ifs - School of Finance

Since i am studying Financial Services in UK, i was thinking about giving some details to potential future students or graduates that need to take the CFP(Certificate in Financial Planning)/CeFA(Certificate in Financial Advice), a few details about the package, the costs and time needed to pass successfully(minimum 70%).

My university has given me this package for free as they have agreements with ifs-School of Finance London. It is incorporated by Royal Charter and provides financial education to financial services professionals throughout the world. They work closely with the best-known financial services providers from all around the world.

The CeFA certificate is obtained through 4 different exams (steps), which includes UK Financial Regulation, Investments and Risks, Retirement Planning and Protection and Assesment of Investment Advice Knowledge. Each package costs 135£ with the exam costing about 200£. So expect paying 350£ for each step. After registration a package will arrive in about 1 month which contains a file with all the documents you need.

Advice is given on how many hours one should spend studying in order to avoid having difficulties. A minimum of 60 hours is "prescribed" but more is recommended. I plan on studying 100 hours for it, revising and doing tests. The gradings are as follows: 70% - pass, 80% - merit, 90% - Distinction. I am aiming for the distinction but any way you choose, a minimum of 70 is required. Booking the exam is easy, they have test centers all over the world, an online application form should do it.

I recommend visiting their website for further info: http://www.ifslearning.ac.uk/
They have a video as well on the home page and you can view and browse the different certificates that are put at your disposal.

I have also added photos of the package itself so that you get a sense of its size and looks :P .. that's all for now. Cheers!

"If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it." - Socrates

Fresh start

Well well well it has been a long time, hasn't it ?

So much has happened since my last post. For one, i'm not in Thailand any more, i'm not a model any more, i'm in UK, grasping a new stage in my life as a fresh business student.

As you all now by now, i worked with Patrick Ribbsaeter, organizing events of all kinds. As time went by things got more complicated, work started building up, fatigue started to strike me, enthusiasm decreased as events just didn't turn up as we both expected. I tried mingleing event organizing with modeling but it was far from possible. As a result of continuous shuddering, i had come to a conclusion. I had to give up being an organizer and focus more on my future as a model, my health and eventually my studies.
As my indecisive personality kept roaming the streets of Bangkok, seeking a rational decision, a waft of fresh air came my way through a message. It was one of my good friends Nathan. I had met him through our parties, as he was one of Patrick's long time friends. He invited me to his house in Phuket for a couple of weeks to relax, get a breath of fresh air and help my mind reach a decision about my future.
I had heard many things of Phuket during my stay in the City of Angels, but what i got to see, was out of this world, it was simply paradise. Complete bliss, nature, wild remote beaches. The 20 days of relaxation and meditation relating my conundrum, were the happiest days of my life. I could then understand why Nathan always carried a broad smile on his face. You would just wake up every single morning with a big smile on your face. Paradise indeed. During my stay i rented a motorbike and just roamed the "S" shaped, narrow, freshly built roads the island had to offer. I got a glimpse of the locals, the food, the beaches, the two-digit million dollar homes, the fantastic sunsets and best of all, of what true friendship really means. You are just overwhelmed with the amount of inner peace and love, a place like this has to offer. I got to see Nathan's amazing cooking skills and finally reached a decision about my future.
How i reached my decision was pretty straight-forward. I only had to listen to one of Nate's wise words: "In order to build yourself a future, you need to study. You need to go to an university and work hard. After you do that, you will have skills. You will get a job with those skills. After 3-4 years those skills turn into experience. Further on, experience turns into instinct. By the time you have instincts, you should earn a lot of money mate. Work hard and you should be fine. Look at me! hahaha" .... well that did it for me. That was the starting point. I had to do something, i needn't disappoint my parents. Went online and after 2 weeks of intensive research and weighing options, i chose a university and applied for it. Came back in Romania to spend some time with my parents and my friends and here i am in the UK a couple of months after that.
I would like to thank Patrick for his kindness and cooperation, dedication and "brotherhood". We were like brothers, inseparable. Thailand has been a wonderful experience, i got the opportunity to meet fantastic people, see amazing places and became a better person in the process. Good luck my brother!
I would also like to thank Nathan with all my heart for the vacation he has given me, the places he took me to, the amazing food and the life-long friendship which has emerged from all of that. Hadn't it been for you mate, i wouldn't have probably been here, studying, building a proper future, making my parents proud. Thank you and can hardly wait for you arrival in the UK. I wish you all the best!
As for me, i met new people, i see new places and work my ass off to be the best of my ability. All of my UK experience, photos and more in my next post.

Wish everyone a fantastic day!

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits" - Thomas Jefferson

IAmGuy Magazine Hom Swimwear Shooting

Hello hello. I just received my pictures yesterday from a past shooting and i thought i should share them with you. I also did a small video for the fun of it. Did not have much material so tried to work it out of what i had. Enjoy! :D

The crew i worked with...

Fundraising Event

RIBBSAETER FOUNDATION is featuring its first fundraising event in Bangkok(thailand) in order to help "Home For Disabled Babies (Baan Fuengfah)" Pak Kret..
For more information, please visit this link.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=26540106488





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This fundraising event will be held at WIne Loft, Sukhumvit 31.

Concept: Italian

Ticket sale: 400 THB including 2 glasses of Italian wine and a selection of apperitives.

Snacks:

- Croissant ham cheese

- Sandwich roasted chicken

- Sandwich tuna

- Mushroom & ricotta puff
- Chicken curry puff

- Quiche loirance bacon & onion

- Quiche spinach & ricotta

- Foccacia mozzarella & tomato caprese


Wines:

White Wine

Region Marche

Verdicchio Sartarelli 06 

Region Abruzzo

Trebbiano Spinelli 06 


Red Wine

Region Sicilia

Sedara Donna Fugata 05 

Angheli Donna Fugata 04 

Almanera Fatascia 03 


Out of each ticket sold, RIBBSAETER FOUNDATION will be donating 150 THB to support, buy food and toys to the children of "Home For Disabled Babies (Baan Fuengfah)".
On Sunday, June 29, 2008. We will visit the orphanage and hand out all the proceedings, toys etc to the kids.

With this event we would also like to get in touch with more people who would like to help and support our non-profit organization.

For those of you who would like to help in other terms, can also donate toys, clothes and anything that u think could be valuable to these children of (Baan Fuengfah).

Please come and support our cause.


Some information about the venue "WIne Loft".
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New Concept WIne shop & Tasting.

TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY.
The first in Bangkok with Italy's latest wine serving technology, you get the pleasure of selecting and discovering new wine.

EXPERIENCE LUXURY AT RETAIL PRICES.
Unwind to the contemporary ambience while savoring your favorite wine at retail prices with bistro style Italian specialties.

MOST COMPREHENSIVE WINE SELECTION
Choose from the most extensive range of fine wines leading international wine houses with assistance from the professionally trained staff.

Private meetings & Cigar zone.
The private room amidst Bangkok bustle is ideal both business meetings and social gatherings, equipped with lcd screens and complete cigar collection.
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This event is for maximum 60 people!