Lotus – Vietnam‘s national flower

<Vietnam>

Lotus – Vietnam‘s national flower

Lotus is very familiar to every Vietnamese people, especially to children in rural areas. Children often take lotus to their home for their parents to cook the meal. Because different part of lotus can be used for different purposes: such as the seeds are used for making lotus tea and medicines (or eating) while the green leaves are used to wrap chicken rice- a very delicious dish. Lotus has also become one of the unforgettable memories of children. And when one day, they grow up, they can’t forget the flower which always appeared in their childhood. Lotus is so beautiful with their flower and their smell.

The meaning of lotus is the most important thing that makes lotus different from other flowers. It symbolizes the beauty, health, honor, knowledge and strong spirit (never give up before any problems). Therefore Lotus has been regarded as Vietnam’s national flower. The symbol of this flower has played an important role in many architecture buildings, art of sculpting and literature during many centuries of Vietnam‘s history. If you visit Vietnam next time, remember to visit and see the lotus and you will definitely be impressed by its beauty.

Photo source: vnexpress.net (写真4枚)

ASIAN TEA CULTURE– A WORLD OF WONDERS part 1

ASIAN TEA CULTURE– A WORLD OF WONDERS part 1

Tea has long been known as a famous drink in Asian countries which is usually drunk in social events. How tea in Asia is made and consumed, how people interact with tea as well as the concept of tea drinking manner will be AAEE’s topic in the next few Wednesdays. Now let’s enjoy our first story with famous tea cultures in Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

<Thailand>
Thai tea is made out of red tea, food coloring, anise, and other types of spices. Thai tea is served chilled and further enhanced by the addition of condensed milk and sugar. At the same time, green tea is growing increasingly popular in the country. Both are popularizing with youngsters in the form of bubble tea.

<Bubble Tea>
Bubble tea is rumoured to be invented in Taichung, Taiwan. This tea is not the one that you drink in your usual cup. Bubble tea is made up of a tea blend mixed with milk or fruit and small ‘bubbles’ or pearls that make the name of this milk tea.

<Indonesia>
Do you happen to know that Sundanese people from Western Java want to enjoy a flavour without sugar? The reason is because the availability of sugar in the region is quite rare hence tea with sugar price is high. On the other hand, the Javanese prefer tea with sugar because they live with rich sugar plantations, thereby making sugar cheap and widely available.
That’s only the first part of the series. Check our fan page next weeks to see if your country’s tea culture comes up here ^^.

Rural life in Vietnam

Rural life in Vietnam

The life in rural area is really different from the city. It’s more peaceful, cleaner and relaxed. While coming to the rural areas, you will see totally different sights such as: beautiful huge rice fields, buffalos with many interesting sounds, the kites in the sky, children with many traditional games, river etc. Many children ranch the buffalo on the field while studying and doing homework. One interesting thing is that about 80% Vietnamese people live in the rural areas. The life is peaceful but the conditions are tougher. Electricity, water source are not enough in some rural areas.
The farmers have to work hard for longer time and children must work before or after they study at school. At harvest time, they must help at home and not go to school. So government has supported many things to those rural areas in order to improve their life. By giving new technologies, electricity, water, education to them, the life is more beautiful. But anyway, the life in the rural areas is improving day by day. And a rural area is the best choice when you want to relax after stressing days.

Photo source: me.zing.vn, vnexpress.net (写真8枚)

VIET NAM CUISINE IN THREE DIFFENRENT REGIONS

VIET NAM CUISINE IN THREE DIFFENRENT REGIONS

Today I would like to bring you to the marvelous Vietnamese gastronomy. Viet Nam has long been famous for a wide range of dishes with distinctive flavors. However, Vietnamese culinary tradition differ from region to region. It is the difference in the geographic feature that has a big influence on the way of cooking as well as the eating habit. Let’s take a look at how food varies from the North to the Middle and to the South of Viet Nam.

The subtlety in the North food

Being the cradle of Vietnamese civilization, Northern Viet Nam has produced many signature dishes of Viet Nam and reflected the influence of ancient Vietnamese cuisine. Since Northern people succeed the standardized way of cooking from our ancestors, Northern food is featured by the pure and noble flavors that result from subtle combinations of many different flavoring ingredients Fish sauce, soy sauce, prawn sauce, and limes are among the main flavoring ingredients. Some famous dishes: young rice cake, Pho,

The spicy flavor features the food in the middle of Vietnam.

What sets apart it form the two other regions of Viet Nam is the extreme spices and the color of food. Especially, once the capital of the last dynasty of Viet Nam this royal land in the past created the royal cuisine that couldn’t be found any where else in the world. The food was highly sophisticated in decoration as well as culinary.

The plain ways of cooking in the South.

Like the characteristic of the Southern people who is outgoing and honest, the food there is featured by the sweet and greasy flavor. The mother land is so generous that provides this land with fertilized soil and warm climate, which creates the diversity in the ingredient such as vegetables, livestock and fruit.

PHOTO SOURCE: http://news.zing.vn/Net-am-thuc-dac-trung-cua-3-mien-Bac-Trung-Nam-post407298.html

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Son Doong cave

Son Doong cave (Vietnamese: Hang Son Doong) is world's largest cave, located in Quang Binh province, Vietnam. It is found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991 and was recently discovered in 2009 by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert.

The name "Son Doong" cave means "mountain river cave", It was created 2-5 million years ago by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain Where the limestone was weak, the ceiling collapsed creating huge skylights...
Click the link below for more photos and video.
http://www.sondoongcave.org/

Bonik Barta

Bonik Barta, one of the major Bangladesh newspaper introduced the Cleaning Awareness Program organized by AAEE in association with SWITCH.(Nov. 14)

Bonik Barta Published a news about Cleaning Awareness Program on 14 November 2014,By AAEE&SWITCH!

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Big News from Bangladesh!

<Big News from Bangladesh!>

Media plays an integral part to convey any sort of important message to the society. It is really an overwhelming experience that ATN News broadcasted the news about cleaning campaign 2014 organized by Asia Association of Education & Exchange with SWITCH. Let’s be hopeful that this will make more people aware and responsible towards the environment.

ATN News Telecast-ed the Cleaning Awareness program.

Clean Bangla, Green Bangla!

<Bangladesh>

This picture was taken from Mohammadpur. This is common in Dhaka City.
Even between the buildings you will see the same situation so this is the time for everyone to take proper action. Everyone should come forward for cleaning our country.
Clean Bangla, Green Bangla!

AAEE Cleaning Awareness Organizing Committee, Bangladesh

<Bangladesh>

Asia Association of Education and Exchange in association with SWITCH since last year have been conducting cleaning campaign with the aim of creating awareness amongst the students to keep the environment clean. After the meeting of Cleaning Awareness Organizing Committee, they took part in cleaning activities in front of Arts Building, Dhaka University to continue the legacy of the program. 

Statue of Liberty? (Odaiba, Japan)

<Japan>

For those who visit Odaiba, getting off a train (monorail actually) and seeing a replica of America’s famous statue right in front of you might be slightly weird.

But this replica has little to do with the original Statue of Liberty that is in New York. It is a replica of one that was in Odaiba in the late nineties made to celebrate Japan’s ties with France but it was only there for one year, from 1998 to 1999. It was so popular however, that a replica of that statue was created and has been there ever since. Getting it back was a pretty astute move really, as it is very popular. And it is a great place for some fantastic photos if the weather is good.

Exchange Program in Nepal, March, 2013

<Exchange Program in Nepal, March, 2013>

Click here for the video clip

 

http://youtu.be/p8oHHgXn4bM

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation popularly known as SAARC is an organization established by the mutual understanding of south Asian countries. The SAARC was established by initial seven members Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the year 1985. The newest member of SAARC is Afghanistan who was the part of it from the year 2007. 

The organization structure of SAARC consists of Council, Council of Minister, Standing committee, programming committee, technical committee and secretarial. The SAARC policies are focused on welfare economics, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia and to accelerate socio-cultural development in the region. Besides these as well, SAARC countries cooperate in different sectors such as agriculture, transportation, environmental conservation, technology etc. SAARC also conduct award functions which are awarded for the contribution in different sectors within the SAARC countries. 

The logo of SAARC refers to peace and helping each other. Even though the SAARC Charter requires the heads of state or government to meet once a year, the summits generally take place in approximately every eighteen months. The first SAARC summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1985 and now 18th SAARC summit is going to be held at Kathmandu, Nepal from 22nd November. The country is now on a verge of completing the preparation needed for the summit. This is the third time Nepal is hosting SAARC summit.
Reference: Wikipedia
Photo source: saarc-sec.org

TIPS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM INTERVIEW

[TIPS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM INTERVIEW]

Here are some key points for those who want to get a ticket for exchange program. Let’s check with us what you should and should not do in an exchange program interview!!!
DO
-Wait until you are offered a chair. There is nothing to rush. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look interested at all times
-Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Please check some of our latest posts in previous weeks for more details.
- Show what you can do for program rather than what you can get from it.
- When the interview ends, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.
DON’T
-Don't answer cell-phone calls during the interview. It’s better to turn off you phone before hands.
-Don't go to extremes with your posture, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
-Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully. And don't over-answer questions.
-Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence

Traditional Folk Games

<Vietnam>

-Traditional Folk Games-

When I was a child, I had chances to experience hundreds of traditional folk games. The most popular folk games are: “Co nguoi”(human chess), “Meo duoi chuot” (Cat and Mouse games), “Ca sau len bo” (the crocodile get on the beach), “Ban Bi” (Marble game in Vietnamese style), “O an quan” (Mandarin Square Capturing), “Tron tim” (Hide and Seek) and “Rong ran len may” (the game of Dragon and Snake).

More than fun, these folk games improve the observation ability in children. For example, “O an quan” (Mandarin Square Capturing) is the game of calculating capacity. You must calculate carefully to win your player. The folk games teach children how to play, how to behave with their friends. They help children to become friendly with others and become healthier. Children will find happiness when they play with others while their parents are too busy to play with them. So the folk games are the most important memories of students’ childhood.

Source-image
Me.Zing.vn
Vnexpress.net

THE WANDERING WIND

<THE WANDERING WIND>

Hi, guys. My name is Dauntless. I am a strong and wild tropical wind. I was born in a far-away oriental meadow which is out of this world. Since birth, I have been a black-sheep of the family and never have I rooted myself in this small land. One day, I plucked up my courage to fly across the vast oceans to discover the world. All of a sudden, I caught sight of the USA and fell in love with it, which is a western country with the intriguing nature. The USA in my imagination is a picturesque and exquisite 3D carpet with the width of geography, the length of history and the depth of culture.

To me, the USA is a new world. This is the land of magic with the vigorous development. I flew through the sky-scrapers of New York City. I sensed the green foliage and the giant body of the bristlecone pine trees in the Western area. I bathed in the soft and shimmering water of the beach in California Coast. Besides, I was almost dried when I made a trip to the Death Valley which is the hottest and lowest place in the USA. By chance, I met my first love - Santa Ana Wind who was quite warm and sometime even “hot”. Some people called her “red wind”, “devil wind”, which is quite unfair. She is an angel who blows the polluted air out to the sea. After that, we together paid the visit to the sunny Hawaii and discovered the Mauna Kea which is over 10.000m high and may defeat Mount Everest as the highest mountain in the world if measured from the sea floor. The US nature gave me a new look into the Earth. I have learned the lesson about the diversity of this globe, it conceals extraordinary things that you may never hear of or taste. I am so happy to have a soul of freedom and courage to experience real life. Everyone can fulfill their curiosity like me; just “pack your luggage and go”.

I lingered in the corners of the USA. I heard people tell each other the story of Columbus who discovered America in 1492 and sew the seed of civilization on this land. The USA stretched its wide hands to welcome the immigrants here and contribute their tears or even blood for this country. All the US citizens will never forget the Independence Revolution under the leadership of the General George Washington or the Civil War between the Confederate and the Union to emancipate the slavery`s society. This period brought me a precious lesson about freedom and human rights or even “wind`s rights”. We all come to this world for reasons, God blow us the breath of life to be an outstanding person. We have no rights to own people and force them to work for you just because you are rich or blue-blooded. Believe me; you are unable to force the wind to do so. The USA is a “land of liberty” where people can fully achieve their life goals. Besides, I also realized that homosexual rights here are much more accepted compared to Asian countries. This leads to the society of no racial or sexual discrimination, people live in harmony and love. Human history started out and developed with its own features and “bright points”.

American culture could be easily aware if you observe the open-mindedness of its people. They enjoy this heavenly life; they live as if tomorrow were the doomsday. They pursue dreams and accept risks; they made the masterpieces of the humanity. Besides, when I dropped by a bar with a jazz singer raising his voice with the emotions strongly attached to its lyrics and melody, I love the art of improvisation in Jazz, which make the unique and marvelous USA. Once, I made my way to Texas and saw the cowboy galloping on the horse. In my imagination, he seemed to be an errant knight in the chivalric medieval literature. I had another lesson about the importance of the image of a country through culture. That is why the USA has so much influence on other areas of the world.

In conclusion, you may think a wind has no thoughts, no feelings. But to the contrary, it could sense the world and dare to face new challenges and experiences. You cannot become a grown-up man if you just travel around your hometown. Open your view like Mark Twain once said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

Are you a positive thinker who can keep smiling even in the worst day? Or are you a pessimist who always moans all days and easily give up if bad things come in your way?
It’s time for you to be conscious of the importance of your thinking and make a change!

There is undeniable fact that positive thinking is so powerful that it can change our whole life. All thoughts, no matter what they are, have a strong connection with our emotion, action and words. It means that the way we judge every real situation creates our attitude toward life, which finally determines our reaction. Let’s take an example. Imagine you have a glass with some water. How do you describe it? Is the glass half empty or half full? So two different ways considering the same matter will results in different reactions.

As Mahatma Gandhi said “A man is nothing but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes. Or Zig Ziglar said “ Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will”. To my mind, I strongly agree with these two famous quotes. Let’s me show you a real example. My mother is such an optimistic woman that I have ever seen in my life. She was heart-broken when my grandfather passed away eight months ago, then just a past few days, she learnt about my grandmother’s death. I know that the losses of the most beloved parents were a tremendous pain to her. However, she still holds out hope that their deaths were blessed and sacred, and instead of looking at the past and being regretful, she makes her best attempt to take care of the place of worship, their house and old things. So by focusing on the positive rather than the negative, my mother is able to transform not only herself, her life but the lives of those around her.

So how can we practice to have positive thinking?
1. Boost our optimist mood by words.
“Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.” ~ Buddha
Let’s use inspiring words in our daily life, when talking with ourselves and with others. Instead of saying “ I can’t do this” Let’s say “ Yeah, I can!”; or don’t say “ It’s impossible” but say “ I’m possible”. By this way, you are sending out a happy sign to your brain and to other people, therefore, we transform negative behaviors to positive ones.
2. Let go negative forces that affect your life.
Looking at the past won’t help you survive the future. Therefore, instead of sticking to ideas, beliefs or even people that are no longer healthy for us, think about what is more important to you and will make it more beautiful and meaningful.
3. Make your good day!
Let’s work to make changes in your tough days. As no one- but you can help you deal with your own problems, what you need to do is to wake up, stop dreaming or wishing. This would bring much help to you when you can see the bright side and start to deal with your own problems.
4. Talk to positive people.
By this way, you are creating a happy and healthy environment for your mind. Positive people have the power to express their feeling over other people. Therefore, you are able to learn about their attitude and how they manage their emotion. No where can you find better advices than meeting positive thinkers in real life.
5. Smile! Your smile is the most powerful weapon!
When you smile, you are changing the facial expression as well as your feeling. Happy thoughts create happy emotion and vice versa. Therefore, try to visualize what make you happy and practice to smile more. Practice smiling in front of the mirror every day and you will see the result. It’s worth a try!

<photo source>
thehormonedoctor.com
www.patheos.com
http://www.verybestquotes.com/practice-positive-thinking/
www.lifehack.org

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