Shoestring Student

It is a little hard to write on the topic of culture shock on a country you've never been. However, upon doing some reading other people's blogs it was interesting to think that some of the ones listed- large beer drinking culture and a very laid back culture don't seem like they would be too radically different or hard to adapt to from an Australian perspective. However, there was one bit of research that stood out to me. It seems that busses in Laos are pretty shocking! For a thrifty traveller such as myself public transport is often a great option. As a student in Australia I enjoy the luxury of busses that arrive relatively on time and reach their intended destination smoothly.  However, while using busses in Laos is appealing- my research indicates I would probably encounter a fair bit of cultural confusion when trying them out.  The blog Living Spree described their experience: 'You see, the bus trips on the best roads g...

Laos Agricultural Workers Women in Laos contribute to the country's labour at a rate of 73% (while men are at 78%), one of the highest rates in South East Asia. However, despite this, there are still high levels of unpaid work. Over 70% of  'unpaid family workers'  are women and girls and only 32% are identified as 'own account workers' suggesting that they are less likely to be engaged in work with an income they themselves control. Wage gaps are present between genders, and women also work longer hours, working on average  1.3 more hours . These issues are exacerbated in rural agricultural work. Laos Women's Union As Laos' economy continues to grow, the issue of gender equity remains increasingly important. As a student of Gender Studies I am interested in how this equity can grow in Laos and how international organisations can assist. Within Laos, the Lao Women’s Union is at the forefront of fighting for women’s a...