THE GLOBE

March - April 2015

Spring
Student Writings from the International English Institute

WRITING ONE
My Best Friend

My Best Friend

By: Abdulelah Albleihed (Saudi Arabia)

By: Khalid Alruwaili (Saudi Arabia)

My best friend is happy. I talk with my friend

every day. I watch for my friend every day. I miss my
friends. Moath and Abdullah are my best friends. I
came to Nashville because my friend Abdullah lives
here. He is a student in Nashville. Moath is a student
in Florida. I need to go see him. I am so happy with
them.

My best friend is Khalid. He is nice, and he is

with me every day. His heart is white, and Faiz is
good. My friend is here in the U.S. All of my friends
are nice. In my country, my friends are my cousins. I
love my cousins because every day they are with me.
We eat dinner, and play games together. I miss my
friends. I miss sitting with them every day. I want to
call my friends today because I miss them, and I love
them.

Whats Happening IEI

By: Faisal Almutairi (Saudi Arabia)

Dammam

In the big RL, students are studying and

reading books about English. And a student is
listening to music. Hassan is answering Beth. In the
lounge, new students are relaxing. Karla is typing on
her laptop. In the office, Adia is working at her
computer. Duane is talking with students. Some
students are working in the lab. We went to the
computer lab. Students are writing essays.

By: Ali Binshaghab (Saudi Arabia)

In my city, there are many banks. There are
many hospitals that are free, expensive, or cheap.
There are big and beautiful hotels like Sheraton,
Holiday Inn, and Meridian. There are spacious
supermarkets where I can buy milk, meat, lamb, and
fruit. There are beautiful mosques as big as
downtown Nashville. There are many gyms. There
are many beautiful farms. There are many malls.
There are seas. There are many amazing mountains.
There are many restaurants. There are many
colleges. There are many companies. There are
weddings.

Riyadh
By: Khaled Alqarni (Saudi Arabia)
Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Its
the biggest city in Saudi Arabia. There are 8 million
people living there. It is very hot in the summer and it
is very cold in the winter. There are a lot of nice
restaurants in this city. Also, we have a lot of malls.
My home is located in the north of Riyadh. The north
of Riyadh is a really nice area and it is really
expensive. In the middle of Riyadh we have the
biggest park. It has a big lake in the middle of this
park.

Medinah
By: Yasir Othman (Saudi Arabia)
In Medinah, there is a mosque. It is one of
the largest mosques in the Muslim world. People
from all around the world visit holy sites. There is an
international airport. There are a lot of hospitals.
There are two universities. There are gardens. There
are schools. There are shopping centers and
supermarkets.
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WRITING TWO
My Happy Day
By: Sarah Alkhatam (Saudi Arabia)

My Favorite Food
By: Fahad Alalawi (Saudi Arabia)

I was happy when I had my birthday party. I

was on the farm with my sisters. Also, my friends
went to the farm, but I didnt know. My friends and
sisters made a surprise for me. Also, they gave me
some money, a bag, and some things. I cried
because it was amazing, and I loved it. I will never
forget that day. Finally, I loved this day, and I loved
my friends.

My favorite food is rice and chicken. Also, I

like soup, sandwiches with chicken, fish, and
hamburgers. I like the food because it is delicious. I
like the Indian restaurant because the flavor is
delicious. I like spicy food, but some food shouldnt
be spicy because it is not delicious. I like cooking in
my home because I can cook anything.

My Happy Day
By: Hassan Alhendas (Saudi Arabia)
I was happy on my vacation. I was on the
beach with my family. We played soccer and went
fishing on the beach. Also, I grilled fish on the beach
with my family. Then I slept on the beach with my
family. Also, we ran on the beach. I like my vacation
with my family.

WRITING THREE
I Came to the U.S.A.
By: Ibraheem Alalwan (Saudi Arabia)
I made an important decision in January 2013. I decided to come to the U.S.A. When I came to the
U.S.A., this decision was hard, but it was important. I didn't understand many things about the U.S.A. My family
and friends all told me that this was a good idea. My wife supported the decision. For me, I thought it was a hard
decision. I talked with my wife for one week. She told me, "It's no problem." She told me "If you study English, it
will be very good. All people speak English in the world. Then me and you can visit any city in the world."

iPhones Are the Best

By: Amal Alharbi (Saudi Arabia)
I think that iPhones are the best kind of technology because they are the most useful. First, I can translate
words into any language, and I can shop online. Also, I can take pictures. I think that iPhones are important and
useful for everyone. iPhones are helpful for everything. Everyone needs technology like an iPhone in university or
at work. Also, I use the iPhones map for travel, and I use it to search about places in different cities. Finally, my
iPhone lets me save all the best moments in my life.
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Important Decision
By: Moayad Almutairi (Saudi Arabia)
I am writing about the day I made an important decision when I wanted to go to the United States. I was
confused when I chose to do that, and I didn't know what to do. But I went to my family because I wanted to ask
them some questions about my trip to the United States. First, I asked them, "Do you agree with me going there?"
My father agreed, and he said "I will support you," but my mother disagreed. She said, "I will miss you." My brothers
and sisters agreed. They said, "This is a good idea for you." After that, I went to the United States.

Did Travel Change You?

By: Mashael Alsubaie (Saudi Arabia)
Did travel change you? It is true that traveling changes us. When I traveled, I learned new things and I
met different people. When I traveled, I learned how to make a good travel plan. I used hotel offers when I wanted
to get a hotel room. I visited famous places in new cities, and I took pictures for my memories. If we travel, we
learn many new things. I learned about many different cultures. I memorized many words from other languages. I
learned how to use transportation when I travel in a big city. In traveling, I can meet people from other countries. I
can meet them anywhere, and then I can contact them with social media. Traveling changes us, by teaching us
many new things and letting us meet other people. Traveling is a good idea when we want to change ourselves.

My Life After Travel

By: Faisal Althumayri (Saudi Arabia)
My life changed after travel. First, when I traveled to the U.S.A., my life changed because I saw new
cultures for me. I made new friends. I tried new foods and a different kind of life. In the U.S., I saw many different
people. I tried to learn a new language. Second, traveling made me feel happy and relaxed. I visited new places
for me. Finally, travel gave me new things for my life and myself.

My Best Travel Experience

By: Motaz Hassan (Saudi Arabia)
Travel changed my life to be better. The first thing that changed was my language. It is better now. I can speak
English. When I came here, I didn't know any words in English, but now I can speak. Also, my listening is better. I
can understand when I talk with people. Second, I had a lot of fun, and I took trips during my travel. I went to New
York. I visited many places like Time Square and many famous restaurants. Also, I went to Washington, D.C. I
visited the White House in D.C. It was so nice. Also, I made new friends during my travel. I like these
friendships. Last, I have some problems now because I spent all my money. I'm waiting for the Ministry of
Education to pay for me in my school. It hasn't come yet. Then I have a problem with the food here. It is different for
me. I can't eat some foods like American pizza and Waffle House, but I think with days I will be able to eat them.
This is the best travel experience in my life because I learned many new things.

Computers
By: Hector Alvarez-Ruiz (Mexico)
I think that computers are the best kind of technology because I can see more information. I can buy the
things I need. The computers become more important every year. Every person uses computers for
communicating with friends in different countries. Computers are the most useful because people can use them to
visit places all over the world.

Different Technology
By: Abeer Bagafar (Saudi Arabia)
I agree that computers are the most useful kind of technology, as many companies, factories, banks,
hospitals, and schools use computers for their work. On the computer, you can save information for customers,
patients, and students. When people use computers, they are able to finish projects more quickly than people who
dont use them. But, I think that cell phones, Ipads, and Ipods are easier for people to use.

Travel Changed Me
By: Truyen Huynh Huy (Vietnam)
I remember when I was 17 years old, I had to travel somewhere near my country. What do I remember
most? That was my travel to Hong Kong. After the trip, I had more knowledge about the language and culture of
another country. About language, they used a lot of different words in their country. I learned some Shanghai and
Hong Kong language. About culture, I learned about how people get married in Hong Kong. When they get married,
their house design is red everywhere because they think the color red is so lucky. Finally, I believe that we need to
travel more when we have time, because it helps us gain knowledge.

My Important Decision
By: Fathi Saied (Libya)
In December 2012, I decided to come to the U.S. When I came to the U.S., this decision was hard for me
because I didn't see my family or my friends. The U.S. is different from my country. For example, the weather and
the food are different. After three months, I thought I will go back to my country, but my family said "You need to
stay in the U.S." That was an important decision, and it was hard in my life.

Big City
By: Norah Alotaibi (Saudi Arabia)
I agree that living in a big city is better than living in a small town. Why? Because in a big city, I can go
everywhere. I can go to the best restaurants in the big city. I can visit the best parks. Also, in the big city, I can go to
the best malls with my friends in the big city, I cant feel bored. In the big city, there are museums, cinemas, and big
toy stores. Also, a big city has a zoo, a lake, the best hospitals, and the best markets. Also, the big city has a train.
It also has many salons for women, and I can go to a better salon for hair and nails. In the big city, there are many
luxurious stores for clothes, furniture, and cars. I can make the best, most comfortable home for me.

WRITING FOUR
Kidarim
By: Jiwon Kim (South Korea)
Have you ever heard the word Kidarim? If you are a Korean speaker, you probably have. For
someone who is not a Korean speaker, I looked in a Korean-English dictionary, and it says waiting.
However, I when I hear this word, I feel a little difference with waiting in English. How different are they? Id
like to define the word kidarim now. We often use it waiting for someone who we would really really want to
see. Also, it means time we need to wait for some purpose or goal which is not easy to get to.
First, we use kidarim for the situation that we are waiting for someone for a long time. Waiting for
only a short time, this word is not appropriate. We simply use a verb, kidarida which means wait. Even
though kidarim was from that verb, it includes more meaning than that. Its meaning is extended abstractly.
For example, you are waiting for someone who left you even though you know he or she wont be back. I feel
some sadness, but there would be a beautiful story with it. Furthermore, during this kidarim there should be
some kinds of happiness.
The other way of this word is for some result we want to reach. Many people have their goals. To get
to the goal, we must need much effort. But great efforts do not always bring us to our goal. Some kind of time,
which Id like to call kidarim, will be needed. Imagine some situation like this: In your school, you finished
your book by yourself faster than other students. However, you still need kidarim by your test day for
exploring your efforts. After the test, you need time to get a good result by your grade being printed. This
instance is a very ordinary thing in our life, but it can be adopted in a bigger event in our life.
We would be in front of time when we need to be patient for someone or something. Usually, we
couldnt control those kinds of time; we need kidarim then. Sometimes, in spite of our kidarim we couldnt
reach our goal, or couldnt meet someone we have been waiting for. However, I think kindarim, even which
doesnt accompany success, has some meanings by itself. It is hard to think failure. Instead, it is necessary
in our lives. Also, we couldnt go away from it. I believe kidarim makes people patient and strong, and it
could give people good memories, too.

What is better? Love or money?

By: Saleh Alwehaibi (Saudi Arabia)
I prefer love more than money because love is everything in this life. If we have love, we have
everything in the world. Love could be family or friends, or even a pet can be love for us.
First, how can love be better than money? Its hard to find real love for us, such as a wife or friend to
live with. But money is different. The reason that makes money different is we can get money anywhere. We
can find money easily, like to get a job or business.
Second, love can change all of the world, but how? Yes we can change the world by love. For
example, if two countries have some problem and always fight each other. If we love each other, we couldnt
fight anymore. We stay friends and two of us will be same because we had love.
Finally, love is the strong effect in this life. Love makes life so pretty and safe. Its hard to live without
love. If you dont love anyone, there is a big problem with yourself, because how can we live without loving
anyone?

Tadheya
By: Abdulaziz Hawsawi (Saudi Arabia)
Sacrifice, tadheya, is a deep word with a huge meaning. Sacrifice is being willing to give up
something good for something better. You can sacrifice for your family, love, or honor.
Family is the best sacrifice you can ever make in your life. When you sacrifice for your family, it does
not mean that you give up for something, but it means you made a priceless decision in your life. Many
reasons that can lead to sacrifice for your family are when your parents sacrificed their time, money, and
youth. So, its your time to reciprocate.
Sacrifice can be in many ways, and love is one of the important ways. Love needs sacrifice.
Therefore, to be in love, you have to sacrifice for something that you never think to give up for. For example, if
you love someone, you have to sacrifice to the person to live with him or her for the rest of your life.
Many soldiers sacrifice their lives to their country. They sacrifice for only one thing: honor. The honor
is not just a word that you say, but its a word that you live with.
In conclusion, sacrifice is not just a word; it is an action people use to make it different way such as
family, love and honor. If you will not sacrifice in something, you will never reserve anything because nobody
will sacrifice for you.

What causes a boring class?

By: Hussain Alshareef (Saudi Arabia)
How do people feel in class? I think people feel bored in class because sometimes the class doesnt
have a good time. I can explain that following the introduction. There are three causes.
First, when I wake up and go to class, sometimes I feel sleepy in class and my mind is foggy. Also,
when I wake up late and I dont eat breakfast, I go to class and I am mad because I feel very hungry. After
that, I feel bored.
Secondly, sometimes I feel bored with a boring person because he doesnt smile. He just looks at his
phone. Also, he doesnt help me if I ask him when the teachers says to answer together.
Third, when the teacher is severe in teaching and doesnt laugh. He or she just focuses on all the
students. I think all students feel bored because of that.
In conclusion, in my
opinion, if class was just studying
without laughing and doesnt work
together, I think the class is boring.
I have advice to all teachers. They
should laugh in class and the
teachers should let the students
share their work together.

WRITING FIVE

21st CENTURY AND GENDER INEQUALITY IN HIGH LEVEL POSITIONS

By: Sharee Ahmed (Iran)
Most high level jobs are given to men.
Should the government give high level jobs to women?
The whole world believes that men have more power and trust than women. There is unequal
job position rates between men and women. After the industrial revelution men are still preferred over
women in powerful job positions. Only a few decades ago women were relegated to the background
they thought women should be seen but not heard.
Times have changed, life is not like past times when gender roles were different. Men were
working in the outdoors as well as in business, government, and politics. They were making the
money. Women were cooking, house cleaning, farming and taking care of their children.
In many countries women have caught up with men in terms of education. Some people
believe that many women give up high positions because they need more time to spend with their
family. This issue is widely discussed in the world today. Women have made great strides in the
workplace, however, inequality still persists.
Gender stereotypes must be broken whether we agree or disagree.I strongly believe that this
trend of little representation of women in powerful jobs must be changed. Women are intelligent,
professional, skilled, and even confident enough to shoulder higher level job responsibilities. So far
there are many women who have been working very successfully in many important positions in
politics, business, government, and non-governmental organizations. Examples of the most powerful
women are Queen Elizabeth, Angela Merkel, Janet Ye llen, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, and
Oprah Winfrey. I think the government should require a certain percentage of powerful positions be
reserved for women in business, government and politics. The general belief that women are not as
intelligent as men is false. We have many examples of strong women who have made revolutionary
changes in history.
Studies have proven that women are better multitaskers then men. According to UK
physchologist studies, when switching rapidely between tasks women are more organized then men,
and are better at doing multiple tasks at once. In reality female leaders are more organized, more
peaceful, are less likely to cause conflicts, and are less corrupt then male leaders. Therefore, in my
opinion, government should be required to fill a specified number of high level positions with qulified
women. In addition, the government should suport the education of women at all levels.

Adapting to a New Culture

By: Hassan Almutawa (Saudi Arabia)
At present, many people who come from a unique culture than others cannot acclimate with
new culture. Each person who lives outside his native homeland has the right to retain their cultural
identity. Although some people believe that when living in a new culture, one is expected to change
and adapt to the new situation during a time. In my opinion, I refute this idea because there are many
aspects one should retain that may help to prevent a person from just adapting and then losing their
own culture.
Retaining ones native culture is the most common factor that can prevent over-adapting with
another culture, and changing to fit in with another new culture. Even though many persons prefer to
change their customs to be commensurate with another culture, others prefer to retain their culture,
and are trying to use their culture wherever they go. For instance, Ali is a person who came to the
USA for studying and has a completely different culture from American people. He tried to use his
customs. During this time, he was trying to mix his culture with American culture. However, he was
not happy. As a result, he began to cook for himself. Therefore, retaining your native culture while
living a new culture is vital your well-being.
In addition, homesickness is the second common aspect which may avert a person from totally
accepting a new culture. Even though some people are able to change their personality despite their
feeling of homesickness, and social life becomes appropriate with the new culture, to anyone who has
to live for a long time in that culture. In my opinion, I argue with this idea because native culture
changes them and stays with them their whole life. Also, it is fixed with them, and it has become as
his name. For instance, Hussein who has studied at IEI has experienced a lot of homesickness and
has run out of endurance and wants to go back to his native country. As a result, during his time here
he believes that he should bear this situation until he gets what he wants.
Furthermore, communication is the third common aspect that can help to avoid acclimating
entirely with the new culture. While some people said that it is easy to communicate with each
community and this helps to adapt with another culture, I refute that because some cultures have
different attitudes which may compel someone to revert to his native culture. For instance, some
communities are closed. They are not used to being an open community to others so in that case it
would be difficult to adapt to the new culture.
In sum, there are many aspects that may help to prevent adapting with new culture. I refute
that ones native culture can be changed by another culture that can be adapting, and change such as
a persons personality although some people believe that it is easy to adapt with another culture. As
examples in this essay, these people have lived with the new culture. However, some of them still do
not accept the new culture. Retaining a persons native culture is vital to acclimate with other culture.

ARE CELL PHONES DANGEROUS?

By: Khalid Alabbush (Saudi Arabia)
Cell phones are very common in these days. There are billions of people over the world who
use cell phones, and they use them for many different purposes. For example, they use them to chat
with their friends. A lot of parents allow their children to use cell phones at an age too early. But cell
phones are may be dangerous for teenagers especially. It is true that cell phones are not going away;
however, I believe that cell phones should not be used all the time and self-regulation needs to take
place.
Almost all people said they need cell phones with their children because, It is necessary for
their daily life. For example they are have busy, and out of the house, and they can use cell phones to
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be reassured about the safety their child. On the other hand, cell phones waste a lot of time and
money. There are a lot of people, especially teenagers, who spend hours talking to their friends on
phones, which is also dangerous on the body.
Opponents say that cell phones are good because they give an opportunity to make their child
happy. However, cell phones are very dangerous to the humans because cell phones send electric
emissions that cause cancer to the cells of the human body; as well as, causing severe headaches
and harming ears. Teaching the awareness of the possible dangers with cell phone use is important.
Don't sleep with your phone because it harm for the body. You should turn it off.
People have said that cell phones are very helpful and are necessary in these days because
its the only way to communicate with our teenager or our children that stay at home alone when the
parents are working. But cell phones disadvantages out weigh its advantages. I know that they have
become necessary in our daily life, but we have to be aware of its danger and use it carefully. Try to
control cell phones and do not let them control you, and affect your life negatively.
To sum up, therefore, self-regulation and awareness of cell phone use among individuals and
families is crucial for the use of this technology. Cell phones are very popular these days, and we
have to use them carefully. There are some parents who allow their child to use cell phones, but it
could affect their body indirectly.

Women Driving in Saudi Arabia

By: Fatimah Alabandi (Saudi Arabia)
In some countries you have your own freedom to drive whether you are a man or women. On the
other hand there is a country where it is impossible and illegal as a women to drive. This country is Saudi
Arabia, which is located in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is rare in being the only country in the world
where women are forbidden to drive. Some people in Saudi Arabia think the women should not drive;
however, other people think allowing women to drive is a simple basic right that should be given to her.
Opponents think the women will be unsafe when they drive. However, any women from Saudi
Arabia can drive in any other country because there are not countries in the world that prohibit it. That
means if driving in the Saudi Arabia is not safe for women the other countries also are unsafe. Moreover, if
Saudi officials think driving is not safe just in Saudi Arabia then the most sensible thing is to change the
traffic laws, so it will be safer for all drivers
Opponents also think the women should not be allowed to drive because the streets are very
crowded and it is liable that the congestion rate will be increased when women drive. However, the
congestion will be the same or decrease if women drive. The reason for this over-crowding is because
there are plenty of buses and taxis. It turns out the vast majority who use these modes of transportation
are women. That means the crowded traffic is inconclusive to ban women from driving I Saudi Arabia.
There are many specialized offices which serve riding women. They work as a taxi. So if the women drive
these offices will recede.
The final argument advanced by opponents that women should not be permitted to drive is
because women have responsibilities that are more important than driving a car. What about other women
in the world? For example, the women from other countries have many responsibilities. They raise their
children, and have jobs, and drive simultaneously. Namely, driving a car can not affect other
responsibilities.
In conclusion, it should be obvious that the arguments of the opponents of women driving in Saudi
Arabia are weak. On the contrary the women have a desire to drive by themselves in addition, if the
women drive there are a lot of problems that will be solved; such as overcrowding, wasting money, and
dependence on the men.
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Compelling Students to Attend Classes

By: Budoor Zaitoni (Saudi Arabia)
Since the establishment of the first university has exerted in history, teachers and staff have
tried their best to look for better ways to teach their students. Some of these ways that they have tried
are improving their teaching methods, entering technologies in their jobs and putting the rules for their
classes. One of the most important rules that have created many controversies concerning that topic
over the history is compelling students to attend the classes on time .
Most people and staff think that students should not be forced to attend their classes because
of the variety of knowledges resources that can be found out of the class. However, I think that the
best knowledge that the student will get is from their teachers because they know exactly what
students need in their field. Moreover, resources can be checked and understood after attending the
classes .
n addition, some people and staff believe that the students are grown mature enough so that
they know their responsibilities and they should not be compelled to attend the classes on time. But, I
think this is not completely true since most of the college students are teenagers and they have just
joined the collage life, which is completely different from their previous lives. So, they need to be
followed up by their professors and counselors.
Finally, the majority of people believe that college students have different circumstances that
make them unable to be on time; like children, rush hours in large cities and some other life issues. In
my point of view, although I agree that this may be the case, but compelling students to attend on time
will make them to learn how they manage their time, which will have a direct effect on their future
performances .
In conclusion, it is understood that normal humans have rushed daily schedules but in the end,
the strict rules should be put and followed to learn commitment and basic life standards.

Grading Teachers
By: Mohammed Medo Qerisha (Saudi Arabia)
Students in high schools and language schools are the only true wealth of a nation and their
education is the most important and the responsibility of the country. To be educated is both their right
as well as duty. Teachers hold the most important job in the country, teaching our children. Countries
around the world are trying to better assess how teachers are performing in classrooms. Grading of
teachers by students in high schools and language schools should be introduced to improve the
learning and teaching environment.
Some people believe that students may lose respect for their teachers. Students may give a
poor grade to their teachers because they do not like them. In my viewpoint, students may show
whether the teachers are successful in giving their lessons. For example, if the teachers did well in
their classes that may show in a good grade from students. But if they did poor work, students may
give them a worse grade.
It may be true that students are not mature enough to grade adult teachers. Although some
teachers think that students do not have the ability to assess their teachers, in my point of view, I am
against that thinking because some students have the right ability to evaluate their teachers to gain
more benefits in their educational lives.
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Although some people believe that students take out personal vendettas with grading. There
are lots ways students can do this such as, they can simply give a bad review, on they may also bully
other students to give a bad review. However, I believe students may give the grades honestly
because they want to improve their skills if they have a poor teacher. For example, students have a
math class, and they have been confused since their teacher started his/her class, so they want to
learn and receive a better education and grading their teacher will help do this
As you can see, there are many effects that would come about due to the cause of teacher
grading by students. Most of the effects would be more positive than negative which leads me to
conclude that teacher being graded by students is a perfect idea.
In conclusion, countries all over the world try to offer a good education and teachers who are
performing well in classrooms. Grading teachers by students should be introduced in schools to
improve the learning and teaching environment. Also, teachers have a most important job in the
country of teaching our children. Students in high schools and language schools are the most
important responsibility of the country.

Marijuana Legal or Illegal

By: Miguel Bejarano
(Argentina)
Marijuana is a plant that is used to help people suffering from Cancer or other diseases.
Marijuana is considered an hallucinogenic drug which has the capacity to alter perception. Its
active ingredients are resins of a plant called cannabis sativa. The flowers of this plant are dried
and smoked and the resin can be extracted and concentrated to produce another type of
substance such as hashish or hash oil. In general, Marijuana produces a general sense of
relaxation, mild euphoria, and distorts the meaning of time.
Although, marijuana is a plant that is used by doctors for some disease, in my opinion, I
think that marijuana should not be legal for free consumption, but it should be allowed if it is
prescribed by a doctor.
This drug produces addictions in our young people and consequently loses focus on the
more important things in life such as the health of our young people, concentration in their studies,
and also, someone could become a criminal.
First, this drug affects the health of our young people. For example, we know that in some
cases this drug is helpful for diseases. Although this is true, one should not forget that it also
produces really serious side effects in the physical level such as increased heart rate, dry mouth,
impaired coordination and slower reaction time. It can cause palpitations and arrhythmias. Also,
marijuana affects the lungs, the smoked contain between 50 and 70 percent more carcinogenic
than smoking snuff. The regular smoker may have a chronic productive cough and increased
frequency of respiratory diseases and lung infections. When you consume marijuana, also you may
start to consume others drugs such as alcohol or cocaine. It is the truth that many people start
experimenting with marijuana and then move to use cocaine, and when consumed in high doses it
can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and panic or anxiety.
Secondly, young people lose concentration in their study. Although, many people think it is
not bad for society and doesnt affect our young people. In my opinion this is not really true because
11

the reality is that young people lose concentration on their studies, when they consume marijuana in
high doses. Also they lose their judgment and cannot spend a lot of time studying because they have
lost their learning ability and focus.
Finally, if marijuana were legal, our young people would lose their health, concentration in
their studies, and the most dangerous consequence is that they could become criminals. The
consumption of marijuana by our young people is growing each day. This causes them to lose the
opportunities of being successful and having a better future.
In conclusion, I think that the consumption of marijuana that is not prescribed by
a doctor should be illegal because it destroys the life of our children. Remember that the consuming of
or addiction to marijuana makes young people lose concentration on the important things in life like
their health, concentration on their studies and the most dangerous is that the becoming criminals.

Effect of Forgiveness
By: Hussain Rashed (Saudi Arabia)
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong (Mahatma Gandhi). All
of us make mistakes or sin against another person. This is the natural state of human beings and we
need a new chance for a new beginning. Although forgiveness is often a difficult decision, the act of
forgiveness provides a lot of mental and physical benefits.
As a result of forgiveness the mental benefits are many. The brain contains millions of millions
of neurons which receive different chemical signals that prompt them to switch on or off. Stress and
anger affect these functions and risk slowing down the brains abilities. Furthermore, stress obstructs
the growth of new neurons in the brain causing neuronal death or destruction. Besides there is
memory impairment and learning difficulties according to research provided by Yale University. Since
forgiveness and stress are inversely proportional, forgiveness reduces the stress of unforgiveness.
However, forgiveness also has a lot of positive influences on our body. It gives you a longer
lifespan, and gets you out of the angry mode and you will have a better heart.
Forgiveness has been linked to physical health. According to a study that had 425 participants
between 50 and 95 years of age. Researchers found that a forgiving personality was related to less
stress, and hence having that attribute reduces blood pressure, fortifies the immune system and
improves heart health.
Works Cited
Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness. Mayo Clinic. 11 Nov. 2014. 20 April. 2015
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692
Robbie Durand, M.A., The Effects of Forgiveness on the Cardiovascular System Mr. Fire. 20
April. 2015 http://www.mrfire.com/article-archives/guest-articles/effects-of-forgivenesscardio.html
Effect of anger: what anger does to your body and brain. Anger.com. 20 April. 2015.
http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com/effects-of-anger.html
physical effect of anger. Better health channel. January 2014. 20 April.2015.
http://m.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Anger_how_it_affects_peo
ple?open

12

Why English Should Be Required

By: Ixsa Cubillo Mendoza (Nicaragua)
Those who come to the USA must learn English when they come. Speaking English in the
USA is so important for everything: from getting a job, to going places and communicating with
people. Therefore, people must be required to speak English in order to live in the USA.
Some people think that English is not that important for work in this country because they
might work without speaking English; for example, they may work in construction and in that kind of
work they do not need to speak English. Also, they can work cleaning houses or apartments and do
not need it either.
Many people live their entire lives in this country and never learn to speak English. As a result,
many people think it is not necessary to learn English to live in the USA.
On the other hand in my opinion, people who come to live in the USA must learn English
because the language in the USA is English. So, they are going to be required to know the English
necessary for their daily life especially is they plan to live their entire life in the USA. Their children will
go to school and need help with their homework. And they will have to be aware of their children in
school and will always need to understand and speak English to communicate with their childrens
teachers.
Also, another very important point is that if they want to have a better life and more
opportunities and better jobs they will need to speak English. The language is beneficial not only
when living in the USA but also when traveling anywhere in the world because the English language
is global.
In short, it is clear that knowing English is one of the most important factors for having a good
life in the USA or having a better life anywhere in the world.

Cheating
By: Ly Nguyen (Vietnam)
Dont cheat! Use your mind. Cheating is one of the most concern behaviors at school. Recent,
a lot of students they are cheating in test, exam in class but they dont think about the effect of
cheating.
First, some lazy students want to a get high score but they dont want to study for the test or
they didnt listen to teachers lecture so they cheat. For example, the student spends a lot of time to
sleep or go to the parties, and then they go to school cheat in their test to achieve high score. As the
result, they cant understand and they lose the ability to do homework or test. That will be unfair with
other students, because other students study very hard.
Next, cheater wants to be successful but they always depend on other people. For instance,
they always copy the test of other students; they steal the work of others. Cheaters live their life in a
lie. Cheating becomes a bad habit. Also, cheating defies the students responsibility to learn.
In conclusion, cheating is bad behavior, you know if you cheating you are lying to yourself and
your parents. You can have high score but you cant understand the lesson, you cant become a
successful person if you lazy and also you lack of your effort because you always depend on other
people. Be honest on your test!
13

Wars
By: Meshaal Algreesha (Saudi Arabia)
War and ruination go hand and hand. War brings nothing but negativity and misfortune to a
country such as war world one and war world two those wars are the biggest ever, so end of those
wars the effaces are pollution the environment, the transportation disrupted, a buildings destroyed,
however the most important causes in the wars are oil, land, and religion.
The countries that don't have oil always start war and attack to countries that have oil because
if they get the oil, they will catch more money, for example the war between Iraq and Kuwait, so at
that time a leader of Iraq commanded to attack to steal Kuwaits oil. The effects of that war are
pollution because soldiers of Iraq polluted the sea by oil; so all life in sea was die.
The kind of wars occupation continue to many years, so if this war happen many if people
don't have freedom, also the buildings destroy, for example the war between Palestine and Israel that
war started many years ago. The reason for that war is the Jews didnt have country to live together,
so they wanted to have country, then they chose Palestine because geographical location was
suitable and the got help from England and they occupied many where from Palestine's land.
Another cause of wars is religion. Usually wars happen because of discrimination between
people, for example French wars between 1562 and 1598. Was between Protestants and French
Catholic. The war began from Protestants because they wanted freedom and civil rights. At the end of
the war they got freedom and civil rights, but the effects of that war are many of people died, and their
houses were destroyed.
In war every thing change and life more difficult than before. I don't agree with wars in the
world because there are many people who die in war. All the countries can solve their problems with
out war. The victims are innocent people. The most important effect is pollution and every thing
changes from abuse.

14

ILLITERACY
By: Marcos Gonzalez (Mexico)

Most of the population thinks that the biggest enemy of the human are others humans, they
were thinking in the wrong way!! Illiteracy is the worst enemy, it is invisible, its has been attacking this
world for decades. Illiteracy exists due to machismo or young guys being parents early and because
of poverty.
The existence high percentage of machismo cause a big impact for a mention in Mexico,
generating inequality of gender for ended women arent allow to study, because they have a old idea
which is women are only for stay at home like a perfect housewife keep everything well, such prepare
food for her husband when he back after work, take care of the children for a mention a few
obligations.
So men have to work for the family, which mean only men can be attend to school to prepared
for the future, so for the logical conclusion parents in the past time in Mexico thinks women are not
useful in the family after they married its one motive why they daughters dont send at school, a big
idea false!
Furthermore, evidence cause of illiteracy is being parents early.
Is common to see how our young guys in school age have been being parents while they are
studying, once passed it, their life in education have to stop completely to take care of their baby. It is
a sing of having irresponsibility and immaturity.
To mention another cause, is poverty, according to List Dose (just enough addictive) a huge of
portion of our population (29.8% Lies below the National Poverty) lines that signify they Barely have
enough to eat, so how can they go to school? Families have to survive by working. Day a day, not
going to school, school is only for rich people.
Illiteracy has many effects on a person who have it. Disabilities labor is one Result of lack of
literacy such as learning and how to apply knowledge on technology as Computer for instance. Also in
general task at work place, for consequence is too hard find a good job.
Consequently, illiteracy causes low income, A person less prepared earns less than a Person
who has study as result precarious financial. Reducing possibilities of overcome. Indeed, since the
causes of illiteracy dominate more unfortunate people, the effects are easy and clearly to identify
where is the biggest impact on each country are the malefic of it.

Lack of Exercises
By: Renad Alharbi (Saudi Arabia)
Exercise, do not be lazy. In fact exercises may change your life, it is worth. Because if you
read about the risks of rareness of exercises you will go fast to the nearest gym. Sometimes it is hard
due to the style of our lives. There is not enough time. We have busy schedule some people are lazy
or hate to exercise, there is a lot of knowledge about the consequences of lack of exercises. If we
ignore exercise it might effects negatively on us. You must distinguish improve the body s
performance devices, depression, and health problems.
First, lack of exercises is too common issue in these days. Due to the scientists discussed this
problem a lot and they finally found the reasons of it. Frist reason is busy schedule, in fact people do
not have adequacy time for do exercises they cant arrange their time between work and another
responsibility such as children or their duty for their families. However, they always start their day and
suddenly they recognize the day is end .A Second reason is another group of people they lazy and
hate to exercise because they simply do not want to move any step. Third reason is lack of knowledge
15

about bad consequences of leaving exercise. They do not read .Do not worry about their health, they
have superficiality knowledge in this field.
When people do not exercise that can be consequent on their life such as depression.
Depression locked up your energy and your strength, but when you try to do exercises you will be
better, your mood will be happy, you will meet some people and your life will completely change .A
study published in 2005 found that walking fast about 30 min 5 times a week can help to decrease the
depression symptoms. Another effect for lack of exercise is health problems which is negatively effect
also, for example: maybe this will cause obesity .For decades when you look to the people you find
thin and slim healthy people but now you will find almost more than 40% have obesity of the society
you life in and this is huge trouble cause obesity can make a lot of health issues like high blood
pressure, and diabetes. Sometimes the effect of lack of exercises will be unexpected, for example; do
exercises can improve the body s performance devices it is help you with digestive system a lot. In
addition, doing exercises can make your digest food easier because of digestive enzymes, and the
doctors recommend doing exercises for half an hour every day.
In conclusion, when some one is disadvantaged himself from exercises he will suffer in future
from a lot of problems. So we must solve the causes to avoid the effects, we also reduce the risk of
early death.
Resource:
Wikipedia.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-and-depression-reportexcerpt

Young People Can Teach Older People

By: Haifa Aldawood (Saudi Arabia)
In the past, wise man said, "the person who is older than you for one day knows more than
you for one year. Older people know everything because they have a lot of experiences int heir life.
However, recently I have begun to believe that young people may teach older people about three
things: new technology, new information, and new skills.
Critics say that young people cannot teach older people because young people are naive.
However, I think young people can help older people to learn everything about technology. For
example, when my father bought a new cell phone, it was the first time for him to use a cell phone.
Therefore my siblings and I taught him how he might use it to answer the call or make a call. So, in
this case, young people can be helpful.
Some people say older people may not need young people to teach them. They already know
everything about life. I refute this idea because we hear news and information everyday. Thus, young
people can relay this information to older people and help them to know new information. So, I would
say do not dismiss young people. Older people should ask them and learn from them.
Finally, people who say older people have more skills than young people are wrong because
young people have a diverse set of ideas to improve themselves and older people. As a result young
people might teach older people about many skills. For instance, my grandmother does not know how
to count from one to ten and I help her to improve this skill.
In conclusion, young people have some skills, new information, and new technology. They
can teach older people to learn something about these things. That is why older people may need
young people to help them.
16

The Value of Difficult Experiences

By: Alhassan Sonbul (Saudi Arabia)
Everyone has had his own experiences in life that may have been difficult at that time but became
valuable lessons in the future. I am going to tell you about one experience that changed my life and gave
me a good lesson.
I used to be a communicative person in the past. I trusted easily in anyone. I believed anything
said to me. I had many friends, or people who I thought were my friends. I was one of those people who
liked to hang out everyday, having fun every night and dating a lot of girls. When I did all these things,
there were a lot of people around me and we never hung out without each other. I thought of those people
as my brothers, not just my friends.
After a while, I stopped doing these things - stopped the parties, dating and what I used to do at
that time. When I stopped, those people started to leave me. Everyone started to forget me and ignored
me. I found out after a while those people were not real friends. They didn't care. They never asked about
me again.
In the beginning I was so angry because of what had happened. They hurt me. I started to lose my
trust in everyone. But, one day I gold myself I must be strong. I must change after this night. AT that time
I started to be strong. I changed for the better. I became smarter than before. I know who my real brothers
and friends are and I know who is my enemy. With this lesson, now I know how to choose friends. I know
who I should trust. I have learned the real meaning of friendship after the lesson of this experience.

Private Business
By: Hussain Koraisha (Saudi Arabia)
The government should protect private business and enterprise for the development of the country.
The government is looking for way to help people who have businesses. The government needs to
develop the country and so the government can provide rules, grow the economy, and help start new
business.
First of all, some people dont think the government should make rules and dont think that they
should follow them. They may want to make their own rules to do what they want. For example, they may
want to sell alcohol, which is prohibited in K.S.A. On the other hand, I think government should make rules
because they know what is good for business and what is bad. If they do, it can affect the country. For
example, in my country Saudi Arabia, it is forbidden to sell alcohol because Islam forbids it. This keeps
everyone save.
Second, some people dont like it when the government collects money for taxes. They want all the
money for themselves. They think the government takes the money and divides it among each other.
However, I think it is good for the people for the government to collect the tax. They take the tax to do what
the people want such as build schools for children and hospitals for people.
Finally, some people dont think that the government should protect the businesses so that the
business can provide jobs. They think the government should not protect the business and they want to
employ only certain people. In contrast, I believe that this is the best way for government to help people
find jobs for themselves. The government protects the business to increase employment opportunities.
In conclusion, I think the government should make the rules because they know what is good and
what is bad for the country. The government should collect taxes to do what the people want and the
government should protect the businesses to increase employment opportunities.
17

WRITING SIX
Shooting Sports
By: Ibrahim Haidar (Saudi Arabia)
Introduction
Shooting sports have been some of the greatest sports that have been practiced for more than
a century and still remain significant. A shooting sport involves competition and its also used to test
the ability of the competitors and determine their accuracy and speed. When we get in depth of this
topic, we will discover many things, such as; the history of shooting sports, how often they are
practiced today, the developments in these sports, and the weapons that are used in this sport.
History
Shooting sports first association is called The National Rifle Association (NRA). Both the UK
and America have their own associations. The National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom was
founded in 1860 in order to raise an annual fund for the National Rifle Meeting. This annual meeting
occurs to encourage the volunteer Rifle corps and to promote rifle shooting in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, at the time of the American Civil War, veteran union officers col. William C. Church and
Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association Of America in 1871 to help promote and
encourage rifle shooting. In 1872, New York State financially helped the association to purchase a site
on long island, the Creed Farm, in order to build a rifle range named Creedmoor. The range was
opened in 1872 and it was the site of the first national matches. Shooting sports are now some of the
sports that are included in the Olympics, and there are many people competing in this sport.
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm with a long rifled barrel, but usually its included in long weapons that usually
need two hands to hold and fire steadily. When theyre compared with pistols, they have a longer
range and much better accuracy than pistols, and they are better than a pistol for hunting. (Wiki)
Pistols
Handguns are smaller than rifles; they are much more suitable to carry around. They have
shorter range and less accuracy compared to rifles. There are two types of handguns: pistols and
revolvers. The first Percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. Revolvers were the
standard handgun for the last half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Hugo Borchardt
designed the first commercially successful semi-auto pistol, the C-93. (Wiki)
Shotguns
It was in the 19th century
when trap Shooting with
shotguns began in England. Trap
Shooting is a type of shooting
sport that simulates the flight of
game birds, clay pigeons,
originally made of clay but now molded of silt and pitch in the shape of saucers, which are hurled from
mechanical contrivance. The distance between the shooter and the target differs from 16 to 25 yards.
(14.63-22.86m). Shooters generally prefer a 12-gauge gun for trap shooting. . Trapshooting was also
adopted in the United States in the late 19th century., and in 1900 the American trapshooting
association was organized. The championship takes place at Vandalia, Ohio annually. (encyclopedia)
Skeet, in the early years called round the clock shooting, took place in 1910 b C. E. Davies of
Andover, Massachusetts. The name, chosen in a magazine contest, is an old Scandinavian form of
18

the word shoot. Two trapshooting devices hurl pigeons at and over each other from 40 yards. The
marksman shoots at the moving target from different stations on the perimeter of a semi-circle
connecting the traps. Guns used are 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge and. 410 bore. During skeet matches,
25 pigeons are thrown, of which 8 are hurled in pairs. (encyclopedia)
Action
Action shooting, also known as dynamic shooting or practical shooting, is a generic term
alternative to non-traditional shooting sports, generally characterized by rapid movements on every
shooting stage. Most begin with a holster draw in the case of handguns. Action shooting is also a
game that consists of measuring the speed at which a competitor can hit more than one target,
beginning from a position where the handgun is securely holstered. Targets may be on standby or
moving. Action courses differ often consisting of both scored targets and falling targets within the
same match. (NSSF.org)
Silhouette
Silhouette shooting is a shooting gallery on a grand scale. Scoring is simple: shoot metallic
silhouette targets to hit off their stands which are placed in different distances. (NSSF.org)
Precision
In this demanding sport, shooters are allowed to use only one hand while acquiring targets at
ranges differing from 10 meters to 50 meters. Precision shooting stands as one of the most popular
recreational uses of the handgun today. (NSSF.org)
3-Gun
3-gun or Multi-Gun shooting events are practical shooting events where the stages are shot
with various weapons of a rifle, handgun and shotgun. Overall Matches involve courses where the
shooter must move through different stages and acquire targets in a variety of positions. Each stage
will generally require the use of different weapons and require the shooter to transit between multi
firearms.
Crossbow
The International Crossbow Union was founded in Landshut, Germany on June 24, 1956 as
the world governing body for crossbow target shooting. The IAU hosts World, Continental and
International crossbow shooting championships in 3 Stages: 30m Match-crossbow, 10m Matchcrossbow and Field-crossbow shooting. IAU World championships occur every two years via
Continental Championships on intervening years. Furthermore, International and IAU-Cup events take
place annually. (Wiki)
Conclusion
Shooting sports are currently among the most popular sports in Europe and North America.
Furthermore, shooting sports are also considered as recreational sports, that is, Recreational shooting.
It consists of hunting, clay shooting and target shooting. However there is no competition in
recreational shooting. It is a delightful sport. More and more people are getting involved in this sport,
especially in the United States of America. On top of that, we have discovered the history of this sport,
the weapons that are used in this sport and the discipline of the sport.
Works Cited
"shooting." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. 2014. Encyclopedia.com. 18 Apr.
2015<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
Shooting Sports Wikipedia the free encyclopedia (wiki). Wikipedia.com/Shooting Sports. 20th April 2015
<http://www.wikipedia.com/ShootingSports >.
19

Review and Critique of Hashemi, H, et al

Corneal Stability after Discontinued Soft Contact Lens Wear"
By: Nawal Hawsawi (Saudi Arabia)
Introduction:
Contact lens is one of the most common methods for correction of refractive errors of the eye.
For many decades, contact lens manufacturers have been reporting a significant improvement in
contact lenses designs and materials, however; the contact lens is still present as a foreign object for
the ocular surface and may lead to physiological and mechanical changes. It is directly interacting
with the anterior surface of the cornea; when it is placed into the eye the ocular anatomical structures
behind and in front of the lenses are directly affected and reduce its function (Alba-Bueno, 2009).
It is important to differentiate the corneal changes that are clinically accepted from those are
not. Therefore, many studies have been done to understand the etiology of these changes in order to
enhance the safety of contact lens wear.
This paper presents a summary of Hashemi, H, et al in 2008 experiments that investigate the
mechanical and physiological effects of the soft contact lenses use on corneal shape as well as the
time needed by the cornea in order to reach its stability after discontinuing the soft contact lenses as
well as investigate the effects of these lenses on corneal shape and thickness during this period.
Furthermore, overall critique of study elements, evaluate the effectiveness of the material that used to
examine the participants.
To begin this experiment, Iranian scientists from Tehran University of Medical Scientist
observed 42 eyes which have a history of daily wear soft contact lenses which were indicated for
refractive surgery procedure. Subjects who have any significant anterior segment anomaly, and
history of wearing contact lenses for purposes rather than refractive correction were excluded from
this study.
All the tests were made in the first day immediately after the patients removed their contact
lens. The measurements were retaken on the 3rded and 7th days to evaluate the changing in the
cornea, and the follow up visits were continued until stabilization criteria were observed. The subjects
were classified according to their corneal stability into two groups: a stable group that had subjects
who reported no significant changes in corneal parameter in first follow up visits and a non-stable
group with subjects who required more than two follow-up visits to reach stabilization criteria.
The result indicated that out of 42 eyes there were 26 corneas (62%) which showed no
significant change in refractive state during initial evaluation in the stable group, while in the remaining
16 eyes in the unstable group the cornea took at least 3 days to reach its stabilization, and (17%)
eyes had significant abnormal corneal topography. However, the mean central corneal thickness
showed a significant reduction in stable group and increasing in unstable group detected within the
final visit. In addition, there were no significant differences in corneal refractive power and
topographical indices.
Discussion:
This study indicated that the cornea needs 2-3 days to reach its stability after discounting the
soft contact lenses, this period was substantially less than the result of "Budak et al who found
according to the corneal topographical map, the cornea becomes fully stable after 2 weeks of
discontinuing of soft contact lens and approximately five weeks for hard lens from discontinued used.
However, in the current routine examination, it was confirmed that the patient must discontinue
wearing soft contact lens for at least three days before the pre-surgical evaluation that indicated full
corneal recovery at a three-day minimum.

20

This study lacks a control group (non-contact lens wearers) that made it difficult or impossible
to determine the effects of contact lens on the corneal thickness. A number of previous papers have
failed in determining the effective factors that cause delay of the cornea to maintain its stability; this
study attributed this failure to the way that they determine the initial examination were take place after
the participants remove their contact lens by several days rather than taken it immediately after
removing the contacts lens. A recent study suggests that corneal warpage (the term that
demonstrates all contact lens-induced changes in corneal topography includes; both the reversible
and the permanent changes without edema (Efron, 1997)) will increase in it severity with longer period
of the contact lens wear (Alba- Bueno, 2009).
Critique:
The question of how long the cornea needs in order to maintain its normal shape after
discontinuing soft contact lens is an appropriate question to be investigated. It is critical to understand
and explore the physiological process of the cornea to better diagnose and apply solutions to
problems such as any mistake in refractive surgery preparation. Providing additional discoveries in
accommodating and possibly treating for common corneal condition.
The authors of this study were not the first to explore the question. As a matter of fact, a study
done by Budak K 1999 offered an alternative interpretation of the same effects. In making a critical
analysis of this study, there are a few things that could become variable to provide a more in depth
result. To begin with, there was no difference between the ages of participants revealed; the authors
failed in determining the specific limits of the age. Also, it did not explain the range of the refractive
error and the refractive state of the patient. Taking a larger sect of the eye ages, with varied refractive
errors, would help to solidify the state of the youthful cornea before changing. Including the variety of
different refractive errors would assess in isolating the true morphology of the cornea, being sure that
the corneal measurements are consistent in hyperopia, myopic and astigmatic eyes. In addition, the
number of participants was limited. Because the experiment was to study the effects of a specific type
of the lens on the corneal shape, it was necessary that there be a wide range of cohort size to
increase the accuracy and support the results. The difference in ages could provide an important
variable to show refractive error and its effects on the results. 21 participants are an insufficient pool
to give a solid confirmation of the interpretation of the results.
The imaging technology used to observe changes in corneal topography and thicknesses was
insufficient; the Keratometry was used to measure the changes within central 3 mm and provide
topography of the anterior surface only. Abnormal topography was defined as central irregular
astigmatism while recent studies have found that the central of the cornea is not always the true
measure or scale of what is happening in the cornea, and does not specify changes and warpage in
posterior surface induced by contact lens use. According to Wilson and Klyce 1991, Old Keratometry
evaluates the anterior curvature of the center 3mm cornea and no information about the peripheral
cornea. It is better to use corneal profile topography such as Orbscan topography that measures the
anterior and posterior corneal surfaces.
In Conclusion:
The results support the conclusions that are drawn from previous studies (three days
discontinuing soft contact lens is an inadequate period to produce refractive surgery, and soft contact
lens may induce corneal warpage. However, given the number of testing participants and the
variables, a more in-depth experimentation with larger and more varied participants, using the modern
technology to determine the corneal topography would serve useful in attempting to better understand
what actually occurs in the central processing as it relates to contact lens users.

21

Works Cited
Alba-Bueno F, Beltran-Masgoret A, Sanjuan C, Biarnes M and Marin J. "Corneal shape changes induced by first
and second generation silicone hydrogel contact lenses in daily wear." Cont Lens Anterior Eye (2009).
Budak K, Hamed AM, Friedman NJ and Koch DD. "Preoperative screening of contact lens wearers before
refractive
surgery." J Cataract Refract Surg (1999).
Efron N "Grading scales for contact lens complications." Ophthalmic Physiol Opt (1998).
Wilson SE and Klyce SD. "Quantitative descriptors of corneal topography. A clinical study." Arch
Ophthalmol (1991).

Effects of the Internet on Young People

By: Pipi Nguyen (Vietnam)
Can you imagine what would happen if we dont have Internet today? Fourteen years is not
too long, but development of technology, especially the Internet, has created opportunities for every
country in general and for my country Vietnam in particular to be included in the world.
Having many fields in economy, society uses the Internet for purposes such as: education,
health, trading, and diplomacy. Some people even declared that they cannot live without the Internet
because their lives will become nonsense. We can see the Internet has been directing most fields
from doctor, engineer, teacher to manager or staffs work in the office by chatting online or video talk
or finding some useful ideas for themselves. Computer and Internet are used widely from the city to
the country, from adults to children. They have many technological apps that develop quickly such as:
games, online newspaper, websites and forums. So, the Internet is becoming more and more
important for nearly everybody as it is one of the newest and most forward looking media and surely
the medium of the future. Just with only a computer and connected devices, the young people can live
in a different world conveniently. However, it also causes some negative effects and affects todays
lifestyle of human beings. Everything has two sides as well, not only the Internet. So, today I will show
you how strongly the Internet impacts the people.
Firstly, I want to mention some benefits the Internet brings to us. Once, everyone was
familiar with reading interesting news patiently in a newspaper in the early morning everyday, or
waiting to listen to the radio or watch television. Currently, we are able to update some new
information anytime by searching on Internet and reading the online newspaper. Another advantage
of Internet is to communicate with each other widely. For examples, communication between the
reader and the composer. The readers can give their opinions and comment on the information, which
is just put on Internet. As a result, the composers have the ability to comprehend the readers support
and dream easily, to find what is the best topic for them. With the capability of interacting in many
directions, the composers will celebrate many online exchanges directly between the readers inside
and outside of the country and the leaderships or some people who works for society, culture, or
science about many topics a lot of people care about as well.
But not only like that, the Internet also maintains a stock of huge knowledge. You can find
every kind of information in all of the fields in the country and the world. The best way to find a field or
solve any problems is just to go to Google page, then enter the keywords and click to Enter; after that,
you will see right away many websites that provide the information leading to the issue you want to
look for.
Nowadays, Internet has become the means of helping to transmit, exchanging the
information, cooperating, and communicating among individuals, organizations and nations all over
the world quickly and usefully, and contributing to the development of the rights of speech of citizens.
22

Everyone has the rights equally as well; they can show their ideas and learn experience from joining
in some forums. Furthermore, everybody can also listen to music, watch the online movie, and plays
on Internet, or meet many famous people who we admire.
Therefore, Internet helps people all over the world become closer, friendly. It is the
background that gives a hand to develop the strength of community, especially, the strength of the
younger people who contribute to build and progress the knowledge economy.
Once, people usually sent the letter through the post office or from postmaster and it took
them a long time to send to another person, even we couldnt receive the letter for some reasons on
transportation. In current today, just only a few second, we can send email by the phone immediately.
This is a wonderful app of Internet. Instead of writing by handing-write, buying stamps, envelopes,
now we just need to type on the computer and send the file by Email when the computer have
connection with Internet. That is not only save the time and money, but it also makes sure the
information will be sent to the receiver safely. Meanwhile, sending the letter by post office will be
intercepted or when the address of receiver is changed, the letter will not be sent exactly to them.
Moreover, we can create more individual accounts to exchange the information with many partners
and different purposes such as: email box for the customers, friend, or family to limit the thievery of
the information.
In addition, Internet has contributed an important part in education. We can learn online at
home, even study programs from foreign countries through Internet. We can learn anytime when we
have free time and exchange with our teacher directly on Internet; that saves the fees and time. As a
result, this training method helps the education open one more chance for people who have difficult
condition in separating the time like not having enough time for studying because some students need
to work part time to get money for spending tuition, living expenses. Moreover, students usually find
some information for themselves by going to the library and taking some useful books for their topic.
But sometimes the schools library is out of date or lack of some topics. That makes the students task
difficult to compile necessary research for their essay or research papers. It will be easier if the school
has a computer lab for students; they can use the Internet to search for some information they need
for their tasks.
Behind of the advantages of Internet, it also has some disadvantages. The technology and
the Internet have negative effects on lifestyle and make a lot of changes to the teenagers to get worse.
The younger people become more and more addicted to the Internet. Do you know how the people
become addicted to the Internet? They want to look for a way to help themselves escape from the
stress, depression, loneliness or anxiety. They use the Internet to seek the alternate way to control
these difficult feelings. Day by day, they are imposed on by the Internet a lot and they will become
addicted seriously, so they cant concentrate on studying or working. For example, many children who
become addicted to video games are dropouts. Psychology is affected deeply from programs which
arent healthy like violence in teenagers. Furthermore, the young people are too interested in the
Internet; thats why they build for them an unreal life and lack of knowledge about the society since
they are living in an imaginary life. Besides that, Internet also makes them not have enough time to
spend with their family or friends, so the relationship will be easier to break down.
In conclusion, through many advantages and disadvantages of Internet, we can realize that if
we know how to use the Internet in the right way, have selection and have the methods which can
prevent many harmful programs, the Internet will be really wonderful for everyone. Therefore, the
government has to develop human resources who have knowledge and workers who know how to
use the Internet and step by step improve more benefits. In addition, everyone needs to enhance their
comprehension exactly about the Internet, including the providers and users to help the country grow
the economy, and the life of people will be better.

23

Works Cited

http://www.tru.ca/cpj/essay.html, Markus Temmel, Martina Theuermann, Eva Ukowitz, Tanja Vogrin,

The Impact of the Internet on our daily life
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-positive-effects-technology-education-31222.html William Mccoy,
Demand Media, Five positive effects of technology on Education
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/internet-and-computer-addiction.htm
Joanna Saisan, Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Internet and Computer Addiction
February 2015

Be Responsible With Making A Decision

By: Anne Claire Floquet (France)
Stop to ask yourself to know if you made a good or a bad decision, you cannot satisfy the
entire world! Making choices is a responsibility and depends on who you are.
The awful situation is to choose a point of view in society because even if you want to satisfy
people, you are not able to do that. In addition, each person is unique and has different opinions,
personality, and values. Consequently, there are always those who agree with you and also disagree.
Moreover, trying to find the best for everybody takes a lot of time. Frequently, you need to respect the
deadline and make a decision quickly.
On the other hand, when you are in a small group, you can decide about something faster and
also the decision can be more efficient and relevant. Nonetheless, it is the same issue; you cannot get
the agreement of all the people.
The core of making a decision is not to make all persons happy but just to be responsible and
believe in your own decisions.

Gangster and Goth, other faces in society

By: Nhi Hoang (Vietnam)
Gangster. Goth. Have you ever heard these words? These are the terms that indicate two
groups that highlight two different styles in society. When you take a walk on a New York street, you
might catch some words that are completely unknown to you if you are not one of them. They say
something like the song is ill, or you are so fly. At that time, you might think how can the song be ill,
or you don't have a swing so how can you fly. Actually, ill means excited and fly means
awesome. Those words we call slang and are used quite popularly in gangster groups. If you go to
Goth clubs, you will know some exclusive names that bring fascinating meaning like Amaris means
child of the moon, or Adriene means dark lady from the sea. Although Goth and Gangster are
some part of our life, they are two separated worlds. The two lifestyles will be described here,
including how to be a gangster and goth and two different kinds of music which express the message
toward life in different ways.
Gangsters on the outside are rude and insolent, but they are so sensitive and are vulnerable,
while goth outside are silent, an enigma and full of somber, but they always think in a positive way
and have a deeper feeling about the beauty of life. It could be said that gangster and goth are
distinctive groups in society. Some people say they are cool and want to be one of them by wearing
the outfits to look like them or using slang in conversation. However they do not try to show off. In fact,
being a goth can be, but not everyone wants to be a gangster. Why?

24

At first, we need to know underlying definitions of these. According to an article about gangster
from Wikipedia, gangster is the group collecting criminal as if an organized crime. Gangster has
another way to indicate the people who are the member of gang, mobster. Compared with individual
crime, gangster has been more complex and active for many years in society.
When talking about gangster people, we immediately imagine something involved in violence
and the worst class. They use gun as a daily weapon to kill somebody, and they can pull the trigger
whenever they are not satisfied with someone. The best top news reported that students who join in
gang, they are free to do whatever they please. At school, they put their leg on the table while the
teacher is teaching; they freely talk on the phone about violence and crime issue in society that the
teacher did not punish them. Teachers are even scared of them; they give indifference to those
students because they want a stable life.
In some aspect, they are utterly scary and extremely bad, but behind all of those things is an
unfortunate fate and they are the unlucky person. Nataliya states on the best top news that "the vast
majority of children who are gangsters, not personification of absolute evil. They were just unlucky to
be born into wealthy families." Some parents only spend time for working that ignore that taking care
of children is the highest responsibility. When children lack of concern they tend to act against those
people who they love. Also at school they continue to be indifferent from teacher and classmate, and
eventually they are considered such as aliens and are bullying. To avoid those bad things, they join a
gang. Then most of them come to see gang's lives where crime and violence often occur, but for
those gangsters it is glamorous of fun. The initiation requirements to become one of the members of a
gang is that people have to commit a crime. It could involve stealing, fighting, rape, or even kill.
People must get some cash that has been stolen. In addition, they wear some cool clothes in gang
color and enjoying some of the excitement at that time. Joining gang also pushes family and friends
become the member. This issue affects on society and themselves
Meanwhile Goth is different. According to the Wikipedia defines goth as a contemporary
subculture. Goth prefer to wear dark clothes including a pale complexion with colored black hair, black
lips, dark eyeliner, and dark fingernail polish. Looking at them directly, we feel like getting into a
mysterious world and full of death. Beginning from the Punk fashion, Victorian and Elizabethans of
19th century, the gothic has survived until now and increasing tendency. An article titles: Why are
people being goth? was published in London that reported that in reality goths are most likely the
smartest group in the world. Goths tend to be non-violent, pacifistic, passive and tolerant.
In the Religious Tolerance pages concludes that there are three reasons people want to be
goth. The first reason is they have a difficult time at school, feeling alienated. Others find the scene of
literature, the others want to be shocking. H is a goth. She used to have a terrible time at school. She
always had unmatched idea with her classmate. Eventually, her music was not similar to them. She
had been being mistreated and nobody wants to talk with her. She felt lonely and being apart from the
real world. One day, a new student transferred to her class. The new student always wore black and
was quiet. H liked her style and thought she was so cool. H became friends with her. Then she invited
H to participate in goth clubs and gradually H became goth. She confided in her blog that she loves
her current life. For some people they look down on goth due to their inhuman attribute. From the top
to the bottom they are utterly black colors, they also have tattoo, piercing, and some weird
accessories. In fact, behind the outside that seems to be rude and different, they exist the inner
strength. Through black color, they try to find a different way of thinking about life, a beauty of life,
pain in death. This is not familiar to some of people who think about goth; they are not pessimistic but
rather goths are optimistic about the future and see much beautiful life in the world.
In addition, music of gangster and goth marks the explicit style and conveys the meaning
message to life. Gang's music is stronger vocally and rapid rhythms. One of them is gangster rap. It is
a subgenre of hip hop music with a lyrical focus on the activities of illegal street gangs and uses slang
words commonly. Also, pop culture draws the picture of gangster life. The music videos are full of hot
cars, hot clothes, hot girls, and a lot of money. However, instead of popularizing violence committed to
25

get their hand on cash, performing crime, or forcing people to do anything illegal, they defend
themselves by arguing they are describing the reality of inner city life.
Through music they want listeners to respect and gain awareness of the severity of the inner
city. They are not ashamed when they try to express the mutual respect desired in the US, especially
African-American. Gangster rappers are famous for appearing more hardcover compared to early
concepts and themes of hip hop artists as they say something uncommon. Their music is sometimes
criticize toward the dark side of society and venture using bad word on police, but they are still afraid
of appearing anti-American or anti-government.
Not as strong as gangster music and not as rude in the lyrics as well, goth music is goth rock
that deals with dark themes addressed through lyrics and the music's atmosphere. Simon Reynolds, a
music journalist says that " standard musical fixtures of gothic rock include scythe ng guitar patterns,
high-pitched Joy Division bass lines that often usurped the melodic role and beats that were either
hypnotically dirge like or tribal" That is why the vocal style of gothic rock is deep and dramatic. (Goth
rocks; style, roots, and influences; 4)
The lyrics indicate to exhibit literary romanticism, morbidity, religious symbolism and
supernatural mysticism. Goths have spiritual diversity and everything is shown off and represented
the clearest in music style.
In conclusion, both gangster and goth are an interesting class in society. Talking about
gangster, we immediately order negative things in our mind, but they are also sensitive and lack of
concern from family, friend and society. In return, Goth seems to be weak outside but they have an
inner strength. From them, we learn the importance of love and your outside will be nothing unless
you live with yourself.
www.nssc1.org/ reality-of-being-a-gangster.html.
www.religioustolerance.org/goth.htm
www.teenick.com/article/45091/why-are-people-goth/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/goth_subculture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gangster
http:// www.besttopnews.com/social/26-09-2009/78399-gangsta-o/

Alzheimers: a progressive disease with no cure, not only affects the patient but the
familys patient.
By Karla Jumbo Lucioni (Peru)
1. Introduction
The origin of the term Alzheimer's disease dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a
German physician, presented a clinical case before a medical meeting about a 51-year-old woman
who suffered from a rare brain disorder. A brain autopsy identified senile plaques, amyloid plaques or
neuritic plaques, and the presence of neurofibrillary tangles.
Plaques and tangles in the brain are two of the main features of Alzheimers disease. The third
is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Although treatment can help
manage symptoms in some people, currently there is no cure for this devastating disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells,
or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among
26

people aged 65 and older, but Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. Most of the time
people get confused and get a wrong diagnosis. (1)
Although we still dont know how the Alzheimers disease process begins, it seems likely that
damage to the brain starts a decade or more before problems become evident. During the preclinical
stage of Alzheimers disease, people are free of symptoms, but toxic changes are taking place in the
brain. This is where the support of the family is important.
2. Types of Alzheimer
There are two types of Alzheimer's disease:
When symptoms first begin before age 60, it is called Alzheimers disease early start, and it is
much less common than late beginning; however, this type moves to worsen more quickly and it can
be hereditary. Alzheimer's disease late start is the most common form of the disease and occurs in
people 60 and older. It can also be hereditary.
It is difficult to determine who will develop Alzheimer's disease, since it is a complex disorder
of unknown cause, which apparently involves multiple factors. Here are some of the factors that can
increase your chances of getting this disease.
Age is a factor because the disease usually affects those aged 60-65 years, but there have
also been cases among adults under 40. The average age at diagnosis is in the 80s, because of that;
it is considered that Alzheimer's is a disease favored by age. Another factor is gender; in women it is
more often, probably because they live longer. Another important factor is family history; there is
research that shows that there is 1% of all the cases that this disease can be transmitted genetically.
Another factor is race; in this case it equally affects all races.
Finally, environmental factors can be considered. The smoke is shown as a clear risk factor for
the disease, like fat diets. On the other hand, belonging to a large family also appears to influence the
risk of Alzheimer. (2)
3. Symptoms and Stages
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's
The first symptoms of Alzheimer cover an extensive range of cognitive and behavioral disorders:
Memory and Concentration: Loss of important objects, confusion about how to perform daily
tasks, difficulty solving simple arithmetic problems, difficulty making routine decisions and confusion
about the month or the season. The patient gradually loses the ability to recognize objects, people or
places.
Mood and behavior: Changes in unpredictable humor, progressive loss of interest in the
environment, or their tastes or hobbies, depression, anxiety or confusion in response to changes,
negation of symptoms, irritability, aggressiveness, agitation and social disinhibition.
Late symptoms of Alzheimer's
Language and Speech: Difficulty completing sentences or finding the right words, inability to
understand the meaning of words, reduced or irrelevant conversation, movement and coordination.
Alzheimer's disease gets advanced so quickly, at the last stage they cannot recognize family
members; perform basic activities of daily living such as eating, dressing and bathing, or
understanding the language. (3)

27

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's
At present there is no specific diagnostic test or totally reliable way for diagnosing Alzheimer's,
so it is necessary to use a set of tests of various kinds that first discard other types of dementia and,
second, evaluate the degree.
The first step for the doctor who is evaluating the patient will be the study of family history,
personal history and symptoms presented by the patient. Also, the doctor will perform a general
physical examination and neurological examination.
The Neuroimaging studies are techniques used to confirm a suspected diagnosis in patients
who present other evidence of this disease. (4)
4. Living with a person with Alzheimers (style of life)
Once diagnosed, Alzheimer's disease begins a very difficult process, both for the patient and
for those around the patient. The whole environment of the patient, home and family, should be
reorganized to avoid any injury to facilitate handling complicated situations.
Family and caregivers should take measures to:
Avoid falls: remove everything it easy to slip on, remove obstacles that hinder movement.
Avoid accidents: it is important to withdraw from circulation all kinds of cutting, flammable and toxic
materials. Locks on windows and doors, and never leave the patient alone in places like terraces,
stairs, and other places that might be dangerous for the patient.
Organize the environment: It's good to indicate the path from the bedroom to the bathroom and
kitchen, and caregivers can place posters with the name.
Daily activities: From the early stages of the disease, caregivers should create a routine and follow it
as closely as possible; which will help the patient to orient themselves in space and time.
The family will live and suffer with the Alzheimer patient sick for all the progress of their
disease. The changes that will occur after this time shall in many cases be the occurrence of certain
negative feelings (depression, fear, anxiety, guilt...), and a level of stress, both physical and
psychological, that will lead to what has been called "caregiver syndrome".
To prevent the person who takes the lead role of caregiver from suffering this disorder, they
must first be informed and receive some training to learn the development of their assessment.
Second, know that help is available whenever needed, psychological, social and family support. (5)
5. Treatments
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. The goals of treatment are to slow the progression
of the disease, manage symptoms and behavior problems, confusion and sleep problems. It is
important to modify the home environment so you can better perform daily activities and also it is
important to support family members and other caregivers.
The medications are used to reduce the rate at which symptoms worsen, although the benefit
with these drugs may be small, controlling behavior problems such as loss of mind or confusion.
Conclusions
Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, is a progressive disease that any
specific test can diagnostic, so it is necessary to use a set of tests of various kinds that get rid of other
types of dementia and, second, to evaluate the degree.

28

This degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of
memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes, has not cure and the medications are
used to reduce the possibility that becomes worsen.
Although we still dont know how the Alzheimers disease process begins, it seems likely that
damage to the brain starts a decade or more before problems become evident. At the beginning of the
preclinical stage of Alzheimers disease, people are free of symptoms, but toxic changes are taking
place in the brain.
References
(1) http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/alzheimers-basics
(2) http://www.webconsultas.com/alzheimer/causas-del-alzheimer-243
(3) http://www.dmedicina.com/enfermedades/neurologicas/alzheimer
(4) http://www.alzfdn.org/AboutAlzheimers/diagnosis.html
(5) http://www.alz.org/national/documents/sp_brochure_basicsofalz.pdf

Single Parent
By: Le Thi Minh Anh (Vietnam)
In the general life, a child is born by mother, and then a child is raised by parents. A child has
been loved by both mother and father and grows up every day and lives with parents. A family is built
by the love between mother and father. It is just called a family when it has three or more people. In
the developed society, a family does not have to have a mother and father; a family is love between
the member in that family even though it just has only father or mother and children. The possible
reasons of single parent is separation, death, divorce or parents that dont get married, and so on.
Some countries still think solo parenting is a new issue and is controversial, but it has happened; it is
not bad and the effect is not serious. Single parenting can have an individual feature that does not
exist in every relationship in all families.
In the United States and multiple other countries, single parenting is becoming more accepted,
but not completely, yet. There are a lot of reasons to be a single parent. First of all, a long time ago,
when the world had wars, women had to raise their child alone because most men died on the
battlefield. A report said the issues of single parenting has been common historically in France,
England, or Spain in the 17th and 18th centuries and at least one-third of children lost one of their
parents during childhood because of disease or wars and maternal mortality. The second reason is
divorce. On Wikipedia, it gave some number information about divorce in United States which showed
that divorce is so common and not a big problem. It reported that the divorce rate was around 9/1000
issues in 2009 and it has been shown first marriages have a 40% divorced ending for the past 10
years or so. In addition, in 2003, it is not only divorce; a study showed that American children were
living in nuclear family which included living with step parent, biological parent, foster family, or
someone who was not a direct relative. A longer time ago around the past in the middle 1990s, there
were 1.3 million single father or single mothers in the United States. The third reason for single
parents is unintended pregnancy. In 1990, there were 73% unmarried women were having babies,
compared to 44% of births in overall. Another reason is adoption. A reporter said that single parents
have adopted since the middle of 19th century. In 1968, single parent adoptions were permissible.
However, there are not a lot of countries that allow for men adopt boys, just only women are allowed
to adopt. In the United States, there are 5-10% adoptions by single parents. [1]
29

Single parenting, like every situation, has two sides of issues: advantage and disadvantage.
The disadvantage is not outstanding but it affects on children. Another reporter said that single
parents have a strong bond with their kids. It is a good thing, but it limits children to express their
feeling openly because they have been taken care a lot, they do not have opportunity to show their
thinking. Parents can set time to have activities which helps to understand more children more. In
addition, children are easy to have emotional problems if you do not bond with them efficiently. [2] In
the other website, article: The effects of single parents on boys, a reporter was talking about
financial problems. Because the single parent can spend a lot of time to work but maybe income is not
enough to meet the needs of family, maybe it is not enough for childrens education and economic
opportunities. According to the New York Times article, Single Parent: Unsupported and Feeling the
Blame, a single parent cannot have a stable job and does not have enough time to take care of their
children also they cannot have time to responsibility for children living in the United States.
Furthermore, children can have problems about social behavior. For example, a single mother cannot
teach boys how to become a man, and boys cannot have enough strongly or ability and it can
influence their future. Another researcher said that children suffer in their mental hardship because
they have to change their ability to match with the ability that all children with two parents have. [3]
A lot of people just see the disadvantage of single parenting and have one way to think about
single parents. However, the advantage of single parent is so multiple. The article What are the
advantages and disadvantages of single parent families? was written by a single mom, Julie. She
said that it was easier to discipline because when you have two adults in a family, you have to unify
one of two options and take a long time to discuss who is better to do it. So, it is good to make a
decision and does not waste time. Competition between mom and dad affects children. One partner is
out of the competition which helps to decrease childrens affection. Another advantage is having time
for oneself and time for the child. A reporter in Parent skills of single, Julie said that the words I love
you are not enough to show love for someone like spending time to stay with the child, so single
parent can do that. A Peaceful atmosphere is a good advantage to be a single parent because they
do not have to battle with someone like a war zone. So the house wont be destructive and will have
peaceful atmosphere. Spending money on the children is easier because you do not have to ask your
partners permission. [4]. The other information in the Huffost.com website said that single parents do
not have negotiation necessary; parents have to have plans for raising children and finding the way to
make the child not learn from their negotiation. Also, single parents teach their child how to do
everything by themselves, because when children look at their mom or dad, they will try to learn to be
an independent adult. Also, it is not just good for only children; a single parent can have more options
for their relationship. Huffpost gave research from a recent Pew student that a lot of Americans are
not married; that means people realized that marriage is not the only one option to have children and
they can have a long relationship without wedding. Furthermore, when they get married, they do not
have time for themselves. Single parents do not have limits in a relationship and it does not affect the
way they raise children. They can build a better body and easily follow their job, and have time for
their children. [5]
Most research is from single parents who have experiences about this situation. They gave
both advantages and disadvantages which happen when they are raising their children. All people
dont know what will happen in the future; thus, being a single parent naturally comes to them. They
chose to raise their child by themselves and they were happy with that. Everyone has a different life,
so they get used to having independence in their life. Being a single parent is stressful, but it is not
bad because you can have the opportunity to take responsibility and challenge also, you can have
more time for yourself or more focus to take care of your child. I do not promote being a single parent;
I just want to show that it is normal to be a single parent. If you are happy with what you choose or
w\hat you decide, it will be good for you.

30

Citations
1. Wikipedia.org, Single Parent, 25 March 2015, Web 13 April 2015
2. Dosser Handron, Demand Media, Advantages & Disadvantages for Children in a Single Parent Family,
montherhood.modernmo.com, Web 13 April 2015
3. Martha Holden, Demand Media, The effects of single parents on boys, motherhood.modernmom.com,
Web 13 April 2015
4. Julie, What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Single Parent Families? in Parenting Skills for
singles, singleparentfamiliesmagazine.com, Web 13 April 2015
5. Kerri Zane, 5 reasons its better to be a single parent, huffpost.com, 8/13/13, Web 15 April 2015

The Beatles: A Different Approach

By: Juan Andres Luengas (Colombia)
The Beatles. Regarded as the greatest and most influential band in every single aspect in
contemporary history, these four men from Liverpool-- John, George, Paul and Ringo-- are an iconic
symbol of music but also of culture, fashion, and style. They have changed our lives in ways we
cannot imagine that are normal to us now but that were not normal in the 60s, and thanks to them we
can live a different, more sensitive and opened-minded lifestyle, at least in our Western side of the
world. When we think about the Beatles, we think about their fabulous music, and definitely we
flashback to the 60s and to the context they grew up in--the beginning of the rock and roll era, human
rights and socio-political movements. They were active for 10 years, a relatively short period of time
as a band. They took separate ways in 1970 and did good solo careers. John Lennon was killed in
1980 and George Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001(Wikipedia); Paul and Ringo are still alive and
musically active. There are a lot of stories about The Fab Four and enough information to know who
they were . The Beatles were more than a rock and roll band and amazing musicians. They were, and
still are, a huge pillar of the modern western culture as we know it. The way we live today would
probably not be the same without them marked and highlighted on our timeline.
Influence
To understand how they influenced our way of living, we might want to start with their musical
influence. When this band began, it was the age of rock and roll. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and a lot
of other people had taken the stages and were extremely popular. Jazz and blues were already
unthroned, and this new sexual music was taking over the world. When these kids met, they were just
teenagers, but had the same aspiration-- be bigger than Elvis; their idol(Parra). They started playing
all these commercial rock and roll songs, and finally one day in the fall of 1961, they were signed by a
manager called Brian Epstein. They became an absolute success and they escalated really fast to the
top of the billboard chart and claimed the crown of the actual king. We can also say they were the first
boy band, with all girls running after them and wanting to be with them, etc. It was a dream come true
for them.
In that point of time, The Beatles became so popular that they called that era the
beatlemania. All fans were going crazy and crying and feeling completely euphorius when they
listened to the Beatles music and even more when they saw them. Their songs talked about love and
dance and girls and their musical progressions were at that time very easy to digest. Just simple
chords, memorable phrases and melodies and nothing hard to understand or existentialist or different
and experimental. Just catchy, straightforward entertaining music. They were the pioneers of the
music video, too, and were practically the creators of the MTV. The videos made television rating
increase immensely. This popularity and success was not only due to their musical abilities, but also
to their pretty faces and trendy suits and hairstyles. Everything matched to make a perfect commercial
product. It was the beginning of the pop culture as we know it nowadays.
Now, these musical formulas and this trendy way of dressing and wearing your hair still works
for commercial artists. Of course it has evolved, as everything, but the Beatles set the base. Artists
31

like Justin Bieber and One Direction, who are the popular artists of today, use musical formulas,
fashion formulas and of course pretty boy formulas to be a commercial success. And it works, just
as it worked in the 60s.
The Beatles kept evolving musically and also in their way of thinking. They started to mature in
every aspect of their lives, including their music. After all that euphoria and catchy music, they
decided to go to India and came back with a different idea of the world and a different concept of
music. A different stage had begun for them and for society, and we can call that the Psychedelic
stage of The Beatles (.
It was the late 60s and they felt they had to expand their horizons and start changing their
style. Well, half of them were thinking this way. John and George wanted to use their popularity and
their power to make an actual change in the world, using their music, lyrics and influence over people
to support the human rights movement that was developing quite strongly, against the Vietnam war
and a lot of other social issues. Paul and Ringo were also willing to make a change, but they wanted
to keep giving the people what they wanted. Two different ways of thinking, but all of them wanted
one thing: experimental music. The Beatles were entering a whole new world and not only musically,
but socially and culturally. They were about to make an even bigger change.
The Beatles were experimenting with psychoactive drugs and were into meditation and
spiritual growing. This was immediately reflected in their music; for example: Lucy in the Sky with
Diamonds (which acronym by the way spells LSD), is a song with a lot of harmonies and melodies,
and different measures and timings. Very different from what they had written before, more elaborated
and in my opinion; better(Freeman).
Not only were they introducing more music to the world but also more tools to make it evolve,
for example, the moog synthesizer, a keyboard that imitated (barely) some of the most popular
musical instruments like violins, trumpets, harpsichords, and organs. That was the new tendency, and
other artists such as the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd were doing the same. All this
new movement was also favoring the human rights movement and trying to spread the idea of peace.
John Lennon was a renowned activist of human rights and the pro peace movement. He once said in
an interview, We live in a world where we have to hide to make love, while violence is practiced in
broad daylight. He wanted the young people to start thinking about what was going on in the world
and to realize they were free to do whatever they wanted; equality for everyone and love over hate,
and we call this the counter culture. This was very well introduced into the American and European
culture, and the word hippie began to be frequently used. A lot of young people agreed with this new
concept of love and peace and started growing their hair long and using drugs. It was a very polemic
theme, but now young people were taken seriously, and so were the human rights movements. The
Beatles were now leading the change and won a lot of enemies for doing so. Older people did not like
them; they thought they were outrageous and rebellious kids just looking for attention.
This was a huge step for western culture; a lot of changes were made thanks to a lot of
activists including The Beatles. Pop culture was still in their hands. Later on, for creative reasons, they
dissolved, each working in their own projects and with their different inclinations towards music.
Today, we still appreciate the changes these kids made in many aspects. They were the
pioneers of the music video, and the main reason for the creation of the MTV. They stated the base
for pop music and pop culture itself with their music, clothes, hairstyle and rockstar lifestyle. They also
pioneered the psychedelic music movement and experimental music movement, and were the first to
introduce synthesizers in their songs. We can see everything just mentioned in the contemporary
artists. Everyone has a particular style; most of the time very exuberant, including their hairstyles.
They live like rockstars, untouchable and with godlike abilities. It is also hard to find any song from
any genre that uses no synthesizers, especially pop music. Ninety percent of pop music nowadays
uses synthesizers and most of the songs use only synthesizers for example, artists like Zedd or
Ariana Grande.
32

Talking about social and cultural impact will lead us to talk about the late stage of the Beatles and the
counter culture, which was a movement attacking anything established or believed, every stereotype
and basically everything that wasn't pro human rights.
All these changes are still in our society, but the younger generations cannot perceive these
changes because we grew up in them and they have always been part of our culture and society. But
older generations know that things have changed in terms of acceptance and discrimination. Back in
those days, society was not that opened-minded and did not accept free expression as we do today.
Women were not valued as people who could do everything a man did, black people were segregated
for the color of their skin and homosexuals were inadmissible. The freedom that we experience
everyday would not be possible if it werent for the Beatles and of course a lot of other people who
stood up for equality.
Now that we talked about the actual changes that happened thanks to these kids, I want to
introduce another point of view of what the Beatles probably were. We know they were huge and for
that reason a lot of conspiracies have been surrounding them for decades. Conspiracists say that in
1964 Paul McCartney died in a car accident and there is another guy replacing him who went through
hundreds of surgeries to look like him, and he was taught how to act, move and sing like the real Paul
McCartney, and they say there are a lot of clues hidden in the songs and in the album covers. For
example, in St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, you can find a lot of clues about his death in the
songs, and you can see in the cover that Paul is the only one looking the other way and pointing at a
song title with the hour of his pretended death. They did not want people to know because the
Beatles success would go down. Another conspiracy says that John Lennon was killed by the FBI
because of the changes he was still doing, changes to society that weren't convenient for the
government and covered it by saying it was just a crazy man who did it. Others say they killed him
because he was willing to reveal the truth about Pauls death and that the same happened to
Harrison.
There is a lot more, but I want to focus on a conspiracy that for me is the most important and a
really possible one and a lot of people do not know about it. This theory says that the Beatles were a
prefabricated laboratory product for a social experiment that went so well that the changes I already
mentioned through this paper were planned and still have an enormous impact on our lives.
I am going to start this by talking about the Bilderberg Club. The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg
conference, Bilderberg meetings or Bilderberg Club is an annual private conference of approximately
120 to 150 political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media (Wikipedia). It
has existed for a long time and it is said that this club was responsible for the creation of the Beatles
with the purpose of controlling the masses. Why would they want to do this? Well, remember that in
that club were and still are the heads of the biggest companies, banks, enterprises and politicians.
They needed a way to numb and homogenise the young people in the 60s for two main reasons:
One was taking control over their way of thinking, making them think and feel the same about
everything and want the same things. That would make a very easy target to sell the same things to
everyone with low cost materials and cheap publicity, for they had already decided what they were
going to like. The other reason was more for the interests of politicians. They wanted to calm down
the young rebellious kids and stop them from supporting and acting in pro of the human rights, for that
was too liberal for the time.
We are going back again to the 60s, the context we already know. It is said that the Tavistock
Institute was where all this began when they picked up these talented and good looking singers for
this social experiment. The Bilderberg Club had already planned what they were going to do, so they
hired Theodor Adorno, a famous German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist known for his
work on the post-war. His knowledge about mass control and music was so, that he planned most of
the Beatlemania songs. He knew they were going to be catchy, good and a lot of people were going
to like it. He knew the behavior of social groups and knew just what to make to achieve the goal.
33

When the Beatles jumped to the scene, they became an instant and total success. Everything
was going as planned. The Bolderberg just needed to expand even more to culturally condition a
whole generation. Other bands started appearing in the scene such as the Rolling Stones, The Kinks,
the Zombies, etc. All with the same songs, musical progressions, similar look and love/sex songs,
created what we call the British Invasion (Estulin). But this British Invasion could not be completed
without the help of another effective tool to control the masses, the television (Adorno). Thanks to the
success of these young musicians, the Bilderberg club decided to create a television channel just for
music, what is known today as the MTV. With the MTV the British Invasion was inevitable; everyone
wanted to see their favorite artist perform live on television or see their music videos. Now that the
Bilderberg Club had the attention of the younger generations, it was time to sell all of their products
and lifestyles for young people.
It was a very clever advertising campaign, and we still use it today. They used an iconic figure,
an idol with a perfect life to show how wearing some kind of clothes, of shoes, of cologne or driving
the new car was going to make everyone who wore it or use it successful. The selling target was
easier; everyone was going to buy what the Beatles had. Now it was time to numb the people and to
do so, the Bilderberg introduced a new variable to the equation: drugs.
This plan was called MK ultra and had the purpose to keep the control over youth and make
drugs a symbol of freedom (Estulin). The drugs they were willing to popularize were LSD, marihuana
and any hallucinant possible. LSD had already been tested in Soviet soldiers to take easy information
out of them. This drug made the subject vulnerable and easy to manipulate-- it was the perfect
weapon. Now they needed to popularize the psychedelic music and idea of freedom with drugs. The
Beatles introduced psychedelic music to the scene, just as Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. They openly
promoted the use of LSD and marijuana as a symbol of freedom and of course it became the new
tendency. There was even this free music festival in 1968 called Woodstock, which gathered over 200
thousand people with the motto: 3 days of music and peace. It was the perfect catch phrase, and the
youth over America ate it up. If we look for pictures of the festival in the internet, we can see a bunch
of people in mud, acting stupid and happy(Estulin). This was the most visible event sustaining the fact
that the experiment had worked perfectly. The people who were willing to fight for human rights were
not the strong activists anymore. They had been tricked to think that consuming drugs and waiting for
peace to happen was the best way to fight for human rights. The British government was pleased with
the results, but of course they expressed disappointment; it was all scripted. The big enterprises and
companies, had created a unique selling target. Costs were going to be dramatically reduced and
banks were the ideal place to ask for loans to buy the lifestyle of their dreams. It was milli metrically
calculated plan that had worked perfectly.
The communication media is still selling us their ideal way of life, and we do not hesitate in
buying it. It is not the Beatles anymore, but this same type of influence is everywhere in the
entertainment industry. Now the big industries and powers of the world know the formula of massive
control, and it all began with the help of the four kids from Liverpool.
We have to be conscious these things have been happening ever since. Is impossible to get
out of that publicity system. The only thing we can do is realize this happens all the time and to be
more selective with we do, and do what we actually want to do and not what we are expected to do.
References:
Freeman, 1963: Cmo los BEATLES irrumpieron y revolucionaron la escena musical y sociocultural de
Occidente, el blog alternativo, N.p., Web,3 June 2010.
Parra, Pamela, Los Beatles impactaron en lo social, poltico y cultural del mundo, El Comercio, N.p.,Web, 6
December 2010.
Garca, Pedro, Club Bildergerg, el creador de los Beatles y la MTV?, Te interesa.es N.p., Web, 31 May 2013.
Wikipedia 2015,The Beatles

34

Free Education, Reality in the World and Chile

By: Alvaro Parra (Chile)
In the world, free tuition or free college-university education is a very important topic.
Education is a right for the people, so one obligation of a government is to give the possibility to the
people to study and get a degree. However, the reality is different. In the United States, today almost
20 million students go to college each year and 60% of these students borrow annually to help for pay
all the costs (Waston). This situation is similar in all the countries where education is not free, like
Chile. A normal family has to spend more than 50% of the income of all the family on only one child.
The problems begin when the parents have more than one child. What can the people do in this
situation? In the world, there are many different situations and issues for free tuition, depending on
each country, so we are going to discuss the reality in the United States, then the rest of the world
where college tuition is lower or free, and finally the reality in Chile.
Reality for the students in United States
A student who studies in a public two-year college (in-state students) must pay in average
USD 3,131 per year. In the case for public four-year college (in-state students), public four-year
college (out-state students), private four-year college, they have to pay USD 8,655, USD 21,706 and
USD 29,056 respectively (Watson).
In addition, the student loan debt is the largest form of consumer debt without considering
mortgages (Waston), which means that the students or their families must pay a lot of money for
education. That cannot be possible in these days; the education is a right of the people. Over the last
five years, the benefits generated from students to the department of education is more than USD
101.8 billion. So, the department has a good quantity of money that they can use for the tuition.
President of United States, Barack Obama, said that community college will be made free for
all students for the first two years of study, which means that the opportunities for people to study will
increase, especially for the families in which the income is lower. This plan was announced on
January 9th.
The next steps to improving are to include four-year colleges and universities free, coverage of
living cost, books, etc. It is very complicated for a family that a child could complete two or four years
of a college degree program, and this increases when the familys income is lower. Actually, a lowincome family can pay 40% of the total income. The same happens with the middle class families;
they can pay 25% of the annual income to send one child to a public university. It increases when this
is a private university. Therefore, many families cannot send their children to college because they do
not have sufficient money. Instead of finishing the university, many of these students have to leave
their studies with debts (Gordan-Rab).
About the plan of the President, there are three specific requirements with which the students
must comply: maintain 2.5 grade point average, go at least half time and complete their programs.
Thinking that 2.5 grade is not a high score, the requirements are fully achievable.

35

Reality in the world

In England, the tuition fees for students who study in the United Kingdom for an undergraduate
degree are 9,000 per year in 2013-2014. For new graduates in average the loan debt was 12,850
in 2007-2008 school year. In 2012, it increased to 26,000 (Waston). So, education in England is not
free, but the government is trying to change that.
Another country where the students have to pay a lot of money for education is Canada. An
undergraduate degree student had to pay $5,581 in tuition fees in 2012-2013. In 2012, the average
debt for graduate (leaving college) was $28,000. Today the student loan debt is more than $15 billion
(Waston).
In China, tuition is not free; in total, Chinese college, graduates owe 8.1 billion in loan debts
(Waston).
However, the reality of Denmark and Germany is totally different. In Denmark, all the
education in the universities is completely free for the citizens. Furthermore, the government gives
money to the student for cost of living and any students who need money can get lower interest for
the government loan (Moreno). For a student who must pay a lot of money each year, it sounds great.
In addition, in Germany, 99% of the students study in public universities. Before 2006, all the college
tuition was free, but the government decided to change that and the students must pay 1,000 per
year in fees. That action caused many protests in the country, so eight years later the government
decided to change the cost, and the college tuition is free again (Moreno). Actually, Germany is the
fourth largest economy in the world (behind US, China and Japan). The minister for science and
culture, Gabrielle Heinen-Kjajic, said: We got rid of tuition fees because we do not want higher
education depends on the wealth of the parents, so last year, Germany decide to eliminate college
tuition entirely, this is in average less than $1,300.
The education model In Australia is completely different. College tuition varies depending on
the career that you want to study. For example, medicine and law in the future are going to have
higher income compared to other careers, so the cost is higher. Furthermore, the maximum discount
that the families have to pay is 10%. The other not paid cost is calculated based on their future
income. This system is called HELP. Another thing is that the income per year must be higher than
$51,000, and the discount is going to be between 4% and 8%. If the income per year is under the
minimum ($51,000), they do not have to pay anything until the income per year increased again. In
addition, if you cannot pay because your income is under the minimum, you do not have to pay
interest for that (Moreno). This type of education model has many positive things, and it is pretty close
to the reality of graduates. Depending on what the person studies, it will determine the future salary,
so for me it is a good idea that the government program has a direct relationship with it.
Chile, from a market model to a free education
The reality in Chile is different; the reforms of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet changed the
public education and replaced with a market model that privatized many institutions. This means that
the citizens must pay to study and that is a lot of money because the careers are expensive. Rodrigo
Peailillo, Chiles Minister of Interior, said In March 2016 we will start with free higher education now
that we have the resources (Provost).

36

In 2006, the general thinking of the Chilean changed. Now they have information and they are
not happy about the reality of the education in Chile. So, the students were organized and made the
Penguin Revolution, named from the clothes that the students used to go to classes. They started to
protest in the streets. In May 2011, the protest came back stronger with eight months of occupation of
college in Chile. The peak of students complaining in the streets was 800.000. Three weeks ago, the
government was studying a tax to the degrees for financing the free education in Chile, said Francisco
Martinez, Chief of the Division of Higher Education Ministry. He said: all things that are free, public
health, etc. the State obtained from the taxes, they cannot produced from the air (Salazar). So, the
university education in Chile will be free or we have to pay in taxes that free tuition. That is the real
question that the government must answer to the citizens. Any new tax for the people means that
they have to pay more money to the government, and it is obvious that the society is not happy. The
lower and medium class are the most affected.
Learning more about the reality in the United States and the other countries gives us the
option to have more information and a better opinion. Free education is a reality in some countries. In
the United States the students have to pay a lot of money. With the decision of the President of the
United States, Barack Obama, the reality that the families cannot send their children to college
because they do not have sufficient money can change now. However, other countries found the
solution about the education, like Germany and France, where the tuition is almost free or pays just a
little cost.
Actually, Chile has a market model of education that privatized many institutions. In the
beginning, when the President Michelle Bachelet announced that in March 2016 we will start with a
free higher education now that we have the resources, that was amazing news for the people of Chile.
But the reality is not so beautiful; all the wonderful news went down with the notice that probably the
government will create a tax for the graduates. I do not know if my concept of free is wrong, but now
I think that free university education will come out from my pocket. The same thing with another
name.
Works Cited
Goldrick-Rab, Sara. President Obamas free community-college plan is a necessary plan and a good
one.
Blogs.lse.ac.uk. n.p. n.d. Mon. 23 Mar. 2015.
Moreno, Jarrett. These Countries Do the Exact Opposite of What America Does When It Comes to Higher
Education. Attn.com. n.p. 10 Nov. 2014. Mon. 23 Mar. 2015.
Provost, Mark. Chile Is Doing Something Huge For Its Students That We Wish America Would Do.
Attn.com.
n.p. 10 Feb. 2015. Mon. 23 Mar. 2015.
Salazar, Paulina. Mineduc: "Lo que el Estado da gratuitamente lo obtiene por impuesto" Latercera.com.
n.p. 1
Apr. 2015. Sat. 11 Apr. 2015.
Watson, Bruce. Even in Countries Where Tuition Is Free, College Debt Can Be a Problem.
Dailyfinance.com.
n.p. 11 Sep. 2013. Mon. 23 Mar. 2015.

37

The Real Norsemen

By: Dizzy Rey (Colombia)
Vikings is the term we use to refer to Norsemen originating from Scandinavia who lived
between the late 8th and late 11th centuries. Although little is known of Vikings, they have intrigued
the world, and especially our Western culture for centuries. From the first modern publications
accounting of them in the 16th century, running through the romanticisation and mythification of the
Viking culture in the 19th and 20th centuries, and all the way to our current portrayal of Vikings in
present day pop culture, our fascination for a culture we scarcely know about is immense. However,
this raises questions of who were these mythified Norsemen? What was their culture really like? and
how much of their portrayal throughout history has been accurate, as opposed to the common tales
weve been told and the pictures weve been painted?
How we see Vikings
To begin with, it must be said that viking was not the term these Norsemen used to refer to
themselves. Viking is a word derived from the Old Norse language vikingr, which referred to a
pirate or raider (Gascoigne). However, for pragmatic purposes, I will be using the term to refer to the
Norsemen on which this paper will center. Apart from the term used to refer to them, most of our
views of Vikings can be considered misled. Popular belief leads most people to the image of blood
thirsty, anti-Christian, savage, dirty pillagers and rapists wearing horned helmets. As opposed to this
image, some have romanticized the picture to a race of warriors who spent whole lives craving and
engaging in epic battles to please heathen gods. Most of these images come from modern day
misconceptions and portrayals of the Norse culture in what we call the Viking Age.
Viking Age and Viking Expansion
As general knowledge on vikings indicates, these Norsemen came from Scandinavia; what
would be todays Norway, Sweden and Denmark. However, contrary to popular belief, these people
were not united into a single country with a common ancestry and a patriotic bond (Vikings). The
Viking Age, as is known the period of Viking expansion and heyday of raiding, trading and settlement
for Vikings, took them to many new lands across Europe and even North America. The Viking
expansion reached and settled across the Northern Atlantic, in such places as Iceland, Greenland,
and even North America; in the British Isles, including modern day England, Scotland, Ireland, and
Wales; in continental Europe, to the West, mainly in modern day France, but reaching northern parts
of what today is Spain, and to the East in Russia, Bielorussia and Ukraine. With raids outside of the
Scandinavian peninsula beginning in 793, upon the monastery of Lindisfarne, on what today is Northeastern England and at the time was the kingdom of Northumberland, the Norsemen were rapid to
prompt their attacks upon the rest of the British Isles kingdoms and southwards to Frankia, which
would be modern day France. Shifting from the quick and devastating raids with which it all had begun,
Vikings began launching bigger attacks, conquering and settling in many of these places, and
expanding their raids, explorations and settlements to such distances as before mentioned. The
impact of Viking attacks on Europeans, caused both by their appalling success and blatant disregard
of religious institutions and symbols, soon led to whole populations fleeing towns before defending
against a Viking attack and Kingdoms offering treaties of settlement or pay upon keeping at peace
with them (Vikings.).

38

Although the precise reasons for the Viking expansion remain unclear due to lack of a
comprehensive written history, many theories have been proposed. A growing population with not
enough good farming lands may seem a probable cause, but is disputed by many historians. A search
for land of their own of younger sons in a society that was widely dominated by a primogeniture
structure, in which only the first sons inherited the lands and wealth of the fathers, seems like a
reasonable enough cause. Trade imbalances, caused by the uprising of Christianity throughout
Europe and the subsequent refusal of Christians to engage in commerce with pagans is likely to have
also contributed to it. Internal power struggles among chiefs and kings can also be deemed as a
factor to seek new lands. Finally, the adventurous nature which is accredited to the Norsemen most
likely contributed to the desire to embark to new lands (The Viking Age: An Overview.).
It is widely accepted that the end of the Viking Age came around 1066, with the Crowning of
King William in England, who succeeded in repelling further Viking attacks. This, added to the
dominance of Christianity in Scandinavian kingdoms at the time and the absorption of Viking culture
into the European settlements established put an end to what we knew as the Viking Age (Vikings.).
Viking Culture
Having dwelt on Viking land and expansion, it is time to immerse into Viking culture. Vikings
spoke a language native to the Scandinavian region which we know today as Old Norse. Coming from
what historians called Proto-Norse Language, Old Norse developed by the 8th century and would
then evolve into modern Norse Germanic languages. In the 8th century, a division of dialects began to
rise between the different Old Norse speaking people. Old West Norse was spoken in Norway and
Iceland, leading to it being spoken where their people settled in modern day Ireland, Scotland, The
Faroese Islands and Northwestern England. Old East Norse, on the other side, was spoken by
Swedish and Danish people, and would go with them to modern day Russia, Normandy, France, and
East England. Finally, a third dialect called Old Guntish also developed, although more obscure and
now completely extinct.
Viking literature is a much more complicated subject. Although, opposing popular belief, most
vikings were not illiterate, their writing carried a more pragmatic and memorial use. Vikings used runic
writing and an alphabet known as Younger Futhark. However, their writing wasnt used to record
history or tales. Most evidence points to it being used to record memorials for important people and
religious purposes. However, some discoveries show that it might have also been used in everyday
life for commerce and personal writings (The Viking Age: An Overview.).
Viking culture was rich in tales, stories, myths and legends, but was an utmost oral culture.
Stories were handed down mouth to mouth from one generation to the other. It isnt until the
Christianization of Iceland that we can find Viking literature, and even this was written centuries after
the Viking Age and thus their credibility and accuracy is often questioned. However, these recountings,
written in the 13th century, encompass most of the information we have on Viking Age culture. They
include Sagas, and Skaldic and Eddaic poetry. Sagas are tales of events such as battles, journeys,
mens deaths, and their relationship with gods, giants, and heroes. It is believed that at least some of
these stories are based on actual events, although deeply enhanced by the poetical liberties of the
writers, they are to be considered fictional. Skaldic poetry was dedicated to honor kings and patrons,
while Eddaic poetry was anonymous and often dwelt on more mundane topics as humor and romance
(The Viking Age: An Overview.).
39

As for art, there is little to no evidence that art, by itself, was common amongst the Vikings.
However, their art was displayed in the extreme ornamentation of everyday objects. Almost everything,
from tools to woodwork to weapons, was decorated. Jewelry is also a big expression of Viking art.
During the Viking Age, six different art styles developed, sometimes overlapping one another. The
Oseberg, Borre, Jelling, Mammen, Ringerike, and Urnes styles all show a deep complexity. Profound
effort was put into the decoration of almost every utensil, and as shown by the findings in Viking
settlements outside of Scandinavia, Vikings took and crafted their art everywhere (Viking Age
History.).
Viking Life
Now, going back to a subject briefly touched upon at the beginning of this paper, Viking was
not the term used to refer to themselves by Norsemen, but rather a term derived from the word for
pirates and raiders. In contrast to what we have been led to believe, most Norsemen werent actually
Vikings. For the most part, they were farmers. Farms tended to be small, unless the owner was a
wealthy man, and in many cases they were close to other farms as to form farming villages (The
Viking Age: An Overview.). Farmers kept animals and cultivated for food and trading. In a regular
farm, one could find cattle, pigs, sheep and mutton, as well as crops of hay, barley, rye, oats, and in
very rare occasions, wheat. Cattle was praised largely for dairy products and not for meat, although
this was also a praised produce of lesser value. Vegetables and fruits, like peas, cabbage, onions,
apples, pears, and berries were also common. To complement their diets, Norsemen also included
anything they could hunt, including deer, bears, and boars. Fish was also a common staple in a Norse
household, as well as seals and walruses on the northernmost settlements. As for beverages,
alcoholic beverages, normally ale and mead, complemented milk, buttermilk, whey and water. In
addition to these, Vikings imported products obtained from trading. These included condiments, food,
and wine, amongst others (Viking Age History.)(Viking Answer Lady). Another important aspect of
the Viking life that contradicts their portrayal as we know it is their grooming and bathing habits.
Norsemen were known to take weekly baths, a practice that was viewed as too often by many of the
neighbouring societies of their time, and to make soap.
When not at work on the farms or on a raid, Vikings enjoyed a wide variety of games and
sports. Indoor games included board games, dice gambling games, and drinking games. Outdoor
sports and games were varied and rough, comprised of wrestling, tug of war, and horse fighting.
Children also enjoyed playing, whether it was with toys, carved from wood by their parents, make
believe games, or child versions of adult games. Ice skating and skiing was also common,
presumably both as a sport and a means of transportation. Most of these games, in addition to
entertainment, played a role in enhancing a mans status, and being skilled at them was highly
regarded. Women, however, are thought not to have participated in the games, due to the often
violent nature of these, but were enthusiastic spectators (Viking Age History.).
Viking Society
As for society, the Viking world was divided in three classes: The Jarls or Nobles, The Karls or
freemen, and the Thralls or slaves. However, different from many of the European societies of the
time, social mobility was possible in the Viking world. In the beginning of the Viking Age, Kings were
not common, and even after their appearance later on, they didnt hold the central authority or the
heavenly power granted to them in other societies of the time. Instead, they were seen as brave men
and good leaders in times of war. Jarls were wealthy men, who gathered around them followers for
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which they had to answer for their honor and respond for food, clothing and land, getting in return their
loyalty, support, and companionship in battle. The Karls were free men, although varying in wealth
status. A karl could have a little farmland as well as be less wealthy and work for rooming and food.
Finally, the thralls were the slaves. Usually captured in battle, thralls were the lowest class and were
assumably badly treated. However, a thrall may have been allowed to sell crafts he produced in his
spare time, and thus, buy his or her freedom (The Viking Age: An Overview.).
Although, as in many other societies of the time in Europe, women had a lesser role and a
more passive voice of those of a man, Viking women did enjoy some privileges not granted to women
across Europe in those days. Women had the right to request divorce to their husband, which would
usually end up in financial consequences for the man as he had to pay a form of child support.
Although they werent entitled to have much of their own property, if widowed, a woman could become
a powerful and wealthy leader. Laws protecting women from unwanted attention are accounted for in
the Icelandic Sagas. It was also seen as shameful to harm a woman under any circumstances other
than a raid, and even then, it is said by some researchers that Viking raiders were least likely to rape
women than other raiders of the time (Viking Age History.).
Viking law and government was primarily enforced at the Thing. This was a meeting, which
could vary in size, and thus, importance, from community things to national things. In these, all free
men were encouraged to take part and they all had a voice, and at the discretion of the chiefstain and
a law speaker, disputes were solved. Common punishment for a man found guilty were fines, and
partial or full outlawry. Being declared an outlaw was a grave matter, as the culprit would be
considered outsider to the law, and thus could be killed, his properties were seized, and he was to
receive no aid from anyone. Many outlaws often departed to new lands (The Viking Age: An
Overview.).
Viking Religion
Old Norse religion was polytheistic. They worshipped a wide number of deities and gods. To
them, the world was divided in three: Asgard, where the gods lived, Midgard where humans lived, and
Utgard, the domain of the giants. Their main course of beliefs was centered around the disputes
between these three, the giants being the evil against which the gods fought. Although many different
deities were worshipped amongst the Vikings, the main gods were Odin, Thor, Loki, Baldur, Frigg,
Freya, Freyr and Njoror.
However, a conversion to Christianity began in the Viking world, initially for trading purposes.
With the rise of the Christian faith across Europe, many merchants of this faith started discriminating
with non-Christian traders. Vikings realized this and it wasnt rare that a Viking would wear a cross
and seem to be Christian when trading with Christians to resume his regular religion upon his arrival
home. At first, Norsemen didnt take on Christianity. However, a slow process of conversion began as
early as the 9th century across the Scandinavian region with Norse kings converting to the new faith
and their people slowly but surely following on. By the end of the Viking Age, most of the
Scandinavian population was fully Christian (The Viking Age: An Overview.)(Viking Age History.).
Viking Navigation and Warfare
Perhaps the aspects of Viking life most notable, and hence why we know them as Vikings,
were their Navigation and War skills. Viking shipcraft was innovative and superior for the time, which
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gave them the advantage needed to perpetrate their attacks and trading. Viking ships for war, or
longships, were built strong, but using techniques that made them light, and design that gave them
the ability to navigate rivers and shallow waters, and land without the need of a harbor or port. They
relied on both wind and oars to navigate, making them almost impossible to catch for Europeans of
the time. For commerce and exploring, Viking built knarrs. These were bigger and stronger ships that
could carry more people and goods. They were powered mainly by the wind, using oars solely to
maneuver into harbors. The Viking custom to attack monasteries and other religious institutions came
not from a decidedly anti-Christian rage, but stemmed from their way of attack. Normally, these
institutions would store wealth and be underprotected, which was beneficial for the fast and frenetic
attacks of Vikings, who could subdue the people in these places, take the wealth, and leave without
giving time for an effective defense to be organized.
As for weaponry, Viking culture stated that any free man could and should carry his weapons
at all times. The wealthiest Norsemen had a full set that included a sword, a smaller sword, an axe, a
spear, bow and arrows, shield, helmet, and chainmail. Vikings of lesser wealth carried less weapons,
but even the poorest of the free men had access to the axe used for daily work. Weaponry was
sophisticated, generally made of iron, and, as stated before, often adorned with engravings.
Viking Commerce and Influence
In addition to being prosperous warriors and raiders, Vikings engaged in commerce throughout
practically all of the then known world. Was it sailing westwards to Britain, France and Spain, or East
to Russia, and then farther down the rivers, Vikings became well known traders with numerous
cultures. They raided where the opportunity was presented and traded with the rest. Vikings sailed
down the rivers of eastern Europe, reaching as far as Constantinople and establishing trading routes
with the Byzantine and with Baghdad, even becoming the Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperor.
The main products carried outwards by the Vikings were furs, iron, amber, soapstones, and the
biggest of all, slaves; taken from all the different people the Vikings thought against. They traveled
back home with their ships full of silver, coins, fabrics, spices and fruits (The Viking Age: An
Overview.).
Conclusion
Through all these things, and even with the small quantity of information that can be gathered
up from the pass of time of the Viking culture, were reaching a better understanding of the real culture
behind the mythified Norsemen. They were not simple savages, ridden by their blood of thirst and
their anti-Christianity, nor were they a united country. Norsemen were mainly farmers and seafarers,
with an extensive and complicated culture, much of which impregnates todays world in things as
common as some of the most famous names for places across Europe. Maybe now we can look at
Vikings for their amazing culture without picturing giant blonde savages in horned helmets; by the way,
the average height was 1.72m and there is no evidence of horned helmets being used whatsoever.
We have yet a lot to learn about a fascinating culture that has been plagued and ridden by countless
myths and inaccurate portrayals.

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Works Cited
-Gascoigne, Bamber. History of the Vikings. HistoryWorld. n.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr, 2015.
-Vikings. History.com. n.p.,n.d. Web. 9 Apr, 2015.
-The Viking Age: An Overview. Historyonthenet.com. n.p., 14 Aug, 2014. Web. 9 Apr, 2015
-Viking Age History. Hurstwic.com. n.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr, 2015.
-The Viking Answer Lady. n.p.,n.d., edited: April 8, 2015. Web. 9 Apr, 2015

Everyone Enjoy Your Break!

Have Fun, Relax, and Enjoy the Nice Weather!

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