Whenever I’m visiting the United States, I always take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade my computer, smartphone and wardrobe. For when it comes to purchasing consumer goods, the USA has some of lowest prices in the world. However, when it comes to paying for the following items, I cringe at how badly Americans are being ripped off. Continue reading
A few years ago, I was renting a room in a house filled with students who were studying at the German university where I was first paid to study my Master’s degree and then later employed as a researcher.
Because of some bureaucratic rules for switching between a student and a work visa, I had to delay my thesis defense date until the end of that summer. With my thesis research complete, I realized that neither it nor the paid work that I was doing for another lab, technically required me to be physically present during the proceeding months. Due to my record of having performed good work in the past, I was able to persuade the professor who employed me to let me work remotely. Continue reading