Marketing: video game console and shoppers stop Essay

Ask the company top brass what ‘almost there’ means. The answer: a premier Indian retail company that has come to be known as a specialty chain of apparel and accessories. With 52 product categories under one roof, Shoppers’ Stop has a line-up of 350 brands. Set up and headed by former Corona employee, B. S. Nagesh, Shoppers’ Stop is India’s answer to Selfridges and Printemps. As it proudly announces, ‘We don’t sell, we help you buy. ’ Back in 1991, there was the question of what to retail. Should it be a supermarket or a departmental store? Even an electronics store was considered. Finally, common senseand understanding won out. The safest bet, for the all-male team was to retail men’s wear. They knew the male psyche and felt that they had discerning taste in men’s clothing. The concept would be that of a lifestyle store in a luxurious space, which would make for a great shopping experience. The first Shoppers’ Stop store took shape in Andheri, Mumbai, in October 1991, with an investment of nearly Rs. 20 lakh. The original concept that formed the basis of a successful marketing campaign for seven years is here to stay. And the result is an annual turnover of Rs. 160 crores and five stores, nine years later. Everything went right from the beginning, except for one strange happening. More than 60 per cent of the customers who walked into Shoppers’ Stop in Mumbai were women. This gave rise to ideas. Soon, the store set up its women’s section. Later, it expanded to include children’s wear and then, household accessories. The second store in Bangalore came in 1995. The store at Hyderabad followed in 1998 with the largest area of 60,000 sq. ft. The New Delhi and Jaipur stores were inaugurated in 1999. All this while, the product range kept increasing to suit customer needs. The most recent experiment was home furnishings. Secure in the knowledge that organised retailing in global brands was still in its infancy in India, Shoppers’ Stop laid the ground rules which the competition followed. The biggest advantage for Shoppers’ Stop is that it knows how the Indian consumer thinks and feels while shopping. Yes, feeling – for in India, shopping remains an outing. And how does it compare itself to foreign stores? While it is not modeled on any one foreign retailer, the ‘basic construct’ is taken from the experience of a number of successfully managed retail companies. It has leveraged expertise for a critical component like technology from all over the world, going as far as hiring expatriates from Littlewoods and using state-of-the-art ERP models. Shoppers’ Stop went a step further by even integrating its financial system with the ERP model. Expertise was imported wherever it felt that expertise available in-house was inadequate. But the store felt there was one acute problem. A shortage of the most important resource of them all was trained humans . Since Indian business institutes did not have professional courses in retail management, people were hired from different walks of life and the training programme was internalized. By 1994, the senior executives at Shoppers’ Stop were taking lectures at management institutes in Mumbai. The Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) even restructured its course to include retail management as a subject. Getting the company access to the latest global retail trends and exchange of information with business greats was an exclusive membership to the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS). It allows membership by invitation to one company from a country and Shoppers’ Stop rubs shoulders with 29 of the hottest names in retailing – Selfridges from the UK, C. K. Tang from Singapore, Lamcy Plaza from Dubai and the like. With logistics I in place, the accent moved to the customer. Shoppers’ Stop conducted surveys with ORG-MARG and Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) and undertook in-house wardrobe audits. The studies confirmed what it already knew. The Indian customer is still evolving and is very different from, say, a European customer, who knows exactly what he wants to purchase, walks up to a shelf, picks up the merchandise, pays and walks out. In India, customers like to touch and feel the merchandise, and scout for options. Also, the majority of Indian shoppers still prefer to pay in cash. So, transactions must be in cash as against plastic money used the world over. Additionally, the Indian customer likes being served – whether it is food, or otherwise. The company’s customer profile includes people who want the same salesperson each time they came to the store to walk them through the shop floors and assist in the purchase. Others came with families, kids and maids in tow and expected to be suitably attended to. Still others wanted someone to carry the bags. So, the shops have self-help counters with an assistant at hand for queries or help. The in-house wardrobe audit also helped with another facet of the business. It enabled Shoppers’ Stop to work out which brands to stock, based on customer preferences. In fact, the USP of Shoppers’ Stop lies in judiciously selected global brands, displayed alongside an in-house range of affordable designer wear. The line-up includes Levi’s, Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Walt Disney, Ray Ban and Reebok, besides in-house labels STOP and I. Brand selection is the same across the five locations, though the product mix may be somewhat city-based to accommodate cuts and styles in women’s wear, as well as allowing for seasonal variations (winter in Delhi, for instance, is a case in point). Stocking of brands is based on popular demand – recently, Provogue, MTV Style, and Benetton have been added. In-house labels are available at competitive prices and target the value-formoney customer and make up around 12 per cent of Shoppers’ Stop’s business. Sometimes in-house brands plug the price gap in certain product categories. To cash in on this, the company has big plans for its in-house brands: from re-branding to repositioning, to homing in on product categories where existing brands are not strong. Competition between brands is not an issue, because being a trading house, all brands get equal emphasis. The in-house brand shopper is one who places immense trust in the company and the quality of its goods and returns for repeat buys. And the company reposed its faith in regular customers by including them in a concept called the First Citizen’s Club (FCC). With 60,000 odd members, FCC customers account for 10 per cent of entries and for 34 per cent of the turnover. It was the sheer appeal of the experience that kept pulling these people back. Not one to let such an opportunity pass, the company ran a successful ad campaign (that talks about just this factor) in print for more than eight years. The theme is still the same. In 1999, a TV spot, which liked the shopping experience to the slowing down of one’s internal clock and the beauty of the whole experience, was aired. More recently, ads that spell out the store’s benefits (in a highly oblique manner) are being aired. The campaign is based on entries entered in the Visitors’ Book. None of the ads has a visual or text – or any heavy handedly direct reference to the store or the merchandise. The ads only show shoppers having the time of their lives in calm and serene locales, or elements that make shopping at the store a pleasure – quite the perfect getaway for a cosmopolitan shopper aged between 25 and 45. The brief to the agency, Contract, ensured that brand recall came in terms of the shopping experience, not the product. And it has worked wonders. Value-addition at each store also comes in the form of special care with car parks, power backup, customer paging, alteration service and gift-wrapping. To top it all, cafes and coffee bars make sure that the customer does not step out of the store. In Hyderabad, it has even created a Food Court. Although the food counter was not planned, it came about as there was extra space of 67,000 sq. ft. Carrying the perfect experience to the shop floor is an attempt to stack goods in vast open spaces neatly. Every store has a generic structure, though regional customer variances are accounted for. Each store is on lease, and this is clearly Shoppers’ Stop’s most expensive resource proposition – renting huge spaces in prime properties across metros, so far totaling 210,000 sq. ft of retail space. Getting that space was easy enough for Shoppers’ Stop, since its promoter is the Mumbai-based Raheja Group, which also owns 62 per cent of the share capital. Questions 1. What are the significant factors that have led to the success of Shoppers’ Stop? 2. Draw the typical profile(s) of Shoppers’ Stop customer segments. 3. How are Indian customers visiting Shoppers’ Stop any different from customers of developed western countries? 4. How should Shoppers’ Stop develop its demand forecasts? Case let 2 The rise of personal computers in the mid 1980s spurred interest in computer games. This caused a crash in home Video game market. Interest in Video games was rekindled when a number of different companies developed hardware consoles that provided graphics superior to the capabilities of computer games. By 1990, the Nintendo Entertainment System dominated the product category. Sega surpassed Nintendo when it introduced its Genesis System. By 1993, Sega commanded almost 60 per cent of Video game market and was one of the most recognized brand names among the children. Sega’s success was short lived. In 1995, Saturn (a division of General Motors) launched a new 32-bit system. The product was a miserable failure for a number of reasons. Sega was the primary software developer for Saturn and it did not support efforts by outside game developers to design compatible games. In addition, Sega’s games were often delivered quite late to retailers. Finally, the price of the Saturn system was greater than other comparable game consoles. This situation of Saturn’s misstep benefited Nintendo and Sony greatly. Sony’s Play Station was unveiled in 1994 and was available in 70 million homes worldwide by the end of 1999. Its â€Å"Open design† encouraged the efforts of outside developers, resulting in almost 3,000 different games that were compatible with the PlayStation. It too featured 32-bit graphics that appealed to older audience. As a result, at one time, more than 30 per cent of PlayStation owners were over 30 years old. Nintendo 64 was introduced in 1996 and had eye-popping 64-bit graphics and entered in more than 28 million homes by 1999. Its primary users were between the age of 6 and 13 as a result of Nintendo’s efforts to limit the amount of violent and adult-oriented material featured on games that can be played on its systems. Because the company exercised considerable control over software development, Nintendo 64 had only one-tenth the number of compatible games as Sony’s PlayStation did. By 1999, Sony had captured 56 per cent of the video game market, followed by Nintendo with 42 per cent. Sega’s share had fallen to a low of 1%. Hence, Sega had two options, either to concede defeat or introduce an innovative video machine that would bring in huge sales. And Sega had to do so before either Nintendo or Sony could bring their next-generation console to market. The Sega Dreamcast arrived in stores in September 1999 with an initial price tag of $199. Anxious gamers placed 300,000 advance orders, and initial sales were quite encouraging. A total of 1. 5 million Dreamcast machines were bought within the first four months, and initial reviews were positive. The 128-bit system was capable of generating 3-D visuals, and 40 different games were available within three months of Dream cast’s introduction. By the end of the year, Sega had captured a market share to 15 per cent. But the Dreamcast could not sustain its momentum. Although its game capabilities were impressive, the system did not deliver all the functionality Sega had promised. A 56K modem (which used a home phone line) and a Web browser were meant to allow access to the Internet so that gamers could play each other online, surf the Web, and visit the Dreamcast Network for product information and playing tips. Unfortunately, these features either were not immediately available or were disappointing in their execution. Sega was not the only one in having the strategy of adding functionality beyond games. Sony and Nintendo followed the same approach for their machines introduced in 1999. Both Nintendo’s Neptune and Sony’s PlayStation 2 (PS2) were built on a DVD platform and featured a 128-bit processor. Analysts applauded the move to DVD because it is less expensive to produce and allows more storage than CDs. It also gives buyers the ability to use the machine as CD music player and DVD movie player. As Sony marketing director commented, â€Å"The full entertainment offering from Play Station 2 definitely appeals to a much broader audience. I have friends in their 30s who bought it not only because it’s a gaming system for their kids , but also a DVD for them. † In addition, PlayStation 2 is able to play games developed for its earlier model that was CD-based. This gives the PS2 an enormous advantage in the number of compatible game titles that were immediately available to gamers. Further enhancing the PS2’s appeal is its high-speed modem and allows the user’s easy access to the Internet through digital cable as well as over telephone lines. This gives Sony the ability to distribute movies, music, and games directly to PS2 consoles. â€Å"We are positioning this as an all-round entertainment player,† commented Ken Kutaragi, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment. However, some prospective customers were put off by the console’s initial price of $360. Shortly after the introduction of Neptune, Nintendo changed its strategies and announced the impending release of its newest game console, The GameCube. However, unlike the Neptune, the GameCube would not run on a DVD platform and also would not initially offer any online capabilities. It would be more attractively priced at $199. A marketing vice president for Nintendo explained the company’s change in direction, â€Å"We are the only competitor whose business is video games. We want to create the best gaming system. † Nintendo also made the GameCube friendly for outside developers and started adding games that included sports titles to attract an older audience. Best known for its extra ordinary successes with games aimed at the younger set, such as Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, and Pokemon, Nintendo sought to attract older users, especially because the average video game player is 28. Youthful Nintendo users were particularly pleased to hear that they could use their handheld Game Boy Advance systems as controllers for the GameCube. Nintendo scrambled to ensure there would be an adequate supply of Game Cubes on the date in November 2001, when they were scheduled to be available to customers. It also budgeted $450 million to market its new product, as it anticipated stiff competition during the holiday shopping season. With more than 20 million PlayStation 2 sold worldwide, the GameCube as a new entry in the video game market would make the battle for market share even more intense. For almost a decade, the video game industry had only Sega, Nintendo, and Sony; just three players. Because of strong brand loyalty and high product development costs, newcomers faced a daunting task in entering this race and being competitive. In November 2001, Microsoft began selling its new Xbox, just three days before the GameCube made its debut. Some observers felt the Xbox was aimed to rival PlayStation 2, which has similar functions that rival Microsoft’s Web TV system and even some lower level PCs. Like the Sony’s PlayStation 2, Xbox was also built using a DVD platform, but it used anIntel processor in its construction. This open design allowed Microsoft to develop the Xbox in just twoyears, and gave developers the option of using standard PC tool for creating compatible games. In addition, Microsoft also sought the advice of successful game developers and even incorporated some of their feedback into the design of the console and its controllers. As a result of developers’ efforts, Microsoft had about 20 games ready when the Xbox became available. By contrast, the GameCube had only eight games available. Microsoft online strategy was another feature that differentiated of the Xbox from the GameCube. Whereas Nintendo had no immediate plans for Web-based play, the Xbox came equipped with an Ethernet port for broadband access to Internet. Microsoft also announced its own Web-based network on which gamers can come together for online head-to head play and for organised online matches and tournaments. Subscribers to this service were to pay a small monthly fee and must have high-speed access to the Internet. This is a potential drawback considering that a very low percentage of households world over currently have broadband connections. By contrast Sony promoted an open network, which allows software developers to manage their own games, including associated fees charged to users. However, interested players must purchase a network adapter for an additional $39. 99. Although game companies are not keen on the prospect of submitting to the control of a Microsoft-controlled network, it would require a significant investment for them to manage their own service on the Sony based network. Initially the price of Microsoft’s Xbox was $299. Prior to the introduction of Xbox, in a competitive move Sony dropped the price of the PlayStation 2 to $299. Nintendo’s GameCube already enjoyed a significant price advantage, as it was selling for $100 less than either Microsoft or Sony products. Gamers eagerly snapped up the new consoles and made 2001 the best year ever for video game sales. For the first time, consumers spent $9. 4 billion on video game equipment, which was more than they did at the box office. By the end of 2001 holiday season, 6. 6 million PlayStation 2 consoles had been sold in North America alone, followed by 1. 5 million Xbox units and 1. 2 million Game Cubes. What ensued was an all out price war. This started when Sony decided to put even more pressure on the Microsoft’s Xbox by cutting the PlayStation 2 price to $199. Microsoft quickly matched that price. Wanting to maintain its low-price status, Nintendo in turn responded by reducing the price of its the GameCube by $50, to $149. By mid 2002, Microsoft Xbox had sold between 3. 5 and 4 million units worldwide. However, Nintendo had surpassed Xbox sales by selling 4. 5 million Game Cubes. Sony had the benefit of healthy head start, and had shipped 32 million PlayStation 2s. However, seven years after the introduction of original PlayStation, it was being sold in retail outlets for a mere $49. It had a significant lead in terms of numbers of units in homes around the world with a 43 per cent share. Nintendo 64 was second with 30 per cent, followed by Sony PlayStation 2 with 14 per cent The Xbox and GameCube each claimed about 3 per cent of the market, with Sega Dreamcast comprising the last and least market share of 4. 7 per cent. Sega, once an industry leader, announced in 2001 that it had decided to stop producing the Dreamcast and other video game hardware components. The company said it would develop games for its competitors’ consoles. Thus Sega slashed the price of the Dreamcast to just $99 in an effort to liquidate its piled up inventory of more than 2 million units and immediately began developing 11 new games for the Xbox, four for PlayStation 2, and three for Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance. As the prices of video game consoles have dropped, consoles and games have become the equivalent of razors and blades. This means the consoles generate little if any profit, but the games are a highly profitable proposition. The profit margins on games are highly attractive, affected to some degree by whether the content is developed by the console maker (such as Sony) or by an independent game publisher (such as Electronic Arts). Thus, the competition to develop appealing, or perhaps even addictive, games may be even more intense than the battle among players to produce the best console. In particular, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft want games that are exclusive to their own systems. With that in mind, they not only rely on large in-house staffs that design games but they also pay added fees to independent publishers for exclusive rights to new games. The sales of video games in 2001 rose to 43 per cent, compared to just 4 per cent increase for computer-based games. But computer game players are believed to be a loyal bunch, as they see many advantages in playing games on their computers rather than consoles. For one thing, they have a big advantage of having access to a mouse and a keyboard that allow them to play far more sophisticated games. In addition, they have been utilizing the Internet for years to receive game updates and modifications and to play each other over the Web. Sony and Microsoft are intent on capturing a portion of the online gaming opportunity. Even Nintendo has decided to make available a modem that will allow GameCube users to play online. As prices continue to fall and technology becomes increasingly more sophisticated, it remains to be seen whether these three companies can keep their names on the industry’s list of â€Å"high scorers†. Questions 1. Considering the concept of product life cycle, where would you put video games in their life cycle? 2. Should video game companies continue to alter their products to include other functions, such as e-mail? END OF SECTION B Section C: Applied Theory (30 marks). 1. What is meant by sales promotion? Describe briefly the various methods of sales promotional tools used by business organizations to boost the sales. Explain any four methods of sales promotion? 2. Write notes on the fowling : a) Explain right to safety. b) What is right to consumer protection? END OF SECTION C.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- the Things They Carried

Taylor Lineberger Mrs. Eddins English 3 CP December 5, 2012 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. PTSD usually occurs after someone has seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury and death. It is commonly associated with the soldiers who have fought in wars or conflicts. All of the symptoms of PTSD are classified and categorized into three distinct groups: â€Å"reliving†, avoidance, and arousal. Some of these symptoms include flashbacks, repeated nightmares, detachment, hyper-vigilance, and being easily angered, along with many others. (PubMed Health, PTSD) (*1). According to a survey conducted by the Veteran’s Administration, some 500,000 of 3 million troops suffered from PTSD after the Vietnam War. The survey also states that rates of divorce, suicide, and alcoholism and drug addiction were higher among Vietnam veterans. † (History, Vietnam War) (*2). We may never fully know how much this disorder has truly affected our troops. Most veterans are not open about their condition, however some have accepted it and open up about it. So, how much does PTSD really affect someone? The trauma that causes PTSD is just as unique as the suffering individual themselves. Any fearful trauma can produce symptoms of PTSD. Being in the Vietnam War did not help any of this. These soldiers were torn away from the only things and the home they had ever known and dropped into a foreign place where the situation was â€Å"kill or be killed. † They had no other choice but to be exposed to the unimaginable horrors that awaited them. Cases of people with PTSD are famous for their abuse of drugs or alcohol; however, ex-soldiers have an additional addiction that often lands them in trouble, or jail: an addiction to adrenaline. The one thing that caused them to have this condition may very well be the one thing that decides their fate. Inside every person with PTSD is a time bomb. It is merely a matter of time before symptoms begin to show up. One may exhibit all manner of symptoms in nearly everything they do, and still live what appears to be a normal life. However, it doesn’t take much to bring out full-blown symptoms of a case of PTSD. Retirement and additional stress can be a catalyst to cause the occurrence of symptoms to appear sooner than they normally would. Wellness Directory MN, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) (*3). â€Å"The war was over and there was no place in particular to go† (O’Brien, 131). Thoughts of sorrow and loss overwhelm the Vietnam veterans upon their return back home. Crushed from the horror of war, they have to come back to even bigger disappointments and sadness. Instead of the calm lives they lead before they left their country and the presence of warm and caring everyday life, most of them encounter empty beds, a cold family and overall loss. Already physically and emotionally defeated, they find betrayal instead of recuperating trust. There is nothing to nourish them; they do not find anything to rely on. Even in instances of supportive partners, the inevitable horrors of the war haunt them in sleep or come back to them in daydreaming. They all came back with multitude of disorders, mostly with a post-traumatic stress disorder with the common symptoms of recurring nightmares, hypersensitivity, avoidance behavior, and intrusive thoughts, feelings and memories-commonly found in war vets. â€Å"The Things They Carried† is a documentary novel written by Tim O’Brien, a Vietnam War veteran. There are many stories within the novel that show various examples of post-traumatic stress disorder. According to O'Brien, upon their arrival home the veterans imagine, or even hallucinate, what things would have been like if they had not suffered through the war. Examples of such occurrences exist in the stories â€Å"Speaking of Courage† and â€Å"The Man I Killed. † Norman Bowker in â€Å"Speaking of Courage† dreams and fancies of talking to his ex-girlfriend, now married to another guy, and of his dead childhood friend, Max Arnold. He lives his unfulfilled dream of having his Sally beside him and having manly conversations with Max. He cannot stop day dreaming and dwelling in the past. Unemployed and overwhelmed by inferiority and disappointment, Bowker lacks a motivating force for life. Emotionally stricken, he only finds satisfaction in driving slowly and repeatedly in circles around his old neighborhood in his father's big Chevy, â€Å"feeling safe,† and remembering how things used to be when â€Å"there has not been a war† (O’Brien, 158). These recurring events also spring memories f the beautiful lake where Norman used to spend a lot of time with his now married ex-girlfriend Sally Kramer and his high school friends. The lake invokes nostalgic and sentimental memories both of his girlfriend and his long gone – drowned – best friend, Max Arnold. Nothing fulfills Norman Bowker anymore. Instead, a terrible confusion has taken over his mind in the form of blur and chaos. He d esperately needs someone to talk to. The guys go crazy in their unsuccessful attempts to maintain healthy balance of their minds and spirits. However, even though they might not realize it, or not at least at the time, most of the veterans end up losing sanity. They act upon and laugh at the most bizarre things. In â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story,† Rat Kiley thinks of â€Å"a gore of about twenty zillion dead gook fish† as the â€Å"the funniest thing in world history† (O’Brien, 65). The result of the post traumatic experience of seeing his nineteen-year-old best friend, Curt Lemon’s, body being blown up into pieces by a grenade, is that Rat Kiley takes his anger out on a baby buffalo by shooting him pieces by pieces multiple times. He shoots the animal, until â€Å"nothing moved except the eyes, which were enormous, the pupils shiny black and dumb† at which Dave Jensen, one of the two who collected Lemon's body pieces off of the tree, gets childishly amused† (O’Brien, 76-79). Not realizing his new condition of mental imbalance, Dave Jensen goes on to make jokes and sing about the â€Å"Lemon Tree. † This is a parallel to Dave Jensen's insanity, O'Brian, even after twenty years, still gets woken up by the memories of this event: â€Å"Twenty years later I can see the sunlight on Lemon's face† (O’Brien, 80). As a consequence of PTSD, O'Brien both despises and values the war. Even though Tim O'Brien might not sound very convincing with the credibility of his own memories as a narrative, the post-traumatic stress disorder remains a scientific certainty. The results of the trauma soldiers suffered in the war, along with the emotional baggage, (grief, terror, love, and longing) show of all of the veterans' post-war turmoil and heartache.Sources:*1: Vorvick, Linda J. and Timothy Rogge. â€Å"Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). † PubMed Health. N. p. , 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. . *2: â€Å"Vietnam War. † History. N. p. , 2003. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. . *3: â€Å"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. † Wellness Directory MN. N. p. , 2006. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. .

Explain ‘Natural Moral Law’ Essay

Natural Law can be traced back into the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds. In Sophocles’ play ‘Antigone’, Natural Law is very apparent throughout and the writings of the Greek Philosopher; Aristotle. In his works – ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ – he wrote; â€Å"The natural is that which is everywhere, is equally valid, and depends not upon being or not being received†¦that which is natural is unchangeable, and has the same power everywhere.’ The Ancient Stoics emphasised the importance of Logos, or rationality, that governs the world and sees human nature as one natural order. They considered natural law as a law of ‘right reason’. In his letter to the Romans, St Paul wrote about a law that is ‘written in the hearts’ of Gentiles. It is therefore clear that throughout the ancient world, although there is differing terminology, there seems to have been a consensus over the existence of a natural moral law, which dictated the rightness or wrongness of an action that was not dependent upon the laws created by society. St. Thomas Aquinas developed a fuller account of this ‘natural law’ in the thirteenth century. This theory is both deontological and absolutist and so his resulting work is focused upon the ethicacy of actions. In his work ‘Summa Theologica’, Aquinas described natural law as a moral code, which exists within the purpose of nature and was created by God. He says that it is present in every human being. Natural Law exists to aid humans, directing their actions in such away that they might meet their eternal destiny. He argued that there was a basic law, from which all the other natural laws derived. This was to pursue good and avoid evil. For Aquinas, both the intention and the act are important, this is because his theory is based on a mainly deontological view. The only end that he values is God as He is intrinsically good. He believed that acts are intrinsically good or bad because when human beings act in accordance with their ultimate purpose, God is glorified. Aquinas followed the line of thought that human beings are intelligent and therefore should be able to direct him or herself, this therefore meaning that they can take responsibility for knowing and doing  what God intends for them. Whether or not an act leads towards God depends on whether it fits the purpose that humans were made for. For Thomas Aquinas, the main purpose of human life is to preserve the self and the innocent, to reproduce, worship God, acquire knowledge and live in ordered society.. He names these the primary precepts – acts that are in accordance with these precepts are good and those, which do not, are bad. He also names them the secondary precepts – which are rulings about things that we should or should not do because they uphold a primary precept. The theory of Natural Law as put forward by Aquinas, is based upon the religious view that God created the world, establishing in it a sense of order and purpose, which is a direct representation of His will. In the natural law approach to ethics, the action itself can either be natural or unnatural, and is judged on that basis. It does not depend for its moral law justification upon any results. Therefore, according to natural law, an action can be deemed good in itself, even if it brings about suffering. In conclusion, Natural Moral Law enables to establish rules in order to structure a community. It gives a concrete reason to be moral and a firm basis from which to refuse to step over moral boundaries. It provides justification and support for certain core ideas and it judges actions, irrespective of consequences. Natural Moral Law isn’t just simply a set of rules, but a way of living. It gives guidance on everyday questions on how to live and links them to the fundamental principles of life. It provides a complete system of moral living in step with what it is to be human.

Ford motor company Form 10-K review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ford motor company Form 10-K review - Essay Example The paper involves the requirements of the types of segments to be reported on the annual financial statements.This Statement needs that a public business enterprise to give a detailed report on the measure of the segment profit or loss, specific expense items and revenue, and the segment assets. The statement also requires the reconciliations of the entire total segment assets, segment revenues, total segment profit or loss, and additional amounts disclosed for the segments to which correspond to the amounts in the entire company’s financial statements. The statement also require that public company’s give a descriptive report on the information concerning the revenues resulting from the company’s products, services etc. , about countries where the enterprise do earn revenues and also possess assets, and the statement also require a list of major customers.

The Body In American Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Body In American Popular Culture - Essay Example Even as early as the beginning of the twentieth century, American culture has been concerned with the concept of the ‘body’, and in the need for physical exercise and fitness for both men and women (Winter, 1999, p.33). focusing on the body and the concept of masculinity. One of the important reasons for this development is the increased attention given to the male body by popular culture and the media. With the stress on desirable body images, there is increased premium placed on physical attractiveness for men, with the consequent need for men to invest in their appearance. Visual media in the form of advertising, film, magazines, folk tales, and other fields promote men’s increasing awareness of their bodily condition, encouraging them to pursue ideal conceptualizations of physical beauty. Wienke (1998) adds that vulnerability to the allure of the consumer market is also increased. To â€Å"enhance both the physical and symbolic value of men’s bodiesâ⠂¬  states Wienke (1998, p. 256), there is growing the availability of a range of exercise equipment, dietary supplements, and other products.

The Coast Guard Academy and what you will get as a Cadet Personal Statement

The Coast Guard Academy and what you will get as a Cadet - Personal Statement Example The researcher will begin with the statement that his particular interest is within the Coast Guard Academy. The author has rightly presented that he believes that life is short and one should do what one wants to in entirety. This is the reason why the author tilt is towards becoming a Cadet which shall, in essence, take care of his future professional domains. His four years as a Cadet would teach the author discipline in the sternest manner possible. It will inculcate in him a sense of understanding how life shapes up and what needs to be done in order to bring sanity to his life. The basic understanding underlining the case study is that the researcher’s goals are to achieve what he has always dreamt of within his professional life. The researcher states that this has meant that he shall take care of the important factors within his stay at the Coast Guard Academy which will pave the way for my success in the times to come. The paper tells that other goals that the researc her has established for him include his adherence towards keeping him motivated, especially under difficult circumstances and extraordinary situations. The efforts that the author has put in all this while bank on his educational qualification and his reliance on making his way through the different pathways to achieve his goals. The researcher will conclude with an example of time management which he is good at.

The ten most significant developments for the United States from 1945 Essay

The ten most significant developments for the United States from 1945 to the present - Essay Example On August 14, 1945, President Harry Truman announced that the war had ended. It was V-J day1. Truman, in addressing the crowds said "We face the greatest taskand it's going to take the help of all of you to do it." Celebrations across the country took place and people celebrated the sheer joy of knowing there was no more war. What they did not realize was that there were new tensions to be dealt with in our own country. We as a nation sat and wondered about the impact of atomic bombs in our world. Indeed President Truman, in his diary pondered "I hope for some form of peacebut I fear machines are ahead of mortals".While riding in an automobile procession in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, he was shot to death by an assassin firing from an upper floor of a building. The alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed two days later in the Dallas city jail by Jack Ruby, owner of a strip-tease club. At 46 years of age, Kennedy became the fourth president to be assassinated and the eighth to di e in office.On the early morning of June 17, 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate, an office-hotel-apartment complex in Washington, D.C. In their possession were burglary tools, cameras and film, and three pen-size tear gas guns. At the scene of the crime, and in rooms the men rented at the Watergate, sophisticated electronic bugging equipment was found. President Nixon attempted to use his presidential powers to quash the investigation into the incident. He attempted to avoid subpoenas ordering him to turn over tapes of the incident. The Supreme Court ordered that it was illegal for the President to use his presidential powers to thwart an investigation 5. Mid 1980's - America Becomes Aware of AIDS3 "The dominant feature of this first period was silence, for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was unknown and transmission was not accompanied by signs or symptoms salient enough to be noticed. While rare, sporadic case reports of AIDS and sero-archaeological studies have documented human infections with HIV prior to 1970, available data suggest that the current pandemic started in the mid- to late 1970s. By 1980, HIV had spread to at least five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia). During this period of silence, spread was unchecked by awareness or any preventive action and approximately 100,000-300,000 persons may have been infected." 6. Black Monday- the Stock Market Crash of 1987 The stock market crash of 1987 was the largest one day stock market crash in history. The Dow lost 22.6% of its value or $500 billion dollars on October 19th 1987. 7. 1992 - Riots in Los Angeles due to the Rodney King beating. Rodney King became a reluctant symbol of police brutality a decade ago when amateur photographer George Holliday provided evidence that was hard to ignore. The videotape Holliday shot showed several white Los Angeles police officers using their batons to beat King, who had led them on a car chase after they tried to stop him for speeding, was broadcast around the world. 8. Y2K - 1999 Y2K bug was a clicking time bomb for all major computer applications. The computer and system application companies came out with year 2000 compliant operating systems and system software. IT companies around the world spent billions of dollars to go through their entire application source code to look

Purpose statment Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Purpose statment - Personal Statement Example My experiences with my family members had a profound impact upon my thinking. One day my cousin and I were walking on the road. Suddenly, a car approached from behind, and my deaf cousin failed to hear it. I had to push him to the side, in order to save his life. This experience had a profound effect upon me. As such, right from a very young age, I have been exposed to individuals with defective senses. Thus, I had been associated with the hearing impaired, as well as people who experienced great difficulty in speaking normally. Among my family members, there were several people with major hearing defects. Being so proximate, these defects in hearing had a major impact upon my tender psyche. It is necessary to understand that there are several people, of varying age, who are afflicted by defective senses. As a consequence, there are individuals who are blind, deaf, dumb or with other physical shortcomings. As such, in several of these instances, adequate training can be provided to help these impaired persons to develop the skills to manage their day-to-day affairs. Upon encountering a physically impaired person, people tend to behave in a sympathetic manner towards them. This is not what that person desires. Providing such persons with the skills to address their daily problems and to get on with their life is truly beneficial for such people. Thus, I have developed a keen interest in speech-language pathology. It is my honest and humble aim to master this field of knowledge, in order to provide assistance to the individuals with these afflictions. I am keenly interested in helping individuals with defective hearing, residing in the villages of my great nation. This task has proved to be daunting, primarily due to the absence of a master program in speech language pathology. Such academic and professional competence is indispensable for providing outstanding relief to the people with defective hearing. I have been extremely active in

MARKETING OF BODY IMPLANTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MARKETING OF BODY IMPLANTS - Essay Example At other times, the process starts with the producer introducing a product or a service to the consumer for which the need for the consumer to have the product or service is conveyed by the producer or a marketer. In either case, it is important the product or service being brought unto the market will meet the needs and expectations of the consumer or buyer (Porter, 1996). Where there are several competitors trading the same product or service, the need for there to be marketing strategies become very relevant and important because these strategies help in the creation of competitive advantage, which eventually becomes a tool for setting more sales (Baines, Fill and Page, 2011). In the present situation where the entrepreneur wants to introduce magnetic implants to a segmented group of people using a series of marketing options, it is important that all options presented be critically analysed in terms of how feasible and competitive they are in relation to the existing market and t he market segmentation in question. The approach of the essay shall therefore be to analyse the options one after the other according to key marketing themes. Definition of Product Product is one of the 4 marketing mix or 4ps in marketing. This means that an understanding of the product that a person aims to introduce to the market is always important in determining the rate of success that will be experienced on the market. The reason an understanding of the product is important is that in marketing, it is actually the product that the marketer goes to introduce to the buyer and so it is important that the marketer has a comprehensive understanding and definition of the product he introduces. For the entrepreneur to be success with the magnetic implants he aims to introduce to the market, there are very key questions that must be asked and important conditions that must be fulfilled. One of the key questions concerns the needs that the product is going to serve to the consumer or buyer (Bode et al, 2011). Commonly, the buyer would want to be convinced that the product can serve a specific need or want before making purchase. With growing concerns of a sixth se nse, the magnetic implant may come in just at the right time to provide this conceptual sixth sense (Levitt, 2000). The magnetic implant may therefore serve the need of developing a sixth sense around an object that gives off electromagnetic waves (Neporent, 2013). Marketing Environment The current case, not much seems to have been considered in terms of the marketing environment in which the product that is to be introduced is going to be introduced. However, an understanding of the marketing environment is very important in the determination of strategies and approaches that can best serve the interest of the product sales (Hillman, Withers and Collins, 2006). Generally, the marketing environment may be identified as a set of factors and forces that generally affect the entrepreneur’s ability to create and maintain successful trade and business relationship with customers (Levitt, 2000). There may generally be three levels of marketing environment but the one that could rea dily affect the entrepreneur in the present situation is the micro market environment, which deals with forces and factors that are very close to the organisation and affects ability to serve customers well. The reason

Spectator and Cinema Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Spectator and Cinema - Essay Example In the mid-'70s, the concept began to play a major role in the theoretical discussions in Britain and North America, with the result that psychoanalytical studies of the viewing subject have proliferated. In my reading of Wings of Desire, I borrow from several theoreticians of suture, including some who have been at odds with each other concerning the scope and consequence of this concept. Although my reading of Wings of Desire certainly owes much to the French scholars, claims I make concerning Wenders' film run counter to the original polemical thrust of their work. For them, suture denotes the operation by which cinema encloses the subject in ideology. Their analysis bears primarily on dominant Hollywood cinema, and they restrict the scope of suture to the ideological effacement of the cinematic code. They are reductive as well with respect to the semiotic system of suturing, positing at times the shot/reverseshot system or point-of-view cutting as the fundamental cinematic articulation of suture. Other French film theoreticians who complement a general semiotics of cinema with Lacanian notions of the subject and signification, such as Christian Metz and Jean-Louis Baudry, have avoided such a rigid application of suture to the cinematic apparatus and, nevertheless, have arrived at the even more pessimistic conclusion that cinema itself functions as a support and in strument of ideology. (Metz 1974, 39-47) Anglo-American film scholars have expanded on these psychoanalytical theories of cinema without sharing their negative assessment of the basic cinematic apparatus. (MacCabe 1977, 48-76) However, such challenges to the original French position on cinema and ideology have pertained for the most part only to films that resist closure and foreground lack and alienation. Thomas Elsaesser's 1980 article on Fassbinder is an important example of such criticism in the area of German cinema. Focusing on Fassbinder, but also claiming relevance for New German Cinema in general (mentioning by name Herzog, Wenders, Syberberg, and Kluge), Elsaesser responds to the more radical conclusions drawn by Baudry and Metz. He rejects their implication that "the cinema is indeed an invention without a future' because it systematically ties the spectator to a regressive state, in an endless circuit of substitution and fetishization." (Elsaesser 1986, 537) Nevertheless, suture as well as narrative closure of any kind has remained ideologically suspect. Wings of Desire provides, I think, an excellent opportunity to re-examine this bias that, in the wake of Oudart and his successors, persists against identification and narrative (closure). In the discussion of suture, the emphasis has been on processes of identification that position the viewing

Benefits versus Negative Effects of World War II Research Paper

Benefits versus Negative Effects of World War II - Research Paper Example That is why there has been a heated debate regarding the beneficial aspect of the war. While one group of people believes that Hitler always had plans to exterminate the Jews, the other group of functionalists argues that the war and the holocaust were reached at in a random way. Nonetheless, it can be agreed that the war was not an accident. Negative effects of the War All parts of the world experienced the effect of World War II. It is due to the fact that most of the world’s most powerful military groups such as Germany, Britain, Italy, the United States and Japan were involved. It included attacks of different countries that included Japan whose negative experiences after the bombings at the Pearl Harbor are still felt today with the birth of children with physical disabilities (Plog par. 2). There were five times more the number of casualties as compared to the First World War with many people amounting to fifty-five million were killed. Adolf Hitler, who was a dictator, was a key player and a participant in the activities before World War II. He mainly made the decision that related to the extermination policy as a state sanction (Fic par. 10). It mainly involved inhuman acts that lowered an individual’s level of decency as portrayed by Himmler who thought that the elimination of Jews and the other groups, which were considered undesirable, was a burden and an unpalatable task (Heilbrunn, p. 2). The associated atrocities committed during the invasion of Poland elicited a high level of criticism. The actions of Hitler and two of his two main aides and lieutenants can be considered to have been founded on wrong reasons. As Heilbrunn indicates, Himmler was involved in fights mainly in an effort to spread anti Semitic ideas, racism, extreme nationalism, and hostility to democracy. These radical ideologies were meant to be incorporated with a more comprehensive world view. It was a good move as it provided grounds for educating the peasants in Lo wer Bavaria about the connection between Jews, capitalists and Freemasons. Moreover, Longerich and Gerwarth assert that the Nazis were involved in sinister delusions about the power of the Jews. It is because of this that Thomas Mann describes their activities as the transformation of the entire continent into a â€Å"thick-walled torture chamber† in his novel â€Å"Doctor Faustus† (Heilbrunn p. 3). However, Hitler claimed that the war was started on the effort to solve most of the problems in Germany. These included the versatile treaty which if defied German would become a great country again. As Heilbrunn indicates, Hitler was involved in the war in order to bring â€Å"peaceful coexistence† between Czechs. Himmler, on the other hand, contends that members of the SS killed â€Å"decently† (Heilbrunn p. 3). He indicates that, unlike individual views that the Jews were killed out of sexual, selfish and sadistic reasons, the Nazis conducted the executions purely on grounds of valid political motives. It is as a result of this that he made a decision to deport millions of them (McIntosh, p. 1). Effect on Women During the war, the lives of numerous women were disrupted as they had to adapt to difficult conditions such as several nights of blackout. They additionally had to go through terror and fearful moments from the planes that constantly flew above them and Lorries that made

English Language Essay Example for Free

English Language Essay English is the universal language; thus, the need for its mastery is a must. Its diverse concepts need be learned in detail so that the communication between two conversing parties could be made in an efficient and effective manner. In achieving this end, my English writing teacher has greatly contributed to my learning of the intricacies of the English language.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This English writing class under my teacher was the best class I attended so far. It was a very engaging class where everyone had the chance to interact with each other academically; thus, everyone improved intellectually at the same pace. My teacher enthusiastically elaborates on certain aspects of a lesson which I had difficulty comprehending; the assignments were excellently explained as well as the giving of lecture instructions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some instructions in the writing class were complicated, but my teacher took meticulous efforts to simplify these into easily comprehensible lessons. I took great interest in writing essays because I knew that my teacher grades them honestly and fairly; hence, this enabled mo to appraise my standing in class and to improve on other facets of writing in which I am not particularly good at.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I learned a lot under my teacher’s tutelage; not only academically, but also on those that pertain to life outside the portals of the academic institution. A lesson that reverberates in my mind is that we should do our best in everything that we do. I learned this particular lesson when I wasn’t able to get a good grade for one of my essays; thus, I have to always do my best in every essay that I write. Eventually my perseverance paid off, I got good grades for my subsequent essays.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   English writing is not at all that complex if someone is there to assist you in your endeavor to learn the English language. The right person for the job is a first-rate English writing teacher.

Natural Selection and Genetic Drift | Experiment

Natural Selection and Genetic Drift | Experiment Camouflage Lab Eduardo Pà ©rez Introduction In 1859, an English scientist named Charles Darwin published his book, On the Origin of Species. This book described his Theory of Evolution, the process by which populations of organisms change over time to adapt to their environment. Over the years, the Theory of Evolution has become one of the most well-supported and widely accepted scientific theories out there. The main purpose of this experiment is to show how natural selection and genetic drift look like when they are put into play. According to Dennis ONeil, anthropology professor at Palomar College, natural selection is a series of events by which some organisms are born with random variations of a specific genetic trait that gives those organisms an advantage in staying alive long enough to survive and successfully reproduce. [HS1]Over time, these organisms will have more offspring, causing a shift in the population to that trait (ONeil 2013). An example of natural selection is the finches of the Galapagos Islands. Each island has different food sources, and each species of bird has slightly different beaks that are better suited for consuming their food source. In his book, Life: The Science of Biology (2014), author David Sadava describes genetic drift as the random fluctuation of gene frequencies in a population due to chance events. An example of genetic drift would be an oil spill in a river populated by fish. The surviving fish will repopulate the river with their offspring who share the same genetic variations. In this experiment, small beads were put on a colored mat to represent mussels in their environment. In the first part of the experiment, one team member was assigned as the Oystercatcher and they selected beads one by one and removed them from the environment to represent natural selection. In part two, beads were randomly removed by a pencil wrapped in tape (a piece of driftwood calling with mussels and killing them) which represented genetic drift. Both parts of the experiment were repeated for three generations after the surviving mussels repopulated the environment. The question being tested in this experiment was: How do natural selection and genetic drift affect populations of organisms? I hypothesized that the blue and red beads would be the most commonly selected and removed in the first part of the experiment, and that the beads would be removed in equal numbers by the pencil wrapped in tape. Materials and Methods The two most important materials used in this lab were the small colored beads, and the mat. Blue, white, green, and purple beads were used to represent mussels with different traits. Ten beads of each color were placed in the environment to start the experiment. The environment for the mussels was represented by the mat with a random background printed on it to camouflage the beads. For the second part of the experiment, a pencil was wrapped with masking tape (sticky side out), and used to represent a log crashing into the environment. The pencil was rolled along the mat to randomly pick up beads. To start off the experiment the person designated as oystercatcher removed beads one at a time from the mat and placed them in petri dishes (independent variable). The oystercatcher was instructed to pick the first beads they saw, and to look away from the mat between selections. After 30 beads were removed and placed into a petri dish, the survivors were counted (dependent variable). The numbers of each color of bead was recorded, and that number of beads (x) plus 3x beads were added back to the mat to represent the repopulation of the species based on the number of survivors. These steps were repeated two more times, and the data recorded each time. In part two of the experiment, the pencil wrapped in tape was rolled along the mat to randomly select and remove beads until 30 beads were removed (independent variable). Then the same procedure used in part one to repopulate the environment was used in part two (dependent variable). These steps were repeated two more times, and the data was recorded. Results I. Population of mussels over 3 generations after natural selection from Oystercatcher. Oystercatcher Data Survivors Total Generation 1 7 green 73 = 21 21+7 = 28 28 0 blue 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 2 white 63 = 18 2+6 = 8 8 1purple 13 = 3 1+3 = 4 4 Generation 2 10 green 103 = 30 30+10 = 40 40 0 blue 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 0 white 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 0 purple 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 Generation 3 10 green 103 = 30 30+10 = 40 40 0 blue 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 0 white 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 0 purple 0x3 = 0 0+0 = 0 0 When the beads were removed by the oyster catcher, the blue beads were completely removed from the map in just one generation, and the purple and white beads were also driven extinct, but not until the second generation, leaving only green beads at the end of the three generations. II. Population of mussels over three generations after genetic drift from log colliding with habitat. Oystercatcher Data Survivors Total Generation 1 2 green 23 = 6 6+2 = 8 8 2 blue 23 = 6 6+2 = 8 8 2 white 23 = 6 6+2 = 8 8 4 purple 43 = 12 12+4 = 16 16 Generation 2 2 green 23 = 6 6+2 = 8 8 1 blue 13 = 3 3+1 = 4 4 4 white 43 = 12 12+4 = 16 16 3 purple 33 = 9 9+3 = 12 12 Generation 3 1 green 13 = 3 3+1 = 4 4 1 blue 13 = 3 3+1 = 4 4 7 white 73 = 21 21+7 = 28 28 1 purple 13 = 3 3+1 = 4 4 When the beads were removed by the log, the survivors were more random and more equal than when removed by the oyster catcher. By the end of the experiment however, a majority of the survivors were yellow beads. III. Population of mussels over 3 generations after natural selection from Oystercatcher. IV. Population of mussels over three generations after genetic drift from log colliding with habitat. Discussion In part one of the experiment, where the beads were selected and removed by the oystercatcher, the blue beads were immediately driven extinct, and the white and purple beads were driven extinct in only one more generation. This left only green beads by just the third generation. These results show that in natural selection, organisms chances of survival are based on how fit they are to survive in their environment. In this experiment, the blue beads did not blend into their environment very well, and they were eliminated immediately. The purple and white beads were also poorly camouflaged, and were eliminated very quickly as well. Even by the third generation, where there were only green beads left, the oystercatcher had a hard time finding 30 beads to remove, because the green beads were much more difficult to see in the environment. These findings could be applied to a real life environment, and used to predict how well certain organisms have adapted to their environment, and how a n entire population will change over time because of natural selection. In part two of the experiment, the number of survivors was much more equally spread out between the different colors of beads. Although there were definitely more yellow beads than anything else by the end of the experiment, this outcome would be different every time you repeat the experiment, based on the survivors from earlier in the experiment. These results are consistent with the principles of genetic drift, where organisms are eliminated randomly from a population based on random occurrences like natural disasters and diseases. If for example, lightning struck an area with a high concentration of a particular type of mussel, over time, the number of that mussel would decrease because there are fewer mussels to reproduce. This experiment was limited to the use of basic lab materials in a lab setting, but it accurately represents data that would be collected from an actual environment out in nature. This experiment was only able to demonstrate the effects of color and camouflage on the survival rates of an organism, but in reality, there are many other genetic variations which contribute to the fitness of an organism to its environment. An elephant, for example, may not be particularly well camouflaged, but its sheer size and strength help it to survive. Further research could be done to demonstrate the effects of other forces of evolution, as this experiment only involved genetic drift and natural selection. Conclusion The data in this experiment supports the hypothesis that the blue and purple beads would be the most commonly eliminated by the oyster catcher, but the yellow beads were also driven extinct, leaving only green beads. The data somewhat supports the hypothesis that the beads would be removed in equal numbers by the log, although the population shifted to a majority of yellow beads by the end of the experiment. The same experiment could be repeated several times to obtain more data to prove or disprove this hypothesis. References   Ã‚   ONeil, D. (2013). Early Theories of Evolution: Darwin and Natural Selection. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm Sadava, D. E. (2014). Life: The science of biology (10th ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. [HS1]Are these his exact words? If not, remove the quotes

Economic Analysis of Nepal

Economic Analysis of Nepal CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 ackground of the study Nepal is a small landlocked country situated between China and India (area 147,181 square kilometers) with three primary ecological zones (Terai, Hilly and Mountain). The Terai region is the bread basket region of the country, but it is densely populated. The lower part of the Hilly region has climatic advantages for growing fruits and vegetables, and the higher part of the Hill to the Mountain regions have environmental suitability for livestock production. However, the lack of infrastructure and proper agricultural commodity promotion has made the Hill and Mountain regions economically less viable. These regions also have a disproportionate number of malnourished people. Lack of economic opportunities in the country has forced many people of the working class to look outside of the country for employment and source of income to sustain their livelihoods. From an economic viewpoint, Nepal can be characterized as a low income, densely populated, agriculturally dominant economy (IFAD, 2013). A quarter of Nepals population lives on less than US$1/day, and many Nepali lack the needed human capital and economic environment for income generation within the country . British Gurkhas Nepal (BGN) most important function is the annual recruitment process. Every year, a total of 186 men are selected following the rigorous selection process that is run from the camp at Pokhara. Of these, 126 join the British Army, while the remaining 60 join the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force. BGN also facilitates transit, both to and from Nepal, of recruits, serving soldiers on leave and their families. Under the Gurkha Married Accompanied Service (GMAS) policy, all married serving Gurkha soldiers with three years or more service can be accompanied by their families to their posting, whether in the UK or Brunei. BGN has responsibility for arranging the call forward of Gurkha families under this scheme, and for organising flights to and from a posting.[N1] BGN has responsibility for organising the payment of pensions, while welfare for serving soldiers is run centrally from Kathmandu, with a number of Area Welfare Centres in other locations. Welfare for ex-servicemen is the responsibility of the Gurkha Welfare Service(GWS), an arm of the UK based Gurkha Welfare Trust, which is based at Pokhara. The GWS is responsible for the distribution of both individual welfare through distribution of pensions and grants to ex-servicemen and widows, and communal welfare through provision of infrastructure projects which helps to increase the remittance of our country. Currently there are 39 battalions serving in 7 Gorkha regiments in the Indian Army. For thousands of brave Gurkha those who are in service, ex-serviceman, their widows, and their families, the Welfare Pension is the difference between destitution and a life lived with dignity. The pension is enough to provide life’s essentials, including food, fuel, oil for cooking and clothes. By sponsoring a pensioner for  £20 a month, your gift will directly help to pay for a Welfare Pension that enables ex-Gurkhas and their families to live out their lives in dignity which has direct impact on Nepalese economy. According to Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) 2011, among the total population of 28 million, the total labor force was 21.84 million and agricultural employment was 13.98 million (64 percent of the work force). The growth of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) had been only 3percentduring the 15 years period (from 1995/96 to 2010/11), in comparison to the growth of population by 2 percent over the same period (CBS, 2011). Therefore, the increase in agricultural GDP is not yet sufficient to lift a large number of people engaged in agriculture out of poverty, reduce malnutrition, and assure food security of the nation , 2012). [N2]Despite the fact that agriculture is vital for the livelihood and economy of the country, food imports grew from $125 million to $373 million over the period from 1995/1996 to 2010/2011 (ADB, 2013).[N3]The 2013 United Nations Human Development Report (HDR) has shown that Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in thesecond world with a Human Devel opment Index (HDI) of 0.463, and is positioned at 157 out of 187 countries. In 2011, about 25 percent of the total population was below the poverty level, which was mainly due to concentration of the poor in the agriculture based rural economy (CBS, 2011; MOF 2012). One of the major impacts of this economic situation is malnutrition, which is evident as 42 percent of children younger than five years old suffered from stunting (CBS, 2011). In the year 2012, the country ranked 60th in the Global Hunger Index 1(IFPRI, 2012) and the prevalence of overall undernourished among residents of Nepal was18 percent of the total population (FAO, 2012). The lack of economic opportunities due to weak performance of the agricultural sector, high population growth, and unstable political situations has prompted many of the most productive members of rural households to migrate in recent years (ADB, 2013). Both internal and international migrations are common in Nepal (Gurung, 2001). [N4] Nepal has experienced a substantial exodus of working adults to international destinations. According to the Nepal Institute of Developmental Studies (NIDS,2010), India hosts the largest number of Nepali workers anywhere in the world, but accurate information on the number of migrants to India is not available as these two countries share open borders. However, it was estimated that approximately 1.3 million male and 153,000 female Nepali migrants work in India (NIDS, 2010). Among countries that require a visa/work permit to work, the largest number of Nepalese migrant workers had chosen to migrate/work in Malaysia (361,464) followed by Qatar (351,544), Saudi Arabia (246,448), United Arab Emirates (178,535) and Bahrain (20,303) during the period 2006-2013. Nepalese migrants working in these countries are the source of a large amount of remittance, officially estimated at over US$ 5.1 billion in 2012 (IFAD, 2013). During fiscal year 2013, Nepal’s economic growth fell to 3.6 percent because of political uncertainty, shortfalls in public expenditures and low agricultural output. Despite the Lower growth rate and instability, the country has able to fund its trade deficit through the robust remittance in flow (World Bank, 2013). According to CBS (2011), the percentage of households receiving remittances increased from 23.4 percent in 1995/1996 to about 55.8 percent in 2010/2011 and the share of remittances in household income increased from about 26.6 percent to 30.9 percent during the same period. Thus, remittance income has been playing a crucial role for sustaining the livelihood of people residing in the country. The general objective of my thesis is to understand labor migration, impact of army personnel serving at British and India, tourism and its impact in Nepal and to establish a link between remittance and Nepalese economy. Specifically, the research will determine the pertinent variables that affect the migration, providing an understanding on the economy generated by remittance and identify the factors associated with internal and international migration along with the impact that remittance pushes toward the national economy. Statement of Problem Nepal being traditionally agrarian economy (i.e. the economy which relies primarily on the agriculture sector) also generates huge number of employment though most of them are unpaid. Moreover, the family depends upon the agriculture sector have been practicing this as a means to sustain rather than in a commercial way which seems to be main hurdles behind the lack of adequate employment generation in the country. Similarly, industrial sector growth has also been limited in the country on back of political interference, acute power shortage and lack of investment friendly environment in the country. This also is creating a problem in the foreign as well as domestic investment in the county ultimately affecting employment market in the country as well. Therefore, some of these questions are relevant in terms of remittances challenges in Nepal. What is the current status of remittance in Nepal? Which all are the factors that are affecting the economic sector? What are challenges and opportunities behind the remittances and the focus areas for the government to overcome it? Objective of the study In general the study will target towards analyzing the major factor that are limiting the growth of agriculture and industrial sector which employs large sector of the population and has potentiality to generate large number of employment in the country. More specifically however, the study will focus upon the following areas: To study economy situation of Nepal in general. 1.3.2 To study foreign employment sector in Nepal in reference to its contribution on employment generation in Nepal. To study factors affecting the growth of remittances in Nepal. To study the impact of remittances on economic insecurity. To study the impact of remittances on economic growth and poverty reduction. [N5] Justification of the study Migration refers to the movements of a person or group of people from one place to another place, which is generally understood as a permanent or semi-permanent change of residence. Migrants selectively choose to move across an international border or within a domestic boundary. Migration is an important issue in many countries around the world. Benefits and drawbacks of migration can be described in terms of â€Å"brain drain,† â€Å"brain gain,† â€Å"flow of remittances,† and â€Å"flow of skill.†(1996, Karan)[N6]. Migration is a concern of both source and sinks countries. One of the major problem being faced by the Nepali economy or the country as a whole is the unemployment which is creating lot of political and social problem in the country. Meanwhile, the research being conducted about the challenges on employment generation in Nepal is being researched on limited manner which created the void sector for the research[N7]. At the same time, we can al so learn about the current status of employment market and its challenges in creating the job. Therefore, this research paper helps students, academician, policy maker, reader and scholar to know about the factor which is affecting the growth of the remittance of Nepalese economy. Limitation of the study The required information to carry out the research has been collected from secondary sources. The field research is difficult due to vast areas for the research topic and the limited timeframe. There are materials being available in the internet i.e. numerical and analytical data which is used as basic materials for the research. [N8] 1.6 Review of Literature Report on Nepal Labour Force Survey 2008 which was prepared by Central Bureau of statistics, National Planning commission secretariat under Government of Nepal has in-depth research material about the Nepal employment market, Time-related under employment and labour under utilization, unemployment, sub-national indicators of employment, informal sector and informal employment, seasonal variation in employment among others. This report have incorporated all the statics and analytical aspect related to Nepali labour market. In his research paper, Promoting Employment: Challenges and Opportunities in Nepal presented on July 9-11, 2012, Dr. Jagadish C Pokharel, Former Vice Chairman National Planning Commission, explains about the employment scenario, cause of unemployment, potential sector for an employment in Nepal. Hehas mentioned about the importance of demographic composition in the employment market in Nepal. In the research report, Growth with employment for inclusive and sustainable development prepared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development tells about the problem being faced by the least developed countries including Nepal in terms of employment. This research paper have focused upon the ineffective economic growth, need of employment creation in order to come out of poverty and focus areas for creation of sufficient quality jobs[N9]. 1.7 Research Methodology The research work has used qualitative method using secondary data. It is written analytically and in a descriptive way. Secondary data are attempted to collect from different website article, publication and research paper. It is great concern to make the research work as a more reflective of Nepalese economy and society. Chapter Organization The chapters of the research are organized as follows: Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. To Migrate Or Not To Migrate: Decision Of Nepalese Adults Chapter 3. Remittance Economy Of Nepal And Migration Destination Choices Chapter 4. Food Security Of Households, Adults And Children In Nepal: The Role Of Remittance Chapter 5. Foreign Employment Causing Brain Drain Chapter 6. Conclusions, Recommendation And Suggestion [N10] [N1]Pls do reference/footnotes. [N2]Is it ABD or ADB? [N3]Is it ABD or ADB? [N4]Specifying page no is better†¦ [N5]Pls rewrite the Specific Objectives focusing only on the research questions†¦ [N6]Pls see IRP guidelines for footnotes [N7]Not clear what you want to say? [N8]May not be necessary. [N9]Write few more reviews on other books/articles. [N10]No need to make all chapter heading on Capital letters on this chapter org.

Reluctant Learners and the Causes :: essays papers

Reluctant Learners and the Causes In order to discuss how technology motivates reluctant learners, we must first agree upon what exactly a reluctant learner is. According to Joyce M. Herzog, a reluctant learner is one who "is not interested in life at all, is not interested in what you are teaching, and is not able to learn in the time-frame or manner of presentation" (2002). There are several reasons as to why the student may feel the way he/she does. As a teacher, one must be very careful to make sure to take into consideration all of the reasons as to why a student may feel reluctant to put forth the necessary energy in the classroom. One reason may be that the student suffers from a learning disability, which is defined by the educational dictionary Wordsmyth as "any of various conditions thought to be associated with the nervous system, that cause difficulty in mastering a basic skill such as reading" (2002). "Various disabilities include ADD, communication disorders, and behavioral disorders" (Woolfolk, 200 4, p.124-131). Students with these disabilities are often seen as disadvantaged when it comes to learning in a typical school setting. Problems at home could also be a cause for reluctancy of students. According to BJUP.com, the primary stimulation for a child to develop and maintain enthusiasm for learning should come from the home. Families who are a solid unit and do activities together tend to have more motivated children (Let's Talk Motivation, 2005). Students who have supportive parents that foster learning are less likely to show reluctancy to learn in the classroom, while students whose home life is full of fighting and little academic support may show less interest in the classroom (Let's Talk Motivation, 2005). Another reason why a student may not be motivated to learn could be because of a low-socioeconomic status (SES). According to Woolfolk, low-SES students suffer from "poor health care, low expectations, low self-esteem, and learned helplessness" (2004, p.158-159). These students have much more on their mind than learning. One final reason why students may be reluctant to learn is because they have fallen into the stereotypes of gender traps. Knudson-Martin argues that "perceived gender differences are rooted in power differences that limit relational development for both women and men" (Knudson-Martin, 1999). This means that in a co-ed classroom, teachers may challenge boys more often than girls, attributing male fa ilure to a lack of effort and female failure to a lack of ability.

Track State Championship Essay -- Memoir Essays

Track State Championship The pit of my stomach felt as if it was being eaten away by gnawing insects inside. It wasn't just the ordinary butterflies but evil-biting insects. I was standing impatiently on the track quickly sliding further toward the inside as the incoming runner completed her handoff. Screaming encouragements, I waited for Rachel to make her way down the last stretch. We successfully completed our exchange of the baton and I was off. We arrived at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo, Colorado our normal two hours early on a dark, rainy Friday morning. Our team carried in the large tarp, blue tent, coolers full of energy food and many cases of water to keep us hydrated throughout the day. The sight of the enormous red rubber track brought that familiar tingle to my stomach. "It's the same size as any other track, but we just run the opposite direction," I heard Coach Dirst joke with the always gullible Erin. Shortly after we set up camp, I heard the familiar words, "Get out of here!" come from Coach Dirst. Our team made our way down the mountain of unevenly spaced, concrete stairs to the track. After doing our routine warm-up of a two-lap jog, stretches and form running, the team scattered, some preparing for their event, others just hoping to catch a few more zs. As I was making my way back to camp, I noticed everyone's red stained t-shirts and sweatshirts from stretching on the damp track, not realizing those stains would in time become memories I'd never forget. The day of prelims jumped off to a great start. The medley relay qualified for finals, and Kendal became a two-time state champion in high jump capturing the team's first ten points. The rest of the day went just as well. After placing fourth a... ...owerful! To hear Coach Dirst say that just made the whole experience that much more special. All the hard work we'd put in throughout the year had finally paid off when it mattered most. As we ran our final victory lap of the 2002 track season, we realized we had accomplished what every team dreams. After the sharing of many hugs and tears, happy ones of course, I made my way back to camp to gather my belongings. I then slowly strolled to the parking lot wanting to savor the incredible feeling. As I gazed up at the pitch-black sky, a raindrop fell to my forehead. Within no time at all, I was standing in the midst of a downpour taking everything in as I thought, "This is as good as it gets!" All the emotions, triumph, thrill and excitement, I was feeling acted like a bug bomb to the evil-biting insects that were at one time eating away at the pit of my stomach. Â  

Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession

X 1) Motivation and Ccommitment for the Social Work Profession As I reminisce back upon my life there are many experiences and factors that have affected and shaped who I am today. If you examine Nature vs. Nurture, Ive always coincluded that human expression is not just black and white, there is a definite grey area where both nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) combine. For example, childhood experiences or family dynamics can either make or break you as a person depending on whether you allow negative experiences or less than ideal environments to detrimentally affect the way in which you view the world.You can prevail forward or stay with the natural human tendency to digress in the past but you decide how long you want that period of digression to be. My immediate family growing up was my father, stepmother, mother, and my twin brothers. My parent's divorced when I was two. My mother was severely depressed; because of this I did not see her again until I was eight years old. I dont remember a lot from when I was young but I do recall my brothers and I visiting our mother under supervision in a playroom of a human services building. She explained to us that she was better and could soon keep us every other weekend.My mother was better for a while but the depression came in cycles, sometimes she was up and other times she was down. My twin brothers were born mentally challenged on the mild spectrum. As I watched my mother and brothers struggle with trials and tribulations of life, I realized how much I enjoy helping others cope with the obstacles and barriers that can come with life, with or without a disability that brings life into another realm. Which is how I came to work with several different companies serving various populations such as, mentally challenged, mentally ill, physically disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury.My interest in social work and psychology began as a teenager in my first psychology class my freshman year in high school. I w as fascinated with how the brain works and what influences and shapes the human mind. I told my parent's at this time my dream of becoming a therapist. As a teenager I always wanted to give support and give advice to my friends. I wanted to help others through their challenges. We all face challenges in life, we all have to face fear at one time or another, every challenge and fear is a chance to gain courage or strength you never knew you had inside you.I began pursuing my bachelors degree at the age of twenty one. I attended school, work, and at the same time held up the role of single motherhood. It was testing and exhausting at times but the feeling of accomplishment at the end was well worth it. After receiving my degree I knew eventually I would want to climb further up the education ladder when I was ready. I wanted a break to gain more work experience serving others. This year I decided was the right time to look into a masters degree program.I was fond of the multidimension al contexts mentioned in the Advanced Generalist Concentration description for the second year. It is important to learn the different levels and aspects of cultures and the influences thereof, in order to better understand and empathize with the individuals you serve as a social worker. My future career goals after I complete the program: I hope to work in a clinic or resource center for individuals with HIV and work towards further prevention and education to the public. I am going to obtain a minor in Drug and Alcohol Counseling so I can better serve this population.After gaining some work experience to broaden my perspective and knowledge, I hope to open my own therapy practice in order to help others through their challenges and succeed in life. 2) A Social Issue of Concern A social issue of concern for me is the stigmatizing of individuals with HIV in society. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic marks its thirtieth year, you can state a lot has changed since 1981 when what was thought of as the gay plague which had symptoms ssimilar to pneumonia and Kaposis Sarcoma, such as, fever, fatigue, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat.Although many individuals experience no symptoms at all, feel, and appear healthy for several years. A few years later this would come to be known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Now thirty years later society, professionals, and doctors know more about HIV transmission, treatment, and prevention. Society may know more but do they know enough to keep ignorance and stigma at bay? A recent survey performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows substantial shares of Americans continue to express discomfort at the idea of interacting with people living with HIV.For example 45% say theyd be uncomfortable having their food prepared by someone who is HIV-positive, 36% with having an HIV roommate, 29% having their child in a classroom with an HIV-positive teacher, and 18 ppercent working with someone who is HIV-positive. One statistic th at does show some promise in decreasing stigma and ignorance within society is the share stating theyd be very comfortable working with someone who has HIV increased from about a third in 1997 to roughly half in 2011. (www. kff. org/kaiserpolls[->0]) Unfortunately other results show the public is still ignorant about modes of transmission of HIV.The KFF survey also shows that over the past twenty years, roughly one in four Americans have continued to either believe that one can get HIV from a drinking glass, or remain unsure whether it is the case. What do these statistics tell about stigma and ignorance within the general public? It says that potentially stigmatizing and dincriminating attitudes still persist. There are a few factors that I believe led to this outcome, 1) The public is not being educated enough in the schools, television, and doctors offices and hospitals are prime places where we can get the information out there. ) More doctors are suggesting HIV tests for non-el derly, 29% but so far it doesn't translate into an increase in reports of actually getting an HIV test. About one in five non-elderly adults say they have been tested for HIV in the past 12 months which is a ppercentage that has held steady since 1997. 3) The information about how HIV is contracted and testing routes/sites needs to get out not to just high-risk population but to the general population as well. Although society ddiscrimination, HIV itself does not discriminate. (statistics obtained from: www. kff. rg/kaiserpolls) 1. Society Response When speaking of HIV in general, people get defensive and uncomfortable. This is where peer advocacy at testing sites, community education sites, and in the clinics/hospitals is vital because those living with HIV can share their stories and show others the different types of people that contract HIV. So a face can be put with the virus, show others that you cant tell who has HIV by looking at someone. Also, a belief that comes into play is that if you talk about sex, even safe sex, that people will be encouraged to have more of it.In reality the opposite rings true. The more that educators and hospital professionals talk about safe sex and STDs, the more comfortable others are talking with their sex partners on the subject. The more you know about a topic, the more confident you feel to discuss it with others. 3) Personal Strengths, Skills, Knowledge, Qualities and Limitations Ive always had an altruistic personality, compassion for others, ability to empathize with external and internal human struggles. In high school I enjoyed giving advice and being the sympathetic ear to my friends.Growing older, I enjoyed listening to and talking with mature adults at work with every day contact I gained more knowledge about their life experience. I was always fascinated when discussing the way they handled their trials and tribulations. I always had a thirst for knowledge whether it is the spoken words of others, reading book s, enjoying new experiences, or researching online. Some professionals who receive vast education, or are in their chosen profession for a long time, come to believe they have learned it all. They get stuck in a rut like doctors treating numbers, not treating the patient.I dont believe I will ever get to that place in my career. At the start and at the end of the day, you need to remember your purpose for yourself and for others. Its innate for all of us to need human experience, to be loved and accepted, to feel needed, to make others happy. In summary, a thirst for human knowledge, an understanding that society and people are forever changing, the ability to empathize with others, and the human experience in general, is what makes an effective social worker. One of my limitations is that I often underestimate myself.Because of that I put limitations on myself that dont need to be there. I let fear of success get in the way of success. However, Ive come to realize this and I do my best to strive further and not give up. There are always obstacles in life whether it is emotional, physical, or environmental. One must learn to get around them, work with them, or run right through them. 4) Ethics and Values My personal values are seen in the work I have chosen to do tthroughout my life. Ive worked with the mentally challenged, mentally ill, and physically challenged individuals for many years.I believe no matter what the differences and limitations are, we as human beings all deserve respect, dignity, and the same opportunities that all Americans are provided. The right to vote, obtain an education, right to work, to serve in the community, have resources available, and to live and experience life to its fullest; are rights and privileges we all have. Some do not realize how in the past those that differ from the norm have had to fight and struggle for these rights, many had to experience anguish, despair, and isolation when institutionalization was standard and no rights were given to these individuals.In 1955 the institutions were slowly shutdown for the most part and deinstitutionalization became the standard. The mentally challenged, physically disabled and mentally ill were more accepted and iintegrated into the community, the educational system, into paid work and vocational positions, the government and state provided adaptions so they could gain access to the community and use their rights. There is always more work to do.The general public has little concept of how significant the population of disabled individuals is, more educating to the public needs to be put into place on how prevalent physical, intellectual, and mental disorders are, for example, the CDC reported 1 in 110 children in the United States have an Autism spectrum disorder, 13% of children have a developmental disability and the last count in 1993 the CDC found 1. 5 million children and adults ages 6-64 had intellectual disabilities.As a social worker one will work with people from all walks of life, characters, belief systems, religion, culture, race, and value systems. Also depending on these factors, the issues individuals deal with in their day to day lives will vary. You have to put your ego and your own beliefs that may be different from theirs aside and take your profession seriously, but dont take yourself too seriously. Put the person youre serving first and remember the service youre providing, whatever your field may be.People will come in with conflicting beliefs, religions, and backgrounds, but unless you have walked in their shoes its not for you to judge or change their mind. However, you are required to report incidents such as, abuse, homicidal and suicidal intentions (if there is a plan set out). You are there to offer help with resources and advice on the use of those resources available to the individual. 5) Meaningful Volunteer and/or Work experience For the year of 2007 I worked for Quality Living Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska , this is a rehab facility specializing in TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and Spinal Cord Injury.Never having worked with this population, it was an eye opening experience to see several people go from living an independent life, to losing the ability to walk or go to the bathroom, losing the ability to speak, process thoughts, control of their muscles, having to relearn everything and not fully gain back certain skills. Also teaching and helping struggling families gain skills to cope and work with their loved ones as well. One tough situation among many was a family with a seventeen year old daughter who was ran over by a vehicle at night; she had a TBI and was in a comma.I watched the family by her side and praying for her to wake up every day. This hit close to my heart because I have a daughter as well and I thought to myself how heartbroken I would be if that happened to her. You are reminded of how valuable life is and how important the moments are that you spend with those you love. I had never assisted people who were in such extensive need of various services. The individuals attended physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and relearning everyday living skills to gain back the skills they lost.I didn't know the need for this service was so extensive. There are few facilities like it which specialize in TBI and SCI. There are rehabilitation hospitals who offer ssimilar therapies and resources but not to this extent and not as individualized. The creator of Quality Living was one person and a community of families with loved ones who have TBI and/or Spinal Cord Injury who werent getting the services they desperately needed. Working with the individuals and those who work for them, reminded me of the power and perseverance of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle. ) Cultural Diversity Experience a. I have some experience working with diverse cultures. I worked as a nursing assistant in various facilities, nursing homes, group homes, a nd hospitals, assisting with personal care and daily living. Working with the elderly you see how people come from different backgrounds and how it affects who they are today. You also see how dementia and Alzheimers affects the brain and physical function. As I went over before, I worked with individuals with physical and mental disabilities; I still do to this day.I gained a lot of patience and understanding from this work. You come across various behaviors that can be aggressive, violent, emotional, and this will challenge you emotionally and intellectually as well. This will also at times drain you physically and emotionally. At the end of the day you get these reminders: a friendship gained, a smile, a thank you, an apology, a new experience, being able to teach someone and help someone. You see youve made a difference despite the difficult days that come and go. b.I have not had professional experience working with many different ethnicities and/or nationalities. However, I ha ve had personal experience with friendships and co-workers of various national origins such as, Africa, Persia, Mexico, India, Ecuador, Haiti, Columbia, France, Portugal and Britain. I myself love learning about different cultures, their views, beliefs, traditions, history, and food of course, its all very fascinating to me. c. I am most comfortable working with those my age or between 20-40 years of age because I can more easily relate and be at the same level maturity and intellect.I also am comfortable with those who have disabilities and mental illnesses, having professional and personal experience with this population I am more apt to see the person, not just their disability. d. After careful thought there is not a population I am uncomfortable working with. 7. ) Social Support and Financial Plan I plan on applying for school loans and sscholarships. As well as meeting with the financial assistance and sscholarship offices. Currently my husband and I are looking into starting a non-profit shelter for female veterans out of our home.We have already begun contacting individuals within The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center which host retreats for veteran couples and also works constantly on assisting veterans with obtaining the resources that are available to them. While I am at school and doing work credit hours my husband will take care of the business, along with our business partners we will also hire extra people to assist us with running the business. I am very excited about this endeavor and feel my further education with New Mexico State would contribute a great deal to this and future endeavors. [->0] – http://www. kff. org/kaiserpolls