Nick Sanders asked:


Most students study abroad with the intent of making new friends and immersing themselves in a new culture and new community. However, many students end up forming a group with other students from their home country and not making the most of the brilliant opportunity they have. The first thing to do when you decide to study abroad is to work on gaining self confidence, and read some news reports on the country you are going too. Give yourself some background knowledge and something to talk about. Then, make sure you know enough of the language to have conversations with others.

When you reach your destination country, remember that you are going to have to put effort into making friends. Local students may seem standoffish, but are probably just waiting for you to break the ice. The first group of students to start with is other international students studying with you. These are students in your situation, and will want to make friends too. You can make a variety of friends from different countries in this way, and find people to socialise with and practise the country’s language with.

Next, don’t presume that orientation seminars or ice breaker events are pointless, as they are there to help you make friends. Activities such as sticking your name to your head or talking about yourself for two minutes may seem daunting, but will help you make global friendships. Attend a few, and you’ll make many friends in a very easy way. Universities hold these events to encourage everyone to make friends, and they are usually tried and tested methods.
If you want to make friends with locals, you will then need to arrange social gatherings outside of university time. Make sure you are always safe and that somebody knows where you are; make sure you aren’t wandering alone, and take money and a map. Go to different surroundings, and see who you’ll meet there. You might meet friends in malls or clubs, or less obvious places such as coffee shops. Remember that as long as you are friendly and polite most people will respond positively to you, and try talking to different groups of people. Local teenagers will know the best places to hang out, but local adults will know where to get cheap or fresh food, and where student deals are available. However, make sure that you know the customs of the local area, and try not to offend anyone. Watch what you wear and say, and if you are somewhere with strong beliefs, then you should adhere to them. Cover yourself up if necessary, or take off your jewellery. If you meet a special someone, keep public displays to a minimum and research the local laws for your area. In some countries, kissing outside can gain you a caution! Your university should have information on the area if you need some, or try googling it. You will struggle to make friends if you don’t appear to respect the country’s boundaries.

Finally, there is nothing wrong with becoming friends with other people from your home country, but don’t limit yourself. While you will probably become best friends with someone who is at your Uni, you will miss out on a lot of the pleasures of being a student studying abroad if you don’t make the most of the social opportunities it gives you. Remember to use your language skills, take photos and make friends, and you’ll have a brilliant time.

Christina Hoag asked:

If we searched for the meaning of paranormal we would find reference to psychic sense, telekinesis, Near death experiences, and many others. Paranormal basically means that which stretches beyond our normal realm of understanding. It is a phenomena that can not be classified with any scientific methods nor has clear cut answers that can be logically concluded.

In the class of paranormal or super natural comes the term of haunting. The term instantly draws up images of “ghosts” . Long stereo typed as a passed soul so unsettled they wander the earth in sheets or chains bellowing boo at every living person they came into contact with. The ideas of ghost or haunting has matured over time and moved past a lot of these stereo typical images , although still very much misunderstood, an openness has invented a need to further explore this realm of the Haunted.

There are several classifications of hauntings that most commonly known ghostly like disturbances fall under. They are in no means the infinite answers, as paranormal itself is still something that holds not any proven answer as it is defined. So we need to keep ourselves open to not having all the answers. I am going to give a brief overview of the currently common known types of hauntings, and how they manifest.

1. Residual energy or memory hauntings.

These types of hauntings appear to be repeats of events, memories that seem to be carried out in an almost scripted type reaction. Like playing a movie over and over again. This type of haunting usually involves a repeat of the same type of activity on a regular basis. The most common type of haunting, does not usually involve an actual spirit or ghost. It is believed to be energy from some type of event, usually significant in ones life that becomes imbedded in its surroundings of that time. Perhaps tragedy or even that of great joy can become so strong in its energy that it builds a “life” of its own. Like a tape player the event plays out over and over again.

2. Human or intelligent haunting

I use human loosely as this can also involve any once living creature. These types of hauntings are able to show some sort of communication in real time. It is believed to be a spirit or intelligence that is still aware of what is going on in the current surroundings and time. They often make responses to communication, or disruptions in their environment. Some classify this type of haunt as uncrossed spirit, or trapped. I would not make an assumption that this is always the case. Some records of ghostly intelligent hauntings have shown to be a communication of some type of warning or a message of hope to those left behind. Like the use of a medium in relaying that message, not all intelligent classified hauntings are seeking our help, they may be their to try to help. In terms for our topic though, these actual intelligent hauntings you would find to be able to communicate in some form and not sticking to one particular routine as in a residual haunting.

3. Poltergeist or noisy ghost

These types of haunting seem to lead more to the belief that they are either an attachment to a living being or an actual manifestation by a living being. In most cases of poltergeist activity objects move, and things are disturbed in a focus around a particular individual. The common ingredient is usually an adolescent, female is the most the most common. Some link this type of paranormal phenomena to the mind of a disturbed living being, either suffering from depression, rage or even possibly abuse. Another angle on this leads to the next type of haunting as a entity or ghost may attach to somebody fitting this criteria as a means of feeding off their energy or using it to aid in their own manifestations.

4. Inhuman or “demonic” haunting

I will touch this type of haunting from an outward pre defined perspective , I do not fully agree or disagree with the way this is described or referred. In general terms of haunting , as something that disturbs or disrupts the “norm” this type of haunting is classified as primarily malevolent. Like an intelligent haunting, this haunting involves the presence of something with intelligence but the difference is in the belief that this type of intelligence has never been in human form. Often associated with things that are summoned, as with a Ouija board or other dimensional tool, this type of haunting usually begins as harmless play and grows increasingly more frightful. It is believed this inhuman entity is usually angry, or holds hatred for human life, and seeks to cause harm , physically and emotionally through fear. These types of hauntings can appear as some class as a demonic form, resembling a “devil”. They can link to such things as the ideas of possession.

5. Nature Spirits

This may or not be felt it belongs in hauntings at all but I think it is a part that is rarely addressed and needs to be looked at. Nature spirits like the last type, are not what is classed as ever being human. A highly intelligent haunting that is rarely seen and little known about. Nature spirits fit’s a wide range of beings looked at as something from a fairytale or a child’s imagination. In the case of haunting again as a frightful type happening, these nature spirits are usually associated with a particular area as a form of guardian or caretaker. They seem to dwell in certain places frightening those who try to enter their “sacred” spaces. This is a general classification, as sometimes these nature spirits depending on their type may fit as well in the inhuman type haunting and attach for no known reason or origin to certain place, person at any given time. However in most cases the presence of a natural spirit is linked to a place having some type of historical or sacred significance in common folklore. Common types of nature spirits include, fairies, sylphs, elves, gnomes and even trolls to name just a few.

There are probably more classifications out there that can be parts of these types of hauntings or separate all on their own. This is in general how hauntings are classed. In perspective, as a sensitive, this may not be how I see everything or have experienced. I do hope it opens a door for communication and perhaps a deeper research independantly or jointly with groups.

Patricia Pearman asked:

Did you ever have a dream and wonder if it was real, or if it was a memory of something from your past?  Or was it a glimpse of the future?  Maybe it wasn’t a dream at all.  Over thirty years ago, I had an experience that I’ll never forget, and may never fully understand, but I can now tell the story.

Alone, I lie in the darkness of my bedroom in Louisiana.  When my eyes opened, I could see no hint of moonlight through the slight opening in the curtains.  There were no sounds, no noise from the other rooms, no clocks ticking, and no crickets outside the window.  It felt like I was floating on air, with no bed beneath me; there was no cold or warmth.   The feeling was peaceful, with no worries, as time stood still.  Like a blanket, the room enveloped me and kept me safe.  I could only focus on my surroundings as I realized the only thing I could move was my head.

As I moved my head to look around the room, my eyes were drawn towards a white light high in the left corner of the room.  It wasn’t a perfect circle of light; only a cloud. The light consumed the ceiling and the wall, never touching the floor. A gray light appeared inside the circle with an image of my father who passed away when I was only fourteen.  I wanted to speak, but my mouth could not form words. There was so much to say; so many questions to ask.  Why did he die so suddenly when I was young?  Did he blame me for not knowing what to do to help him as his heart suddenly stopped?  If he hadn’t picked me up as school that snowy day, would he have not been so stressed as he tried to get the car up the steep hill to home?  If I could speak, then questions would be asked, and guilt feelings put to rest.

For the first time since my eyes opened, I heard only the sound of his voice as he said, “Go back, you have something to do.”  I still couldn’t speak, and my attempts to move were merely making me shake.  What was he trying to tell me?  Where was I, and where was I going back?  I hadn’t seen my father since I was young, so I didn’t want to leave him.  My eyes felt very heavy and I fought trying to close them, but I failed.

When I opened my eyes, a nurse said, “Don’t move your head, be very still because the doctor had a hard time with you.”  I felt very tired as I closed my eyes and fell asleep. When I awoke, my mother was standing beside me. She looked peaceful, and yet sad, as she held my hand and wiped her tears.  It was difficult for her to speak, but softly told of how the doctor had a hard time stopping the bleeding. I had a simple nose surgery but there was a complication. As I looked at my mother, with the light surrounding her from the window, I remembered seeing the ghostly image of my father.  For some reason I couldn’t tell her, or anyone what I experienced.  It was very private and personal.

A couple of months later, the doctor finally told me that my heart stopped as he tried to stop the bleeding, and that he fought hard to keep me alive.  I then wondered, and have questioned since that day, if what I experienced was real.  Was it a dream as my mind searched through memories of my father; or perhaps a near death experience?  I’ve looked for answers, but fear that I’ll never know the truth.  It gives me peace of mind thinking that it was the ghost of my father, and that he was once again with me, if only for that short period of time.

I don’t yet know why I was sent back or what it is that I have yet to do.  Perhaps I’ll know the answer to this someday.  Meanwhile, I study the paranormal in an attempt to find answers to so many of my questions.