DEADLY TIKTOK CHALLENGES
TikTok, the popular app that (29) users to create and share short videos, is now the most downloaded app in the world. One of the most popular ways users engage with the app is to carry out challenges. A successful challenge will (30) viral, with hundreds of thousands of people around the world taking part.
Copying another person's video is hardly original or creative. Even so, it's easy to see the appeal. Especially among young audiences. Anyone with a Smartphone can get involved. No talent is required beyond (31) extroversion and commitment. Users can just ride the trend to gain popularity. (32) , challenges are ideal for people who have a little spare time, enjoy performing, and like getting attention.
Unsurprisingly, most of those (33) take part are children, teenagers and young adults.

Universities love overseas students – they are clever and hardworking, they bring different cultures to seminars and student life and they pay their way. In Britain, universities are getting ready to enroll more overseas students. The British Council has published a report predicting that overseas student numbers could soar to more than 800,000 by 2018. In 2010, figures put the total at over 400,000 international students out of two and a half million students in UK higher education and it is clear that this influx is having an enormous impact on universities and colleges.
These students bring welcome fees, of course, but they are also likely to be very intelligent students who inject new cultural influences and bring changes to the old university systems. Their demand for vocational subjects such as business, biotechnology and information technology, rather than traditional academic subjects, is affecting what is taught as well.
The impressive expansion of foreign students has already had a significant impact on higher education. Overseas student numbers, including European Union students, have risen from 270,000 in 2002 to 400,000 in 2010. During this time the number from China jumped more than tenfold, and numbers from India have been going up. In contrast, the number of students from other countries has fallen, reflecting their governments’ efforts to educate more of their young people at home, as well as competition from Australia and the USA. But as the Asian tiger economies expand their own universities, the good news for places like the London School of Economics is that there are more and more graduates looking to improve their qualifications or to pursue research in their subjects.
(Adapted from Gateway by Spencer and Edwards)

A majority of people think that their dream job is too hard and competitive to achieve, and believe that it is all a matter of luck. All this is true actually, but why should that stop anyone from trying to get the job they really want? A really determined person will always succeed and, in many ways, needs other people to give up trying so that he or she can succeed.
Many job seekers feel limited by the choices they made at college or university. They may think that because they studied marketing, all they can ever do is work in marketing. All the evidence shows that, in fact, employers are less interested in acquired knowledge than the ability to think and learn. It is also very difficult to predict the needs of society. The needs of employers and the economy can change very quickly, and often unexpectedly.
Of course, if it is a very tough time economically, it is hard to find employment straight after university, but it is by no means impossible. It might take several months longer to find a job after graduating, but there is work out there. Never think about the other people going for the same jobs. It may be human nature to compare your progress to your peers, but perhaps the best advice would be to try not to. Be focused on what you want and how you are going to get it. After all, it may appear that a friend who has a really well-paid job is doing well, but how do you know what their job is actually like? They may be working 12-hour days, have an unreasonable boss, or be stressed out trying to meet unrealistic targets.
Have a plan in place, even if it is a sketchy one. Have both short-term and long-term aims. Always think that with hard work, dedication, a willingness to put yourself out, and a bit of luck, you could get your dream job. A really key piece of advice is never to get downhearted by rejection because there will probably be a lot. You can achieve your dream job, whatever it is. You must never give up. prepared to work hard and for long hours without necessarily climbing up the career ladder. There is a lot to be said for learning your 'trade' from the bottom up. At the start, there will probably be little money, but it will be worth it in the end. The best jobs are not supposed to be easy- that is what makes them challenging. And if you like a challenge, just keep your head down and go for it.
(Adapted from Objective by Felicity O'Dell and Annie Broadhead)