Study Abroad Bloggers

Top 3 Crazy Celebrations in Spain

Spain sure does have some crazy celebrations! If you are thinking of studying abroad to learn Spanish in Spain, take a look at these celebrations to see if you would like to make your time in Spain coincide with one of them. 

1. Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain
You've probably heard of this one, but if you haven't, every year on the 6th of July, humans race bulls in the streets of Pamplona. This is part of the San Fermin Festival, which takes place from July 6-14. The bulls are running from a corral to the bullring. The humans are... well, pretty much getting in the bulls way! Every year, runners are gored and trampled by the bulls, yet there is no shortage of volunteers! Take our advice and witness this event from the sidelines, preferably a balcony if you can find one! For safer activities, try a Spanish school in Pamplona. This is a lovely city in northern Spain which is ideal for learning a new language!

5 Landmarks to See While Studying Spanish in Madrid

Madrid is an ideal place to study Spanish, as it is the largest and most centrally located city in the country.  It is amazing things to offer all kinds of travelers, whether they enjoy art, food, history, nightlife, or all of the above.  We've rounded up the best landmarks of the city that we strongly encourage you to see once you get there!

  1. Plaza Mayor

One of the most recognized and visited places in Madrid, the Plaza Mayor is a large common area that offers lots of history, activities, and people watching!  Here you can have a seat and watch locals, tourists, street performers, and often festivals and other happenings.  Nearby is the Mercado San Miguel, which is a great place to find fresh and delicious Spanish food!

World Cup Inspiration: Volunteer in South Africa

The FIFA World Cup is coming to South Africa in a couple of weeks - it runs from June 11, 2010 through July 11, 2010 in stadiums all over the country. From Cape Town to Johannesburg to Pretoria and everywhere in between, the entire country will have soccer (a.k.a. football!) fever. For those not lucky enough to have tickets, why not consider volunteering in South Africa instead? 

Volunteer placements can be found all over this magnificent country, and you can volunteer in pretty much an field imaginable! In the spirit of the World Cup, there are even placements calling for volunteers to help teach sports to impoverished school children who have been inspired by the World Cup coming to their country!

Top 5 Places to Study Abroad this Summer

It's already the middle of May, and summer will be here before you know it. If you have been thinking of studying abroad this summer, now is the time to make your plans! Where are the best locations to study abroad during the summer? With a variety of factors to choose from, it can get confusing. We have compiled a list of our top five picks to share with you. Of course, we always love Spanish in Spain, but Spanish in Costa Rica and Spanish in Chile are also very worthwhile summer options that may meet your needs. Other programs that made the list are French in Canada and Russian in Russia. Read on to find out our reasons!

5 Facts About Cinco de Mayo

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May in Spanish.  It is celebrated internationally as a day of Mexican pride and typically brings a day of joyous traditional celebration.  But how much do you really know about this holiday and its origin? 

AllStudyAbroad has compiled a small list of factoids for you to impress your new friends with while studying Spanish in Mexico:

Study Spanish & Catch the Benicassim Festival

If you are thinking of spending some time studying abroad in Spain this summer, and you like live music, make sure to structure your time around the Benicassim Music Festival, which takes place July 15-19 this year. Situated on a magnificent Mediterranean beach, this festival will have such musical acts as Lily Allen, Vampire Weekend, Kasabian, and many, many more! 

Located just one hour from Valencia, two and a half hours from Barcelona, and four and a half hours from Madrid, the festival is well worth it to check out. Plus, you can catch a break from your school studies and practice your new Spanish language skills while soaking in the sun, music, and culture. 

For more information about studying Spanish in Spain this summer, go to Spanish schools in Spain.

Study Spanish and see La Feria de Sevilla!

Studying Spanish in Sevilla is a perfect way to round out your knowledge of the language in a practical and gorgeous setting, but did you know that the city has its very own unique holiday that thousands upon thousands of people flock there to see?  It's the Feria de abril de Sevilla, or "the Seville April Fair".

Khmer New Year in Cambodia

Khmer New Year, celebrated by Cambodians both in Cambodia and elsewhere around the world, is taking place this week. Beginning on Wednesday, April 14th, at 7:36 am local time, the Year of the Tiger began. During Khmer New Year, Cambodian cities empty out as people flock to the countryside homes of their youth to visit parents and relatives. For those interested in immersing themselves in Cambodian culture and language, there are many ways to volunteer in Cambodia.

All Study Abroad Launches Facebook & Twitter

Hello out there all you fellow social networkers! We are pleased to announce that All Study Abroad has launched a Facebook fan page and twitter page. Please feel free to become our Facebook fans and follow us on twitter - over time this will become the best way to keep up-to-date with the latest study abroad news, tips and information, as well as submit questions about study abroad programs, ideas, travel stories, and more. Thanks for your support, and we can't wait to hear from everyone out there with a passion for study abroad.

Facebook: All Study Abroad

Twitter: AllStudyAbroad

Studying Abroad: A Good Investment?

How, in addition to the act of learning new information abroad, can your life benefit from studying abroad?  What are its lasting effects?  Why are more and more people of all ages deciding to embark on a study abroad journey each year? 

Top 5 Locations to Intern Abroad!

Right now, there is more competition than ever in the working world after graduation from college, but did you know that an internship abroad can propel you forward in your career while putting your resume on top of the stack?  Imagine adding foreign language immersion AND hands-on work experience to your repertoire of skills!  Internships are available in a wide variety of industries, ranging from Travel to Marketing to Art Gallery Management!  (Please note that in some cases, an Intermediate or higher understanding of language is required!)

All Study Abroad has compiled a list of internships offered by a variety of companies that includes different languages.  

The Cost Effectiveness of Spending a College Semester Abroad

The prospect of spending an entire semester or year studying abroad can be a daunting one, especially since your college or university may impose quite a bit of paperwork, hassle, and red tape on you.  There are meetings, approvals, fees and various other arrangements to be made.  There's also often a limited repertoire of possibilities.  For example, your school may only offer classes at satellite schools in Rome and Tokyo, but you want to improve your Spanish skills and vocabulary.  AllStudyAbroad can give you the information and tools you need to get started.

Student Diplomat Video Contest for Study Abroad

The NAFSA Association of International Educators is still receiving entries for the 2009 Student Diplomat Video Contest. If you've studied abroad since 2005, are studying abroad now, or know someone who is, you can apply. They want to highlight why study abroad is so important in shaping global citizens. The deadline is Nov. 6, which is less than 3 weeks away. The winner is named the 2009 Student Diplomat and receives a $300 cash prize. Submit your entry here.

Join the Movement for Study Abroad

Yesterday, the Simon bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act is a bill that will dramatically increase study abroad opportunitie4s for U.S. students. Read more about the Simon bill here. Last year, the bill passed the House with unanimous support and enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the Senate, including that of former senators President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where is was one step short of passage when the legislative clock expired last fall.

Join the group on Facebook to help support the Movement for Study Abroad by clicking here.