to widen. Taking shortcuts or going around a puddle is not good for the sustainability of the trail.

Ramona Maharaj, from the City of Hamilton, has been hiking for years. While teaching in South America, she had the chance to enjoy some of the continent’s scenic hiking trails.

Saturday 26 September 2015

HOW TO TRAVEL SAFE

Unwary tourists make easy targets for con artists and thieves because they stand out in foreign places. While most areas you travel to are likely to be safe, it helps when you take the necessary steps and precautions to ensure your safety. Talk to friends and colleagues who've been to the location before, consult with the travel agency, and keep an eye on any official communication.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton


Learn about the place

Before you leave, know how the particular destination is faring, especially on the economic front. In many instances, Americans are used to a higher standard of living than some of the places they visit. Where unemployment and petty crime are an issue, be particularly careful with your luggage.

Leave the expensive stuff

You make yourself a target when you wear expensive jewelry and watches or carry fancy cameras and other digital equipment in the open. What might be normal to carry around back home may not be wise to display on your trip. Focus on enjoying the trip and leave the expensive stuff at home.

Be wise with cash

Split your money so you don’t have to carry all your cash or travel cards in one purse. Take advantage of any hotel safes to store your emergency card and only carry the amount of cash you estimate will be enough for the day. Should you lose one card, you will still have the means to make purchases with what you didn’t carry with you.

Digital copies

Before you travel, make digital copies of your travel documents and visas. It’s easy to have them stored on a cloud server that you can access should the originals get lost on your trip.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton from the City of Hamilton has spent a big part of her teaching career overseas and is well versed in some of the ways to stay safe while traveling.

Thursday 17 September 2015

BENEFITS OF READING

In a world of mobile devices and screens, it can be easy to forget the pleasure that comes from reading a book. Studies have shown that reading strengthens and sharpens the mind while also improving language and communication skills. Because the mind is a processing machine that is always looking to consume information, the best way to nourish it is by staying engaged with the right material.


Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

Keep Your Troubles Away

Reading helps shift your focus from the worries and anxieties of everyday life and transports you to a seemingly better place. It is through reading that you get the insight into concepts that you probably never thought of, perceiving things that you didn't think were possible.

Reading is still the best way to gather information and can give you an edge in life. Information is power, and the answers to many of life’s issues are documented somewhere.

Great Sleep

If you are looking to enjoy a good night’s sleep, try reading before jumping into bed. The bright lights that emanate from electronic devices keep your brain awake, meaning that it’s better to read a paperback under dim bedside lights than a tablet.

Feed the Mind

The human mind has been likened to a supercomputer that is constantly seeking information to keep it satisfied. Through reading, you nourish the brain and keep it stimulated and active. Reading can boost your creativity, which helps you come up with better solutions to everyday issues.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton is an active woman who likes to end the day curled up with a good book. She attributes reading to having helped her understand various cultures of the world.

Friday 4 September 2015

Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton - History of George Brown



Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton is proud to have attended George Brown College, a Toronto-based school that uses its location as a tool to help train their students for real life competition in big cities. On the school’s official website, they have a short description of the school’s history that is reflective of their mission and values: 


Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

“In 1951 the Ontario Government opened the Provincial Institute of Trades with the goal of providing skilled training to soldiers returning from World War 2. Seventeen years later, as the province established a new college system; the Institute was expanded to encompass a broader range of programs, opening as George Brown College in 1967.

Over time, George Brown College has evolved to support the labour needs of a variety of key economic sectors, and beyond pure skills training to offer a broad range of learning opportunities, including softskills development, extensive field education and applied research.

Since 2004, under current President Anne Sado’s leadership, George Brown has more than doubled in size, broadened its international partnerships and increased its commitment to strengthening the cultural, social and economic fabric of Toronto.”

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton earned her ESL credentials at George Brown College, and then took them all over the world to teach students whose age levels ranged from small children to adults.

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton - How to Engage ESL Students



Teaching English as a second language can be a very challenging task at times, just as Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton knows. She has taught in ten countries throughout the past decade, all of which have required her to adapt to a new situation and culture as well as students and class structures. However, she has learned some tricks along the way that have been effective in breaking the ice with each and every set of new students. Below are some tips of things you can try on the first day to engage your ESL students.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

First, catching them off guard is always a great way to get their attention. If one person is disrupting the class, put him or her on the spot to see how good their English is; and give them a chance to be humbled. If it is more than one person, or even an entire class, making up a fake quiz or test on the first day will let them know you are now joking around; even if you kind of are. 

Next, try and do some activities that are relevant to their lives. Many people on the first day of a language class ask themselves why they are there in the first place. Answer that question by having them engage in an activity that they can use outside of the classroom right away.

Thursday 20 August 2015

Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton - Teaching in Chile



After having a good six months of teaching in Argentina, RamonaMaharaj City of Hamilton had picked up her Spanish quite well, along with a number of other skills and habits that are known as being a part of Latin American culture, such as a taste for yerba mate and knowledge of the local spirits and dances. It had become time for her to move on; and much similar to her route through Asia, she had made the clear decision to explore two more countries on the continent, and had set her sights on Chile and Peru. 

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton

Chile was going to be the next designated stop, so Ramona hopped on a bus and braved the overnight ride to Santiago, where she then changed buses and headed south to Osorno, which was the site of her new school. Unlike her other teaching contracts, Chile was the first scenario in which Ramona was teaching college-aged students at a local technical school. 

Ramona enjoyed the switch to a more mature classroom. She had a much more flexible schedule and could, for the first time in her career, determine how and when each aspect of the curriculum would be taught. And given her students’ impressive test scores, it would appear as if the ability to breathe had made her an even better teacher.

Monday 10 August 2015

Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton - Teaching in China

After teaching in both Korea and Japan, Ramona Maharaj from the City of Hamilton knew that she had to continue life in Asia; as the opportunities for ESL teaching were far too good to pass up. Her next assignment was in Shenzhen, China, where she went off to teach at a private school and get a genuine taste of what it’s like to live in the world’s most populous nation.
Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton
 One of the first things that Ramona had experienced in China was something that she did not get as much as she expected from Korea and Japan; and that is culture shock. Japan and Korea, while both having their own strong presence of cultures, have trouble hiding their western influence at times, while China is a beast of its own. It is country that is so massive that those who are immersed in the deeper parts of the country often never make it outside of the country’s borders, as the landscape itself is so large that traveling as far as a border equates in travel time to international trips for people from other countries.

Ramona Maharaj City of Hamilton saw the depths of China through her students, who were so numerous and prideful of their upbringings that it made her realize how truly large the world is.