Instead of making sure that you're packed and planned for three months in advance for a week away, do it the night before. It might sound like an incredibly bad idea; packing the night before, however, makes life more interesting and it's that element of risk that adds to the feeling of elation that you get when going away.

Just make sure you have your tickets, passport, etc before the last minute. Worrying about that sort of thing makes for panic, as opposed to hurry; the latter is more fun, the former an accident waiting to happen (last time I panicked before travelling I managed to leave hair straighteners on, on the bed, and burnt the duvet: not fun).

II. Travel with Friends, Not Family:

Unless your family don't burst into argument over dinner on at least a once weekly basis and enjoy the same activities as you it's probably a good plan to avoid going on holiday with them if you can. Basically, if you're old enough to travel alone then give it a shot and see how much more fun it is when you're doing what you want and, if not what you want, then something you can enjoy with friends.

I've been travelling by myself since I was fourteen and with friends since a year after that, it's much more interesting when you can go where you want and do as you will, rather than get stuck somewhere less fun than in front of your PC.

III. Absorb Foreign Culture Instead of Planting Yours:

“Travel” and “holiday” are not synonymous. Travel is often what comes prior to the holiday, or maybe the entire holiday will be spent moving around; either way it can be an experience rather than a requirement.

Cutting to the point, when travelling in order to enjoy a place, it's hypocritical to go somewhere because it's different to your own home (sunnier/more interesting/busier/quieter/etc) and persist in treating it like that home. If you go to Africa, go visit something that you don't have at home, by all means, but keep it interesting by doing those things in a different way. If you go to the Mediterranean and want an interesting experience then don't lock yourself away in a compound full of people of your own cultural background, surrounded by little houses built by people of that culture for their own.

IV. Make It Interesting - Be Interesting!

Be interesting yourself. Don't expect a different place and its people to be interesting just because they're not the same as at home. Places and people differ, but on the other side of the coin they also share a lot of traits. Therefore the people on the train don't talk to you because you don't talk to them; the man at the foreign restaurant does not make an effort to speak your language, not because he doesn't speak any of it, but because you didn't go to an effort to learn his; the pictures you take look like boring holiday photos because you took them like that.

So be responsible to yourself and make an effort to actually be interesting to both yourself and other people, it's hardly hard to do it and have fun. You actually have more fun when you feel as fascinating as the place you're going and you make life more interesting and better for other travellers and the natives.

The Golden Rooster Awards are the most prestigious film awards in China.

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The name of the awards comes from the Year of The Rooster 1981 which was when they first started. .The awards are given by a panel of film makers, film experts and others and the trophies are golden statues of roosters. The knot was the most successful film overall in these awards.

• Best Picture Award 2007: The Knot directed by Yin Li

  This is the story of two young lovers who are torn apart by circumstances and it is told sixty years in flashback. It is in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles and runs for 113 minutes.

• Best Director: Yin Li for The Knot

  Other nominees were Jacob Cheung for A Battle of Wits and Gao Qun Shu for The Tokyo Trial.

• Best Digital Video: The Contract (China Version)

  This is the story of a young man whose terminally ill father wants to see him married before he dies. It is in Mandarin with simplified Chinese and English subtitles.

• Best Screenplay: The Tokyo Trial

  A cop versus criminal thriller directed by Gao Qun Shu who is famous for this genre of film. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.

• Best Actor: Alloys Chen for The Knot

• Best Actress: Karina Lau for Curiosity Killed The Cat

  Mrs Zheng seems to know nothing about her rich husband's affair. He curiosity and intuition leads her to suspect him and the story goes from there. In mandarin with subtitles in English.

• Best Music: The Knot

  (The Long March was nominated.)

• Best Art Direction: A Battle of Wits, Li Zhen Zhou

  A story of battle. Not the usual Kung Fu fighting kind of thing but a more subtle war film. With English subtitles.

How to Reduce the Affects of Culture Shock when You Arrive in a New Country: Establish a Regular Routine Outside the Classroom

As a new EFL teacher you will have a regular routine you must follow for work purposes. But more is required to help make the adjustment than knowing you must be in school at 8:30am each day. To help reduce the affects of culture shock, you will need to work on building a routine outside the classroom as well. Perhaps you can buy your daily newspaper from the same corner shop on your way to work. As you do so, you will get to know the local traders in your area and you will start to fit in more easily than a tourist who is here today and gone tomorrow.

How to Reduce the Affects of Culture Shock when You Arrive in a New Country: Beware of Pessimistic Expatriates

As tempting as it may be to spend all of your free time with fellow expatriates, this will not always make you feel better as you get used to a new country and way of life. Think of how you usually feel when you spend time with pessimistic friends and then consider what it will do to your self confidence if you surround yourself with expatriates who cannot find a single good thing to say about their host country. These feelings can soon rub off on you too, rather than help you adjust to the stresses of culture shock.

How to Reduce the Affects of Culture Shock when You Arrive in a New Country: Keep in Touch with Family and Friends

To begin with, you will not know anyone when you first arrive in the new country, which can be a very lonely time. One way in which you can help yourself is to make sure you keep in touch with your family and friends from back home. They can help to provide you with the love and encouragement you need during this difficult time.

The main thing to keep in mind is to try and stay positive and not focus so much on the negative aspects of living in a foreign country. Think of why you moved abroad to begin with and how you have been able to expand the breadth of your teaching experience by doing so. This can help you to adjust to your new surroundings and overcome culture shock sooner rather than later.

Ethiopia

They call pancakes Injeera. Pancakes served with meat and vegetables! Wow!

India (Southern)

They call it dosai, thosai, or dhosa. It is a South Indian crepe. Many ingredients are added such as black gram, potatoes or even pickles!

China

They call this a Green Onion Pancake made with green onions and served with mooshu dishes

Thailand

They call it Roti Kaeng Karee. A crispy pancake Muslim style with coconut-milk based curry. Plus, spices!

Japan

They call it as Dorayaki. It is a sweet pancake filled with bean paste.

Vietnam

They call it Banh Xeo. Had enough lettuce, fishwort and coriander, yet?

Korea

They call this one Pajeon and Bindaetteok and it is made with seafood, chili paste, and lots of veggies.

Middle East

They call it Pita. The most common stuffing is fried chickpea balls (falafel), but it is also often filled with the meat of chicken or lamb called Shwarma.