Monday, 23 January 2023

The Study Of Physiotherapy Overseas

 

Physiotherapy is the study of the process of treating persons who have been physically harmed via therapeutic exercise and movement. Studying physiotherapy include studying about the use of therapeutic movement and exercise in the rehabilitation of patients. All age groups are covered, as well as those suffering from diseases and sports-related injuries. A physiotherapist uses their extensive practical expertise and scientific knowledge to develop individualised treatment regimens that are unique to each patient. The need for skilled physiotherapists and their services has grown recently as physiotherapy is seen as a more effective and cost-effective treatment alternative than conventional medicine. Physiotherapists may treat a wide variety of problems or specialise in a particular area of practise. Sports medicine, paediatrics, cardiac care, geriatrics, neurology, and orthopaedics are among the specialties. A degree from an international institution will offer you the competitive advantage over other candidates in this burgeoning employment field.

Why study Physiotherapy abroad?

·      Top-notch instruction : The excellent calibre of instruction in nations renowned for their healthcare norms and efforts is the main justification for pursuing physiotherapy education abroad. If you select a reputable organisation for your physiotherapy education, you will receive instruction that is unparalleled.

·      Growing demand : Increasing numbers of people are choosing physical therapy over conventional medicine because it is a cost-effective and effective therapy choice. The need for licenced physiotherapists has grown as a result in recent years. A degree from a reputable international college or university will enable you to enter this field of work anywhere in the globe because of the widespread need for it.

·      Inexpensive study : You might want to work in medicine, but you could find that programmes like MBBS are incredibly time- and money-consuming. As a result, physiotherapy is a great alternative because the programme is relatively reasonable and takes less time to complete than other professional medical programmes. You don't need to invest a fortune to work in the medical and health fields.

Course Structure:

A combination of theoretical and practical learning will be required for physiotherapy programmes at the bachelor's level throughout the course of three to four years of study. You can also be expected to conduct research projects for learning and evaluation. Additionally, written tests and presentations will count against your grade.

At the master's level, a programme may have a framework comparable to that of a bachelor's, although it will be shorter and more concentrated on research and specialised expertise.

Your particular hobbies or area of specialty will be taken into account when designing your physiotherapy PhD. It can call for substantial study, hands-on experience, or a sizable thesis to be written at the conclusion of your three or four years.

A physiotherapy bachelor's degree will be broken into modules or electives that have a set number of credits associated with them. Before continuing to the following year of a programme, you must earn a predetermined number of credits. The following subjects are covered by typical modules:

·        Anatomy and physiology

·        Cardiorespiratory studies

·        Dissertation / project

·        Physical activity and exercise

·        Professional development

·        Research skills

Best countires to study physiotherapy abroad :

There are several factors to consider while determining where to study physiotherapy abroad. You must confirm that a physiotherapy programme conforms to the system of the nation in which you wish to practise as a physiotherapist after graduation. When choosing a place, you should think about whether you would want to be on a small campus or a big metropolis. While studying abroad, if you want to learn a new language, this will also help you decide where to reside.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and some of western Europe are the best for physiotherapy. These nations have high-quality healthcare systems, thus physiotherapy is taught to a high grade utilising the most recent research techniques.

Top international universities to study physiotherapy :

You should think about which university would be ideal for you in order to choose the greatest place to study physiotherapy. Along with rankings, keep in mind the following:

The programme includes practical experience such as placements or job experience.

What the institution has to offer you outside of the classroom, such as student organisations based on your interests.

The department's faculty - their backgrounds, specialties, and professional experience

Some top universities offering physiotherapy programs include Cardiff University, Curtin College, Griffith University, MonashUniversity, The University of Notre Dame Australia, The University of Sydney,University College Dublin, University of Essex, etc.

Job opportunities post an international degree in Physiotherapy:

Physiotherapists are in high demand nowadays because they can treat a wide range of illnesses. Physiotherapists are employed in a wide range of clinics, hospitals, health agencies, private nursing homes, and rehabilitation centres in India and across the world. Countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada provide good career opportunities for trained physical therapists. Physiotherapy is frequently utilised as a vocational education that leads to employment as a physiotherapist in one of the following fields:

·        Elderly care

·        Occupational health

·        Pediatrics

·        Sports and exercise

·        Stroke services

·        Women’s health

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in USA, study in USA, study in UK, study inIreland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study inSingapore and many other countries.


Tuesday, 17 January 2023

Guide To Becoming An International Student Post 12th

 

Not long ago, a consequential shift has been observed in the trend to complete undergraduate schooling in India, gain work experience and then pursue a Master's. At present, a good deal of Indian pupils resolve to pursue their studies in an international university after their 12th grade. One has the opportunity to pursue from a multitude of programs abroad.

We at Edwise, as international education consultants, guide you through the entire process of studying abroad.

Here's how you can pursue your course of choice abroad at pre-eminent destinations after your 12th grade.

UK

·     A myriad of highly developed cities in the UK are home to top ranking universities that one can consider when planning to study abroad post 12th grade. The main intake at universities in the UK is September/ October. January/ February intakes are also offered by a handful universities.

·     Students who desire to pursue undergraduate courses in UK should have completed 18 years of age before commencement of the program.

·     The minimum IELTS score for undergraduate programs at UK universities is 6.0. The marks scored in English in Class XII is also taken into consideration by some UK universities. Some universities tend to waive off the English requirement if a candidate has scored above 75%. A handful universities also accept TOEFL and PTE scores.

·     High ranked universities call for 80-85% for Engineering, Law and Management courses. Some universities with top ranking for specific subjects might also demand a minimum of 90%. IB: 38-40 points and A levels -AAA preferred. Entry essential scores for Humanities, Arts, Social Science & Computer Science is 70-80%.

·     Students looking forward to study in UK from India with scores lower than 60% in XII can opt for Foundation and Diploma courses that assist them for getting admitted into better ranked universities.

 

USA

·     An undergraduate program in the USA is usually a four year course. Universities in USA have 3 intakes: Fall: August/September

Spring: January/February

Summer: April/May.

·     To study in the USA, every candidate must take the  English language proficiency test. There is a mandatory requirement of scoring 70 – 80 scores in TOEFL or a band of 6.0 – 6.5 in IELTS for pursuing undergraduate study in US universities. The IELTS & PTE exam is acknowledged by over 3000 US institutions.

·     Admission requisites to study in USA for Indian students for undergraduate programs incorporate 10+2 years of education, strong academic background and quality scores in entrance exams like SAT/ACT & TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

 

Canada

·     The number of students aspiring to study in Canada has seen an enormous rise due to the provision of a plethora of services for international students. The enticing stay-back opportunities and Co-Op programs are the major pull factors.

·     An aspiring study in Canada candidate must clear HSC in First Class and should have cleared the IELTS/ TOEFL exams favourably in accoradance with the essentials listed down by the university. An IELTS band of 6.0/6.5 or a TOEFL score of 80 and above for undergraduate courses inCanada is preferable.

 

Australia

·     It is needless to mention  that students flock to study in Australia as some of the finest student cities are based in Australia.

·     Australia by and large has two intakes i.e. February and July. Besides, a few Australian universities offer multiple intakes in September & November.

·     To study in Australia, a good academic record in HSC or 12 years of schooling is required for a Bachelor's programs.

·     Courses such as Computers and Engineering require Mathematics and /or Science as imperatives. 6.0 IELTS / 79 TOEFL / 50-58 PTE are some suggestive scores required additionally to demonstrate a candidate’s English language proficiency.

 

New Zealand

·     New Zealand is surfacing as one of the elite preferences among Indian students looking forward to study abroad post-completion of their 12th grade.

·     There are two intakes in a year - January and July. Certain institutions do offer multiple intakes in the month of September and November.

·     For an undergraduate course in New Zealand, the applicant must have a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or a minimum score of 50 in PTE Academic.

·     The basic pre-requisites for Bachelor’s program in universities in New Zealand are: 12 years of elementary and secondary education, a minimum of 75% aggregate marks and a minimum of 60% in English, mandatory mathematics subject in class XII (for Sciences and Technology courses).

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in Canada, study in Canada, study in UK, study in Ireland, study in USA, study in New-Zealand, study in Australia, study in Singapore and many other countries.

 

Thursday, 12 January 2023

Good Study Practices College Students Should Embrace During Their Study Overseas

 

The decision to study abroad is a momentous one. Students everywhere aspire to stand out in whatever he/ she undertakes and thereby flourish in the future. Studying abroad can seem wheels within wheels thus students should adopt the following habits in order to earn good grades and emerge victorious. 

Take down notes and review the same

·       Learning is a lifelong process and is not limited just to textbooks. Reading vivid sources like newspapers, novels, magazines or even articles on the internet facilitates one to understand affairs taking place globally as well as locally. This in turn can contribute to one's proficiency.

·       One should inculcate the habit of taking notes, be it during a lecture or even while reading something assigned to you. Taking notes succor students to understand the lesson better. It aids in absorbing key terms and ideas more efficiently. 

·       One should also review the notes after class in order to retain the information. Reviewing while the material is still fresh in your mind, enables you to learn the material taught that day, more pertinently.  

·       In case of missing a lecture, one should request one's classmates for a refresher.

·       One should get into the habit of rewriting lecture notes. This is one of the most ingenious approaches of study one should practice. Rewriting will aid one in reminiscing the context better. Additionally, reconfiguring the notes necessitates one to understand the lesson.


Organize the class materials

·       One should dodge keeping a bulky bookbinder or even a backpack of all loose sheets.

·       Instead, the student should very neatly assemble his/her study materials- books, stationery, notes and handouts and set the same into distinct folders.  

·       This enables one to very easily find what one requires for each exam as well as keep one's homework together which in turn, helps to avoid massive clutter. One should color-code as this helps to vary between the topics and keep different topics individually.

·       Take some time out and make sure the folders are in order. Also, download the readings and slides for each lecture ahead of schedule in order to save time.

Avoid any form of distraction during studies

·       One can gain access to large amounts of information, thanks to technology. However, this useful tool can, in turn, create interruptions and inhibit one from centering on one's research.

·       After procuring the required information to write, one should keep one's phone on silent and switch off the wireless connection. 

·       Social media platforms are used today by almost everyone. Communicating on the same or talking over the phone could undermine one's time for a good amount of minutes.

·       On the other hand, upon receiving a notification, one is bound to immediately open it. One may also be required to reply to the same. This could also result in time loss.

·       One can get distracted very easily. In such scenarios, sidestep your phone. Keep it out of sight while studying.

·       Give precedence to your education. Your friends can wait.

·       Distractions can lead to ineffective studying as one loss the train of thought and is ineffectual to focus.

·       Before you sit down to study, find a corner with little/ no background noise. This will prevent you from getting disturbed or distracted.

 

Build an effective study environment around yourself

·       The next step after organizing your notes and required study material is to create a place of study, a place where one can get motivated and concentrate better on one's studies, free from distractions be it your roommates or the television.

·       This place could be on campus, in a cafe, at home or at the beach.

·       At times, study sessions with classmates may benefit you.

·       Prepare a timetable and spend extra time on independent study per subject even if you just have 12/15 'contact hours' on campus. 

·       Try modifying your study routine. If you rely only on textbook revision, consider switching this routine to creating visual resources viz. flashcards or mind apps.

For further assistance or queries, students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in USA, study in USA, study in UK, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore and many other countries.

Thursday, 5 January 2023

What Entrance Test Should I Take To Study Abroad?

 

Indians are one of the largest foreign student populations in the world, with an ever-growing number of students studying abroad.

For Indian students, studying abroad has several advantages, but the biggest one is that a degree from a prestigious overseas university typically carries more weight with recruiters than an Indian Bachelor's or Master's degree. Furthermore, studying overseas is a life-changing experience that will broaden your horizons, help you develop as a person, and teach you a lot about another culture.

There is a huge range of entrance tests that a student is required to or choose from for gaining an international study experience. They all sound intriguing and critical at the same time, which causes candidates to get perplexed. However, one must carefully consider the idea of taking an admission exam for a foreign institution if he/ she wants to enrol in one. Because even though everyone who applies has taken the same entrance examinations, each university has its own admissions requirements.

ACT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL are a few of the most opted-for entry examinations for globally acclaimed international institutions. Let's quickly look at each one of them.

ACT – American College Testing

The majority of colleges and universities base their admissions choices on the results of the ACT entrance exam. It is a multiple-choice exam that is given by ACT, Inc. using paper and pencil. Students who want to apply to undergraduate programmes in the US and Canada should take this test. Any candidate above the age of 13 years is eligible to take this test. Test sections comprise of English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and Essay (Optional). The duration of the test is 2.55 hours (Without essay) and an added 40 minutes (With essay). Registrations for the test can be done online through official ACT website and results can be availed online within eight weeks after the test.

GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test

The Graduate Management Admission Test (often known as the GMAT) is an internationally accepted multiple-choice, computer-based, and computer-adaptive exam that is used for admission to graduate management and business schools (such as MBA programs). Any candidate aged 18 years or above can opt for the test. Candidates between the ages of 13 and 17 must have parental or legal guardian written consent. Test sections cover Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. The test lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

GRE – Graduate Record Examinations

An essential component of the graduate school or business school admission process is the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE. The GRE is a multiple-choice, computer-based, international test that is frequently needed for enrollment in Master’s, specialized Master’s in Business, MBA, JD or Doctoral degree, PhD, etc. Sections like Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing Skills are included. The test duration is 3.45 hours.

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

One of the most well-liked English language exams is intended for students from non-English-speaking nations who want to study or work overseas. The majority of nations, including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, recognise these scores. The test is recommended to be taken by students of 16 years or above. The test format consists of 4 sections that include Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

PTE - Pearson Test of English Academic

For students who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency to get into any foreign university, this is a generally acknowledged English language certification test that is advised. Anyone of or above 16 years of age can choose to take this test. The test icludes sections of Speaking & Writing (54-67 Minutes), Reading (29-30 Minutes) and Listening (30-43 Minutes)

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

One of the most well-liked entry tests for international institutions is this standardised language examination. This test has been revised to allow candidates to take it from the convenience and security of their homes in light of the epidemic. Typically, institutions in the USA and Canada will accept this test. The test format consists of 4 sections that include Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and duration of the test is 3 hours.

FAQs:

1. What should I opt for study in the US – IELTS or TOEFL?

 The TOEFL test is entirely online, in contrast to the largely paper-based IELTS. But unlike the IELTS, which lasts for two hours and forty-five minutes, the TOEFL takes four hours and covers the same four subject areas. The majority of students choose the TOEFL in the US, nonetheless, as it is recognised by over 11,000 colleges worldwide.

2. What is easier PTE or IELTS?

Depending on your degree of preparedness, each have the option to modify their difficulty levels to hard or easy. Both of them are challenging in their different ways. Both demand an equal amount of study and comprehension of their respective test categories, if not more. As long as you consistently try to do your best work, the deadline shouldn't matter to you.

3. What is the score required to crack the GRE?

The possible score is 340 and it falls between 260 and 340. A 300 is regarded as excellent and average. A score between 310 and 350 is typically needed for admission to universities like Princeton University, University of Oxford, Stanford University, London School of Economics, Imperial College, etc.

For further assistance or queries you can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in UK, studyin USA, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New Zealand, Study inIreland, study in Singapore and many other countries.

Monday, 26 December 2022

What To Study Overseas– MIM Or MBA?

 

A Master's degree program called "Master’s in Management" (MIM) provides complete information of many management streams including Finance, Marketing, Consulting, and Entrepreneurship. For individuals who don't want to pursue an MBA, MIM from abroad has gained popularity over the past ten years.

While the Master of Business Administration is a Master's degree program with a concentration on Leadership, Human Resource Management, Accounting, and Business Economics.

There are several considerations to weigh while deciding between a Master's in Management and a Master's in Business Administration. Your level is one of the most crucial variables. A MIM degree is most likely an excellent choice for you if you are a fresh graduate hoping to jump-start your career. The MBA is the better option, however, if you are a seasoned professional with more than three years of experience. You will acquire the necessary skill set to have a successful career as a result.

Difference between MIM and MBA:

No

Basis of Difference

MIM

MBA

1

Cost of studying

Lesser in comparison to an mba

Expensive

2

Eligibility

10+2 years of formal education from an accredited institution

An undergraduate degree

An impressive result on english language proficiency exams like the IELTS or TOEFL

A GMAT or GRE score that meets the university's requirements.

10+2 years of formal education from an accredited institution

An undergraduate degree

An impressive result on english language proficiency exams like the IELTS or TOEFL

A GMAT or GRE score that meets the university's requirements.

A minimum of 2 LORs and 1 SOP

3

Scope

Concentrated on a certain managerial discipline.

Provides a variety of electives

4

Suitability

Fresh graduates

Experienced professionals and graduates

5

Syllabus

Has a stronger emphasis on the management field's theoretical parts.

Includes case studies and is more practical in its focus.

The suitability check:

MIM degrees are appropriate for fresh graduates without any work experience. Universities often do not mandate that students obtain an undergraduate degree in business. Their advantage is even having less than a year of corporate job experience. MBA degrees need professional job experience, in contrast to MIM degrees.

The course structure:

The key distinction between a Master's in Management and a Master's in Business Administration is that the former provides fresh graduates with the necessary business acumen to launch their careers. MBA enables experienced workers to change careers.

There are some course level distinctions between the two degrees, even though they both cover broad business topics including Finance, Accounting, Strategy, Business Analytics, Micro/Macroeconomics, and People Management.

Master in Management - Broad business and management topics are covered in-depth throughout the first year of a MIM programme. Core modules cover things like accounting, business economics, corporate finance, innovation management, marketing choices, and strategic management. Students have the opportunity to select a discipline as one of their electives in addition to studying the core courses. Project management, Business Analytics, Geopolitics, and Advanced Corporate Finance are some of the MIM electives.

Master of Business Administration - Students who earn an MBA are better prepared to manage. The subject's foundational modules include those on accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, global management, human resources, and information technology. By incorporating certain electives into the students' curriculum, the programme hopes to widen their outlook. Marketing, Organisational Behaviour, Political Economy, and other topics are some of these.

Cost Comparison:

MIM

MBA

$42.63 to $75,400

$23,192 to $1,22339

Specializations:

MIM - The initial part of the two-year Master in Management degree programme, which establishes a solid basis for management sciences and related ideas like analytical abilities and statistical methodologies, is where the curriculum begins. Later stages concentrate on several specialities, including marketing management, financial management, operations management, human resource management, and more.

MIM specialities range from Economics, Finance, Analytics, Accounting, and Marketing.

MBA - The need for specialized skill sets to comprehend the difficulties faced by each business grows as there are more industries. Additionally, picking an MBA concentration is a significant professional decision, therefore one should exercise caution.

Typically, core courses are the focus of the first year of the MBA programme in order to lay a solid basis for all the topics. One can choose to concentrate in a certain pitch during the second year like Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Information Systems, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, and Operations Management.

Top 5 Job Roles for MIM graduates:

  • Business Development Manager
  • Management Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Social Media Manager

Top 5 Job Roles for MBA graduates:

  • Business Operations Manager
  • Financial Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Information Technology Manager
  • Marketing Manager

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in USA, study in USA, study inUK, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study inNew-Zealand, study in Singapore, and many other countries.

 


Tuesday, 20 December 2022

What To Study After An MBA Abroad?

 

The MBA programme is one of the most popular master's programmes worldwide. After earning your MBA overseas, you can choose from a variety of programmes for higher education. Although an MBA can help you get a job, many graduates look for further training to improve their personality, business ethics, and career chances.

Short Term Courses post an MBA:

After earning an MBA, there are a variety of short-term study choices to take into account. They consist of:

1. Coding & Programming: A common choice that candidates opt for to learn after an MBA is programming. Students favour it in practically all subjects. This entails certificate or short-term diploma programmes that teach you a whole new skill that will be useful in the future.

2. Language courses: Short-term language programmes can widen your horizons and assist you in pursuing employment chances with multinational companies.

3. Personality development courses: These programs may help you polish yourself and boost your confidence and public speaking skills. Many students choose to enroll in these courses as part-time choices while working either immediately after receiving their MBA or shortly before they begin employment.

4. SAP courses: One of the most well-liked courses nowadays is Systems Applications and Products (SAP). It improves students' general ability to use SAP and all of its features more efficiently. SAP is used by all business sectors and industries to increase the total value of their products. To increase your employability with SAP, there are short-term functional and technical courses available.

Higher education courses post an MBA:

The finest opportunities for continuing your education after earning an MBA are listed here:

1. Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

The CRMA certification is a highly sought-after credential that demonstrates a candidate's governance and risk management skills. For obtaining a job as an Auditing Advisor or Risk Manager after finishing this course, you should have some work experience (one to five years).

2. Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

For people interested in entering the field of Supply Chain Management, CPIM is a course and a certification that is widely recognised. It has several modules, each with a different price for each test. High-level opportunities are generated in industries including Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Material Management as a result.

3. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

For those looking to launch careers in Auditing, Information Systems, Security, and allied industries, CISA provides a solid foundation. You must pass the test, which is given annually in September, December, and June. You must fulfil the requirements for work experience and finish your ongoing course. Aspirants will get knowledge on conducting audits of information-based infrastructure, managing information, maintaining systems, and monitoring whether IT operations are compliant with regulations.

4. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA can be undertaken after an MBA. With people needing to pass three levels in order to become Certified Analysts, it has also grown to be one of the most sought-after career possibilities. Business Ethics, Equity Investing, Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, and Alternative Investments make up the bulk of CFA Levels 1 and 2. After completing the course, you can find employment in a variety of industries, such as a Financial Analyst, Strategist, Portfolio Manager, or Consultant.

5. Data Science and Data Analytics 

There are several courses offered following MBA schools in the expanding employment sectors of Data Science and Analytics today. After earning an MBA in Information Technology or another similar profession, you can pursue a Data Science MBA or enroll in a Data Science course. Predictive analytics, data mining, analysis, and many more sectors are among the abilities that candidates may gain from doing a degree in data analytics.

6. Doctor of Business Administration

The focus of a Doctorate in Business Administration is to help you develop the skills necessary to handle leadership responsibilities in academia, research, and teaching. Most courses are designed to include networking opportunities as well.

7. Financial Risk Management (FRM)

The Global Association of Risk Professionals, or GARP, bestows this honour, assisting individuals in developing their risk management skills while learning more about credit risk management, liquidity risks, market risks, and financial risks (non-market). After earning an MBA, FRM is a common career path. You have two options: pursue a degree programme or take the FRM test.

8. PhD in Management

The PhD in Management programme places an emphasis on the leadership, research, and business management skills that are essential in today's market. Aspirants will manage, supervise, coordinate, and schedule company processes and activities. The focus of the training is on recognizing and overcoming business challenges in dynamic environments. The course is primarily a four- to the five-year curriculum in which research is significant.

9. Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications

You may learn the fundamentals of computer applications with the aid of this diploma, which places an emphasis on programming languages, software, and other relevant topics.

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in USA, study in USA, study in UK, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study inNew-Zealand, study in Singapore, and many other countries.