It was an early morning yesterday

They were up before the dawn

And they really would have enjoyed some sleep

But the printing must go on

Like a brunch without hash browns

Like a breakfast without Globe

Some people enjoy and early read

And so the printing must go on

Now we’re gonna miss the Globe

It’s the undisputed truth

But Shixian’s got to go her own way

To keep her in her youth

Like a club without noodles

Like a week without memes

Just the thought of these sweet ladies

Makes me grateful for their being

And Globe will go on shining

Shining like brand new

We’ll always look behind us

And see the Globe anew

Goodbye Globe, it’s been nice

Hope you find your paradise

Showed us many points of view

Hope your dreams will all come true

Goodbye Holly, Goodbye Xian

I know we will meet soon again

Feel no sorrow, feel no shame

For fraternitas, we’ll be here again

The post Goodbye Stranger, Goodbye Globe appeared first on IH Globe.

The ‘voluntourism’ industry is now valued at over 2.6 billion dollars. Volunteers, frequently school leavers or university students, have nothing but good intentions when they choose give up their time and money to volunteer in developing nations. However, many fail to consider that they may be doing more harm than good.  

As the volunteer tourism industry has grown rapidly over recent years, there have been widespread concerns about the attitudes that are promoted among the volunteers and communities. Ultimately, there is a problem when young tourists go overseas with the belief that they can help to ‘save’ the people of poorer nations. Even though volunteer tourists often can’t speak the language and don’t have relevant skills or experience, many still think that they are making a difference with their compassion, when this is not always the case.

The Palacios Report (2010) on volunteer tourism states that ‘The Western intention of providing international aid is humanitarian as much as it is colonialist. It tends to reproduce the same global patterns of inequality and poverty, leaving intact – if not reinforcing – the dominant position of the North… What is missing is a humility and thoughtfulness that acknowledges that they don’t know anything about the culture and language of their host country, and what’s been tried there before or who’s leading the changes.’  Many volunteer tourists overlook the fact that they are working with fellow human beings who probably have skills and resourcefulness far superior to the young people that travel to their community to ‘make a difference’.

Additionally, volunteer programs can often take employment opportunities away from the region in which they operate. Each year, hundreds of thousands of young people are going abroad to volunteer and their willingness to work for free, despite good intentions, is robbing developing communities of work that would be better done by locals.

Alexia Nestoria, a voluntourism industry consultant, points out that an overwhelming proportion of volunteer projects don’t actually need volunteers to do the work that they are volunteering to do. Not only are there often local people willing and able to undertake the projects, but the time required to actually train and monitor unskilled well-wishers often detracts from effort that communities could otherwise put into just implementing projects themselves. The danger with voluntourism is that the kind of project that appeals to most travellers’ egos is precisely the project that is unlikely to be developmentally helpful to communities.

This is not to say that all overseas volunteering programs are inherently harmful. There are a huge range of programs set up overseas that partner with local leaders to make a sustainable and positive impact on developing communities. However, young and unskilled travellers are often targeted by less ethical organisations as a means to make profit. So, next time you see an advertisement or are handed a flyer encouraging you to ‘Volunteer Abroad’, please consider what you are really offering.

The post Is Volunteer Tourism Causing More Harm Than Good? appeared first on IH Globe.

I’d previously gone there for a study trip, so we had a Korean guide then. But this time we had to rely on ourselves to communicate with the locals, which was honestly a lot more intimidating at first, particularly at the more rural areas since no one understood English. If not for the use of body language, as well as our abundant of years watching Korean dramas and shows, I don’t think we’d have fared as well as we did.

Another obstacle we dealt with was finding directions, Google maps wasn’t as effective in Korea as it is in other countries, so we relied on Naver Map, the Korean equivalent of Google maps. Naver Map is all in Korean too, thank goodness I had taken up a basic class of the language previously. We still got lost every now and then, but we still managed to get around eventually. It was honestly pretty fun… getting lost in a foreign country where we couldn’t speak their language fluently.

I also managed to get a couple days to explore Seoul on my own as well, which scared me initially, having never been alone in a different country before. My mum always scares me out of travelling alone as well. ‘But you’re a girl!!! You should have a friend with you at all times!!! It’s so dangerous!!!’. What mum didn’t tell me was just how much fun I had. I managed to go to a Korean Hip Hop festival, find my favourite area and café in Seoul during that time to myself.

All of these things added up made the trip more exhilarating than it was, it gave me a real taste of independence for the first time. Despite the language barrier, there were numerous times where the locals went out of their way to help. It still brings a smile to my face whenever I remember those memories.

So yes, travel to a foreign country in which you can hardly understand a word of their language. Get lost in their country, immerse yourself in their culture and experience all they have to offer!

The post Seoul Searching appeared first on IH Globe.

The real purpose of a film review is to recommend whether or not you should see a movie. In regard to Jim Henson’s 1986 ‘Labyrinth’, the answer is undoubtedly ‘yes’.

Will it go down in history as one of the great masterpieces of the 20th

century? Probably not. Does it have a cohesive, non-creepy plot line? No. Is it

of particularly high quality? Well that depends on whether you drink your

wine out of a bottle or a box. What it does have, however, is some genuinely

terrifying muppet characters, trippy visuals, an objectively fucked up

plotline, goblin king David Bowie at his peak and the infamous bulge.

If you aren’t familiar with the story, or your mind has shielded you from the

previous trauma, it is based on a teenager named Sarah (Jennifer Connelly)

who is obsessed with fairy tales and legends. While babysitting her younger

brother she wishes he would be taken away by goblins, and unlike when I wish

to be discovered as some billionaire’s long lost child, her wish comes true.

The goblin king Gareth (yes, I kid you not, that is his actual name) then

bargains that she can get her brother back if she navigates her way through

his labyrinth to his castle.

Why, you may ask, is this relatively standard fantasy movie plot so widely

considered emotionally scarring? Maybe it’s the ‘Saw’ style obstacles Sarah

faces within the maze, or the fact that the middle-aged Gareth has a creepy

obsession with marrying a fifteen-year-old, or even simply the pure 80s-ness

of the whole production – including but not limited to Bowies pants.

However the soundtrack, intricate sets, paradoxical visuals, and the fact

that nothing brings people together quite like emotional damage makes it

well worth a watch.

Plus, exam season is coming up and what better way to procrastinate than

tricking your unsuspecting friends into watching a “normal, non-scary film”

like ‘labyrinth’.

The post Labyrinth: A Film Review appeared first on IH Globe.

Just last week a bunch of my best friends and family went to the Coldplay concert, and it didn’t matter that I knew most of them didn’t even know half the songs on the set list (or maybe they did and I was just being jealous af) or that I’ve waited about 7 years to see them. No matter how badly I wanted to be there, whether for the reason of getting lit with my friends or to see Coldplay, it was simple fact that I couldn’t, not while I was an entire ocean away. And yeah, it really sucked to see all the videos and pictures they shared on EVERY. SINGLE. SOCIAL. MEDIA. PLATFORM.

Okay, and to be honest the concert dates were released months ago and I totally set a reminder to myself to not check social media on those two days. You know, just so the FOMO wouldn’t go full out crazy… Not like that strategy worked anyway.

Freaking out as someone with FOMO is like when your friends randomly plan to have a party on that week itself, and you can’t go because you already booked a really expensive ticket to an event, that so happens to coincide at the same time. So you end up going to the event but wonder the whole time what you’re missing out on, if any new inside jokes were made that you won’t get at the next meet up, or if someone shared a vital piece of information that you won’t know because you weren’t there. Or you know, if someone got stupidly drunk and you missed out on the hilarity that ensued.

Even if someone fills you in on the events that happened or you watched what went down on Snapchat, it’s just not the same. You missed out on having that live first reaction to whatever was happening with everyone, you didn’t get to cry out or laugh hysterically with them.

Honestly, it’s 2017, why is teleportation not an actual thing already? Or cloning even! Only then people with FOMO will be able to live in peace and not constantly suffer with all the ‘what if’s. But until then, I guess we’ll just have to completely immerse ourselves in the present moment and enjoy all that it has to offer to us, as cliché as that is.

The post Life With FOMO appeared first on IH Globe.

Coming from Singapore, I thought I knew what cultural diversity looked like, but you’ve proven me wrong. The variety you continue to show off astounds me.

And at first your transportation system really confused me. I’ve never ridden in trams before, they looked like smaller versions of trains that run along the centre of the road. Speaking of which, why are your train stops so far apart? Back home I could walk the length of 4 train stops but I wouldn’t even think of doing that here. Now, even though I’ve mastered your transportation system, I’ve decided to fully utilise my two legs. There’s nothing like plugging in my earphones and walking from CBD all the way back to IH.

The food you have is amazing too, which is why I’ve been trying my best to resist buying take-out and gaining back the weight I lost during O week. Not to mention the coffee, caffeine doesn’t work on me but I feel guilty everytime I drink more than 2 flat whites in a day.

Oh yeah, and your weather. Ha, where do I even begin on your weather? The weather back home is unpredictable too, so I thought I could handle your weather. Nope, you completely blew all my expectations with your cold breeze and freezing drops of rain, as well as your cloudless skies that reveal scorching rays of sunshine. Despite all of that, I’ve completely fallen in love with your sunset and night skies. I’ve never seen a night sky so bright before, littered with so many stars, or a sunset so beautifully coloured.

What I look forward to in spending more time with you? Experiencing the different seasons, I’ve never got to fully experience all the different seasons before. I’ve never seen the leaves turn colour before, nor seen the leaves fall in unison. I look forward to exploring the hidden laneways and finding my favourite café spot.

I look forward to all that you have to show and teach me, both about you and myself.

The post Dear Melbourne appeared first on IH Globe.

Since last time round I reviewed a new-released movie, this time I reviewed a classic starring Humphrey Bogart.

Yes, its the 1942 “Casablanca”. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the movie tells a story about an American, Rick Blain (Bogart) living in Casablanca, Morocco. Suddenly, Ilsa, a former lover of Rick, comes back to Rick’s life and asks help from him so that she a
nd her fugitive husband, Laszlo can flee Morocco. However, circumstances gets more complicated once it is realized that Rick’s feeling for Ilsa has never really faded away.

So Normally before I watch a movie or a play or anything I tend to look at the ratings and then would try to find ways to tell myself not to get influenced by the mainstream ratings. (If a movie is more than a 70% in Metacritic I would find ways to make it look like its below 50%, while if it’s a 30%-rated movie I would look to see if it is decent). However, this movie’s rating is one of few that I think deserves the overwhelmingly good rating it has.

For a starter, the movie can be unappealing to people because it’s black and white and the set obviously looks something like it’s made up. However, when you at least give the movie 30 minutes, you soon realise that there is some sort of pull that makes the movie simply enjoyable to watch. By the end, that some sort of pull turns out to be the brilliance of Humphrey Bogart’s acting to depict Rick Blain.

Humphrey made Rick Blain the most elegant, charming person I’ve seen in any movie, which kind of made me want to be him (pshh). Also, probably a deeper reason, is that Rick’s emotions and reactions towards what he feels have also moved me (maybe to anyone who watched this too) into thinking deeper about how love can make you stronger and make you vulnerable at the same time. Humphrey’s chemistry with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) also made the romance one of Hollywood’s classics as we could see how Ilsa just could not resist Rick (justifies how an ended relationship never really ends).

Another important aspect to why this movie is incredibly good is how the setting and atmosphere have played apart. The exotic and sometimes mysterious Casablanca, a city that had significant political conflict during World War 2 made the plot more sensible as the conflict in the movie itself depended on the city’s situation. However, it is wise to research a bit about World War 2 and Morocco before watching the movie because this way you would know the situation during the movie so you could feel how hard it was for Rick to come up with the decisions he had.  

Overall, this Hollywood classic is truly a must-watch for IHers especially who loves a little romance with a historic setting around it, because the brilliance of the actors and how efficient the production uses its scarce resources makes you appreciate more how classical movies are. I’d give this movie a solid 5/5 stars btw..

The post Casablanca – A Film Review appeared first on IH Globe.

Hi there, my name is Jess and I am a procrastinator. I don’t mean the kind that takes only an extra hour or two longer than expected to finish an assignment, but I wouldn’t diagnose it as crippling either. I am your average joe procrastinator, and if you’re anything like me then you struggle with a mixture of symptoms.  These symptoms can include, but are not limited to: short bursts of productivity, the occasional zone off and staring at the wall combo, scrolling through your facebook newsfeed and ending up looking at photos of your friend’s cousin’s birthday party, and possibly making your way to a wikipedia page about the war dance of a weasel (which I would highly recommend).

I’ll be the first to admit that I have taken some pride in my procrastination. There have been times where I’ve left an assignment down to the wire and have received an above average result, thus leading me to develop the tendency to assume that the “you won’t be able to leave this to the last minute” warning, does not in fact apply to me. But herein lies the problem, this invincibility complex that coincides with the success of leaving an assignment to the last minute causes more harm than it does good. It is safe to assume that the same, if not better, result can be achieved without the stress induced panic brought on by procrastination.

So why do we do it? In an interview by Psychology Today, Dr. Joseph Ferrari, states that there three main types of procrastinators. There is the “arousal types”, who are the thrill seekers and tend to wait to the last minute because it gives them a rush of euphoria. The second type is the “avoiders”, who put off their work as a result of a fear or failure or success, as they “would rather have others think they are lacking effort rather than ability”, and thus have something to blame. Moreover, the third major category that procrastinators fall into is the “decisional procrastinators”, or those who can’t make choices about their task, and thereby absolving them of responsibility.  Maybe you fall into one of these categories, or maybe you don’t, but if you can begin to target the reason why you are doing something, it has the capacity to help you recognize your actions and combat them in the future. Dr. Ferrari also states that procrastinators tend to lie to themselves, by saying phrases like “I work best under pressure” or “I’ll feel more like doing this tomorrow”. Not only does this make me feel personally victimized as I have uttered these statements on numerous occasions, but more importantly it highlights our ability to lie to ourselves despite previous experience proving that these statements hold little meaning.

Change is hard, especially when it comes to something as easy as putting off a paper you don’t want to write, but I would argue it’s necessary. I have my first assignments due in the next few weeks and I’m already tempted by the pull of waiting until the day before they are due, but I am determined to attempt to alter my habits. University is supposed to be a new start right, so why not start anew with time management? I know some would be inclined to say “just make a plan and stick to it”, but if it only were that simple. Instead, maybe try setting a timer for certain tasks to put a time pressure in place or make a plan, but also give it to a friend who can hold you accountable by asking for updates on your progress.

Start with the hardest task first, see if that helps, or create your own order that makes sense to you, the important thing is that you try. This isn’t an issue that is going to be solved in one sitting. Procrastinators are not born, they are made, so it will take time and effort to undo the years of practice that went into your particular procrastination system. There isn’t going to be one solution that will work for everyone, it’s an individual process, so take this time to try out new techniques and see what works and what doesn’t. I mean hey, it can’t be worse than leaving it until the last possible second, and if it is, definitely don’t go with that one.

The post Procrastination (station) appeared first on IH Globe.

Well at least he sort of would. Clinton Richard Dawkins, an Evolutionary Biologist, released a book in 1976 called “The Selfish Gene.” Filled with all sorts of science-y goodness, this publication explored, tweaked, and extended Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Dawkins suggested that evolution should be viewed from the perspective of genetic based natural selection, rather than from Darwin’s perspective of organism based natural selection.*

*DISCLAIMER

Although organism based natural selection does take into account genetic makeup, I am too stupid to understand the intimate differences between the two theories. Just trust me when I say that they are different. If anyone reading this is an expert in evolutionary biology, please feel free to contact me and explain the two differing theories.

So how did our old friend Clinton go from Evolutionary Biology to cashing people outside? Well actually he didn’t. How bow dah? Dawkins can be attributed with the creation of the actual word “meme.” Derived from the Ancient Greek word mimeme (to imitate), he defined his new term as “a unit of cultural transmission or change.”

Within his book, Dawkins drew an analogy which likened his view of evolution to the evolution of certain aspects of popular culture (for example, the way in which fashion trends evolve and change). Where natural evolution occurred through the transmission of genes, Dawkins suggested that cultural evolution occurred through the transmission of memes.

Take for example, any trend in popular culture. Somebody starts a trend. An observer views the trend. The trend is then imitated or refined by the observer. This process repeats indefinitely until the trend either disappears completely, or is reshaped into a new trend altogether.

It is clear in this example that the broader outcome is always a cultural change of some form. Hence, we can say that this change has come about due to a “meme” being continuously transferred and altered between people. The “meme” is in essence the thing that changes.

Despite what seems to be a significant change in subject matter from Dawkins’ original intent, the concept of the meme that you and I know and love still remains loyal to its roots. Today’s meme culture is changing all the time; any budding memester can tell you that. If you want proof, just scroll through your newsfeed and take the time to appreciate all the subtle variations on the same meme. It is in this way that new memes (and trends) are inevitably and eventually created.

But hold up. If Clinton Dawkins’ theory itself has changed in subject matter from it’s original intent, then doesn’t that make him the greatest meme of all time?**

**Yes. Illu-meme-nati confirmed.

The post From Genes to Memes appeared first on IH Globe.

Six years ago, Trey Parker & Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, collaborated with Robert Lopez, half of the duo that would go on to compose the soundtrack of Frozen, and created a musical entitled The Book of Mormon. Find more information here. What resulted, was something incredible – a phenomenal and clever show, filled with so much nuance and wit, consequent show stopping musical numbers, laugh out loud moments, and an incredibly light hearted yet moving story, which has since scored nine Tony wins, and created a whole new history in its own right.

Fast forwarding to 2017, in an incredibly quick turn around from the Broadway stage, this amazing musical has graced Melbourne’s very own Princess Theatre, and is playing till the end of June in what is to be a once in a lifetime, unmissable run. Whether you have devoted some time to researching this musical, or whether you are hearing about it for the first time, I cannot recommend enough that you view this incredible masterpiece.

The musical tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries, who are sent to Uganda to teach the people of Africa about Mormonism, only to be shocked by their brutal and poor lifestyles. Through this, the boys learn more about their own religious and personal faith, and are able to show the village just how far your faith and actions can go. The set up sounds sweet and innocent, almost like a feel good flick for the whole family to enjoy. But the show is far from that – add in a few not so discretely innuendo laden musical sequences, maggots and frogs in the most inconvenient places, a whole f**king lot of f**ks thrown in here and there, and spooky skeletons dressed in Starbucks cups – the show is a whole new ball game, and truly nothing like you’ve seen before.

As hilarious, awkward, and scandalous as the show is, it is truly one of the most humane and revolutionary acts, that has come from the stage in recent years. As the show oozes with political incorrectness and blunt satire, the heart of the show bursts with exuberance and passion. Stone, Parker, and Lopez’s dream of creating a musical which celebrates everyday people, shines through every belted note, every ensemble’s member’s insane energy, every smooth and intricate set change, every movement in the ridiculously glorious camp choreography, and heart warming chemistry between every character. The Book of Mormon connects with any and every audience in a way that is so special and rare, and ultimately underlines just how the arts can change the world.

At the end of the show, I found it literally impossible to wipe off the huge grin I had on my face, as what I had just seen was a most joyous and one of a kind celebration of faith and unity, as well as music and storytelling of all forms. It’s works of art like this that have led me to where I am today, and that have lead people to continue exploring the world, making the best of every situation, and creating art through their journeys. As vulgar, raucous, and cynical as the show is, it is truly a masterpiece, and something that must be seen and loved. It has brought joy to so many, and has become something truly special in the most unique sense. To quote one of the show’s most pivotal songs, ‘you cannot just believe part-way, you have to believe in it all’. So believe me when I say, this show will change your life, if not just make your day, week or year. It’s already changed the world forever, and definitely for the better.

‘The only latter day that matters is tomorrow

The skies are clearing and the sun’s coming out

Put your worries and your sorrows and your cares away

Cause tomorrow is a doper, phatter, latter day’

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