Here are some of the famous Canadian dishes that are worth indulging for;
Salmon
A massive land yet surrounded by huge bodies of water, Canada has a bountiful seafood bucket. Most specifically, Canadian salmon has found its way into many local dishes, prepared as pan-fried, baked, or smoked. Locals have a strong affinity to cedar planked salmon and sockeye salmon, which is usually cold-smoked. Other popular preparation for salmon in the country includes gravlax and salmon jerky.
Poutine
One of the most famous food in the country and specifically in rural Quebec is poutine. The dish classified as a quintessential French-Canadian delicacy is widely found across Canada but most concentrated in French Canada. Poutine can be made in many ways but is traditionally presented as a bed of French fries, brown gravy, and cheese curds.
Timbits
From Canada’s global donut and coffee brand Tim Hortons, Timbits aka doughnut holes are a must-have for locals. It comes in a variety of flavors such as chocolate, powdered sugar, honey dip, and old-fashioned.
Tourtéire
Another French-Canadian delicacy is Tourtéire, a double-crusted meat pie normally served during holidays. Originating from Quebec, this dish uses various fillings like savory pork, beef, or veal flavored spiced with clove and cinnamon.
Butter Tarts
Originally from Ontario, butter tarts can be commonly found around the country in most bakeries and cafes. The tart-shaped pastry crust is filled with a deliciously creamy syrup consisting of sugar, butter, and egg.
Caribou Stew
Caribou stew is a traditional Canadian dish from the northern rural part of the country. Caribou, aka reindeer, is hunted and not famed, which guarantees that one can have a unique culinary experience of having meat from a wild animal. Since hunting is also seasonal, a moose or venison variation of the stew can also be an option.
Saskatoon Berry Jam
Native to southern Canada, Saskatoon Berry Jam is seasonal and is usually available during summer months when saskatoon berries flourish. Coming from the family of apples, saskatoon berries have a tart and sweet flavor and resemble blueberries. Many Canadian households have their own recipe for this jam which can also be topped on pies and tarts.
Lobster Roll
Closely associated with the Maritimes– New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island– lobster roll has become a classic Canadian summertime snack. Served on a crusty bun or even pitas, the globally popular dish consists of chunks of lobster steamed or boiled in seawater and served with mayonnaise, black pepper, lemon juice, and butter.
]]>Though Australia is the earth’s sixth-largest country with 7 692 024 km2, its topography is not that varied and consists of mostly low desert plateau with the southeast having the most fertile plains. However, due to its massive land size, the country has several varied climate zones– from a more tropical climate in the northern part to a relatively cooler climate in the southern parts.
Suffice to say, the six states and the two territories of Australia offer different amazing things to experience for locals, tourists, and international students. In this article, we feature the most popular attractions, in each of the states and territories of the land down under.
Nothing is more iconic than the Sydney Harbour surrounded by long shorelines, national parks, and historic sites, including the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. The Harbour offers a wide range of activities for both locals and tourists, from embarking on a chartered cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour around the harbour to riding a ferry to Manly Beach or Taronga Zoo.
NSW is also home to Vivid Sydney, the annual celebration of creativity, innovation, and technology. One of the most popular highlights of Vivid Sydney is the Vivid Light, wherein the city is illuminated on a massive scale. This year marked the longest continuous light walk ever, running uninterrupted from Sydney Opera House to Central Station.
Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, next to Western Australia. Having a land area of 1,727,000 square kilometres, the state boasts of five World Natural Heritage areas namely the Scenic Rim National Parks, Fraser Island, Riversleigh Fossil Fields, the Wet Tropics (including Daintree National Park), and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Wonders of the World.
Covering nearly one-third of the country, Western Australia is amazingly vast and diverse offering a wide range of attractions including intricate rock formations, ancient Aboriginal sites, and world-class wineries. Australia’s largest state is also known for the Margaret River, the premium wine region and home to home of the country’s most remarkable wines and stunning vineyards.
Aside from being known for its cosmopolitan culture that highlights festivals, incredible food, and top-tier wine regions, South Australia is also made popular by Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal capital. As a desert underground mining settlement, Coober Pedy is famous for its red dirt and sun-baked lunar landscape that allows for a quirky lifestyle such as underground houses, hotels, and even shops.
Victoria is the southernmost state on the mainland of Australia and is known to offer the greatest drives in the world along the Great Ocean Road, a 240-km stretch of some of the most stunning coastline in the world. Recognised as an Australian National Heritage, the Great Ocean Road encompasses the surf capital Torquay, the famous 12 Apostles, and the historic fishing village Port Fairy.
Tasmania is an island detached from the mainland and is most famous for its lush greenery, breathtaking mountains, cascading waterfalls, and widely known for having the cleanest air in the world. In addition, over 20% of the state is a world heritage area, including 18 national parks. Aside from nature’s beauty, Tasmania is also known for cool-climate wines such as sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and sparkling wine.
Australian Capital Territory is where Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is located. Conveniently located between Melbourne and Sydney, ACT offers a good mix of food adventures, cultural immersion, and outdoor activities.
Also known as Ayer’s Rock, Uluru is one of the most famous attractions in Australia. The giant monolith formed about half a billion years ago and has been a significant landmark to Aboriginal people.
]]>The most-awaited 2022 NBA Draft has recently been concluded with Paolo Banchero from Duke University taking the top spot drafted by Orlando Magic, followed by Gonzaga University’s Chet Holmgren drafted by Thunder; Auburn University’s Jabari Smith drafted by Rockets, University of Iowa’s Keegan Murray drafted by Kings; and Purdue University’s Jaden Ivey drafted by Pistons. Ranked as the number one most popular sports event with the highest maximum monthly search volume, reaching 185 million Google searches, it is unsurprising that NBA’s annual drafting event also garners worldwide viewership. NBA draft, which happens every June, not only represents the future of professional basketball but also is a life-changing moment for many college basketball players.
Tracing back to its creation in the 1890s by Canadian American physical education instructor Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, basketball has been a global phenomenon for hundreds of years now– played in the streets, in schools, and professionally. In the US, college basketball has gained most of the Americans’ interest according to a Statista report including the March Madness championship game that raises billions of dollars in revenue annually.
Here are some fascinating facts about college basketball in the US;
The UK government is determined to position itself as a global innovation hub by 2035.
COVID-19 has shaken the global economy, forcing businesses, institutions, and governments to re-examine their existing and future growth strategies. With the pandemic disruptions and unprecedented challenges that have irreversibly changed the world, predictably, innovation and technology are anticipated to enable organisations and nations to thrive in the new world.
The UK is one of the G8 countries that recognises the significant role of innovation to drive resiliency amidst today’s pressing challenges including climate change, unemployment, and global pandemics, among many others. Underpinned by the objective to make the UK a global science superpower and a global hub for innovation by 2035, the UK Innovation Strategy was launched.
As shared in the Secretary of State’s foreword:
“This UK-wide Innovation Strategy sets out our long-term plan for delivering innovation-led growth. Its primary objective is to boost private sector investment across the whole of the UK, creating the right conditions for all businesses to innovate and giving them the confidence to do so. We will also show direct leadership and action – such as through new missions and backing technologies of the future – clearly signalling where the Government will focus in the future.”
For international students considering the UK to be their study destination, knowing that the nation has a long-term plan for strategic growth is encouraging.
The UK Innovation strategy is tethered on four key pillars:
Pillar 1: Unleashing Business – We will fuel businesses that want to innovate. This key action includes billion pounds investments in R&D and UK life science companies.
Pillar 2: People – We will make the UK the most exciting place for innovation talent. This involves the introduction of new High Potential Individual and Scale-up visa routes as well as creating new initiatives for the Innovator route to attract and retain high-skilled, globally mobile innovation talent.
Pillar 3: Institutions & Places – We will ensure our research, development and innovation institutions serve the needs of businesses and places across the UK. This key action includes allocating millions of pounds to drive local growth across the UK through R&D and accelerate economic growth through university-business innovation.
Pillar 4: Missions & Technologies – We will stimulate innovation to tackle major challenges faced by the UK and the world and drive capability in key technologies. This key principle includes creating an Innovation Missions programme and new Prosperity Partnerships to establish business-led research projects to develop transformational new technologies.
Of the four pillars of the UK Innovation Strategy, Pillar 3 involves investment in the education sector. The Policy Paper stated that the government recognises the significant role of Institutes of Technology (IoTs) in championing unique collaborations between further education colleges, universities, and businesses. It stated:
“They provide tailored higher technical education and training in key STEM sectors, such as digital, construction, advanced manufacturing, and engineering, to respond to the needs of business in the local area. UK Government is investing up to £290 million to establish a comprehensive network of IoTs across England. They will establish relationships with other key providers of technical skills in the wider education system, such as University Technical Colleges so that there are clear progression pathways for students to support them.”
In addition, the UK government also created reforms to ensure that businesses and learning institutions can collaborate to identify and target skills gaps such as the Skills Accelerator launched in England by the Department for Education (DfE).
Aside from the vast geography and majestic landscape that encompasses a wide variety of terrain, Canada is also known for its Arctic Tundra, the transitional zone between the edge of the taiga (or boreal forest), or tree line, and the permanent ice caps near the North Pole or the Arctic Ocean. The Canadian Arctic Tundra can be found in three Canadian territories and four out of 10 provinces including Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, northern Quebec, and northern Labrador.
Though temperature and climate in Canada vary per region, winter is generally perceived to be long and harsh, reaching a temperature of -10 to -35 degrees Celsius. That said, it doesn’t come as a surprise to know that the country has been consistently in the top tier of many Olympic Winter Games. This year, represented by 215 athletes, Canada finished fourth in the overall medal standings with 26 medals- four gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze– and won its first-ever medals in ski jumping and men’s alpine combined.
The land of the Great White North has been known as the best country to experience ultimate winter sports. Whether you’re planning to visit Canada as a tourist or to stay a bit longer as an international student, trying out at least one of the favorite winter sports in the country is a must.
Considered an extreme sport, you can either do downhill skiing or cross country skiing in Canada which offers the best ski resorts in the world. One of the best ways to experience the landscape of the country is by hitting the slopes and enjoying the snow in the popular ski areas in Alberta and Quebec or the largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb, in British Columbia.
Dubbed the most popular winter sport in the country, one can enjoy Ice Hockey by playing in a team game or just by being a great spectator of the professional league National Hockey League (NHL) comprised of Canadian ice hockey teams and American ice hockey teams. There are seven Canadian ice hockey teams in the league namely the Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Snowmobiling is one of the recreational winter sports that can be enjoyed with family and friends. In Canada, one can avail of snowmobile tour destinations to marvel at Canada’s natural beauty and bask in the arctic climate. Routes are facilitated to ensure safety when using the motorized sleds that can reach high speeds. Ontario is one of the most popular places to visit when you plan to try out this sport.
One unique way to experience winter in Canada is dog sledding which has been a way of life in North Canada. You can avail of a forest trail tour led by a group of dogs in their element in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, and North West Territories.
Of course, when in Canada, one must try the country’s national sport that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors during the summer and winter seasons. Originally played by the indigenous people, Lacrosse competitions are now held across the country led by the Canadian Lacrosse Association.
]]>In this article, we feature some of the most Aussie things, places, or food to experience whether you are visiting the country as a tourist or staying for a while as an international student.
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is located in the Northern Territory, Central Australia. The massive sandstone formation offers the adventurous ones a 10km walk around the base of Uluru. One can start the Uluru walk from the Mala carpark and go clockwise to complete the circumference of the area or simply select a section according to your preference. Experience the green and lush section with the rare vantage point for wildlife sightseeing or explore the open and vast areas.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply curious about the wine culture, Australia will open the door for your ultimate vino experience. There are over 2,400 wineries in 65 wine regions growing more than 100 grape varieties across the country. If it’s a bit overwhelming, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia, a consortium of high-end, award-winning wineries, simplifies your adventure by offering a variety of behind-the-scenes wine, food, and adventure packages such as barrel, private and structured tastings, food and wine matching, and picnic in amazing locations. Some of the most popular wine estates are Leeuwin Estate, Mandoon Estate, Jacobs Creek, and, of course, Penfolds Magill Estate, the maker of Australia’s greatest wine Penfolds Grange.
Situated on the northeast coast of Australia, The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) was inscribed as World Heritage in 1981 and described as the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem, having 2,500 individual reefs of varying sizes and shapes and over 900 islands according to UNESCO. Apart from the expected snorkeling and diving activities within the GBR, there are other equally interesting ways to experience it such as travelling underwater via a mini-submarine, riding an underwater scooter, sleeping on the reef, and sailing aboard a yacht.
If you are planning to explore Queensland, do not miss the unique experience of exploring the Fraser Island World Heritage Area, the world’s largest sand island, via an official four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. For adrenaline junkies, this off-roading activity coupled with the scenic view sure hits the spot. It is a must to carry a roadmap, a tide chart, and recovery equipment to ensure safety during the 4WD ride.
In Australia, the global sports football is called soccer, and Australian football is a whole lot of a different football league. Also called footy and “Aussie Rules”, the Australian Football League (AFL) offers a unique Australian and a truly Melbourne sporting experience. AFL games are held every Friday during the winter months from March to September with 18 teams from all over Australia battling to reach the Grand Finals at the MCG or Marvel Stadium.
]]>Over the years, US companies have penetrated the global trade, making American brands visible in almost all parts of the globe. Almost synonymously, products from the US are perceived as most-trusted. In recent reports by market and consumer data provider Statista and leading brand value database Brand Finance Global 500 2022, American brands are leading the world in terms of brand value this year. Most often interchanged with brand equity in the field of marketing, brand value is the monetary worth of a brand or company whereas brand equity is the value of the brand relative to consumers’ perception.
For international students eyeing to pursue international education in the US, companies dubbed as most-valuable worldwide could be of significance when deciding on the course to take or field to master in the future.
Apple
Achieving a brand value of 355.08 billion U.S. dollars, American multinational tech company Apple topped both the Statista report and Brand Finance Global 500 2022. The company has successfully pulled through even after the passing of Steve Jobs who brought the Apple technology to the mainstream. Aside from the remarkable brand valuation, Apple has also successfully established itself as a powerhouse brand that regardless of product pricing and unending product upgrades, customers cannot stop patronising and trusting the company and its products, from smartwatches and phones to laptops and accessories.
Amazon
Not too far behind Apple is Amazon achieving a brand value of 350.27 billion U.S. dollars. According to Brand Finance, the tech company most popular for its e-commerce platform has crossed over the 300 billion USD mark with an astonishing 38% growth amidst the disruptions and challenges in the global supply chain and labour shortages. The company has heavily invested in increasing manpower and developing its own end-to-end supply chain– hiring around 133,000 new employees and investing US$80 billion in its logistics division to support its growing fleet of trucks, vans, and aeroplanes.
Taking the third spot in the Statista and Brand Finance data is Google reaching 263.43 billion U.S. dollars in brand valuation with a 38% growth. Despite taking a hit during the onset of the pandemic when advertising has markedly dropped, Google is steadily recovering (being heavily dependent on advertisements) as businesses adapted to the new world of work increasing their investment in online marketing.
Microsoft
Achieving a brand value of 184.25 billion U.S. dollars, Microsoft is in the top three most valuable tech companies worldwide along with Apple and Samsung Group according to Brand Finance. Founded by Bill Gates, Microsoft is an established global tech company that offers a wide range of consumer and enterprise software, hardware, services, and electronics. Its CEO Satya Nadella also led the Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index 2022 of the world’s top 250 CEOs.
Walmart
American superstore Walmart reached a brand valuation of 111.92 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, achieving the 5th spot and 20% growth from last year’s valuation of about 93.2 billion U.S. dollars. Aside from its superior physical presence in 24 countries, the global retailer has beefed up its e-commerce capabilities to keep pace with the pandemic times and remain agile and competitive.
]]>According to Kantar, a world-leading data, insights, and consulting company, the UK’s leading brands have achieved double-digit growth of 22% to reach a record-high of $278.8 billion, reflecting British enterprises’ strong pandemic recovery.
Amidst the COVID-19 disruption and the challenges of the post-Brexit era, British brands are showing resiliency as reported in the latest Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands 2021. The top 75 consumer-facing companies’ outstanding brand equity– resulting in marked business outcomes– is reflected in their remarkable growth that is faster than the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 (FTSE 100).
British global brands range from tech to banks, from telco to retail and food and beverages. For international students who are yet to decide on their student pathway, course to take, or even the industry they want to be part of in the future, knowing today’s most valuable UK brands may help seal their decision.
Here are some of the most valuable British brands in 2021 according to Kantar:
Vodafone. The British telecommunications provider and part of Vodafone Group Plc maintained its number one position achieving a 34% increase in brand value reaching around USD 31 million. The Berkshire-headquartered telco has over 18 million customers in the UK and provides telecommunications services to more than 400 retail stores worldwide.
HSBC. Headquartered in London and operating across 64 countries, HSBC was the largest bank in the United Kingdom with total assets worth around 2.2 trillion British pounds as of December 31, 2021 according to Statista. This data echoes the bank’s dominance in the banking and finance industry as one of the largest banks worldwide, ranking second in Kantar BrandZ ranking despite recording a negative brand value change.
Shell. A global group of energy and petrochemical companies, Shell also maintained its Kantar BrandZ ranking at number three, reaching about USD 15 million in brand value. The energy company provides approximately 10% of the UK’s oil and gas, fuels up to 500 aircraft at 11 UK airports, and operates in over 70 countries.
Tesco. Multinational groceries and retailer Tesco’s brand value increased by 33% in 2021 reaching more than USD 11 million. Last year, the global supermarket brand that employs more than 360,000 staff reported £54.8bn Group sales, £2,825m Group adjusted operating profit, and £2,277m Retail free cash flow. Tesco has also recently launched an accelerator programme in partnership with WWF to accelerate innovation in the vital food system.
Lipton. The world’s leading tea brand Lipton is owned by British multinational consumer goods company Unilever. In the Kantar BrandZ Top 10 Most Valuable UK brands 2021, Lipton went up one rank from 2020 to 5th, achieving a stellar 17% increase in brand value reaching more than USD 10 million.
Dove. Personal care brand Dove, which traces its roots in the US, is also part of British company Unilever. Last year, Dove achieved double-digit growth (+16%) in brand value reaching more than USD 7 million. The company’s Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) launched in 2004 now has reached over 60 million young people spanning 139 countries. The Unilever company’s campaign intends to touch 250 million lives by 2030.
Canada’s economy is strongly rebounding from the impacts of the pandemic reflected by the demand for skilled workers outnumbering the supply. In a bid to address the labour shortage and offset the missed job opportunities for international students due to COVID-19, Canada has announced a new temporary policy that allows post-graduate work permit holders to qualify for an open work permit.
“With the economy growing faster than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and labour needed to fuel our growth. Immigration will be crucial to easing our labour shortage, and these measures aim to address pressing needs in all sectors across the country while providing more opportunities for recent graduates and other applicants to build their lives in Canada and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity, “ stated the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.
Former international students in Canada holding a post-graduation work permit that will expire between January and December 2022 can apply for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months. This new policy allows graduates to continue to seek job opportunities and experiences as well as have a higher chance to qualify for an Express Entry profile and earn a permanent residency status after more than two years of having limited employment chances due to the pandemic. The government said that they are currently exploring ways to streamline and expedite the process for the policy.
International students have been significantly contributing to Canada’s labour market, raking in over $21 billion annually for the economy and, more importantly, contributing to the communities. International students holding a post-graduation work permit are already highly-integrated into the country’s key industries and would substantially mitigate labour shortage. Last year, of the more than 157,000 former students who became permanent residents, over 88,000 of them transitioned directly from a PGWP to permanent status.
A recently published study in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada revealed the significant contribution of international students to the labour market through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). The study highlighted that PGWP is one of the main avenues for international students to stay and work in Canada after graduation. PGWP, a temporary worker program that offers international student graduates of public postsecondary and private degree-granting educational institutions labour market opportunities in Canada, benefits both the graduates and the country– the skilled graduates gain job experiences to apply for some permanent residence streams and the country becomes an even more attractive study destination.
The study reported that almost three-quarters of all PGWP holders became permanent residents within five years of having obtained their PGWP, with those who held a study permit for college- and master’s-level programs transitioning faster than others. The research concluded that the increasing number of international students is directly related to the increasing numbers of PGWP holders that have engaged in the Canadian labour market over the past decade (2008-2018). Indeed, international students remain to be a growing source for Canada’s labour market.
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Consistently listed as one of the most livable cities in the world, Melbourne is known to offer a good mix of exciting and eclectic experiences to locals and visitors. A city that boasts of cultural diversity, it is not a surprise that Melbourne is once again listed in the recent the Economist Intelligence Unit’s “Global Liveability Report,” which ranks the best places to live in the world against five categories: stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education, and infrastructure.
Melbourne has always been one of the top cities in Australia that international students aim for. In the latest QS Best Student Cities 2022, Melbourne ranked six based on affordability, desirability, and the opinions of current students. Furthermore, seven universities from Melbourne made it to the QS World University Rankings® 2022, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, and Swinburne University of Technology.
For aspiring international students or someone ready to cross the Australian borders once it opens for tourists, Melbourne is truly a remarkable place to experience. We listed some of the most amazing things to do and see within and just outside the city to help you plan your “next normal” itinerary.
Travel on Trams. Melbourne is the only city in Australia with a network of over 400 trams that share road space on most thoroughfares within the city. You can travel for free via tram within the city centre and must have a valid myki card when travelling outside the Free Tram Zone.
Visit Melbourne Zoo and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Located within Royal Park in Parkville, Melbourne Zoo is part of Zoos Victoria, a not-for-profit zoo-based conservation organisation. Right in the Melbourne CBD is SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, which offers underwater experiences such as diving with sharks and the underwater dining experience as well as an icy encounter with King and Gentoo penguins.
Take the Great Ocean Road Adventure. Explore the outdoors by going on a one-off road trip from Melbourne to navigate the changing coastal views and landscapes along the 242-kilometre stretch of road of the Australian National Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road. Take a quick stop at the12 Apostles, a towering magnificent rock stacks formed by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs.
Have Fun at the Luna Park Melbourne. Located in St Kilda, Melbourne, Luna Park Melbourne is the oldest and one of the most iconic theme parks in Australia. With over a hundred years of history, the amusement park remains to be one of the top destinations for both tourists and locals.
Do a Tandem-Skydive. For adrenaline junkies, no other place to try skydiving but in Melbourne. SkyDive Australia offers tandem, solo, and group skydiving for those who want to marvel over Port Phillip Bay and St Kilda mid-air.
Wine at Yarra Valley. Situated at the north-east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is home to more than 80 vineyards surrounded by the rolling hills near Lilydale, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Healesville and Seville. Being in the country’s premiere cool-climate region, Yarra Valley is known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and méthode traditionnelle sparkling.
Take a selfie in front of the iconic Flinders Street Railway station; have a sip of local coffee and delicacies at Queen Victoria Market; be amazed by art exhibitions at Fed Square; and take a 360 view of Melbourne at Eureka Skydeck. The list goes on so be armed and ready for Melbourne soon!
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