Costa Rica’s Top Hiking Locations

Costa Rica’s reputation as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts is well-deserved. While surfing may be the first thing that comes to mind when considering a trip to Costa Rica, one shouldn’t neglect the ample inland beauty. 30% of the land area in this small county is protected by national parks, wildlife refuges, and preserves.

As such, hiking experiences abound, with seemingly endless opportunities to take in the stunning scenery. The varied terrain offers a variety of hiking experiences, from easy coastal walks to more rigorous mountain climbs, and everything in between. The majority of hikes in Costa Rica lead one to a natural attraction, be it a waterfall, stunning ocean vista or isolated rain forest oasis. Here is a list of just some of the many incredible hiking trails Costa Rica has to offer. As the variety of this list demonstrates, there is truly something for everyone.

Los Angeles Cloud Forest

This private park is one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets. The 2.5 mile long hike is ideal for birding.

Mount Chirripo

With an elevation of 3,821 meters, Mount Chirripó is the highest mountain in Costa Rica. Miles of trails in this national park offer access to more ecological zones than one can find in most entire countries.

Corcovado National Park

Widely regarded to contain the best hiking trails in the country, visitors can opt for a number of day trip excursions, such as San Pedrillo and Sirena. More ambitious hikers should commit to the 16 kilometer overnight hike from Leona to Sirena to truly explore the wild jungles of Costa Rica.

Nauyaca Waterfalls

This is one of the most accessible hikes in the country, but the ease of it shouldn’t diminish the reward at the end. The trail winds for an easy 4 kilometer to reach one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica.

Arenal Hanging Bridges

A perennial favorite for visitors, the park offers a skyline hike, by way of a series of sturdy bridges that form a path along the top of the rainforest.

Tenorio Volcano

While the entire Tenorio Volcano National Park offers a wealth of great hikes, the crown jewel is arguably the trail to the park’s namesake.

With 26 national parks, there are obviously so many more hiking opportunities in addition to the above list. However, hopefully this list has provided a great starting point for mapping out one’s own incredible Costa Rican hiking experience.

The Top 5 Things to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country where travelers of all ages and from all parts of the world can go to have a good time. No matter what a person enjoys doing in their free time, Costa Rica boasts a variety of attractions and activities that are sure to be to anyone’s liking. Here are some of the top things to do in Costa Rica.

Explore Arenal Volcano National Park

The volcanic mountain for which this park was named stands tall in the sky and is a great example of a perfect symmetrical cone. In addition to the picturesque volcanic peak, the park features waterfalls and bridges that span across beautiful waterways. Horseback riding and zip-lining are other activities that visitors can enjoy.

Go Diving

Diving in the clear waters off the Costa Rican coastline offers the perfect opportunities to see exotic marine life and coral reefs. Drake Bay is one of the best places to go diving, and this is largely because of the seasonal rains that don’t cloud the water like they do in other areas. Cano Island is another great dive site for seeing coral fish and other magnificent sea creatures.

Visit the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

Animals that have been rescued and are in the process of being rehabilitated before being released back into the wild can be viewed at this popular wildlife sanctuary. Monkeys and other exotic creatures that are indigenous to Costa Rica’s jungles are eager to welcome visitors. Donations are encouraged to help the sanctuary continue to do its work.

Hike Through Corcovado National Park

This national park is home to more than 140 mammal species and conserves 2.5 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. Tapirs and peccaries are among the animal inhabitants that can often be seen here. The park consists of tropical forest and coastal areas and offers explorers the chance to enjoy some diversity during their hikes.

Head to Puerto Viejo for Some Fun at the Beach

Puerto Viejo is situated along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline and is a great place to go for sunbathing, swimming and other seaside activities. Another great thing about Puerto Viejo is its adjacency to destinations like the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and the Talamanca Indigenous Reserve, which are also worth exploring.

A trip to Costa Rica can be an even better experience when these popular hotspots around the country are explored. These attractions and activities can offer any visitor a well-rounded experience and allow them to gain a deeper appreciation of what Costa Rica has to offer.

What is Education Law?

Education law is a specialization within the field of law. It is concerned with matters related solely to school, from grade school to higher public education. School-specific policies have been enacted in the United States ever since the time of the colonies. The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution legislates that public services be under the responsibility of the states. While the amendment does not refer specifically to school, it implies that states have an obligation to provide public education system for their citizens.

Education law exists for the purpose of improving school practices and assuring that children’s education maintains quality. Although each state has policies relating to its own school system, the Federal Department of Education manages all public education establishments. Within each state, there is a school board to oversee all the schools in the surrounding area, as well as more local school boards for each school district. A school district is a geographical region of public schools for easier governing of the schools within the defined territory. Generally, students attend one of the schools in the district in which they live.

Education law protects school faculty, school boards, students, and maintains certain rights for children attending public school. For example, some principles of public education include the freedom of speech, so as to nurture a space of open-minded discussion, freedom of religion, and the right to education for all students regardless of race, color, or nationality, as asserted by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Generally, education lawyers are involved in matters related to any discrimination towards students. For protection against discrimination of sex or gender, the Title IX section of the 1972 Education Amendments was legislated. Protection of students with medical disabilities or special needs is regulated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Special Education Lawyers work under this discipline to maintain principles of IDEA. Children with disabilities or special needs are given equal opportunities and educational support, such as testing accommodations.

Education Law also supervises the quality of education and school reformation. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 is a federal reform made to increase school responsibility for their students’ performance. When children at a school do not meet academic standards, the school must reconstruct their curriculum. Otherwise, parents have the right to transfer their children to better schools in other districts.

Tips for Note Taking During Law Lectures

Entering lecture for the first time during law school can be quite intimidating. There is a lot of information to retain throughout the class. While many students feel they can soak up and retain all of the information the professor is lecturing on, that is hardly the case. Developing effective note taking skills is essential to surviving law school. Not only will these note taking skills help to keep you on top of your lectures, but they will help prepare you when it is time to study for those exams.

Take the time to choose a method of note taking the works best for you and stick with it. Over time there have been many different types of note taking methods that have developed. Some students choose to use their laptops to keep their notes neatly typed up and organized, while others may choose to take the old fashioned route of pen and paper. At the beginning of the semester, it is important to try each of these approaches to feel which one better fits your learning style.

Study the material before lecture and take notes on what is going to be covered within lecture for that day. It is important that your notes you take before lecture are done in a different color to keep them separate from your lecture notes. It’s important to make sure that the two sets of notes come together and converge with one another. If they are not coming together and matching up it is very likely that you are not picking up on the key concepts in your reading.

The entire purpose of taking effective notes throughout the lecture is to utilize them outside the classroom. Taking the time to review and thoroughly study the material is important because you want to ensure you understand all of the content that was covered in class. If you happen to come across anything that may not make sense or you misunderstand you can then get it cleared up with other classmates or your professor.

Using these concepts to assist in note taking will help to make the law school experience a successful one. Note taking is essential to get the most out of your lectures.

What is Family Law?

Pertaining to familial relationships, the legal field branch known as family law encompasses a variety of issues and cases. Lawyers in this field often adopt a specialization and manage only specific cases such as those relating to divorce or adoption. Many cases that are contained within family law deal with child safety and wellbeing as well as legal relationship cessation.

Issues Relating to Marriage

Practitioners of family law often handle cases that relate to marriage. Divorce as well as prenuptial agreements fall into this category. Lawyers who work cases relating to these things can help guide and support individuals who are preparing to get married or are looking to end an existing marriage. When two married individuals no longer wish to be united, they may seek a legal separation, a divorce, or in some cases, an annulment. In all of these instances, lawyers who practice family law will be consulted.

In the case of divorce, lawyers are also used to agree upon terms of alimony or child support. Through the court, custody of the child of a marriage can also be determined. A court’s decision in such cases as these will be made with the best interest of the child in mind.

Cases relating to domestic abuse are also heard in family court, and these cases can include violence between a couple, violence inflicted on a child, and elder abuse.

Issues Relating to Children

Naturally, child abuse and neglect cases are also heard by family court. Child abuse has serious implications when it comes to both family law and criminal law, and cases involving child abuse or neglect are invested by child protective services (CPS).

In addition to abuse cases, adoption, child custody, and emancipation cases are also focal points of family law. Determining which parent(s) earn custody of their child following a divorce is a matter for practitioners of family law; in cases like this, the court will strive to make the best decision for the child. If a parent does not receive custody, they may still be required to support their child financially. Emancipation cases in which a minor wants to declare independence are also heard by family court as the welfare of the child is in question.

Intersections

As with many other branches of law, family law tends to overlap with other focuses including estate planning, immigration law, and mediation law. Cases of abuse, as mentioned above, are inevitably tied to criminal law due to the nature of the claims.

How to Make the Best Use of Time During a Layover

Long-distance flights often put you in difficult situations, especially when you have to be exposed to long layovers. With layovers, the chances of becoming extremely bored and having a highly tedious traveling experience are significantly high. However, whenever laid over, you can innovatively use this time to engage in some exciting activities that will keep you motivated and thrilled. Here are five such activities that will ensure that you meaningfully use your layover time.

Visit the duty-free shops

The first thing you may think of is visiting and touring the airport while taking advantage of the duty-free shops to purchase a few souvenir items. These shops are normally packed with electronics, books, and even artworks that may add value to your trip. Strolling around the airport may also help you familiarize yourself with the area.

Get a nap

Sleeping is another way to meaningfully pass your time as you wait for your next flight during a layover. In case the airport offers hotels for laid over passengers, you should utilize the opportunity to take a nap. It pays to remember to set the alarm to ensure you don’t miss your next flight.

Work out

Sometimes, visiting a gym may be an exciting activity, especially if you are a workout enthusiast. Checking into the gym or fitness center may help you burn some calories as you get physically fit and prepare for your next flight. Doing a few cardio exercises may keep your circulatory system in check, especially after having traveled for a few hours.

Tour the city

If your layover time allows you to take a quick tour of the city, then you may utilize this opportunity to familiarize yourself with a few historic and notable features. In case you are not familiar with the city, you may consider hiring a local tour guide to take you around. Besides, this may give you an opportunity to sample out a few local items, such as food and clothing, while also taking pictures.

Play some games

In case you are a gaming enthusiast, then you may utilize the layover time to play a few games. Thanks to tech gadgets, such as smartphones, you can play any game of your wish or even visit a nearby gaming center and play indoor games. This is also a great opportunity to get to know a few local people while making friends.

This article was originally published on michaelreiterman.org.

Planning Your First European Vacation

First-time travelers to Europe may find the planning process daunting. There are so many things to think about: how to prepare, where to go, how to get there. A few tips can make the trip go a lot more smoothly.

Passports

Getting a passport takes 6-8 weeks, so advanced planning is necessary. Expedited services can shorten the wait time some but at an extra cost. Forms and instructions for new passports and renewals are available on the State Department’s website.

Budget

Creating a budget early in the planning process simplifies choosing destinations, lodging, and transportation by narrowing down the options to those that fit within the budget. Some anticipated expenses that should be included in a budget include airfare, transportation around the destinations, lodging, meals, sightseeing and entertainment, plus miscellaneous expenses.

Itinerary

First-time travelers shouldn’t try to see everything in one visit. Trying to pack too many things into a trip results not only in exhausted travelers but also in less time spent actually sightseeing and more time traveling from one place to another. Choosing a few destinations allows for spending enough time to really enjoy each one.

Flights

It isn’t necessary to fly in and out of the same city. Sometimes a great deal of travel time can be saved by flying out of the airport nearest the end of the trip rather than circling back to return to the arrival airport. Many times, this doesn’t cost any more than a round trip from the same airport. But even if it does cost a little more, it may be worth it to avoid extra travel time

Lodging

For an authentic European experience, look past the large international hotels. B&Bs and small hotels can be convenient and less expensive options. Staying in the center of a large city may be more expensive, but it could save in the long run on transportation.

Local Transportation

The kind of transportation that is best depends on the locations of planned activities. Public transportation is excellent in European cities. Trains and air travel are both efficient ways to get between destinations. Cars are a better choice for rural areas where public transportation isn’t readily available.

Last-Minute Logistics at Home

Travelers should check with their cell phone carriers to find out what their plan allows in terms of international calls and data charges. Data charges can add up fast, so savvy travelers take advantage of free Wi-Fi or pay a nominal fee at internet cafes. Let your credit card company know that you will be traveling abroad. Ask if there are fees for using cards overseas and where ATMs are located on your route.

Packing

The advice seasoned travelers most often give is “pack light.” Taking minimal luggage saves money on airline checked bag fees. European travel can require a lot of walking. The lighter the luggage, the faster and easier it is to get around. Packing light takes some planning but can make the trip much easier. Smart travelers bring layers instead of a heavy coat. It’s possible to buy more toothpaste, soap, or razors anywhere in Europe, so it isn’t necessary to bring large quantities of these necessities.

With some good advanced planning, a first European vacation can be an experience of a lifetime, and an enticement to return again for another adventure.

This article was originally published on michaelreiterman.org.

How to Choose the Right Law School

Joining law school is one of the primary steps to becoming a successful lawyer. One of the decisive measures that you have to take in order to actualize your dream is choosing the appropriate law school to attend. To be successful in this endeavor, you have to exercise due diligence by considering five major factors as hereby outlined.

Your particular ambitions

The first thing to do is to evaluate your needs with regard to what you want to achieve in your law school. Different law schools offer different competitive courses that are tailored toward a specific line of the legal profession. You should, therefore, choose a law school that has a curriculum that matches your legal ambitions.

Location of the law school

Location is an important aspect to consider, especially since different law schools are situated in different areas. The rule of the thumb here is to ensure that you select a law school that is proximate to your locality or workplace, in case you intend to do part-time studies. The location of the law school is also an important aspect to consider since distantly located schools will have you pay daily commuting fees.

The reputation of the law school

Different law schools have different reputations when it comes to the quality of educational services offered. Schools that have a reputation for high standards of education are highly likely to match your ambition as your chances of passing and qualifying are high. You may want to check law school rankings online while also digging deeper on the web and social media for the schools’ past ratings.

Application process

Law schools have minimum requirements for admission. You should, therefore, spend some time investigating the different minimum qualifications required for interested students. In case a law school has strict regulations of requirements, then you may want to abandon your ambitions and pursue the ones that have more flexible admission requirements.

Tuition charges

After coming up with a possible shortlist of potential law schools that you may be interested in joining, it all comes down to how much the school charges for tuition fees. The idea here is to select a law school that you can easily afford to pay without incurring a significant strain on your finances.

This article was originally published on michaelreiterman.com.

Tips to Help Pay For Law School

For the many students pursuing advanced learning at law school, tuition fees are one of the persistent issues. Every student must carefully consider tuition fees as one of the key factors when looking for a good law school to attend. Students have a wide range of tuition fee financing options to select from.

Applying for scholarships

There are a host of different law school scholarships that students may choose from. Most of these scholarships target sponsoring students to pursue certain lines of the legal profession. Some are even geared towards fostering diversity by encouraging minority students to apply. Scouring through the various scholarships for law students increases the chances of successfully securing one.

Self-financing

Students also have an opportunity to finance themselves from their individual savings, or even out of their job salaries. This option is quite suitable for students who have a daytime job and who can pursue the option of part-time studies. Different law schools also encourage such students by offering part-time courses that fit within individual students’ schedules.

Taking a loan

There are different kinds of state and federal student loans that law school students can choose from. To qualify for such loans, students must go through various levels of vetting after submitting the loan applications. Even though not all students can qualify to receive the tuition fee loan, the loan programs may be able to provide students with tuition subsidies that can help alleviate the financial burden.

Private student loans from law schools

Law schools offer students the opportunity to receive subsidies in the form of credit for their tuition fees. Most of these programs fall under the public service loan forgiveness program, which enables students to acquire free education and commit themselves to work for at least ten years with little or no pay. Students should carefully evaluate the terms and conditions of such loans to ensure that they can confidently commit themselves.

Income share agreements

Income share agreements allow legal students to commit part of their salaries towards repaying their tuition fees upon graduation and admission to practice. This option should also be carefully considered to ensure that students do not get frustrated after they start earning. It often leaves graduate legal students with a relatively low paycheck, contrary to their expectations.

This article was originally published on michaelreiterman.com.

Paralegal vs. Lawyer: What’s the Difference?

Though the parameters of these positions are somewhat similar, there are some significant differences between the respective qualifications and duties of a paralegal and lawyer.

What is a Lawyer?

To be a lawyer in the United States, the credentials required are relatively extensive. Beyond attending and graduating from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with at least a juris doctorate degree, lawyers must also pass a separate bar exam to obtain their license and submit to an intensive background check for the state in which they plan to practice. After achieving all of this, lawyers will then be sworn in as an attorney and be permitted to practice in their state; however, lawyers will also be expected to pay annual fees to maintain their license and uphold strict ethical codes of conduct. The specific requirements of lawyers will vary based on individual states, but the general requirements are somewhat rigorous and demand consistent development, education, and involvement.

What is a Paralegal?

Compared to a lawyer, paralegals are fairly unregulated. There is often no need for a background in paralegal studies or even a paralegal certificate for an individual to become a paralegal; an attorney must simply appoint the individual to the position and grant them the title. In this role, paralegals operate in the background, drafting up legal documents and conducting research. Paralegals may engage with clients and maintain case files, but they are not permitted to represent anyone in court. They are also limited in what they can do; a paralegal must receive explicit permission from an attorney to prepare documents for a case and cannot do so by acting independently.

The work completed by a paralegal is essential for lawyers to fulfil their duties, but paralegals receive little credit and cannot provide legal advice, sign off on official documents, or determine fees for consultations.

Lawyer Vs. Attorney

The distinction between lawyers and attorneys is technical, and in most cases, the distinction is not observed. A lawyer is, by definition, an individual who has studied the law. An attorney is someone who has completed these studies and is licensed to represent clients in court. The ABA has ruled that those who have not been licensed to represent clients cannot call themselves attorneys or lawyers, thereby limiting the title to those who have received a license.