By Jamie McAllen - Guest blogger traveling in Paris
Of course, besides history one also should take in contemporary France. I am doing that by following the Tour de France, the cycling race that goes all through France (and usually a couple of neighboring countries) over a period of 23 days. I have to say I don't care two bits about cycling, but I do love to watch the Tour ('Le Tour' with capitals of course) because of the great landscapes. Therefore, the days in the Alps are my favourites! Le Tour is a pretty major event here, and there are spectators all along the route, and the actual cyclists are preceded by a large caravan of promotional vehicles giving out freebies. So whenever I want to take a break (from shopping, sightseeing or sometimes even studying) I sit down at a cafe to have a "cafe" and I can practice my French by asking the Garson how L'etappe is going. Yes, there are scandals going on involving alleged use of doping, but for the moment we collectively try to ignore that and enjoy this traditional event. I just wish the French cyclists were performing a bit better...
Continued from "How to Finance your Study Abroad Adventure" - Part 2 - by Beth Klemick
Most study abroad programs where your home school will be issuing credit for your abroad experience is eligible for financial aid. Each home school requires something different from a foreign transcript to submitting a term paper. However, sometimes your study abroad office is reluctant to approve a study abroad program that isn't a school-sponsored program for credit for a variety of reasons. In these cases, you would want to choose a program where a US transcript is issued. Usually, the credit transfer approval process for US transcripts will be handled through your registrar's office.
The Higher Education Act permits schools to release Federal Financial Aid for payment towards a study abroad program if the student is receiving credit by their home university. This aid is not predicated on the foreign school or domestic study abroad organization being a Title IV institution. That means you can apply your Pell Grants, as well as, Stafford, PLUS & Perkins loans to study abroad programs offered independent organizations. However, state aid or aid granted by your institution is determined by each university. If your financial aid office is unsure how this process works, refer them to the chapter in IFAP's Student Financial Aid Handbook on Written Agreements (Chapter 7 in the 2003-2004 edition).
Generally, your financial aid office will send a written agreement, sometimes called a consortium agreement, to the study abroad organization to complete and return. This agreement specifies the enrollment period, credits to be received and estimated cost (including round-trip transportation, tuition, books, housing and other living costs).
More to follow...
How to Finance your Study Abroad Adventure - Part 1 - by Beth Klemick
If you thought choosing where to study abroad was a challenge in itself, thinking about avenues to be able afford/finance your study abroad adventure can be overwhelming too.
Don't fret, you are likely among the majority of students who do not have money saved in the bank to finance the full tuition to study abroad. The good news is these days many students have been able to apply their financial aid, apply for and receive scholarships and/or get a loan to assist with the payment of their program.
If you wish to apply any of the above mentioned means as a source of payment you will first need to spend the time researching. For example, you can find dozens of different organizations that will provide scholarships. You need to find the one that you qualify for that will also match your study abroad needs. The most common way of to finance a study abroad program is with financial aid from your home university.
To be continued...
Part 3 - Continued from "5 Good Independent Study Abroad Organizations" - By Beth Klemick
Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) is the longest standing organization of the group, founded in 1947 as the Council of Student Travel. Today, CIEE creates and administers programs that allow high school and university students and educators to study, volunteer, work and teach abroad. CIEE is distinct as it is designated by the US Department of State as a sponsor of Work & Travel, Trainee and Secondary Student programs. Their varied program offerings feature destinations such as Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, India, South Africa, Taiwan and much more.
AmeriSpan created in 1993 by and for lovers of language immersion, travel, and cultures. Starting as a two-person operation with a passion for Latin America, AmeriSpan has grown to be one of the leaders in educational travel and study abroad with over 25,000 past clients. AmeriSpan is noteworthy as every AmeriSpan staff member has studied and/or lived abroad for extended periods of time, they are the study abroad veterans. Individually and as a group, the staff has accumulated experiences and knowledge related to studying abroad. They have traveled to more than 65 countries - every continent except Antarctica - and speak 10 languages. Their program offerings are extensive, offered at more than 75 overseas locations with flexible and competitive prices.
In your research and as noted above, you may find that the program you want is offered by several organizations. Therefore, you should select the one with the best service and value, and with whom you feel the most comfortable. Here are some questions for you to ask when evaluating different study abroad providers:
* Are they reputable? (Ask for references, how many students they
send, years in business)
* Are your questions answered in a complete, friendly, and timely
manner?
* Do they demonstrate a good understanding of the location and the
finer details of the program?
* What do you get for your money? Do they provide extra services?
(excursions, cell phones, in-country transportation, extra activities,
other lodging options, etc.)
* Are the payment and refund policies flexible? (credit cards, late
registration, postponements, etc.)
Part 2 - Continued from "5 Good Independent Study Abroad Organizations" - By Beth Klemick
Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA) was founded in 1996 to create and facilitate opportunities for personal growth and global understanding through quality international education and cultural experiences. They are one of several leaders in the industry with program offerings at 35 universities in 11 countries including Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Spain. The CEA difference focuses on four aspects: academic quality, customer service, cultural immersion and your well-being.
International Studies Abroad (ISA) has been around for close to twenty years sponsoring academic programs to Spain, Italy, France, England, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. A great quality about ISA is that they also provide study abroad programs for high school students. The high school programs are provided through their sister company, Learning Programs International (LPI). At ISA they ensure that the high school programs are academically challenging and culturally rewarding at the host universities abroad. Students choosing to participant in an ISA program will have the support of qualified, full-time resident directors who are committed to their overall academic & cultural experience.
Academic Programs International (API) Programs are available for quarter, semester, summer, and academic year terms, as well as for two-week and month-long terms in countries like Costa Rica, Hungary, Poland, Mexico and the United Kingdom to name a few. Each program includes tuition, housing, medical and life insurance (including medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues), local social activities, multiple cultural excursions and events, pre-departure and on-site orientations and support services, an on-site director, mobile phones. API programs can provide beginning to high-level coursework (including graduate work) for both the language and the non-language student.
More to follow...
5 Good Organizations - Part 1 - By Beth Klemick
If you spend the time researching, you can find dozens of different organizations that offer study abroad programs. Obviously, each organization will provide a different level of customer support and program offerings.
Generally speaking, independent organizations offer more options, increased flexibility and better value than Private/State University programs. While it is simpler to earn academic credit with Private/State University programs, the better Independent Study Abroad Organizations have made the process as effortless as possible. [Hint: a transcript issued by a US University is more widely accepted than foreign institution transcript]
A sampling of the largest independent study abroad organizations and their highlights are listed below. We have chosen to review the following: Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA), International Studies Abroad (ISA), and Academic Programs International (API), Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) and AmeriSpan to review. Collectively, these organizations have sent thousands of students abroad and have good reputations with past students, universities and various academic organizations.
To be continued...
- by Elizabeth Gregory
This past weekend, I attended a Greek wedding. This was the first one I had been to. Most of my friends who had never been kept telling me "let me know if it's just like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'," which it wasn't.
The ceremony was conducted entirely in Greek. Luckily, one of the priests explained in English what would happen. There were several priests there including the groom's uncle who flew over from Greece to be the chief priest of the ceremony. There was a blessing and exchange of rings. (In Greek tradition, rings are worn on the right hand because that's the hand you raise when you take an oath). Following that, a crowning of the bride and groom with crowns made in the town in Greece where the Olympics were first held. These crowns are tied together with a ribbon and are interchanged between the bride and groom to show that they are now connected and interchanged in the new life together. Next, the bride and groom circle around the altar several times along with some members of the bridal party. Finally they are given a goblet of wine to share (this wine is not consecrated). As usual they kiss at the end and exit the church in typical wedding fashion. What I thought was the most interesting part of the entire ceremony is that neither the groom nor the bride say one word through the entire thing. There is no exchange of vows between them.
The reception was a lot of fun. There was a Greek band playing traditional Greek music. For those of us who did not have a chance to catch up on our Greek dance lessons, there was also a DJ who played typical American wedding music (sans chicken dance). The Greek dancing was fascinating to watch. Everyone in a circle holding hands dancing altogether or standing in a circle while people take turns dancing in the center one at a time.
There was money thrown up in the air ($1 bills). But it was left on the floor for several hours. My husband and I felt so guilty walking and dancing all over the money. During the parts where the Greek band was playing, it was easy to forget that we were in New Jersey. Overall a wonderful cultural experience and a lot of fun. We did receive the typical candy coated almonds, called koufeta as part of our wedding favor.
Part 2 - Continuing from "Travel in Barcelona" By Justin Meadows - Guest blogger traveling in Spain.
Yo! I totally thought everyone exaggerated about how great the night life in Spain was. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that nobody was lying. It really is something you must experience first hand at least once in your life!! I'm re-thinking my plans about the coastal beaches and may hang here this weekend. We were out all night. Can I tell you how strange it is heading out of a nightclub in the daylight after the sun comes up? The end result of that is that I'm hurting big time for a good night's sleep. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep this up on a long term basis.
We had a great time!! Good music, good fun, not too expensive. I'm looking forward to doing it again. Probably not on a weeknight though. I know my main focus is on the Spanish learning, but this side of the culture is definitely a bonus. Haven't seen many of the cultural or historical sights yet, so I've gotta get those in next week.
