Study Abroad Bloggers

Travel to Miami, Learn Spanish

Part 3 - Continuing from "Spanish in Miami" - by Elizabeth Gregory Because of the weather, bars and restaurants tend to be more open to the outdoors. Even the shops at Bayside consisted of an open air mall. There was live music (in Spanish) almost everywhere I went. Many people were up dancing and singing along. It made me sad to realize that I would have to come back home to an almost winter atmosphere where people rarely venture out in the cold unless they have to. Even though this time around I did not venture out to South Beach, I still had a great time and felt that I saw the city more the way the locals do. By hanging around the cafes, bars and live music in the evenings, I was able to get a taste of the local culture as opposed to the tourist resort culture that I had been accustomed to on prior visits to this city. There certainly was a lot of culture to be found everywhere I went.

Study Spanish in Miami

Part 2 - Continuing from "Spanish in Miami" - by Elizabeth Gregory I was surprised at how many Spanish speakers were all over the city. It was rare to walk down the street and not hear someone speaking Spanish. Even the homeless woman who asked me for money did so in English and Spanish. Nine times out of ten, someone would speak to you in Spanish first. I passed by a Spanish school in Little Havana. While there is not much to do in that area in terms of shopping or restaurants (aside from fast food), it is the perfect place to learn Spanish. Virtually every billboard is in Spanish and regardless of the time of day, people are always out an about providing a good opportunity to practice your Spanish listening and speaking skills if you wish. When I passed through the drive through at McDonalds for something to drink, the worker asked me in Spanish first. I was taken off guard, so he then asked me in English what I wanted. Later that night, I was down at the bayside shops and an Irish woman asked me why there were so many "Spaniards" living in Miami. I had to explain to her that many were from Cuba and other parts of Latin America, but I doubted that many if any were from Spain.

Spanish in Miami

Part 1 - by Elizabeth Gregory This past weekend, I attended a conference in downtown Miami. Although I had been to Miami before, I had only been as a tourist. This time, I was determined to get to know the city on a new level. First and foremost, let me talk about the nightmare I had trying to drive in the city. Miami is a sprawling city and distances are longer than they appear. What looks like a 5 minute drive winds up being 20 minutes easily (double that with traffic). On top of that, the city is largely under construction. No left turn, no u-turn, and no right turns at intersections makes it difficult to turn around if you find yourself on a road going the wrong way. To add to the confusion, there are numbered streets and numbered avenues. Luckily, they use the same rule as in New York (avenues go "the long way" and streets cut across the "short way").

Semester in Italy 3

Part 3 - Continuing from "Semester in Florence" - By Elizabeth Gregory What is there to do in Florence? There are many festivals throughout the year. Some of the most famous are the Florence film festival (Festival Dei Popoli) and the International Handicrafts Fair. This website gives a good list of events and attractions: http://www.travelplan.it/florence_guide_events.htm Perhaps the most appealing quality of Florence is the fact that it is neither too big nor too small. In addition, train travel throughout Italy is easy and safe. There is a good chance that you will have many free weekends to see other sites to really soak up the Italian culture while you are there. There are many opportunities to spend a semester in Florence. Not all have US based transcripts, so be careful. Our friends at AmeriSpan offer a US Accredited program in Florence: http://www.amerispan.com/study_abroad/Italy/Florence/3603!

Semester in Italy

Part 2 - Continuing from "Semester in Florence" - By Elizabeth Gregory Florence contains an exceptional artistic patrimony, glorious testimony to its secular civilization. Cimabue and Giotto, the fathers of Italian painting, lived here, along with Arnolfo and Andrea Pisano, reformists of architecture and sculpture; Brunelleschi, Donatello and Masaccio, founders of the Renaissance; Ghiberti and the Della Robbia; Filippo Lippi and l'Angelico; Botticelli and Paolo Uccello; the universal geniuses Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Their works, along with those of many generations of artists up to the masters of the present century, are gathered in the city's many museums. In Florence, thanks to Dante, the Italian language was born; with Petrarch and Boccaccio literary studies were affirmed; with Humanism the philosophy and values of classical civilization were revived; with Machiavelli modern political science was born; with Guicciardini, historical prose; and with Galileo, modern experimental science. Up to the time of Charlemagne, Florence was a university town. Today it includes many specialized institutes and is an international cultural center. Academies, art schools, scientific institutes and cultural centers all contribute to the city's intense activity. Source: About Florence

Semester in Florence

by Elizabeth Gregory Italy is well-known for its art, cuisine, and architecture. Although Italian is not a widely spoken language outside of Italy, students each year choose Italy as a destination for a semester abroad program. Students of a variety of majors from business to fashion design to art can learn a thing or two in addition to the Italian language while in Italy. My personal favorite city in Italy is Florence. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, is considered the heartbeat of the country with its breathtaking architecture and sculpture, cultural events, and museums. The streets of Florence radiate the charm of Italian culture. More to come...

Travel Chile

Part 3 - by Elizabeth Gregory AmeriSpan's study abroad program in Chile appeals to many students. Since the program grants credit from a foreign university, be sure to check with your university's advisor to be sure the credits will transfer. Students can either opt to spend a semester in Santiago, or can choose a dual city program which combines time in Santiago and in Buenos Aires. The school is located on a quiet side street in the residential neighborhood of Providencia, close to many shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Banks, supermarkets, internet cafes, a post office and other services are all located within 10 minutes walking. The school is easily accessible by bus or Metro (station: Manuel Montt). Capacity 100 students/day. During the summer program, students can opt to take part in the 4 hrs/week Economic Development Seminar. This makes this program beneficial to business majors, particularly those majoring in Economics. Advanced Spanish courses are also available to students with the following majors: Medicine, Literature and Writing, and Law. It goes without saying that Spanish and Political Science majors will also benefit greatly from the program. A complete course syllabus for this program can be found here.

Travel to Chile

Semester in Chile - Part 2 - by Elizabeth Gregory Currently, Chile is one of South America's most stable and highly developed countries, features that added to its natural and cultural attractions, make it a preferred venue for travelers, awing them with the immensity of its Atacama desert, refreshing them on its Viña del Mar beaches and posing puzzles for them on its Easter Island, in Patagonia or in the vast wastes of the unconquerable Antarctic. Chile has much to offer: history, archaeology and nature. Frozen thrills on its ski runs - the best in the continent -, dizzying challenges on its Andean peaks, among them the Aconcagua colossus, the highest snowcapped peak in all of America, unforgettable fishing trips and much, much more in this magic strip that keeps on changing its geographic attire. Santiago, its capital city, is the heart of the country. A city that exhibits its past in the colonial features of its old mansions and projects itself into the future in the lines of its modern buildings. Modern and cosmopolitan, this city of over 5 million inhabitants has become one of the continent's cultural and economic focal points, offering a first-rate hotel infrastructure. There are reasons galore to visit this stretched-out corner of South America: the welcoming warmth of its people, the unlimited beauties of its cities and towns, the mysteries of its ancient civilizations, the multiplicity of its tourism offers, the excellence of its wines - the best in the planet; in a nutshell, a plethora of options, almost as long, varied and exciting as the Chilean territory itself. Source: Enjoy Chile

Study Abroad Chile

Semester in Chile - Part 1 - by Elizabeth Gregory There are many reasons why Chile should be considered as a destination for study abroad. In this 3 part article, we will look at some background information on Chile and Santiago (where many programs are located) as well as program highlights in one provider's program courtesy of AmeriSpan. At any time of year, Chile offers tourists something special. In springtime (September through November), Santiago and the central area of the country are splendid, whereas summer (December through March) is the ideal time to enjoy the beaches of Viña del Mar and the natural environment of Torres del Paine National Park, in Chilean Patagonia. Winter (June through August), on its part, offers the ideal season of the year for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, who happily coast along the ski runs in the snowy valleys on the outskirts of Santiago, the country's capital city. The central area including Santiago has a Mediterranean-type climate, with rainfall between May and August and an annual average temperature of 14° Celsius, whereas wind, rain and snow are daily occurrences in Chilean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. This and additional information on Chile can be found here. Remember, the season's in Chile are opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. This means that you will be skiing during our summer time. ..Additional information coming up soon.

Books & Music

Part 3 - By Anne-Marie Dingemans Books and Music while Traveling Traveling often involves long periods of waiting and sitting around. I do not always feel chatty, or maybe the person next to me doesn't, so I always pack a book and some music for traveling. I like to adjust the choice of book and music to my travel destination. So I'll listen to music from the country where I'll be traveling to, and read a guide book about the destination (they often have sections about the history, culture, politics and art) or a novel that is set there. It gets me in the mood and always contains useful information that helps me get more out of the experience. Thanks to MP3 players, you can take so much music with you in so little space, that I don't think you'll ever run out, but if you are on a long trip and especially when backpacking, books can be a bit bothersome. The good news is, this goes for everyone, so in mayor tourist destinations you can always find a hostel, traveler’s hangout or cafe where you can exchange and/or buy second hand books for the next leg of your trip. Happy traveling!

Traveling Tips

Part 3 - By Anne-Marie Dingemans Pocket Dictionary or Phrase book If you don't master the language of your travel destination, you want to keep one of these close by. It helps you asks the way (phrase books often even have sample sentences written out that you can show a passer-by when asking for help), know what you're ordering in a restaurant and you can use it to expand on your vocabulary on long train or bus rides. Phone numbers and addresses I do admit to being an over-organizer, but before I leave home I make a list of all of the addresses and phone numbers I may need. Well, not all of course, but definitely the accommodation(s) I'm staying at, embassy, police, bank- credit card- and phone-company numbers (for blocking of cards and phone), my travel insurance policy and emergency contact information. I keep a copy in my money belt, and a 'coded' copy in my wallet. I say 'coded' as I don't want to keep my homestay- or hotel key next to the address, that's asking for trouble when pick pocketed. If you really want to stay on top of the game, you can also print out little maps of the area your lodging is in, or the route from the airport to the lodging, so you have at least some idea of where you’re going. ... more to follow

Travel Gear

Part 2 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans Clothing We have blogged about this before, so I'll just repeat the highlights. You certainly want to check up on the weather in the destination you're traveling to (you'd be surprised how many people don't know that in Argentina it's winter during our summer, and that Cusco is actually very cold!), and to pack as lightly as possible, I also recommend that you pick clothing that you can mix&match. That way, you can create different outfits with some basic pieces, but also layer up if the weather is colder then anticipated. I would also try to gather some information on the dress code in the country you'll be staying. In Egypt, for example, most people are Muslim and therefore cover their hair, and wear long, loose-fitting clothing. You are not expected to dress the same but it is positively viewed if you dress on the conservative side and at least cover your upper arms and knees. If you enter a mosque you must cover your hair too. This is an easy example of course, but really applies to all countries if you seek to blend in. You won't see a Parisien woman in shorts in the middle of the city (Hold on! Actually, you would! As of Summer 2005 the shorts were introduced in fashion again; straight narrow legs in cotton or linen. Tres chique.) or jeans at a Theater performance in Vienna. Money Belt Very much recommended as it lets you keep your valuables on your body and out of sight of thieves. I keep my flight tickets, passport, a credit card and some emergency cash there which makes me feel much more at ease when traveling. ... More info to follow

Recommended Travel Gear

Part 1 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans Suitcases & what you pack in them This paragraph is most relevant for travelers from the USA as their domestic and international baggage allowances are the most lenient. If you are traveling from the USA to Quito, for example, you can take up to 100lbs (depending on the airline) for free, plus 40lbs carry-on luggage. However, if you later want to fly from Quito to Cuenca, or to Buenos Aires for example, you have a baggage allowance of only 50lbs! If you don't anticipate these restrictions, you're faced with hefty excess luggage charges. The same goes for the size of the carry-on luggage which can also bring unpleasant surprises. Within the USA, and on US carriers, normally the maximum height of a carry-on suitcase is 22", however, in Europe this maximum is only 20", sometimes 21". If you're lucky the staff at the check-in counter won't notice, but more and more do they make you (try to) fit your bag in those racks. So if you're planning on traveling with a lot of luggage, or only carry-on luggage, please check the luggage restrictions of all the airlines you'll be flying with and choose your luggage and pack your bags accordingly. ... More tips to come

Is Study Abroad for You?

Part 2 - Continuing from "Why Study Abroad" - by Elizabeth G Here are some of the questions you may be asking as you make your decision about whether or not a semester abroad is right for you: How long does it take to become fluent? My standard answer to this is that everyone has their own definition of fluent, so I always try to get more specifics on what exactly they want to accomplish. A general basic example is that if you are an absolute beginner and go for one month with little/no English spoken you will be very conversational in the present tense (at the very least), will be able to understand most things, but will still not be able to say as much as you would like to. From my own personal experience, I learned and improved my Spanish more in 4 months in Spain than I did from 6 years of classroom instruction here in the U.S. What if I get homesick or hate where I am? If this happens, chances are you're experiencing culture shock. For an in-depth look at this issue, read my article on culture shock found here: Is this appropriate for my major or will I just be behind when I get back to campus? This is something you should talk to your advisor about. You definitely don't want to risk getting behind. The biggest problem you may have is those pesky courses that are only offered once a year. Ultimately, this could determine which semester will be best for you to go. In addition, many study abroad programs offer elective courses applicable to a variety of majors.

To Train or not to Train...

that's the question...Part 4 - Continuing from "Traveling within Europe" - By Anne-Marie D Of course, just when you're hooked on Europe's comfy (inter)national trains, you end up in a country where the bus is usually the best option! For travel in Spain, I recommend buses over trains. The network is pretty old, with plenty of single-track sections which, with the frequent cargo train schedule, just screams 'delays' which is of course exactly what happens. Luckily for us travelers', Spanish transportation companies have seized up this opportunity and offer frequent, cheap, reliable bus services between all major and not so major cities in Spain. The only inconvenience is that the different companies have as of yet not decided to support one all-encompassing website, so you need to refer to your good-old guidebook to see which companies run services to the town you want to travel to. On the topic of buses, there are several international bus lines much used by backpackers, such as Eurolines, which offers cheap travel between most capital cities in Western and Eastern Europe. The trouble with that company is that they are very subject to passport- and drug-controls at the borders which can lead to significant delays and uncomfortable situations (such as unpacking your backpack in the middle of the night at the Czech border). Concluding, when I travel distances that can be done by train in less than 5-6 hours, I usually end up doing that. However, when you can plan well in advance and you travel outside of busy seasons such as summer and Christmas time, you can snatch up some really good deals through one of the many budget airlines that operate in Europe. Especially from the UK and Germany there are many routes offered. Giving an up-to-date overview is nearly impossible but this site has been a useful starting point for me. Here Gute Reise/ Bon Voyage/ Happy Travels/ Goede Reis/ Buen Viaje/ Buon Viaggio!