Category: Uncategorized

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.

Travel Spotlight: Dublin, Ireland

Ireland’s capital city of Dublin is full of many wonderful tourist attractions and activities. A visit here will give anyone the chance to learn more about the country’s history and culture while having fun in the process. Here are some of the best things to do in Dublin.

Party at Temple Bar

No visit to Dublin would be complete without stopping by this iconic neighborhood, which is home to some of the best pubs and restaurants in the city. Many of the pubs here feature live music and serve authentic Irish beers, whiskeys and other beverages. Shops throughout the Temple Bar area sell great souvenirs that make excellent keepsakes.

Learn About Irish Heritage

One of the best places to go in Dublin to learn about Irish Heritage is EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, which features exhibits that detail the county’s emigration history and how the Irish people continue to influence the world today. Anyone who wishes to learn more about their personal Irish heritage can visit the National Archives of Ireland or the Genealogical Service National Library of Ireland.

Tour Dublin Castle

Standing since the 13th century, Dublin Castle has hosted grand galas attended by Irish and foreign royalty throughout its history. Visitors can tour the castle to see elaborate rooms that are filled with fine artworks and other ornate items that are used to create an elegant atmosphere.

Go to Prison

Getting arrested isn’t necessary in Dublin for visitors to have the opportunity to tour a prison. Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison that was once used to hold some of Ireland’s most important freedom fighters. The prison was also the execution site for many of these freedom fighters. Guided tours need to be arranged in advance before entrance to the prison is allowed.

Learn About Ireland’s Religious Influences

Learning more about the country’s religious influences is one of the other top things to do in Dublin. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral and John Lane’s Church are some of the city’s notable churches where visitors can go to gain more knowledge of how Christianity has impacted Ireland’s foundation. The Irish Jewish Museum contains exhibits that tell the story of Ireland’s small (but significant) Jewish community.

Dublin features attractions that help give Ireland its distinctive appeal. Visitors with various interests will have no trouble finding plenty of fun things to do while spending time in the city.