Cultural Immersion: Johannesburg (South Africa)

Flag of South Africa

▪ South Africa 

Officially Republic of South Africa, the southernmost country on the African continent, renowned for the great natural beauty and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favoured destination for travelers since the legal ending of apartheid. Most of South Africa’s landscape is mad up of high, flat areas colled plateaus covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld and tree-dotted plains colled bushveld. (Read more)

 

▪ City of  Johannesburg

Home of  the South Africa’s hero Nelson Mandela, Johannesburg is the most advanced commercial city and the engine room of the South Africa regional economy. It is a city with unique African character, world-class infrastructure in the fields of telecommunications, transportation, water and power with globally-competitive health care and  educational  facilities. The city was named after two  officials of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) Johannes Meyer and Johannes Rissik, the city grew rapidly . However , the city has also some   contrasts : Johannesburg is home  to both wealthy and poor residents and refugees, global corporations and emerging enterprises. (Read more)

▪ Tourist Spots

▪ Soweto  and The Mandela  Museum

 Soweto ( na abbreviation for Southwestern Township) lies 20 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg  and offers visitors a jorney into the soul of the fight for freedom. The tours often include a visit to Mandela House Museum, when Mandela lived with is wife Winnie before he was imprisoned for 27 years. (Read more)

▪ Market Theatre

 The Market Theatre complex housed in a converted market building, plays a major part in Johannesburg’s cultural life. It has four live theater venues where some of the finest productions in South Africa are presented. (Read more)

▪ Johannesburg Art Gallery

 Is one of the biggest collections of art in Africa with more than 9.000 works, though only a small portion is displayed at one time. The Gallery focuses  on works by South African and European artits. (Read more)

 ▪ The Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is very popular for visitors who want to learn about the history of the city and also about the history of the country, you can also see  photographs, text panels and be able to learn throught film footage, the non-profit museum was opened in 2001 and releis on donations, contributions and sponsorship to keep growing. (Read more)

▪ Lion Park

The Lion Park is a wildlife conservation dedicated to the protection of Transvaal lions and is  spread over 500 acres  of land Gauteng province, more than 90 lions live in the park including  the rare  white Lions. The park also include cheetahs, spotted hyenas, cape wild dogs, Black-backed jackal and antelopes. (Read more)

▪ Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park

Close to Lion Park, the Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park is one of the wold’s favourite wildlife to see crocodiles and other reptiles, you can also learn about those incradible animals ans have a photo taken holding a baby crocodile or a snake. (Read more)

▪ Cuisine:

▪ Malva Pudding

 It’s easy to see why South Africans love malva pudding. Malva pudding is a sweet and  stickly baked sponge pudding made with apricot jam and served smothered in a hot cream sauce. 

(Read more) 

▪ Chakalaka and pap

Chakalaka and pap are mainstays on every South African dinner table. Chakalaka is a vegetable dish made of onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans and spices, and is often served cold. Pap, meaning porridge. Papa and Chakalaka are served together. 

(Read more) 

▪ Amarula Don Pedro

This cocktail-come-dissert uses South African Amarula, a cream liqueur made from indigenous marula fruit blended with ice cream. (Read more)

▪ Mealie

Frequently served on the cob or mande into a beer Mealie is a maize and quickly meal for the masses and those on a tight budget. Can also be processed in the form of Mealine Pap wich is a porridge made from  ground maize and grains. 

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▪ Frikkadel

 Also called meatball, Frikkadel is a traditional South African food  that is mainly made of  baked or sometimes deep-fried, frikkadel are prepared with onion, bread, vinegar, eggs and spices, you can find easilly in the entire country. (Read more)

▪ Biltong

Biltong is one of the most popular food in South African, it is a kind of cured meat, an air-dried meat (usually beef) that is savoured nearly everywhere by nearly everyone. Many differents types of meat are used in its making, ranging from beef through games meats fillets of osthich from commercial farms. 

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▪ Umqombothi

Umqombothi is a beer made from corn, has a lower alcohol percentage than most of commercial beers, high in vitamin B this beer is usually drunk in a communal setting where the drinks is shared between friends. 

(Read more)

▪ Mageu

Mageu is a non-alcoholic drink made from fermented mealie pap, looks like a thin carbohydrate-rich porridge. Its made by adding  flour or sorghum to maize porridge. People usually drink Mageu to improve digestion. (Read more)

▪ Cape Malay Curry

similar to a common curry ( a dish of meat and vegetables), but is known for combining sweet and savory flavors using sweet spices like cinnamon and ginger, dried fruit and savory seasonings like garlic and onions (Check out the recipe)

▪ Bobotie

popular with many South Africans, bobotie is a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit topped with creamy golden layer. (Check out the recipe)

▪ Habits

 Johannesburg is referred to as the largest and most densely populated city in South Africa.  Three-quarters of its population comprises of the Africans, along with 16% whites and 6%  Coloured. Indians also make 4% of the population of Johannesburg. Christianity is widely practised,  but there are a considerable number of Jews, Hindus, Muslims  and people who still practice  African Traditional religions. (Read more) 

▪ Famous Personalities

Nelson Mandela

Civil Rights Activist, Writer, 

President (non- U.S) 

▪ Music

▪ Kwaito

Kwaito is a mixture of house music, R&B, Jamaican raggae and hip-hop. Kwaito is played  almost countinuously on radio stations, in clubs and in people’s home, the cultural influences is evident in many song and bands. (Read more)

Song: Wena | Artist: Heavy-K DRUMBOOS

▪ Heavy-K DRUMBOOS

Mkhululi Siqula best Known as Heaby-K Drumboos  is a Record producer na DJ from South Africa, the artist come a long way from making music in his roon to producing some of the biggest artits... (Read more)

▪ Climate

The city of Johannesburg  enjyable weather all year round, a good reason for the great  climate is the fact that  Johannesburg is located  at high altitude above sea  level, another good reason is that there’s often a light breeze, helping to ward the extremely hot temperatures. The seasons are not always clearly defined.  (Read more) 

▪ Cost of life

In Johannesburg the cost of living is low.  The city is ranked as one of the cheapest expant destinations in the world. (check out the cost of living in Johannesburg)

▪ Extra

Cultural Immersion: Reykjavik (Iceland)

▪ The country: Iceland

Iceland, an island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean is a land of bright colours contracts of climate, geography and culture. The country has mountainous  landscapes, black lava  fields, geomethermal pools, geysers  and thirty active volcanic. Icelander use  the nature benefits to energy, ninety percent of housing in Iceland is  heated by natural geothermal energy and is also one of the cheapest and cleanest  form of energy. Iceland was founded during the Viking age of exploration and settled by a mixed Norse and Celtic population. (Read more)

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and is also the largest city in the country, it's located on the Seltjarnar Peninsula, at the southeastern corner of Faxa Bay, in soutgwestern Iceland and the city was fonded in 1876. Similar to the entire coutry, in Reykjavik we still close to the nature, the forces of the nature are all around in abundance. The city is the commercial, cultural, industrial and cultural centre of the country, its also a major fishing port and the site of nearly half of the nation’s industries..... (Read more)

▪ Tourist Spots

▪ Aurora Borealis ( Northen Lights )

The Aurora Borealis or Northen Lights is a natural phenomena  light show, if you’re visiting Reykjvik during the winter, you might  want to see the beautiful Northen lIghts, although you can see the lights from the entire city, people recommend taking a tour with local companies.... ( Read more)

▪ Golden Circle

The Golden Circle  its a very popular 190-miles-long tourist route that runs by Thingvellir National Park. The Golden Circle offers the opportunity to see a meeting-point of the continental plates and site of the ancient Icelandic parlament..... (Read more)

▪ Hallgrimur’s Church ( Hallgrimskirkja)

Hallgrimskirkja is one of the most photographed church around the world. Whit a modern and beauiful structure the church is also a main tourist spots for visitors. The church was named after  17th century hymn writer and church scholar Reverend Hallgrimur Petursson and took nearly 50 years to complete.... (Read more) 

▪ Arbaer Open Air Museum

The Arbaer Open Air Museum shows what life was in 19th and 20th century in Iceland, the history of painting houses,exhibits about toys and early building techniques. This open-air museum features more than 20 buildings that were origially located in central Reykjavik . (Read more)

▪ Harpa  Concert and  Conference Center

Situated in a solitary spot with a clear and beautiful view of the sea and mountains, Harpa Concert inspared by basalt crystals, the faceted glass scatters reflections of the  surrounding harbour and Sky, and presents a glittering wall of light after dark. Today is one of the most visited attraction of the volcanic island. Harpa means “harp” in Iceland, its also Icelandic name for the first month of spring. (Read more)

▪ Cuisine

▪ Harofiskur

Harofiskur is basically jerky fish made from Wind-dried fish, often cod, haddock or seawolf. It can be easilly found in supermarkets in the entire country.  Icelanders usually eat Harofiskur with butter, often comes in colorful packaging illustrated with comic figures to attract Young children. (Read more)

▪ Kjotsúpa

Kjotsúpa is na Icelandic soup with meat, tradictionally prepared with Lamb shank and vegetables. Grains such as oats, barley or rice are often used to thicken the soup. Its a good choice during the winter... (Read more)

▪ Fiskisúpa

Made with salmon and prawns, Fiskisúpa is a Icelandic soup whit many varieties and can be also made with a mixture of different fish, often including co dor Artic char, the soup countains vegetables and is often made with generous slug of  alcohol, usually white wine and lashings of cream. (Read more)

▪ Skyr

Similar to yogurt in consistency and made out of cheese, Skyr it has been  consumed in Iceland for 1.000 years and continues to be consumed by locals throughout everyday. It is usually served with milk and a sweet topping, such as berries or other fruit... (Read more)

▪ Brennivin

Brennivin translates directly to “burn wine”  also caled by “Black dead” is made from fermented grain or potato mash and flavored with caraway. The drink has been poured into Icelandic  snaps glasses for decades and is especially enjoyed during the winter. (Read more)

▪ Coffee

Icelandic people drink a lot  of coffee and they are also the fourth-largest consumers of coffee per capita in the world. Local coffee shops and cafés are found on most streets corners. The latté is the most popular coffee beverage, but espresso, cappuccino and Black coffee are high on the Icelanders list. (Read more)

▪ Habits

In the capital of Iceland is common festivals  wich always attract foreign guests attention, if you are plannig to visit Reykjavik, you will have the great  possibillity to discover gastronomical and cultural establishment. (Read more)

▪ Music

▪ Folk Music

Folk is a remarkable of Iceland’s musical traditions with differets styles together. Tradictional instruments like langspil and fiola are normally used to accompany vocal compositions and the main themes around  the folk song including the Norse mythology. (Read more)

Song : Shades | Band: Árstíoir

▪ Band:

Formed in 2008 with a unique sound that represent the Icelandic music scene and culture, Árstíoir is a six-piece Icelandic folk band from Reykjavik.... (Read more)

▪ Climate

Close to the Artic Circle the climate in Reykjavik, simillar to the rest of the contry is cold, windy and cloudy in the most part of the year,  the average temperatures in Reykjavik in July are about 12 degrees C.  It doesn’t snow as much in Iceland as people may think either, especially in Reykjavik where there is usually very little snow to be seen even during the winter. ( Read more)

▪ Cost of Living

It’s important to keep in mind that if you are planning to move to another country you must consider your budget for living expenses.  In biggest cities like Reykjavik the expenses are higher, normally in Iceland people spend less money living on the countryside or outside the city... (Read more)

(Check out  Price Rankings for Reykjavik)

▪ Famous personalities

      

            Gylfi Sigurdsson                      Stéfan Karl Stefánsson                 Bjork Guomundsdóttir

               Soccer Player                             Actor, Comedian                  Singer, Songwriter, Actress, DJ 

▪ Extra:

How to write a Dissertation

Argumentative Essay

▪ What is an argumentative essay type of text?

An argumentative essay is a type of text in which the writer, through the usage of arguments and research, supports or not a specific line of thinking of a subject, typically it contains many different kinds of information, often located in specialized parts or sections. 
In an argumentative essay also known as a dissertation, you desire to convince someone to agree with; not only your viewpoint but also your assumption by the usage of evidences based on research.
Similarly, to other types of text, an essay is not difficult or challenging to write when you have both the right formula and method, as well as information at your disposal.

Let us check those tools and tips to assist you with writing astounding essays!

▪ Important aspects to consider when writing an argumentative essay

▪ Consider both sides of the topic, but take your position by supporting only one.

▪ Provide arguments based on data collected in charts, news, researches and influential people from the subject you are writing about.

▪ Research on more than a single source, webpage or book and compare the data that you have gathered in order not to contribute with erroneous information to the reader.

▪ Talk to experienced people concerning the subject, a teacher/professor will certainly enjoy exposing their point of view towards you.

  

▪ Formula to write an argumentative essay

There are uncountable different formulas to create an essay, through your deep studies; you are certainly going to develop your own style with time. However, it is indeed a good idea to have a starting parameter,

Allow yourself to examine an incredibly consistent on done with just five paragraphs.

1 - Introduction: the introduction is made of three parts being:

▪ Hook: the first sentence also known as hook, is where the author (you) grab the attention of the reader, hence administering a feeling of interest in reading the whole production.

▪ Background:  on the background, the author can grant the reader a brief touch on what it is going to be said concerning the following paragraphs.

▪ Thesis:  the last sentence of the first paragraph should deliver a concept of what is the study (essay) position over the topic, being for or against it makes no difference.

2/3/4 - Arguments: The argumentation part can be divided in three (two supporting arguments and one against). Each of those can also be divided into two other sections:

▪ Claim: a statement about the topic that you are supporting with both arguments and data in the next part.

▪ Data/Evidence:  After the statement, you should prove it through the usage of arguments (the arguments must be written according to the "Important thing to consider when writing an argumentative essay". 

▪ Counter argument:  the final argument, which is against the ones supported by the author, this one should be given coherently, but soon after, you should show why you disagree with this perspective by using arguments.

5 – Conclusion: At the final paragraph, the author want to give a conclusion showing that, with the data that previously given, it is possible to prove a point of view being the right one.

You can also picture how the world (or that subject) would be if your opinion was implemented.
(Read more)

▪ Answering questions – reasoning with your reader

Another helpful aspect is to anticipate different essay sections as answering a series of questions your reader might ask when encountering your thesis.

Readers should have questions. If they do not, your thesis is most likely simply an observation of a fact, not an arguable claim.

▪ "What?"  The first question to anticipate from a reader is what:

‘’What evidence shows that the phenomenon described by your thesis is true?’’

Examine your evidence, thus demonstrating the truth of your claim. This what or "demonstration" section comes early on, often directly after the introduction, since you are essentially reporting what you have observed. Nevertheless, be forewarned: it should not take up much more than a third of your finished essay. If it does, the essay will lack balance and may read as mere summary or description.

▪ "How?"  The reader will also want to know whether the claims of the thesis are true in all cases. The corresponding question is how:

‘’How does the thesis stand up to the challenge of a counterargument? ‘’

How does the introduction of new material, a new way of looking at the evidence, another set of sources affect the claims made? Typically, an essay will include at least one "how" section. This section usually comes after the "what”.

▪ "Why?’’  Your reader will also want to know what is at stake in your claim:

‘’Why does your interpretation of a phenomenon matter to anyone beside you? ‘’

This question addresses the larger implications of your thesis. It allows your readers to understand your essay within a larger context. In answering why, your essay explains its own significance. Although you might gesture at this question in your introduction, the fullest answer to it properly belongs at your essay's end. If you leave it out, your readers will experience your essay as unfinished or, worse, as pointless or insular.

▪ Grammar outcome and review

Although writing can be easy and fun if you apply techniques you are comfortable with, you shouldn’t permit yourself to stay at the comfort zone! Make use of tools like;

▪ Formal writing: avoid slangs or idioms for this type of text, you might apply phrasal verbs with no issues though.

▪ Conjunctions: These are crucial way to connect elements for your arguments, use all its variants, but maintain the formality coherence, do not join informal connectors with formal ones.

▪ Perfect tenses: By using those, your text production is going to become certainly a lot more pleasant to the reader, save no vocabulary, use all your artillery.

▪ Variable synonyms: You are probably have to show things more than twice, avoid repeating words as much as possible.

▪ Indefinite pronouns: Giving support by mentioning sources, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to name and date them every time, make use of this incredible tool.

First person pronouns might be used into specific cases on argumentative essays.

Consider the circumstances below:

▪ You can use first person when you include a personal anecdote.

▪ You may use first person when convincing/ establishing your credibility.

▪ You are allowed to use first person when clarifying passive constructions, to avoid confusion.

Watch out!

You must not use a first person pronoun in any other case.

Reviewing your essay is as important as writing it, take your time and read it aloud to put yourself in your reader’s shoes.

(Read more)

Instructional Video: