Consultant To Wijaya Products Tourism Essay Essays

Consultant To Wijaya Products Tourism Essay Essays Consultant To Wijaya Products Tourism Essay Essay Consultant To Wijaya Products Tourism Essay Essay Introduction In order to make this assignment I assume that I have been hired as a adviser to Wijaya Products ( Pvt ) Ltd which is a well-established fabrication company of spices and condiment merchandises in Sri Lanka ( place state ) . The company was established in 1989. Image 01: Logo of Wijaya Merchandises Vision Bing one of the Sri Lanka s prima fabrication and selling company of spices and condiment merchandises in Sri Lanka, we strive to go a universe renowned maker, distributer and exporter in the chief points we produce. Mission We ever believe that we are the concern and happy because of our honored client s satisfaction through feedback. We are ever committed to better the quality of our merchandises by presenting the province of the art engineering, skilled employees and promoting them challenge themselves. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //spiceswijay.com/index.php? p=abtus ) Merchandises Spices chillie pieces, chillie pulverization, roasted chillie pulverization, curry pulverization, roasted curry pulverization, pepper pulverization, turmeric pulverization and mustard pulverization. Flour ruddy rice flour, white rice flour, kurakkan flour, undu flour and sago Pasta Noodles, particular noodles and particular papadam Coffee Tea Salt ( hypertext transfer protocol: //spiceswijay.com/index.php? p=procat ) Certified Recognition ISO 9001 2008 Quality Management System ISO 22000 2005 Food Safety Management System ISO 14000 2004 Environment Management System SLS Quality Standards ( hypertext transfer protocol: //spiceswijay.com/index.php? p=urvalus ) Wijaya Merchandises are manufactured by utilizing quality natural stuffs with no added artificial colourss, spirits and savings. Presently there are over 400 employees employed in the organisation. The merchandises are exported to states such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Maldives and Italy. ( http: //www.eximdata.com/company/wijaya-products pvt ltd-7112.html ) As an enlargement plan the company is be aftering to spread out their operations by exporting spice merchandises including chillie pieces, chillie pulverization, roasted chillie pulverization, curry pulverization, roasted curry pulverization, pepper pulverization, turmeric pulverization and mustard pulverization to United Kingdom ( host state ) peculiarly to London. The chief mark market is South Asians in London. Image 02: Spices Reasons to Select UK It is decided to export merchandises to United Kingdom because there are many South Asiatic people in England. These people use spices to fix their every day-to-day repast. Therefore there will be a demand for the merchandises. In 2007, 170,000 Sri Lankan people were in UK. ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Sri_Lankans ) Following Table 01 shows the population of some of the South Asians in England harmonizing to the 2001 nose count and 2009 estimations. By 2011 it is definite it ll be increased. 2001 Population 2001 Percentage 2009 Population 2009 Percentage American indians 1,028,546 2.09 % 1,414,100 2.7 % Pakistanis 706,539 1.44 % 990,700 1.9 % Bangladeshis 275,394 0.56 % 384,300 0.7 % Other South Asians 237,810 0.48 % 377,700 0.7 % Table 01: 2001 nose count and 2009 estimated population of South Asians in England ( hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography_of_England ) Many South Asians are in states such as Canada, UK, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Italy. ( www.go2southasia.org/embrace/south-asians-around-the-world/ ) The company selected England due to following grounds. Refer Appendix 01 for farther analysis. Many South Asians are found in a individual state and their population is quickly turning. British Pound is universe s 5th highest valued currency unit. ( www.xe.com ) UK is the 6th largest economic system in the universe and the 2nd largest within the EU. ( www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3846.htm ) EU is the largest export market for spices. UK is a prima spice devouring state in EU. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.epckenya.org/index.php? option=com_content A ; task=view A ; id=173 A ; Itemid=206 ) Reason to Select London Merchandises are exported to London. London was selected because bulk of South Asians in UK lives in London. Following Table 02 clearly shows that entire population of Sri Lankans, Indians and Pakistanis in London has increased from 1991 to 2001 and the London has the largest population. Region Population 1991 2001 London 222,061 289,241 East Midlands 48,391 58,335 North East 4,901 12,150 North West 63,949 82,467 South East 70,359 85,722 South West 5,836 19,576 East of England 38,600 46,733 Cymrus 7,927 9,483 Table 02: Entire Population of South Asians in 1991 A ; 2001 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad.stm ) UK consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Nothern Ireland. London is the capital of England. The substructure of London is in good criterions. London s conveyance forms the bosom of the route, rail and air webs in UK. London has a web of roads runing from main roads, major individual passenger car manner roads, distributer roads and streets. There are six airdromes in London such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, London City and London South end Airport. Ships can go through River Thames and it is one of London s chief conveyance paths. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_London ) Image 03: Map of UK Different Social Groups in Sri Lanka and UK Sri Lanka United Kingdom Entire Population 21,283,913 ( 2011 est. ) 62,698,362 ( 2011 est. ) Age Structure 0-14 old ages 24.9 % 15-64 old ages 67.2 % 65 and above 7.9 % 0-14 old ages 17.3 % 15-64 old ages 66.2 % 65 and above 16.5 % Gender Male 49.3 % Female 50.7 % Male 49.2 % Female 50.8 % Cultural Groups Sinhala 73.8 % Sri Lankan Moors 7.2 % Indian Tamil 4.6 % Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9 % Other 10.5 % White 92.1 % Black 2 % Indian 1.8 % Pakistani 1.3 % Mixed 1.2 % Other 1.6 % Religions Buddhists 69.1 % Muslim 7.6 % Hindu 7.1 % Christian 6.2 % Other 10 % Christian 71.6 % Muslim 2.7 % Hindu 1 % Other 1.6 % Unspecified 23.1 % Languages Sinhala 74 % Tamil 18 % Other 8 % English more than 70 % Cambrian Irish Cornish Table 03: Different societal groups in Sri Lanka and UK ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/srilanka.html ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/UK.html ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.indexmundi.com/sri_lanka/demographics_profile.html ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.indexmundi.com/united_kingdom/demographics_profile.html ) Different Social Group Behavior Patterns of Sri Lanka and UK Greetings and Meetings The traditional manner of recognizing in Sri Lanka is stating Ayubowan ( in Sinhalese ) or Vanakkam ( in Tamil ) by seting thenar together and somewhat bowing the caput. But younger people by and large tend to agitate custodies. In UK manus shingle is the common signifier of salutation and there is no issue over gender. In Sri Lankan civilization, adult females abstain from physical contact with unfamiliar work forces, hence most of the adult females will non manus shingle. In concern meetings, because of the hierarchal civilization Sri Lankans use rubrics along with the family name. If there is no professional rubric, so uses Sir or Madam . Where as in UK, most people use rubric or Mr , Mrs , or Miss along with the family name. Now a twenty-four hours this can besides be seen utilizing in Sri Lanka every bit good. In concern meetings both UK and Sri Lanka are normally formal and wear formal costumes. British work forces wear a suit with a tie and places. Women wear concern suits with shirt with either a skirt or with a pant. This is besides the same in Sri Lanka but sometimes adult females wear Sarees. In UK meetings ever have a clearly defined intent therefore meetings are conducted harmonizing to an docket. Both Sri Lankans and British avoid long-drawn-out oculus contact as it makes people experience uncomfortable. Dining Etiquettes Main repast dishes in UK are Roast Meat, Yorkshire pudding, and Toad-in the-hole. Main repast in Sri Lanka is Rice and Curry. Asians particularly South Asians including Sri Lankans, Indians and Pakistani s usage batch of spices when fixing nutrient. Sri Lankan people normally use their right manus to eat but on occasions they use cutter to eat. British people ever use cutter particularly a fork and a knife to eat nutrient. Moslems refrain from hog merchandises, intoxicant or any other nutrient that contain meat unless it is halaal certified. Hindus do non devour beef because they consider it as a sacred animate being. Gift Giving Etiquettes Peoples in both states portion gifts particularly among household members and close friend. British people give gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Sri Lankan people portion gifts for occasions such as birthdays, nuptialss, Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Christmas. British normally give gifts such as box of cocoas, bottle of vino or flowers. Hindus do non prefer gifts made out of leather. Sri Lankans give and receive gifts from both custodies in order to demo niceness. British unfastened gifts when received but it is non the same in Sri Lanka. They do non open gifts when received. Festivals and Celebrations In Sri Lanka different festivals are celebrated harmonizing to the ethnicity or the faith. Vesak Fool Moon Day celebrated by Buddhists Deepawali and Maha Siva Rathri celebrated by Hindus Haj Festival and Ramadaan celebrated by Moslems Christmas is celebrated by Christians. UK the festivals and jubilations include Easter, Halloween, Edinburgh Festival and Bonfire Night. Harmonizing to the ethnicity or the faith people in UK celebrates different festivals and jubilations. Sinhala and Tamil people celebrates New Year on 14th of April, Muslims celebrates New Year harmonizing to the Islamic calendar which is known as Muharram . Where as British celebrates New Year on 1st of January. Other British people consider promptness is of import while Sri Lankans do non pay much attending to promptness. Black is mourning colour in UK and White is considered as mourning colour in Sri Lanka. In UK, V for Victory mark, done with the manus is considered as an violative gesture. Sri Lankans keep long intermissions and use obvious tactics of turning away. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/srilanka.html ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/UK.html ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cyborlink.com/besite/united_kingdom.htm ) Positive and Negative Influences of Sri Lankan and UK Cultures on Business Decision Making Decision devising is slower in UK. Therefore hotfooting into speedy determinations may harm the concern relationship. This is negatively act uponing the concern determination devising in state of affairss where the determination has to be made really rapidly. In Sri Lanka there are merely few linguistic communications used. The chief linguistic communications are Sinhala, Tamil and English. There are other linguistic communications such as Malay but those linguistic communications are non normally used. This has a positive influence on make up ones minding which language/languages to utilize in packaging, labeling and in promotional activities. Even though the English is the chief linguistic communication in UK, there are different ethnicities that use different linguistic communications. For illustration there are many Indians and Pakistanis in UK. There are tonss of linguistic communications that Indians use including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Theligu, Kannada, and Gujarati and so on. Pakistanis usage linguistic communications such as Urdu, Panjabi, Pashto and Sindhi and so on. This may act upon negatively on make up ones minding which linguistic communication to utilize in packaging and labeling. Sri Lankans usage spices for the readying of every twenty-four hours repasts. What of all time the ethnicity, the faith, gender or age except babies consumes spices. This nutrient behaviour positively impacts on make up ones minding the mark market. But in UK there are assorted sorts of ethnicities with different nutrient behaviour forms. British utilizations spice but non every bit much as Asians particularly South Asians including Sri Lankans and Indians. Majority of the population is British. Therefore it has an influence on concern determination devising. In UK there are different ethnicities with different spiritual groups. They celebrate different festivals and vacations. When make up ones minding what promotional activities to transport out and when to transport out promotional activities these civilizations will act upon negatively because there are so many facets to look into. Due to the few cultural and spiritual groups in Sri Lanka it is easy to do determinations on promotional activities. There are tonss of societal groups in UK harmonizing to the ethnicity and faiths which are different from one another. When fulfilling one societal group you may pique another societal group due to cultural differences. Hence it is really hard to do determinations to fulfill every one. Therefore it has a negative impact on determination devising. Peoples in UK value promptness. Therefore merchandises should make and should go to to concern meetings on clip. Sri Lankans do non pay much attending to Punctuality. If promptness is non met in UK so it may negatively impact on the concern. For illustration if Sri Lankans could non go to a meeting on clip in UK, so there will be deficiency of clip to discourse concern affairs and the determination devising will acquire slower. Therefore this may consequence negatively on concern determination devising. In Sri Lanka these merchandises are considered as feminine merchandises. But in UK there are many individual people ( males ) in UK particularly the 1s who have migrated for their surveies or business. These people make their ain nutrient. Therefore it is hard to categorise the merchandises as feminine or masculine in UK. This will act upon negatively. Honor and self-respect is highly of import to Sri Lankans. When the reply to a inquiry is no Sri Lankans give vague or uncommitted replies to avoid losing award or self-respect. Sometimes they may state one thing but mean another thing. This may consequence negatively on concern determination devising. For illustration in a concern meeting if Sri Lankans use obscure replies to avoid face, it may make misinterpretations among the British. Therefore this may act upon negatively on concern determination devising. Decision In order to make this assignment I assume that I have been hired as a adviser to Wijaya Products ( Pvt ) Ltd which is a well-established fabrication company of spices and condiment merchandises in Sri Lanka ( place state ) . As an enlargement plan the company is be aftering to spread out their operations by exporting spice merchandises including chillie pieces, chillie pulverization, roasted chillie pulverization, curry pulverization, roasted curry pulverization, pepper pulverization, turmeric pulverization and mustard pulverization to United Kingdom ( host state ) peculiarly to London. The chief mark market is South Asians in London. Reasons to choose UK includes that there are many South Asiatic people in England and the all right economic conditions. London was selected because bulk of South Asians in UK lives in London and the substructure of London are in good criterions. There are different societal groups of Sri Lanka and UK harmonizing to the age, gender, ethnicity and faith and their behaviour forms differ harmonizing to the salutation and meeting, gift giving etiquettes, dining etiquettes and festivals and jubilations. Finally concludes with an analysis of positive and negative influences of place and host state cultures on concern determination devising. Making concern in UK is non same as making concern in Sri Lanka because there are tonss of societal groups harmonizing to the ethnicity and faiths which are different from one another. When fulfilling one societal group you may pique another group due to cultural differences. Therefore making concern in UK is a challenge because it is seen as a paradox in many facets. Recommendation As the adviser of Wijaya Products ( Pvt ) Ltd following recommendations are recommended to follow when carry oning concern in UK. By Achieving the Halaal enfranchisement the company will able to make Muslims easy. When carry oning meetings with people in UK, use an docket and do certain it is forwarded in progress for them to reexamine and urge any alterations. Include facts and figures when making presentations because people in UK rely on facts instead than emotions in determination devising. After a meeting, direct a missive including what was decided and what are the future stairss to be taken. It is recommended to be punctual because people in UK value promptness the most. UK has a diverse society because of the mixture of cultural and spiritual groups. Therefore needs to concentrate more on different civilizations bing in UK when determinations are made.

Anatotitan Facts and Figures

Anatotitan Facts and Figures Name: Anatotitan (Greek for giant duck); pronounced ah-NAH-toe-TIE-tan Habitat: Woodlands of North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (70-65 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 40 feet long and 5 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; broad, flat bill About Anatotitan It took paleontologists a long time to figure out exactly what type of dinosaur Anatotitan was. Since the discovery of its fossil remains in the late 19th century, this giant plant-eater has been classified in various ways, sometimes going by the now-unfashionable names Trachodon or Anatosaurus, or considered a species of Edmontosaurus. However, in 1990, a convincing case was presented that Anatotitan deserved its own genus in the family of large, herbivorous dinosaurs known as hadrosaurs, an idea that has since been accepted by most of the dinosaur community. (A newer study, however, insists that the type specimen of Anatotitan was really a superannuated specimen of Edmontosaurus, hence its inclusion in the already-named species Edmontosaurus annectens.) As you might have guessed, Anatotitan (giant duck) was named after its broad, flat, duck-like bill. However, one shouldnt take this analogy too far: the beak of a duck is a very sensitive organ (a bit like human lips), but Anatotitans bill was a hard, flat mass used mainly to dig up vegetation. Another odd feature of Anatotitan (which it shared with other hadrosaurs) is that this dinosaur was capable of running clumsily on two legs when it was chased by predators; otherwise, it spent most of its time on all four feet, munching peacefully on vegetation.

Physiology and Function Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Physiology and Function - Essay Example Peristalsis is the rhythmic segmental contraction and relaxation of the GI tract that helps in propulsion of food. Peristalsis is generally under autonomic control and is further mediated by myentric plexus located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layer. Contraction of these two muscles produces peristaltic waves, normally in a forward direction. Peristalsis plays a different role depending on the location of the GI tract. In the esophagus, it simply propels the food into the stomach. But in stomach, strong peristaltic contractions grind the food and mix it well with the acidic contents of the stomach. In the intestines the peristalsis is slow, providing sufficient time for digestion and absorption to take place (Guyton & Hall, 2000). Bile is produced and secreted by liver but is transported to gall bladder for storage. In the gall bladder it becomes concentrated and is released into the duodenum via common bile duct under the influence of cholecystokinin and vagal stimulation. Bile is composed of water, bile salts, bilirubin, cholesterol, fatty acids, lecithin and other common ions. Bile serves two important functions: assistance in fat digestions and removal of waste products. Bile does not contain any enzymes for digestion of fat but it causes emulsification of fat particles facilitating digestion and absorption in the intestinal mucosa. Bilirubin, a waste product of hemoglobin breakdown is also secreted in the feces via bile (Guyton & Hall, 2000). Saliva is secreted in the oral cavity by various glands such as parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Every day these glands produce 800-1500ml of saliva. Saliva has two important components: ptyalin and mucus. Ptyalin is an amylase enzyme that helps in starch digestion, whereas mucus plays an important role in lubricating the food bolus and reducing mechanical friction. Saliva also has one important function of protecting oral cavity from invading

Eassy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Eassy - Essay Example According to Bardhan and Dwight, several factors can endear a company to outsource its business operations. Off shore labor laws, wage laws and tax laws favor the idea of outsourcing as there is almost a certainty of maximizing profits through low cost labor. Workers abroad are often willing to work longer hours for less pay than those in the United States where there could also be a lack of expertise in certain areas of business process. In addition to this, the company is offered a great diversity of skill and kept abreast with emerging technology from various ends of the globe that go a long way in improving service delivery and quality of service. Further still, the company that off shores acquires global status and recognition in the world market which is a huge plus in its operations. This in addition to the fact that off shoring some business operations actually enables a company to shift focus to other crucial areas of the business is of unparallel value to the company growth and development (Bardhan and Dwight, 22). However endearing these advantages of outsourcing may be, several negative implications and concerns also lie in wait, both to the company and the United States economy. The good that may result from the endeavors of outsourcing almost always serves the interest of the top brass of the company only. Little or nothing at all of the entire benefits actually trickles down to the middle level workers or the public in general. Quality concerns arise as a result of outsourcing. As long as the outsourcing contracts are honored, the outsourcing company may tend to be motivated by profit to decrease expenses and condone shoddy work. The employees of the company may not also have the loyalty to the business, a trait that is often priceless in ensuring success of the operations. Workers may change jobs or move to greener pastures whenever they please or sense danger leaving the company in turmoil and incurring further costs as such with hiring and rec ruitment as cited by Cromie (54). There are also numerous hidden costs that arise from off shoring business functions. For instance, the process requires the hiring of a lawyer(s) and signing of contracts. Major budgetary loopholes appear for exploitation to the detriment of the company and anything not covered in the contract will be basis for the company to pay the additional charges. Other regulations regarding this exploit also seem to secretly add to costs of operations. Failure to pay wages strictly as stipulated can result in several implications like fines, back pay awards or even disqualification from filing any further H1B1 visa petitions for future workers. There is the risk of a company exposing some of its important and confidential operation information to third parties as a result of off shoring. This may render the company weak in the face of any arising or already established competition. The company also loses management control of outsourced business functions lea ving several critical decision makings out of their hands. Some of these outside decisions may at times lead to bankruptcy. Language barrier and other cultural issues often come to play a negative role during outsourcing, majorly resulting in breakdowns in communication and even rejection of certain company products and services on cultural and religious grounds. Other problems include inappropriate categorization of responsibilities causing mayhem and a complete eyesore (Bergsten,

Sectionalism And The Breakup Of The U.s Essay -- essays research paper

Sectionalism and the Breakup of the U.S Throughout the early 1800's the country was split in many areas over many issues. Some of the more severe clashes between differing groups resulting from such issues as slavery, expansion, and internal improvement. With all of these controversial topics to worry about along with the vast diversity in the nation, caused separation and tensions throughout the country. The most prominent of the previous topics was slavery. This was an issue in the days of the bible and continues to be an issue in the middle 1800's. The divisions in the country brought about by slavery seem to be categorized into two main groups, abolitionists, and slave holders. These two groups also were divided geographically for the most part due to the South's need of slaves for cheap, and reliable man power, and the North, as it was not an agriculturally based economy and needed little in the way of unskilled laborers. It was very easy for the North to bash the South's slavery because their economy did not depend upon slavery. They had no slaves, no need for slaves, and saw slavery as inhumane and unlawful. The south, however, depended upon slavery as a basis of production, and the only way to operate large farms at the time, primarily being the large cotton plantations of the south. Several people tried to resolve the issue of slavery with compromises and bills that set clear rules and laws to appeal to both sides. The most prominent being the Missouri compromise. This document set the standard for slavery at the time. It also managed to further divide the country into two opposing groups geographically separated by the 36 degree 30 minute line. The bill clearly stated that no states above the proposed line shall have slavery, with exception to those already in existence. This meant that all new states being brought into the country from the west had a choice to have slavery if and only if they laid below the line. Obviously, the south did not really like the idea, as it allowed the northern non-slave states to outnumber the southern slave-states in the south as far as representation in the government was concerned. Another part of the slavery controversy was the moral issue and weather or not it w... ... sides. We see the best example of this in the Maysville Road article. There was a dispute over the proposed road, and weather or not it should be built with federal money. The government claimed that the road was for the benefit of the mail, and allowed easy passage through the mountains of Kentucky. Many people did not like the idea still because it represented federal money being distributed in unequal amounts to different states, along with non uniform benefits. This quickly set defined boudaries between the political parties of the time, and started a vast amount of tension between the two parties. By the end of the dispute, the opposed(Federalists) came out on top, and the road was never built, but it shows the first, strong, divergence in the populous of our nation since its conception. All of the above examples are all representative of issues of the time which played a large roll in sectionalism, and the breakup of the United States. Over the long run, it is a miracle that, with the vast spectrum of people in the country, we have managed to stay together, through thick and thin, driven by one common force, "Freedom."

Compare and Contrast on High School and College Essay

The transition from high school to college is an arduous one. Students have to get used to being on their own and have more responsibilities than ever before. The workload is only the first of many differences between being a senior in high school and a freshman in college. Along with an increase in workload, students are also forced to learn proper time management skills such as how to juggle a job, school, all while maintaining a social life. The transition from a high school student to a college student begins the second they open the door into what looks like another world. There is no aspect of familiarity, no point of reference for students. There are no individual desks or familiar faces to give them the feeling of security that one feels going back to high school each year. The first day of high school always included some kind of icebreaker where students were forced to state their name and an â€Å"interesting fact† about themselves in hopes of helping other students to remember their name. In college, no one cares what one’s name is or that they have 3 hamsters at home. Professors are more concerned with getting down to business and teaching the scheduled material on the very first day of class. Students are forced into a whirlwind of unfamiliarity and they either sink or swim. The decision is theirs. Generally speaking, a high school student can expect to be free of homework for the first two weeks of high school. However, students do not get so lucky in college. One can expect a paper and group project, as well as a syllabus quiz to be given within the first class period. In addition to assigned papers and syllabus quizzes, it is up to students to complete textbook readings, of 20+ pages before coming to class and to be prepared to be given a pop quiz if necessary. It is common for first year college students to feel lost and overwhelmed, inundated in papers and assignments, often questioning how they will make it through the semester. Above all, students are forced to learn how to better manage their time. There is no more daydreaming or dependin g on classmates to help with in-class and take-home assignments. What used to be so easy in high school is not so easy in college. There are no more seven-hour school days planned out by guidance counselors with help from a computer program. Schedules are no longer handed out in homeroom on the first day of classes, instead it is the student’s job to pick the classes they want to take and come up with a perfectly crafted schedule that fits into their already busy schedule. It’s up to the scholar  to decide when to eat lunch, when to study, and when they can fit a job into their schedule. In college, students are given more freedom when it comes to their schedule, but it is easy to find comfort in that cookie cutter schedule that is given in high school. The real world can be a scary place for a first year college student. In sum, the transition from high school to college is a challenging one. It is not easy to be pushed out into the real world, completely submersed in _____. Although it may be tough at times, this transition is a crucial one in the process of growing up. The lessons learned within the first year of college are ones that can be taken and applied later on in life.

Biography of Michelle Obama, U.S. First Lady

Michelle Obama  (born January 17, 1964) was the first African-American first lady and the wife of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American to serve as president. She is also a lawyer, the former vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and a philanthropist. Fast Facts: Michelle Obama Known For: First Lady of the United States, wife to 44th President Barack ObamaBorn: January 17, 1964 in Chicago, IllinoisParents:  Marian Shields and Fraser C. Robinson IIIEducation: Princeton University (BA in sociology), Harvard Law School (JD)Published Works: BecomingSpouse: Barack Obama (m. October 3, 1992)Children: Malia (born in 1998) and Natasha (known as Sasha, born in 2001) Early Life Michelle Obama (nee Michelle LaVaughn Robinson) was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, the second of two children of Chicagoans Marian Shields and Fraser C. Robinson III. She describes her parents as important early role models in her life, whom she proudly identifies as working class. Her father, a city pump operator and Democratic precinct captain, worked and lived with multiple sclerosis; his limp and crutches did not affect his abilities as the family breadwinner. Michelles mother stayed home with her children until they reached high school. The family lived in a one-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a brick bungalow on Chicagos south side. The living room—converted with a divider down the middle—served as Michelles bedroom. Michelle and her older brother Craig, now an Ivy League basketball coach at Brown University, grew up hearing the story of their maternal grandfather. A carpenter who was denied union membership due to race, Craig was shut out of the citys top construction jobs. Yet the children were taught they could succeed despite any prejudices they might encounter over race and color. Both children were bright and skipped second grade. Michelle entered a gifted program in sixth grade. From their parents, who had never attended college, Michelle and her brother learned that achievement and hard work were key. Education Michelle attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicagos West Loop, graduating in 1981. Although she was discouraged from applying to Princeton by high school advisors who felt her scores werent adequate, she was accepted and graduated from the college with honors and a bachelors degree in sociology and a minor in African-American studies. She was one of very few black students attending Princeton at the time, and the experience made her acutely aware of the issues of race. After graduation, she applied to Harvard Law School and once again faced bias as college counselors tried to talk her out of her decision. Despite their doubts, she matriculated and excelled, obtaining her J.D. in 1985. Professor David B. Wilkins remembers Michelle as forthright: She always stated her position clearly and decisively. Career in Corporate Law After graduating from Harvard Law School, Michelle joined the law firm of Sidley Austin as an associate specializing in marketing and intellectual property. In 1988, a summer intern who was two years older than she by the name of Barack Obama came to work at the firm, and Michelle was assigned as his mentor. They married in 1992 and later had two daughters, Malia (born in 1998) and Natasha, known as Sasha (born in 2001). In 1991, the death of her father from complications related to MS caused Michelle to re-evaluate her life; she subsequently decided to leave corporate law to work in the public sector. Career in Public Sector Michelle first served as assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daly; later she became assistant commissioner of planning and development. In 1993 she founded Public Allies Chicago, which provided young adults with leadership training for public service careers. As executive director, she headed up a nonprofit named by President Bill Clinton as a model AmeriCorps program. In 1996, she joined the University of Chicago as Associate Dean of Student Services and established its first community service program. In 2002, she was named the University of Chicago Hospitals executive director of community and external affairs. Balancing Career, Family, and Politics Following her husbands election to the U.S. Senate in November 2004, Michelle was appointed Vice President of Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center in May 2005. Despite Baracks dual roles in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Michelle did not consider resigning from her position and moving to the nations capital. Only after Barack announced his presidential campaign did she adjust her work schedule; in May 2007 she cut her hours by 80 percent to accommodate the needs of the family during his candidacy. Although she resists the labels feminist and liberal, Michelle Obama is widely recognized as outspoken and strong-willed. She has juggled career and family as a working mother, and her positions indicate progressive ideas on the roles of women and men in society. First Lady Michelles husband Barack was elected U.S. president in November 2007. During her first term as first lady, Michelle spearheaded the Lets Move! program, a concerted effort intended to reduce childhood obesity. Although it has been difficult to gauge the success of the program overall, her efforts led to the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010, which allowed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to set new nutritional standards for all food sold in schools for the first time in more than 30 years. During Barack Obamas second term, Michelle focused on the Reach Higher Initiative, which aimed to help students identify future careers and enable them to complete coursework past high school—whether its at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.  That initiative continues, with a focus on school counselor training, raising awareness about college access tools, and social media outreach and flagship events such as College Signing Day. Post-White House Since the Obamas left the White House in January 2016, Michelle worked on and published her memoir Becoming, published in November 2018. She has also worked on the Global Girls Alliance, an education project intended to help provide tens of millions of adolescent girls worldwide who were not given a chance to finish high school; Global Girls is an outgrowth of Let Girls Learn, which she started in 2015 and left with the White House. She has actively supported the Chicago-based Obama Foundation charity, and been a spokesperson for When We All Vote, to increase voter registration. Sources: Obama, Michelle. 2018. Becoming. New York: Crown, 2018.Saulny, Susan. Michelle Obama Thrives in Campaign Trenches. New York Times, 14 February 2008.Bennetts, Leslie. First Lady in Waiting. VanityFair.com, 27 December 2007.Gewertz, Catherine. Michelle Obamas Reach Higher Initiative Merges With the Common Application. Education Week Blog High School Beyond, 27 September 2018.  Ross Johnson, Steven. Gauging the public health value of Michelle Obamas Lets Move campaign. Modern Healthcare, 23 August 2016.Rossi, Rosalind. The woman behind Obama. Chicago Sun-Times, 22 January 2008.Slevin, Peter. Michelle Obama: A Life. New York: Vintage Books, 2015.Michelle Obama’s vacation is over. Now she’s claiming her own spotlight. The Washington Post, 11 October 2018.