Assignment 5. The minor and me

The minor European Union and Policies gave us a clear view on the European Union, European Institutes, European Law and the economy of Europe.

Students were informed about how important the European Institutes are and what the effects are on the European economy if non-member states enter European Union.

The duration of this minor was two blocks of ten weeks.

I am a student of Management Economics and Law at Avans Hogeschool in ’s-Hertogenbosch. After long searching for a minor that was interesting and informative, I read about the minor European Union and Policies. I read that I had to follow courses in English. On the one hand, the English language was a barrier to me. On the other hand it was a challenge. I wanted to improve my English language.

After the first classes I was convinced that I had chosen the right minor (subject). Unfortunately, I had to use to the new manner of learning at school. At the beginning of each week we had to read a task about a current topic, these tasks were discussed in the tutor group meetings. We talked about the subject, about the problems, defined learning goals for the next tutor meeting.

Besides the tutor group meetings, we had training sessions and background lectures about the topic “of the week”. It was for us an opportunity to ask questions related to the topics.

If students did not prefer during the lessons they could not catch up with the classes. Some of the things related to the topics were not discussed during the classes. Still I have to get used to the style of the lectures because I learned many things different in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Finally, we had the group projects. Once in two weeks we got a project related to a subject. Some of them were checked by an external company and some of them were checked by the teachers. I always loved to work in project groups so it was not an obstacle for me. During my study Economics Management and Law we always worked in project groups.

Unfortunately, we are still waiting for some marks.

In my opinion it was an interesting and informative minor. Not to forget the trip to Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg were we saw and learned more about the Institutes and Europe.

I did not like the style of the lectures. Each week one student was assistant and one student was chairperson. Some of the chairpersons, assistants and students did not prepare their homework so they did not know the answer of the questions. Sometimes our tutor helped us out but not always, and if you had to study your stuff for your exam you come across questions that were not discussed during the classes.

After all I would recommend other students to follow this minor, because it is instructive, fun, interesting and good for your linguistic problems.

Assignment 4: Credit crisis and we!

Credit crisis and we!

At the moment, the focus is on finding solutions to the problems related to the credit crisis. We think about how to prevent our money? How to pay our rent/montage? How to prevent us for not losing our jobs.

But, in the long term, I think there are many lessons to learn from the current credit crisis.

The roots of the crisis

From 2000 onwards, and especially in and after 2005, huge amounts of money were loaned as mortgages to people in the United States with poor credit records. When US house prices began to fall, loan default rates increased, funding dried up, and these leveraged structured finance vehicles turned sour.

Actually, the credit crisis did not changed my life(style) at all. I think that most of the people don’t know what money, credit or even a budget is.

My life went on, in the credit crisis. But there are some people who lost their jobs and houses in the U.S. but never were in a crisis. There are foundations and organizations that will prevent the average of people from not having a home or something to eat. Not that I doubt that people lost their jobs because of the credit crisis, but I think that some of them is just “blaming” the credit crisis for everything.

Although some prices have risen related to the credit crisis. For instance the prices of gas, food and insurance.

I think that the government must interfere in this crisis. What would happened if the government had not interfered to save the banks? The credit markets would have collapsed (such as DSB bank). This will result a break down of the financial system. I hope everybody agrees on this.

Unfortunately, higher taxes are needed to pay for the government intervention that have re-established “stable” credit markets (so far).

After all, I can conclude that I do not need to be worried of the credit crisis. If the government interference in a right way, the economy will recover in couple of years.

And if the economy will not recover then……

I will say think about this!

Assignment 3: News topic, Swine flue

“Deal 'close' over swine flu jabs,”

14 August 2009, 17:31 UK, BBC news

Quote: “Doctors' leaders say they are hopeful that an agreement can soon be reached in negotiations with government over the swine flu vaccination programme.

Ministers unveiled plans on Thursday to vaccinate over 13 million people in the first wave of the UK programme.”

What is Swine flue exactly? It is an influenza virus or what we know as the flue although a much different and possibly deadlier version then the flue that normally.

Now and days they made vaccination to prevent this flue.
On the one hand, I am in favor of vaccinating in principle, but on the other hand I think that the vaccine cannot have been tested sufficiently. The reason is that that the vaccine is introduced on the market at the end of September.

The swine flue shows an increase in contagion in The Netherlands. It is worse than the summer flue. Currently 1800 people died as a result of the swine flue, on the other hand several thousand people die very year because of the common flue.

To prevent us for the swine flue some things could be done:


• You could was you hands after using the bathroom, before you eat, if you sneeze in your hands and any time they are dirty. Al least you have to wash your hand 20 seconds. (Washing your hands prevents the spread of the disease, not the disease itself)


• Use alcohol based “germ squirt”


So in my opinion media is exaggerating subjects, sometimes. There is no need for panic. Just take the steps to prevent yourself and be hygienic.

Assignment 2: Discover the Lake Sevan

The Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia. Also it is the most favorable place for us, Armenians in the summer. The Lake is close to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The beach can be reached in less than an hour.

The Soviet government decided to lower the Lake’s level and use the water for irrigation and hydroelectricity which almost led to an ecological disaster in the beginning of the 20th century.
Nowadays, the government of Armenia implemented a plan for increasing the Lake’s level to recover its ecology. Therefore, many of the trees and constructions have gone underwater in the shores of the Lake.

People usually go to Lake Sevan to swim and to picnic. It is for Armenians usage to BBQ they do not have enough with sandwiches, fruits and vegetables.
Last summer we went to Sevan with my parents and friends of us. First we were not sure if the water was warm enough for swimming. But after a while I took a header in the water. After swimming we went to the restaurant in the shore of the Lake. The name of this restaurant was “Harsnakar”.

It is important to take long-sleeved shirts, hats and sun cream, since the Lake is situated on a high-altitude in the mountains, the sun is particularly strong there and you can get burnt in minutes.
The Lake Sevan is called “Cov Sevan”, by Armenians, what means: sea Sevan. The reason is the dimension of The Lake (1.035km2).

In the summer of 2008 it was the first time I saw Armenia and also the Lake Sevan and I was amazed by that. So if you go to Armenia then I recommend you to go and see the Lake Sevan. I will post some beautiful pictures of the Lake so you will get a first impression.

Assignment week 1: Review of Prison Break Season 1

Prison Break is one of the interesting TV series showed on television.
In it, Michael Scofiel (played by Wenthwort Miller) "overtakes" a bank (that was his tactic) so they put him in prison. It was his plan to get himself thrown in prison so that he can rescue his brother Lincoln Burrows (played by Dominic Purcell).
They have given Lincoln the death penalty because they accused him of killing the Vice President’s brother.

Hiding all the relevant information, the blueprint of the prison, in a tattoo that covers his body, Michael enters the prison with only one goal: save his brother from death.
Michael does whatever it takes to carry out his plan to help his brother. He pretends to have Diabetes so he can get a daily visit with the prison doctor, Sarah, a woman who is also the governor’s daughter.

He quickly realizes, however, that in order to pull off one of the biggest prison escapes in history he’s going to need a little help, and while mafia boss John Abruzzi and cellmate Fernando Sucre are invited to join him in exchange for future contributions, the group quickly earns a few unwelcome guests as well, including ex-military badass Benjamin “C-Note” Franklin and Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell, who discovers the hidden escape route during a prison riot.

Meanwhile, Michael and the rest of the inmates work toward realizing their escape, Lincoln’s lawyer and ex-girlfriend, Veronica Donovan, works on this case. With Lincoln’s son LJ and a lawyer, Veronica faces off against two Secret Service agents who will do whatever it takes to hide everything. Even killing them by order of the Vice President.

In my opionion, Prison Break is the one of the exciting series I ever saw. When you watch one of the series you get so excited that you want to see the whole season. Prison Break has only four seasons. That is just so sad.
Prison Break is brilliant as in 45 minutes it can make you feel the whole spectrum of emotions from shock to fear to sadness.