Q: If all you want to do is learn a foreign language, sign up for a foreign language class.  Being abroad has much more to do with culture and experience than simply language skills.  Reaffirm your intentions by listing the positives and negatives of being a foreign exchange student. There are many great exchange programs out there.  Look at the web page for Council On Standards For International Educational Travel (CSIET) to get a reputable list.  Programs are organized based upon a commitment to universally accepted higher standards.A few to consider are:  Rotary  Youth for Understanding (YFU)  International Cultural Exchange Services It can be very costly, and budgeting will become very important.  Aside from the costs related to the foreign exchange service that you use, travel costs and living expenses can add up, possibly near $10,000.  A general recommendation of allotting yourself a few hundred dollars per month is not uncommon.  Applying for a scholarship or working a part-time job are good ways to offset the costs. Health insurance while abroad as a foreign exchange student can be pricey.  Depending on where you are planning on studying abroad, it’s mandatory. Look for people who have been exchange students before and ask them general questions about it. You should ask several questions to gauge their experiences and opinions, then weigh the answers into your decision.  Where and when they were exchange students Why they decided to be exchange students Which foreign exchange organization they used, and whether they recommend that service What were the biggest benefits they got from being an exchange student
A: Be certain you’d like to be a foreign exchange student. Choose a foreign exchange program. Consider the cost of a foreign exchange student. Talk to other foreign exchange students.

Q: Sprains come in 3 grades. A grade 1 sprain has slight tearing of the ligaments, and will result in mild tenderness and swelling. A grade 2 sprain has partial ligament tearing,and moderate tenderness and swelling. A grade 3 sprain is a complete tear of the ligament, and will have significant swelling and tenderness around the ankle.  A grade 1 sprain usually does not require medical attention. A grade 3 sprain should almost always be seen by a doctor to make sure there is no other damage to the ankle. Home treatment and management for all 3 grades is the same, but the higher the grade the longer it will take for the ankle to heal. A grade 1 sprain may not require any medical attention, but grades 2-3 should be seen by a doctor. If your sprain prevents you from comfortably putting weight on your ankle for more than a day, or if you experience severe pain and swelling, call your doctor to make an appointment as soon as possible. Avoid walking on your ankle as much as possible until the swelling goes down and it doesn’t hurt to put weight on the sprained ankle. Try not to put weight on the ankle either. If necessary, use crutches to help distribute your weight and keep your balance when you walk. You may consider using an elastic ankle brace as well. Braces add stability and can help control swelling while the ligaments are healing. Depending on the severity of the sprain, you may need the brace for 2-6 weeks. Wrap a handful of ice, an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas in a dish towel or a thin piece of cloth. Apply the ice compress to the injured ankle, and hold it there for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this every 2-3 hours for as long as swelling persists.  Apply ice to your ankle even if you plan to go to the doctor. Ice limits inflammation, especially during the first 24 hours of the injury. Applying ice to any sprain will help reduce overall swelling and bruising. Alternatively, you can fill a bucket with ice water and immerse your foot and ankle. Leave the ice off at least 20-30 minutes between applications. Too much exposure to the ice could lead to frostbite. If you have diabetes or circulation issues, talk to your doctor before applying ice. with an elastic bandage. Use a compression bandage, an elastic bandage, or an elastic brace to help manage swelling. Wrap the bandage around the ankle and foot, and secure it with metal fasteners or medical tape. Be sure to keep the wrap dry by removing the bandage when you are icing your ankle, and reapplying it after you remove the ice.  Wrap an elastic bandage from your toes to your mid-calf, using even pressure. Keep the bandage on until the swelling subsides. Loosen the wraps if your toes turn blue, feel cold or begin to feel numb. You don't want the wrap to be too loose, but you don't want it to be too tight, either. You can also get slip-up or pull-up style bandages and braces. These are often beneficial because they ensure the even application of pressure without cutting off circulation to your foot. Sit back or lie down and use an ottoman or pillows to elevate your ankle. Keep your ankle elevated for 2 to 3 hours a day until your ankle stops swelling. Elevation will help reduce swelling and bruising. Over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium are typically strong enough to help manage the pain and inflammation that goes with a sprained ankle. Use the packaging to help you determine the correct dose, and take it as recommended to manage any pain and swelling.
A: Determine the severity of the sprain. See your doctor for moderate or severe sprains. Rest your ankle until the swelling goes down. Ice your ankle to limit swelling and dull pain. Compress your ankle Elevate your ankle above the level of your heart. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Q: These usually look like small pink circles and may appear slightly raised around the edges. The anus is just under the tail, and the urogenital opening, the location of the urinary and genital organs, is above the anus toward the center of the abdomen. Sex differences are more difficult to spot in very young pups, but it is possible to sex a pup by looking at the distance between its anus and its urogenital opening. In females, the openings are very close together. You may actually have trouble telling them apart so that the urogenital opening, which in this case is the vulva, and the anus almost seem to be a single opening or structure. In males, the openings are farther apart, so there is very clear separation between the anus and the urogenital opening. You may also see small swellings in the groin area if you have a male. These are the growing testicles. If you can only find one opening, especially if it seems rather large, you should suspect you are dealing with a female, but recheck the animal often or consult an experienced exotics veterinarian just in case you missed the second opening.  This opening can be subtle in a very young male, especially if the animal you are working with is a tiny dwarf hamster. The most common pet hamsters, Syrian hamsters, are solitary and need to be kept in individual cages, so early sexing is not very important. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, are kept in single-sex groups.  If you have pups in a single-sex group, you need to recheck them often until sex is obvious. This will help you avoid accidental pregnancies in your group.
A:
Locate the two openings on the underside of the hamster. Assess the distance between the anus and the urogenital opening. Recheck the hamster at another time if you are still not sure.