Archive for the ‘Traveling’ Category
Best places in the world to photograph the stars
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.
Scenic Drives in LA
Monday, March 7th, 2011In Los Angeles, driving is more than just a way to get from point A to point B; it’s a way of life. Maybe it’s the LA weather. Or it could be a result of all the songs about LA’s famous streets: Duran Duran’s “Drive By,” Sheryl Crow’s “All I Wanna Do” and more.
For visitors, one of the best ways to get to know the city is to drive, soaking in the sights and sounds along the way. Of course, in addition to LA’s famous sunny weather, the city also fosters a green climate, so don’t forget to rent an eco-friendly vehicle to enjoy the best of these scenic drives. Shades ready? Top down? Get ready to drive …
Jay Leno takes us on a tour of LA below as he cruises famed Mulholland Drive in his Mercedes SLS AMG and heads down to Sunset Boulevard. The road was named after William Mulholland, the head engineer who oversaw the construction of the massive aqueduct that brought water and subsequent growth to the city after being completed in 1913.
Leno compares Mulholland Drive to the Nurburgring, a motorsport race track around the village of Nurburg, Germany. Simply known as “The Ring” by enthusiasts, it is widely considered the toughest, most dangerous and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world.
More Scenic Drives in Los Angeles
Scenic Drives in the City (CLICK HERE)
- Sunset Strip from Crescent Heights Boulevard to Doheny Drive
- Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Vine Street
- Wilshire Boulevard from Downtown LA to the Pacific Coast Highway
- Ventura Boulevard from Studio City to Tarzana
Scenic Drives on the Coast (CLICK HERE)
- Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Zuma Beach
- North Sepulveda Boulevard from Redondo Beach to Manhattan Beach
- Palos Verdes Drive from Palos Verdes Estates to San Pedro
Scenic Drives Heading Inland (CLICK HERE)
- Mulholland Drive from 405 to Laurel Canyon Boulevard
- Angeles Crest Scenic Byway
- Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
“100,000 Strong” China Study Abroad Initiative Event
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
Remarks by the First Lady here
First Lady Michelle Obama: “When You Study Abroad, You’re Helping to Make America Stronger”
About the 100,000 Strong Initiative
The 100,000 Strong Initiative aims to increase significantly the number of Americans who have the opportunity to study in China. Citing the strategic importance of the U.S.-China relationship, President Obama announced the Initiative in Shanghai in November 2009, and Secretary Clinton officially launched the effort in May 2010. The Initiative is designed to help educational institutions establish or expand China study programs. It also seeks to reach communities that are traditionally underrepresented in study abroad, including minority, community college, and high school students, as well as students in the science and technology field and those pursuing advanced degrees in China studies. The Initiative relies exclusively on private-sector funds. More information about the Initiative can be found here
7 Great Things to do in Los Angeles
Thursday, November 18th, 2010Coming to the city of Angels is a dream come true! Here are 7 things you cannot miss while visiting Los Angeles! Have you already been there?
#1. Universal Studios
Entertainment begins in Hollywood, Universal Studios, CA!
Why watch the movies when you can live them at Universal Studios Hollywood – the world’s biggest motion picture studio theme park? Enjoy exhilarating rides and tours, thrilling shows, amazing stunts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creation of movie magic. Be a part of movie magic!
Every few years, Universal Studios Hollywood has added another feature ride or attraction based on a blockbuster film. From the original park shark attack by Jaws to Shrek 4-D, some of the biggest movies have become some of the most famous attractions.
Famous attractions and shows include Jurassic Park, The Curse of the Mummy, Terminator 2: 3D, The Simpsons Ride, Back to the Future, Apollo 13, Tokio Drift, Waterworld, Wisteria Lane, Back to the Future,…
NOW OPEN! King Kong 360 3D! Check this out!
#2. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hollywood
Discover L.A.’s biggest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood!
See Stars Waxed & get cool picts with favorite stars! Much fun!
NEW: Glee Star Jane Lynch gets waxed!
“Holy crap—unbelievable. This is too much. This is too weird. I feel like I’m seeing myself in a coffin or something. Thank you so much….it looks just like me!”- Jane Lynch
#3. Beverly Hills Tour
Going to Beverly Hills also known as “The Hills” is a dream come true… Beverly Hills ryms with prestige and wealth, as it is among the most desirable areas to live in the world. Beverly Hills shows the biggest and most expensive estates in the world! It’s home to most Hollywood celebrities, and many corporate executives and numerous other wealthy individuals and families. Sights may include the elegant shops of Rodeo Drive, stately neighborhoods, celebrity homes and famous and historic landmarks.
#4. Dodger Stadium
After more than 45 years of existence, Dodger Stadium remains one of the best ballparks in the U.S.A. Upon entering Dodger Stadium, fans encounter a massive stadium with stunning views. The atmosphere found at Dodger Stadium is hard to find anywhere else in baseball and although it is more than 45 years old, Dodger Stadium still ranks as one of MLB’s top ballparks.
The stadium has been the home to four Los Angeles Dodgers Championship teams and 11 National League West Division title teams. Dodger Stadium, just miles away from downtown Los Angeles, is located in the valley of Chavez Ravine.
#5. Venice Beach
Venice Beach is the #1 sightseeing and tourist attraction in Los Angeles County, California, visited by more than 5 million people each year. Discover the mystique that lured Jim Morrison to find ‘The Doors,’ and a Culture that gave birth to modern skateboarding. Venice Beach, California, is a unique destination unto itself, where shopping, dining, sports, recreation, and entertainment abound. Whether it’s the roller blading, street performers, Muscle Beach, guitar playing sihk, or the disco dancing roller skaters in the central park area; Venice Beach is a fun place to hang out to get a taste of the really wacko side of L.A.
“Go swimming in the ocean if it’s warm enough! Great skatepark and fun boardwalk. Everyone is accepted here….and seems to just want to enjoy that southern CA sunshine!” Aholmes
#6. Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is the stuff of legends. Hollywood Blvd is one of the most touristy spots in all of Los Angeles. It’s the home of the Walk of Fame, footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theater and Hollywood at Highland shopping/dining complex. From there you will also enjoy a great view of the Hollywood sign! Any time after mid-morning is exciting. During daylight hours, you get views and can enjoy the throngs of tourists. At night, the Boulevard is neon-lit.
#7. Getty Museum
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles is a paradise of art, architecture, and culture sure to be loved by all. Home to Western art dating from the Middle Ages to the Present, the Getty Museum houses European paintings, drawings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. While here, you can also enjoy a walk through the 134,000 square foot garden walk, and take the time to ponder the endless artistic treasures or just gaze into the reflecting pool adorned with Mickey Mouse-shaped azaleas.
“In my opinion, an individual without any love of the arts cannot be considered completely civilized” -J. Paul Getty
NEW: Exhibition “Imagining the Past in France 1250-1500″
Have you ever been to these places in California? Would you like to? If yes, tell us so we can organize some cool excursions and explore California!
Please share your thoughts about it!
Making life simplified for International and Exchange Students in the USA
Monday, September 27th, 2010Hello,
I hope you are enjoying your week and off to a great start.
Some month ago, I had the pleasure to be interviewed by France 5, a French National TV Network.
They were filming one of their most famous documentaries called “Echappées Belles” in California. The documentary consists of several French people who spoke about their American dreams and their experiences in California.
In the video below, I talk about my American Dream. I explained that I left my corporate job at HP France to move to Los Angeles as an international student. I wanted to improve my English language skills, learn about the American way of doing business and eventually start my own. More importantly, I was in search of making meaningful changes in my life in order to add value to my own existence while possibly making a positive difference in the lives of others.
I also mentionned the company that I founded, “U in the USA”, which simplifies international students’ and foreign exchange visitors’ lives, helps them interact more effectively with Americans, and assists them in achieving their goals. We encourage our students to take advantage of our services to create connections and even make lifelong friends.
I thank you for allowing me to enhance your American experience.
Enjoy the video.
Jean-Marc Dedeyne
What do you think about my French accent?
How to succeed as International Students in the USA?
Friday, August 27th, 2010Good-bye, summer — hello, school! The 2010-11 academic school year kicks off this week for most area schools.
Thousands of you from across the globe are traveling or returning to America in order to attend college or do internships. Congratulations on your achievements and first steps.
In the weeks and months to come, you will experience a wide variety of both encouraging and negative feelings, such as excitement, surprise, happiness, loss of identity, anxiety, disorientation and confusion, while facing language, academic and integration challenges. You will even sometimes feel like children.
Don’t worry. These feelings are normal. They don’t come to Stay. They come to Pass.
Be patient; your dreams will not come true overnight. But start now, and go with love and courage and confidence. It’s up to you what comes to pass, and if you keep your thoughts positive and strong: your dreams will come true. It’s just a Matter of Time.
As you might know, in 2006, I left my corporate job at HP France to move to Los Angeles as an international student. I wanted to improve my English language skills, learn about the American way of doing business and eventually start my own. More importantly, I was in search of making meaningful changes in my life in order to add value to my own existence while possibly making a positive difference in the lives of others.
My life in Los Angeles has been full of challenges, the biggest of which have been dealing with the unexpected, adjusting to my new environment and getting everything done within a time frame.
Thankfully, some great people both from my university, UCLA, and off campus taught me the skills that I needed, showed me around, helped me adjust to the American culture, and inspired me. Some also provided me knowledge and methods for a better understanding of the ins- and- outs of running a business in this country, encouraged me to challenge the conventional thinking, and helped me discover and articulate my greater purpose.
I am here today to share with you some my insights.
To reach your goals in the United States, I believe it’s important to:
- Believe in yourself
- Discover your driving motivation for action (purpose, cause or belief)
- Be disciplined and Stay on your chosen path
- Remain active
- Stay focused than to sit around complaining
- Speak up and Take Actions
- Take risks and be willing to lose yourself before reaping the fruits of your efforts
- Build your Network. “Your Network Determines Your Net Worth”
- Have an insatiable thirst for knowledge
- Be able to articulate clearly your value proposition
- Sharpen your personal brand to achieve career success
- Get out of your comfort zone
-Master Team working skills
- Familiarize yourself with the American business environment
- Challenge others and yourself to get results
- Don’t settle for anything less than your best
- Develop and master your capacity to think critically and independently
- Develop and master your ability to understand how people of different cultures and values think and behave
- Develop your communication skills
- Develop a global mindset
- Immerse yourself into the American Culture
- Volunteer into your communities
- Think out of the box
- Learn how to understand the greater context of problems
- Be intensely curious
- Accept others as they come
- Look at everything as an amazing learning experience
- See the opportunity in every difficulty
- Share your experience with others
- Be concerned with time limitations
- Listen up
- Read as much as you can –pick up books that you like, books you don’t like and books you never pictured yourself reading.
- Gain control over all the tasks and commitments that you need or want to get done
- Keep track of your goals
- Be accountable for your actions
- Have a stubborn insistence on pursuing our dreams.
Over all, it’s about maintaining a good life balance with the seven following building blocks :
1-Peace of Mind
2- Health and Fitness
3- Loving relationship
4- Control of my finance
5- Career goals that fit my personality
6- Pursuing my ultimate life goals
7- Life Balance (Career, Personal relationship, Friends and Family, Spiritual, Continuing education, Rest, Health and Fitness, Relaxation, Fun)
Finally, I will leave you with this quote that I learned from my mentor, Les Brown.
“If you want a thing bad enough to go out and fight for it, to work day and night for it, to give up your time, your peace and your sleep for it … if all that you dream and scheme is about it, and life seems useless and worthless without it … if you gladly sweat for it and fret for it and plan for it and lose all your terror of the opposition for it … if you simply go after that thing you want with all of your capacity, strength and sagacity, faith, hope and confidence and stern pertinacity … if neither cold, poverty, famine, nor gout, sickness nor pain, of body and brain, can keep you away from thing that you want … if dogged and grim you beseech and beset it, with the help of God, you WILL get it!” Written by author Berton Braley
Source : Les Brown – Live your Dreams. Click here to Listen to Les Brown.
Best Wishes,
Jean-Marc Dedeyne
contact us here.
What is it to be an international student in the U.S.?
Saturday, July 31st, 2010If you are coming to the U.S. on a student visa it can be a bit of a challenge and a somewhat tedious process. VOA’s Lisa Vohra talks to a couple of students from Africa who have been through it and has this report.
Watch the stories of two young African students who are busy taking classes and living their lives in the U.S.
If you want to study in the USA, this is the first thing to : meet with an advisor from EducationUSA. It’s your official source on U.S. Higher Education. You will find centers in your own countries here.
For tips and access to local information specific to your projects, please contact us here
What is the most important to you about studying in the the U.S and why do you care?
To Help you Live Your Dreams we added a New Member
Monday, July 12th, 2010Hello Fans,
I hope you had a great weekend.
I wanted to take some time to thank you for your positive interest, constructive comments and continuing support.
Because we want you feel more comfortable, have a superior experience and more importantly achieve your goals in the United States, I added a new member to our International Team.
It’s now my pleasure to introduce to you our new member, Bethiël.
Bethiël Tekle Mariam is an Eritrean lady, born and raised in the Netherlands. She moved to the sunny California 6 months ago to pursue her American Dream. Currently, she is enrolled in an International Management & Operations Certificate program at the University of California, Irvine, and she plans on starting off her professional career this fall within the field of International Marketing & Communication. This 26 year-old has a passion for travelling, and she is fortunate to have seen all the major cities in Europe and the USA. While studying abroad in St. Louis, Missouri and Valencia, Spain she understood how much cultural differences can make someone not feel at home. In St. Louis, Missouri, she was involved in the International Business Club and the International Student Organization. During her recent experience in the United States, she learned how to overcome and adjust herself to any obstacles she ran into.
Bethiel joined U in the USA to share her experience, help you feel more at home within the American culture and more importantly help you live your dreams. In the days to come, she will personally connect with each of you to discuss your interests, questions and ways to reach your own goals.
I will appreciate your help in making Bethiël feel welcome in our community.
Thank you.
Jean-Marc Dedeyne
U in the USA
“International Students & Visitors. Life Simplified!”
Want to know more about Bethiël click here
