I am from South Africa and starting school this fall in the US. Please advise about bank/saving as a student?
Am an international student returning to school this fall and interested to know about ways to save money and/or best ways to open bank accounts and if there are ways to get interest on your savings. Thank you.
Personal Finance - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Just go to the bank and tell them you want to open an account, checking or savings, or both. Savings accounts pay interest as do many checking accounts although the latter usually also charge a monthly service fee if the balance drops below a specific limit. The bank will tell you if there are restrictions on foreign nationals (you) regarding opening accounts. If you are planning on leaving some money in a savings account for some time then ask about a "Certificate of Deposit", or CD. (I know, this is confusing because it isn't a music CD). These are special savings arrangements and normally pay a lot better interest than a savings account. You make one deposit, generally in a specific amount, i.e. $100, $500, etc. and for a specific time usually 1 year. If you cash in (redeem) the CD before the end of that time, the CD reverts to an ordinary savings account and only the lower interest is paid.
2 :
It depends on how long you are coming here for, where you are going to school, for how long, and how much money you plan to bring. If you plan to bring a large sum (over $10000)- Consider tucking some away as a CD to get faster interest and keep yourself from spending it. If you are needing to take a little to run a long time- look into the school having a federal credit union account. That may have less burden than opening an account with a big bank that often charges high fees.
3 :
im the first answerer. yay. i like money, its fun. to my limited knowledge i think there are several options for a yeilding savings account. the ones i know about are similar in the rate they give you and find a bank that is offering some $$$ if you open an account with them. find as many as possible and open all of them. i really like free money. "thats all I have to say about that"
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A daily life in South Africa? (teens/students)?
A daily life in South Africa? (teens/students)?
Hi, all. I’m a high school student from California and I'm writing an article about the "Daily Life in South Africa," so I was wondering if you would answer some (or all) of my questions below... 1. Name, Age, What part of South Africa? 2. What do you do for fun in your free time? 3. Explain your everyday school life 4. What challenges have you had as a teen? 5. Any discrimination in your province or school? 6. How has the ending of the legal segregation in 1994 affected you? 7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help
South Africa - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
1. Dee, 24yrs, JHB. 2. Music festivals - there are alot of clubs (rock music) in johannesburg that feature local bands and artists that I enjoy going to on the weekends. There are also alot of weekend music festivals that you can go to where bands play over 4 days and you can camp out. Movies is also always a great pasttime. THere are many pubs and outdoor adventure activities to enjoy on the weekends. JHB is an hour from Pilansberg Game Reserve, which is a Big-Five reserve and fun for a Saturday day out. Safari once a month - what more could you ask for? 3. I just finished varsity - it was fun, a daily commute on the bus was far easier than sitting in traffic - Jozi traffic is a nightmare, especcially at the moment with all the roadworks and Gautrain developments. Busses are however packed and often not on time, so it can get frustrating. Taxis are not an option really - unless you have a death wish, as the drivers do not adhere to the rules of the road, and cut in, drive on the wrong lanes into oncomming traffic, shoot across intersections. Unfortunetaly for the vast majority of south Africans, it is all they can afford. 4. The education system is often not that great in public schools, it is better to get an education at a private school at a really hefty price however. As a teenager, there is not much to do in JOzi except trawl the malls and try get into a club. Life gets much better when you turn 18, there is so much more to do. (includiong being able to drive legally). 5. I did not see any discrimination in my school or Varsity. Black, white and indian kids all hung out together. Especially in varsity, there were a lot of mixed race relationships. There is no real evident discrimination amongst the South Africans in my province (gauteng). THe discrimination seems to be against illigal immigrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria and Congo that are living in SA and doing crime. 6. Well there is the BEE structure and affirmative action, so ssome jobs are now only advertised for the previously disadvantaged people, so it does make job seeking harder for white S-Africans. Other than that, life has only gotten better. We are a mixed nation, and even though I am white I consider myself to be an African, I was born and bred in Africa, not Europe. There is an intergrated culture in us all. 7. I would love to tour the world and work a little in Europe, and UK, and even USA, just to experience "normal" life in another country. But I would always return to South Africa, it's in my blood!
2 :
1. N/A, 18, Pretoria 2. Study, play some WoW, movies, parties 3. School from 7:45 am to 11:45 am for me, I'm in a private school that does the Cambridge Curriculum, doing my A-Levels, much more advanced than the South African syllabus. 4. Challenges include getting to places (no reliable public transport and I don't have my car... yet.). Can't really go out at night unless you have a death wish and we have a incompetent gov. 5. School, no not at all. Province, From what I have seen, no not much there are the little quirks some people have about others but it usually amounts to no more than an opinion. 6. Increased crime, a possibly worse government (in terms of their ability to lead and their intellect), reduced economy, more crime once again and a BEE system, it means Black Economic Empowerment - its supposed to give underprivileged (black) people a better chance in the work place, however it does not work in reality as it is supposed to in theory, instead it gives UNQUALIFIED people jobs and our economy suffers as a result. I have been in contact with many unqualified people in areas of work that require a fair amount of expertise. -- Please note that I am NOT being racist, I am simply looking at things in a REALISTIC manner, If my statement were racist then we would not have such an openly corrupt government, a failing educational system, a declining economy, one of the worst telecoms companies in the world, Escom... and many, many more other areas full of failure, if we had qualified people in these places, perhaps it may not be much better, but it would be at least a little better. 7. Japan, the country moves at a pace that no other can keep up with in terms of technological advancement, they have a higher standard of living, higher education and many jobs in the IT sector.
3 :
1. Wayne, 21, from Port Elizabeth (in philly now) 2. In SA I skated a lot, blazed a lot, roamed around a lot, and played soccer for hrs. 3. my old school sucked, it use to be a police impound and it was in the middle of nowhere; it was very underdeveloped and the level of education as compared to Philly in the US was very low. 4. Crime was a challenge. My best friend found a body when he was 8. My house was broken into 5 times in 2 yrs and economically my family had to leave when I was 14 because my father lost his job. 5. Yes, especially with the older generations. The younger generation is a lot more tolerant and conscious of other races. 6. If it hadn't ended I wouldn't be responding because I'd probably be too ashamed to talk about it so basically the only reason Im a proud South African is because the right thing finally happened in 94. 7. Probably back in Port Elizabeth but philly is pretty sweet..
4 :
1. GR, 24 years, Gauteng - Johannesburg. 2. Hang out with friends, listen to music, read and shop. 3. When I was at school, its get to school at 7:30, have assembly, have classes, mid-day break, more classes, field hockey practice. 4. Dealing with my mother, acne, fighting with friends, pressures to get good grades, fitting in, peer pressure, the usual teen challenges. 5. You have no idea. Its everywhere just not acknowledged. There will always be racial tensions because our government insists on reminding us of the acts of the past by people who are lpong dead and by making us pay for those acts even though we had nothing to do with it. 6. It was actually in 1990 when Nelson Mandela was released. And the only way it has really affected me is by making me more likely to be a victim of crime and I would battle to find another job should I ever ose mine thanks to the Broad-based Black Ecomnomic Empowerment policy. 7.Monaco - no tax.
5 :
1. Anja Fourie, 21. Cape Town, Western Cape. 2, Go out to music shows, parties, movies, dancing, drinking. 3. I'm a third year at Stellenbosch University. Studying Industrial Psychology. So I get up an hour before my first class, which sometimes can only be at 12h, walk back to residence for lunch, then go back to late afternoon classes. Classes end at 5h. Get back at residence, then study a bit. Go over to boyfriend. We watch a movie or we call some friends and then we go do my answer to question 2. 4. None I can think of really. 5. More blatant racism than discrimination. I don't really bother with it. But seeing as I get my degree this year and I'm going to start working next year, I should be bothered with it, because of BEE (black economic empowerment). 6. I was 5 years old then, so really not so much. 7. Right here in Cape Town. Most beautiful place in the world.
6 :
Not what you expected hey
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010
South Africa Safe for Students?
South Africa Safe for Students?
I don't want to be the millionth person to ask this, but I am a white female student from Canada hoping to do a work term in South Africa. I would be placed around Durban North. Would it be safe for me to go, would there be precautions to take?
South Africa - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Like many countries South Africa do have crime and statistics are a bit high. I for instance travel the world often and there is one rule I obey and which has kept me safe in some of the most dangerous areas and that is to simply always be aware and use good common sense. Kwa-Zulu has some of the higher crime statistics and you could look at comparisons on http://www.statssa.gov.za/ also good for all stats. HOWEVER everybody agrees there is a moratorium on crime stats and nobody knows the real figures. South Africa can be a great country and Kwa Zulu especially is stunning with beautiful mountains, coast line, natural beauty and zillions of game parks. Stunning. If you work in the rural areas it is slightly unsafer due to poverty. Political clashes are serious business and people get killed. Zuma might change this (?) Never ever take a minibus taxi. Never WALK outside at night. Take care of Durban City centre! Stick to your friends. Choose carefully. Hope this helps. If you specified the work you do it would have been easier. (PS: EMJAY has a very good point regarding comparing to Brazil. I was just there recently)
2 :
It depends on what you are doing and with whom. I do not want to scare you off, unlike some would on these threads, but at the same time South Africa and Canada are worlds apart. It is not because you are white inasmuch as you are not South African, please do not take this wrong way but there are parts of South Africa that make the so-called ghettos of North America look like Beverley Hills!!!! I would recommend you get informed and bring emergency AZT with you as well, for Natal you may need vaccinations, I am not sure about malaria for Natal- check it out. I am a South African and I love my country but I would not want to see anyone hurt either, please come and do your good work for our country but BE safe. If you want to compare South Africa to another country then Brazil would be a fair comparison in terms of inequality, richness and poverty, extremes and, sadly, personal risk. On the other hand it is not all bad so don't get freaked out either. LOL!!! Durban might be a bit hot for a Canuk....? ______________________________________________ The golden rule is "the tiger is master only of his own jungle". Get informed when you travel around. ______________________________________________ To the answerer below (Hopeful)- what are you chirping on about? That site Africancrisis.org is the biggest load of one-sided scaremongering that I have ever seen. It manipulates the suffering and fear of victims of crime in order to make a right wing point about a democratic South Africa. The next fact you give, Colombia, well Colombia is ranked as the FIRST most dangerous country in the world, South Africa a humble second!!!!!!! Talk about recommending the fire instead of the frying pan. ______________________________________________ The answerer above (Zulu) makes some very worthy and valid points about personal safety and with an avatar name like Zulu he must be a "banana boy" (someone from Natal)!!!!!!!
3 :
Had you asked the question a year ago I would have answered you as follows:"You may go but be very careful. Durban North is one of the more affluent areas of Durban - my husband's best friend is a neurologist (and since we are talking colour - he is white) and he lives in Dbn North. They are very aware of the growing crime problem but have not emigrated yet..." It is however not a year ago it is March 2008. South Africa has gone from teetering on the edge to falling into the abyss within the last six months. The triggers for this have been a combination of the following: SA power supplier's (Eskom's) bungling and lack of fwd planning over the last ten years has caught up with it and it can't fulfill the demands for electricity supply - country wide rolling black-outs have hit SA this year. Secondly, one Jacob Zuma who is either/all of crook/jester/cameleon has become the newly elected leader of the ruling ANC which has sent the thinking members of the SA polulation into an exponential increase in applying for emigration from SA to an anywhere. Thirdly South Africa today does not exude the same de facto tolerance towards others (especially whites) as was attempted by Mandela who endeavoured to bring about a multi-cultural rainbow nation - SA is becoming more racially and anti-white by the day (it would be a good idea to read Mbeki (current SA 'leader's' weekly online newsletter for you to judge this for youself - Just google it as per the description given and it will come up). There is now a NEW AND INCREASING OVERT HATRED BY THE BLACKS TOWARDS THE WHITES as never felt before. This hatred is not an isolated emotion it has permeated many black people. There is also another new phenomenon and that is the apparent belief by the SA police force that they are demi-gods and are above the law and may threaten and assault the public when and if they in they believe it is in the interest of apparent law and order - i.e. a de facto police state. My advice to you would be to read a www.africancrisis.co.za which collects news stories from a variety of sources and make up you own mind about the current state that SA is in. But if I would be in your position I would rather choose something safer like Columbia, Port Moresby or even the Gaza strip than South Africa at the moment.
4 :
Yes I think it would be reasonably safe. However, before you go I would suggest that you go and see your G.P. for all your inoculations - (in other words your injections), such as typhoid and malaria. Also be very careful in what rocks and stones and logs you lift up as there are some deadly poisonous spiders and snakes in that area. and also two types of scopion - the black one and the red one I hope this wont deter you from going over there as on the whole it is a very nice place Thank you Clive North
5 :
Zulu has given your most level headed answer to this question. It's certainly very different from Canada crime-wise, so may be a huge shock t o your system, but hey - the world is a big place and there to be enjoyed (while taking reasonable precautions!)
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I don't want to be the millionth person to ask this, but I am a white female student from Canada hoping to do a work term in South Africa. I would be placed around Durban North. Would it be safe for me to go, would there be precautions to take?
South Africa - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Like many countries South Africa do have crime and statistics are a bit high. I for instance travel the world often and there is one rule I obey and which has kept me safe in some of the most dangerous areas and that is to simply always be aware and use good common sense. Kwa-Zulu has some of the higher crime statistics and you could look at comparisons on http://www.statssa.gov.za/ also good for all stats. HOWEVER everybody agrees there is a moratorium on crime stats and nobody knows the real figures. South Africa can be a great country and Kwa Zulu especially is stunning with beautiful mountains, coast line, natural beauty and zillions of game parks. Stunning. If you work in the rural areas it is slightly unsafer due to poverty. Political clashes are serious business and people get killed. Zuma might change this (?) Never ever take a minibus taxi. Never WALK outside at night. Take care of Durban City centre! Stick to your friends. Choose carefully. Hope this helps. If you specified the work you do it would have been easier. (PS: EMJAY has a very good point regarding comparing to Brazil. I was just there recently)
2 :
It depends on what you are doing and with whom. I do not want to scare you off, unlike some would on these threads, but at the same time South Africa and Canada are worlds apart. It is not because you are white inasmuch as you are not South African, please do not take this wrong way but there are parts of South Africa that make the so-called ghettos of North America look like Beverley Hills!!!! I would recommend you get informed and bring emergency AZT with you as well, for Natal you may need vaccinations, I am not sure about malaria for Natal- check it out. I am a South African and I love my country but I would not want to see anyone hurt either, please come and do your good work for our country but BE safe. If you want to compare South Africa to another country then Brazil would be a fair comparison in terms of inequality, richness and poverty, extremes and, sadly, personal risk. On the other hand it is not all bad so don't get freaked out either. LOL!!! Durban might be a bit hot for a Canuk....? ______________________________________________ The golden rule is "the tiger is master only of his own jungle". Get informed when you travel around. ______________________________________________ To the answerer below (Hopeful)- what are you chirping on about? That site Africancrisis.org is the biggest load of one-sided scaremongering that I have ever seen. It manipulates the suffering and fear of victims of crime in order to make a right wing point about a democratic South Africa. The next fact you give, Colombia, well Colombia is ranked as the FIRST most dangerous country in the world, South Africa a humble second!!!!!!! Talk about recommending the fire instead of the frying pan. ______________________________________________ The answerer above (Zulu) makes some very worthy and valid points about personal safety and with an avatar name like Zulu he must be a "banana boy" (someone from Natal)!!!!!!!
3 :
Had you asked the question a year ago I would have answered you as follows:"You may go but be very careful. Durban North is one of the more affluent areas of Durban - my husband's best friend is a neurologist (and since we are talking colour - he is white) and he lives in Dbn North. They are very aware of the growing crime problem but have not emigrated yet..." It is however not a year ago it is March 2008. South Africa has gone from teetering on the edge to falling into the abyss within the last six months. The triggers for this have been a combination of the following: SA power supplier's (Eskom's) bungling and lack of fwd planning over the last ten years has caught up with it and it can't fulfill the demands for electricity supply - country wide rolling black-outs have hit SA this year. Secondly, one Jacob Zuma who is either/all of crook/jester/cameleon has become the newly elected leader of the ruling ANC which has sent the thinking members of the SA polulation into an exponential increase in applying for emigration from SA to an anywhere. Thirdly South Africa today does not exude the same de facto tolerance towards others (especially whites) as was attempted by Mandela who endeavoured to bring about a multi-cultural rainbow nation - SA is becoming more racially and anti-white by the day (it would be a good idea to read Mbeki (current SA 'leader's' weekly online newsletter for you to judge this for youself - Just google it as per the description given and it will come up). There is now a NEW AND INCREASING OVERT HATRED BY THE BLACKS TOWARDS THE WHITES as never felt before. This hatred is not an isolated emotion it has permeated many black people. There is also another new phenomenon and that is the apparent belief by the SA police force that they are demi-gods and are above the law and may threaten and assault the public when and if they in they believe it is in the interest of apparent law and order - i.e. a de facto police state. My advice to you would be to read a www.africancrisis.co.za which collects news stories from a variety of sources and make up you own mind about the current state that SA is in. But if I would be in your position I would rather choose something safer like Columbia, Port Moresby or even the Gaza strip than South Africa at the moment.
4 :
Yes I think it would be reasonably safe. However, before you go I would suggest that you go and see your G.P. for all your inoculations - (in other words your injections), such as typhoid and malaria. Also be very careful in what rocks and stones and logs you lift up as there are some deadly poisonous spiders and snakes in that area. and also two types of scopion - the black one and the red one I hope this wont deter you from going over there as on the whole it is a very nice place Thank you Clive North
5 :
Zulu has given your most level headed answer to this question. It's certainly very different from Canada crime-wise, so may be a huge shock t o your system, but hey - the world is a big place and there to be enjoyed (while taking reasonable precautions!)
Read more other entries :
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I am a international student applying to NYU&UC Berkeley,i live in South Africa but i was born in the USA?
I am a international student applying to NYU&UC Berkeley,i live in South Africa but i was born in the USA?
I attended primary and high school in SA but i am about to write the SAT and my range from practice tests is between 1750-1850 on my SAT what are my chances of getting into these universities with these scores? ps: don't forget i have a US citizenship,not really making me an international student Also i have about +39 hrs of community service(aids centers etc) Thanks so much
Higher Education (University +) - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You have a good chance of admission if you are a legal resident of California and have top grades. If you are not a California resident, you should increase your SAT score to at least 2000. You should have at least 200 community serice hours for Berkeley and over 100 for UCLA.
2 :
Your SAT scores are currently too low for either school. Keep in mind that you may be a USA citizen, but you are not eligible for in-state (low cost) tuition, and many scholarships and loans are not available to you. Education in the USA could be outrageously expensive.
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I attended primary and high school in SA but i am about to write the SAT and my range from practice tests is between 1750-1850 on my SAT what are my chances of getting into these universities with these scores? ps: don't forget i have a US citizenship,not really making me an international student Also i have about +39 hrs of community service(aids centers etc) Thanks so much
Higher Education (University +) - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You have a good chance of admission if you are a legal resident of California and have top grades. If you are not a California resident, you should increase your SAT score to at least 2000. You should have at least 200 community serice hours for Berkeley and over 100 for UCLA.
2 :
Your SAT scores are currently too low for either school. Keep in mind that you may be a USA citizen, but you are not eligible for in-state (low cost) tuition, and many scholarships and loans are not available to you. Education in the USA could be outrageously expensive.
Read more other entries :
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