“No temple made with human hands can compete with Yosemite” - John Muir, American naturalist and author

While there might be national parks all over the world, it's hard to argue with the sentiments of famed naturalist John Muir. Quite simply, California's Yosemite National Park is one of the best national parks in the United States, capable of inspiring a sense of divine awe.

The park itself is massive, covering slightly more than 3,000 square meters, and it's part of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains which ensure it provides incredible views, as well as stunning colors in all seasons and amazing wildlife.

Here are seven things to bear in mind before your first visit.

There's a reason El Capitan was a Macbook screensaver

Obviously, most people go to national parks for their views, but the scenes Yosemite has to offer are something else. Picture stunning waterfalls, huge rock formations, giant trees and towering mountains. There is something to marvel at every time you turn around. The two most famous, and most spectacular, views are El Capitan and Half Dome. These two are seriously not to be missed - El Capitan may be familiar as a screensaver/desktop background for Macbooks. That’s how impressive it is.

The waterfalls are at their fiercest in May and June

Yosemite's waterfalls are some of the highest in America so they're spectacular all year round. However, they reach peak flow during late spring, specifically May and June when most of the snowmelt occurs, so this can be a great time to visit.

Or, come in February when Horsetail Fall, commonly known as Yosemite Firefall, glows as if it's on fire due to the reflection of the sunset. The beautiful amber glow is really to be seen to be believed.

Visit Half Dome at sunset

Half Dome is the focal point of Yosemite National Park and is best visited at sunset, when you can enjoy epic, breathtaking views of Half Dome as the sun sets, and watch it glow pink as it reflects the sun. The sight will stick with you forever and make you want to go back to visit again and again.

Everything here is super-sized

Yosemite is giant - and it makes you realize how small you truly are. It's super sized in every way - from the trees, to the rocks, to the giant spaces and the waterfalls - everything is bigger in Yosemite. It makes you appreciate how incredible nature is - and makes you fall in love with it even more.

There are over 800 hiking trails to explore

Or, in other words, there are far too many hiking trails to do in one visit! Yosemite is particularly wonderful as there are hikes suitable for every level of ability and experience. All you need to have is plenty of enthusiasm to explore this incredible national park.

You can camp overnight

When we went, my friends and I slept under the stars within the national park and it was magical. The stargazing is incredible out here because there is next to no light pollution. Just watch out for the bears!

Take your time

This is important. Don’t rush you way through Yosemite as you'll only come to regret it. Take two to three days to fully explore all corners and go on a range of hikes. This way, you'll check out as much as you can. Doing everything in one visit won't ever be feasible, but remember you can always come back to this beautiful place in the future.

本文由北安普顿大学赞助

安置年、三明治年、行业年......无论你怎么称呼它，安置年本质上是一个延长的实习，让你把你在学位上学到的东西应用到真正的工作环境中。你的工作角色通常与你的学位有关，往往会持续6至12个月。哦，你也会得到一份真正的工资!

根据你的学位，实习年可能是强制性的。即使它只是可有可无的，也值得检查实习年能为你做什么，以及你的大学如何帮助你实现。

Shivika Gupta是北安普顿大学的一名MBA学生，她目前正在英国一所大学的学生服务部担任实习年的小组长。她向我们讲述了她迄今为止的实习年经历，以及她如何将实习年视为她学术旅程的一个组成部分。

嗨，Shivika，你能告诉我们关于你的角色以及你执行的主要任务和职责吗？

工作的性质是以管理为主。我在支持学生会方面发挥了关键作用，并通过听取意见和采取行动，使学生参与到大学生活中来，从而改善整个大学的体验。

我参与支持整个学院的学生会活动，以及外部网络。我还管理一个由8至10名工作人员组成的团队，并对学生会的培训工作负责。

我管理整个学院的非竞争性体育活动，鼓励各种能力和年龄的人参与。我还负责通过建立和维护网络和联系，投标和获得外部资金以支持健康和福利活动。

你为什么决定参加实习年？

在印度学习了法学学士学位后，我想继续学习一个课程，使我能够将我在学习期间培养的技能得到很好的利用。从一开始，我就在寻找那些在课程中包含实习年机会的大学。

你最喜欢你的角色是什么？

领导团队和从头开始组织活动的责任是这个角色中最具挑战性和乐趣的部分之一。

有一个优秀的部门经理对我来说也是一个有利因素，因为我被信任并被赋予自由，为丰富的活动带来动态和创新的想法，帮助提高学员的参与度。

你认为实习年有多重要，你认为你是如何从实习年中受益的？

我真的相信，学术相关性是学生生活的一个必要部分，但能够将所学知识应用到日常场景中，对我来说是一次过山车式的体验。

管理是一种可以实践的东西，你获得的经验越多，你就越擅长。因此，对我来说，实习年是我的MBA课程中一个非常重要的部分。

实习对你的学术研究有什么帮助？

我的最后一个模块与我所接触的基于工作的学习非常密切，在我工作的机构做研究，使我与现有的员工建立了很好的关系。

我能够应用我之前在MBA期间学习的模块，这让它们变得更有意义。我还能够把我们所学的东西放到现实世界的场景中，这确实有助于我的整体理解。

到目前为止，你在实习年期间学到的最重要的一课是什么？

到目前为止，我最自豪的成就是被信任为管理员工和领导整个学院校园的活动。我学会了守时是关键，与同事建立良好的关系可以带来工作生活的美好体验。

你认为实习对你未来的职业前景有什么帮助？

它将帮助我为将来的任何新机会和工作做准备。因为这次实习，我可以重新审视这个工作角色的所有经验，以便在面试时举例说明。

我从一开始就有在教育部门工作的愿望，我觉得参加实习年让我对这些机构中存在的工作精神有了更好的了解。

最后，您对那些正在考虑参加实习年的学生有什么建议？

让我们保持简短的建议吧!

• 在你到达英国的两个月内开始寻找和申请机会。还要确保在飞往英国之前做一些准备，比如刷新你的LinkedIn资料。你能在早期阶段做得越多越好!
• 利用Changemaker Hub等设施来改造你的简历和求职信。它真的帮助了我，并增强了我的信心。
• 确保你有与实习年相关的兼职工作经验，因为这将有助于你在面试中回答问题，并在你的申请中脱颖而出。
• 不要把它看作仅仅是一份工作! 把它看作是一种新的学习经验，并诚实地对待自己，致力于这项工作，无论它可能是多么具有挑战性。

你的大学可以如何帮助你

大学的目标是帮助学生在学术和专业方面充分发挥潜力，因此，无论何时何地，一定要充分利用现有的职业服务。当然，职业服务不能保证你的工作，但他们可以为你提供支持和建议，试图帮助你在教育世界之外达到你想要的目标。

以北安普顿大学为例。它的 "基于工作的学习和实习指南"、"变革者中心 "和 "企业促进 "都提供各种服务和设施，包括保密的商业建议、社会实验性学习经验，甚至作为其基于工作的学习机会的一部分的专业认可。

Wherever you happen to be studying in the US, a trip to Los Angeles is something you have to do if you get the chance.

There's more to Los Angeles than meets the eye and you'll be surprised to find out how much there is to see beyond the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the countless mansions owned by celebrities. LA also has some incredible beaches, artwork, and culture for you to explore. Here are five of my favorite things about the city.

Beautiful, iconic beaches

The beaches in Los Angeles are world famous, and for good reason. Each beach has its own unique character. Venice Beach is one of the most iconic and is as quirky as a beach can get - with cute shops, galleries, gorgeous cafes, street performers, Muscle Beach bodybuilders and more, it's the perfect place for a spot of people watching!

For those who want a chill day, head out to Malibu and enjoy the vibes and waves there. Santa Monica Beach is another great one - home to a famous pier and ferris wheel - and it's perfect for some Instagram snaps!

Beverly Hills

Hello 90210! The famous postcode and its accompanying district are best explored by taking a walking tour. Home to high-end shops and celebrity homes, Beverly Hills is something to be marveled at. Take a trip to Rodeo Drive and window shop 'till your heart's content. Plus, you never know who you'll spot - it's a mecca for celebrities, so keep an eye out!

The hikes and the bikes

It should be noted that when I visited LA, I did a 26 mile bike tour and I nearly died. LA is very, very hilly. And I was unfit. Be warned.

That being said, LA is a great area for hiking and it's a popular activity with the locals too. Browse any LA-based celebrity’s Instagram, and they will undoubtedly have a hiking picture every few snaps. Los Angeles is a health-conscious city and everywhere you go, you will find people enjoying an active lifestyle. There are loads of hiking trails throughout Los Angeles so why not sport those runners and get active!

Cycling is another great way to see the city, and the route via Santa Monica is one of the most popular. Get outdoors and explore!

Mouth-watering food

LA is absolutely fantastic for anyone who enjoys nothing more than a great meal out. There's such a vast range of cafes and restaurants here that you'll find options to suit every budget, while you could eat every cuisine type imaginable. Everyone will find something they love.

Check out Sprinkles Cupcakes for the coolest experience of your life - a vending machine with cupcakes! Eating out in LA will definitely be a highlight of any trip.

Visiting a movie set

Would a trip to LA be complete without a trip to a movie set? With Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures all based in LA, you'll have plenty of studio backlot tours to choose from. You can also try and see how many famous spots you can discover as you wander through Los Angeles, as the list of films and TV shows shot in the city is practically endless.

作为学生，常常意味着没有太多的钱，完全依赖下一笔津贴或贷款的到来（或者父母寄给你一些现金）。不过，情况不会总是这么绝望的。总有一天，你会有收入。如果幸运的话，你甚至可能会赚很多钱。

通过查看下面这份列出的不同职业和专业的平均工资列表，开始幻想一下你将如何在第一个月的工资上花费。这些数据基于美国和英国的全国统计数据。

会计 & 金融

建筑

艺术与设计

商业与管理

计算机科学与信息技术

 Engineering

法律

媒体与传媒

医学与生命科学

自然科学

本文最初发布于2015年3月。最后更新于2019年6月。

想要获取更多类似内容吗？ 免费注册会员 以获得定期更新和个人内容订阅。

By Jenny Scott Russell – Local Leo

Before moving to Cornwall to start my bachelor’s degree at Falmouth University, I had only visited the county as a child on family holidays. So even though I knew the course was right for me, I had no real idea of what living or studying in Cornwall was going to be like. Luckily for me, it was nothing short of amazing! I ended up having an incredibly well rounded three years there. My time was jam-packed with trying new things, meeting new people and making the most of everything Cornwall had to offer. Looking back, I can’t recommend studying there enough, but I’ve managed to narrow my top reasons down!

1. Falmouth and Exeter’s beautiful shared campus

The only shared campus in the UK, Penryn is a hub for creativity and research. The facilities are modern, the library’s open 24/7 (no doubt you’ll end up pulling an all-nighter there at least once!) and The Stannary bar serves great food all day. You can also wander down through the gardens, past the orchard and walled garden to the Koofi café for delicious coffee and cake. First year accommodation is on campus too which makes getting to class on time a breeze!

2. The party scene at the FXU

Not only is the campus shared, but so is the student union. The Falmouth and Exeter Student Union (FXU) hosts parties all year round and these are where I made some of my best memories at university! The Garden Party is a must to end the year on a high. The FXU societies enrich student life in Falmouth and offer great opportunities to make friends and try new things. I especially enjoyed being part of the International Society, which focused on cultural exchange and sharing traditional food from our home countries. The Sailing and Climbing Societies also kept me busy, alongside signing up for FXU foreign language courses.

3. The high percentage of international students

International students make up a large proportion of the student population in Falmouth. There are endless pros to having a diverse campus but most importantly, it means you’ll have the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world (and eat lots of international food!).

4. The stunning Cornish coastline

You don’t have to love the outdoors to appreciate how stunning the Cornish coastline is. I spent as much time as possible walking in the most remote areas, often spotting seals, dolphins and even basking sharks in the beautiful, turquoise waters. You can easily get to Land’s End, the most south-westerly point in the UK, from Falmouth as well as Kynance Cove which is spectacular on a summer day. If you like to swim and have picnics it’s perfect. Bosigran and Sennen Cove are also top locations for traditional climbing, for the climbers amongst us! 

5. Surf culture

The surf vibes in the south-west are strong, let me warn you! Cornwall’s north coast is one of the most popular areas to surf in the UK. Watergate Bay is perfect for beginners with reasonably sized waves for learning on or for body boarding. If you fancy a couple of lessons you can head to Newquay where there are plenty of surf schools to choose from. Or you could wait for the universities to organize discounted sessions!

6. Falmouth Town

Falmouth is buzzing all year round thanks to the large student population. The bars and pubs that line the high street offer plenty of opportunities to unwind after a long day at university! My favorite place was Beerwolf Books, a book-shop-come-pub. It’s the coziest place to hang out in the winter, while in the summer you have the pier and docks to enjoy. There are also endless food options, my favorites included the Meat Counter for delicious burgers, Cribbs for the best Caribbean food you’ll find in Cornwall and Fuel for hangover curing breakfasts.

7. The outdoor recreational activities

The options here are endless, but some of the best outdoor activities I tried while studying in Cornwall included kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, coasteering, snorkeling, archery... ok, you get the idea! Most of these I tried for free through the university, but you can also outsource for even more options. If you’re already adventurous, Cornwall is perfect for you. If you’re not a big fan of outdoor sports then you can get involved with the university allotment, going bird watching or checking out the open-air cinemas!

8. Cornwall is a reasonably cheap place to live

Compared to the rest of the UK, Cornwall is a reasonably affordable place to live. This always goes down well with a student budget especially when you don’t have to compromise your quality of living to save a few pennies. I got by on a tiny budget while living in Falmouth, but you always have the option of finding a job, which universities are happy to help you with.

9. You can day trip to the Isles of Scilly

In under three hours by ferry you can be in England’s beautiful archipelago, the Isles of Scilly. Uncrowded, unspoilt, and boasting amazing subtropical plants and sandy beaches, it makes for a perfect weekend away, island hopping and relaxing in a landscape that could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the Mediterranean. There are five dark sky reserves, lots of beautiful places to stay and amazing restaurants to try. This is a must do while studying in Cornwall and an amazing benefit to living in the south-west.

10. The countless National Trust and English Heritage sites

As a student, you’ll never have a free weekend. And this is even more true when you live in Cornwall because there is so much to see. From Pendennis Castle to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, I remember feeling spoilt for choice. You can reach most places via public transport and get discounted entry for being a student. There are amazing museums to explore as well, my favorite being the Tate St Ives. You can also tick The Minack Theatre, Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount off your bucket list!

11. You’ll enjoy plenty of seaside town festivals

English seaside towns are notorious for their traditional festivals and the International Sea Shanty Festival is one of Falmouth’s best. The Beer Festival and Oyster Festival are also big events in the year and both great fun. These types of festival are authentic and unique, giving a real feel for old Cornwall. The Cornish culture is strong and the locals are very proud of their history. It shows in events like these, and you won’t want to miss them.

12. And Cornwall’s bigger festivals

Masked Ball hosts three festivals throughout the year, the most popular being for Halloween. It really is a festival like no other, the theme this year being American Horror Story! In fact, they describe the festivals themselves as “immersive, multi-level party kingdoms”. Boardmasters is slightly more mainstream but just as fun. The line-up is always amazing, and the combination of music, surf and beach life is characteristically Cornish, so it couldn’t be more perfect!

13. You can study in one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations for a reason. The subtropical climate, incredible beaches, warm(ish) water…I could go on! Its universities are also both at the top of their fields for research and student satisfaction. So, having the opportunity to live and study there, potentially for three years is ideal! You can’t go wrong. My three years in Falmouth felt like an extended holiday and I loved every second.

The QS World University Rankings 2020 will be launched on June 19.

Once again, the world’s 1,000 top universities will be ranked according to six different criteria: academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty to student ratio, citations per faculty, ratio of international faculty members and ratio of international students. More information about the methodology can be found here.

Here are four key things to watch out for in this year’s ranking.

Will record holders stay on top?

Last year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology became the first university ever to be ranked best in the world for seven consecutive years. Can they make it eight?

Their biggest challengers in recent years have been fellow American institutions Stanford University and Harvard University. For either of these universities to get closer to MIT, their biggest area for improvement would be to improve the ratio of international students enrolled. Which brings us onto…

Are top universities becoming less international?

While there was a time when the UK and the US were extremely popular study destinations for international students, it’s safe to say that recent political changes have made both countries less appealing.

Three years on from the Brexit referendum, and two years on from the election of Donald Trump, neither the UK nor the US is proving to be as enticing for talented students. Given the focus our rankings place on international diversity, universities in both countries are in serious danger of dropping down in rank.

Can China continue to rise?

As universities in the west begin to struggle, Chinese universities are in ascendancy, buoyed by heavy investment in research. This is typically reflected in our rankings by the indicator measuring citations per faculty.

Tsinghua University was the best university in China last year and will be looking to build on its rank of 17^th, while Peking University and Fudan University also featured in the top 50. It wouldn’t be surprising to see all three do even better this year.

Who will be on top in Singapore?

Singapore may only be home to three of the world’s top 1,000 universities, but last year two of them were ranked within the top 12 in the world. The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have been almost inseparable, ranked 11^th and 12^th respectively last year, and it will be fascinating to see whether either has been able to crack the global top 10 this year.

Find out the answers to these questions and much more by reading the full results on June 19.