Study Abroad Bloggers

Japanese in Japan...Where Else?

Let's face it - there's no better place than Japan to study Japanese.  Not only is language immersion the best way to learn a language in general, but Japan is the only country where Japanese is an official language.  Furthermore, Japanese culture is rich, unparagoned, and often times full of surprise and ingenuity.  From the blinking lights and robotic displays of Tokyo to the natural beauty of Kanazawa, language study in Japan will surely be an unforgettable experience.  

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!

French Immersion in Montreux, Switzerland

Switzerland is without a doubt an unsung hero of Western Europe - and we here at All Study Abroad are not quite sure why!  Sure, many people may have heard of the majestic beauty of the Swiss Alps, or that French, German, and Italian are all spoken there, but what else does Switzerland have to offer a French student looking to break up the monotony?  

Look no further than the breathtaking town of Montreux..

Study Spanish and Taste Wine in Salamanca Spain

It seems we're hungry and thirsty at All Study Abroad this week - but the food and wine of Spain is simply too good to miss! Always on the lookout for interesting ways to learn new languages, we think this Spanish course combined with wine tasting looks super fun! For more great language courses, check out Spanish in Spain. 

Studying Spanish and Eating Paella in Valencia

Enjoying a freshly served bowl of zesty paella is an integral part of a visit to Valencia, and if you're studying Spanish there soon you'd better familiarize yourself with it!  Many of us have heard the name, but what on earth is it?  A whole grain bread?  A noodle casserole?  

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!

Study Spanish on the Beach in Cadiz, Spain!

Want to study Spanish in Spain but are itching to indulge your inner beach bum and bask on a beautiful old-world European peninsula?  Cadiz is a beach side town with loads of charm and activities, and can awaken your sense of adventure so that speaking Spanish with locals can be more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Video: Studying Russian Abroad

We found a neat video from this Russian school, Liden & Denz, in Russia. It shows the two different Russian schools, one in Moscow, one in St. Petersburg. As the capital city of Russia, Moscow has many educational and scientific institutions, and is a major transportation hub with several airports and the most complex metro system outside of Tokyo. The history and architecture alone are enough to keep even the most demanding traveler satisfied. If you are going to study in Moscow, make sure to bundle up, as the average daily temperature is less than 42 degrees Fahrenheit! St. Petersburg is known as the most Western city in Russia, and is the country's second largest city after Moscow. Located on the Baltic Sea, St. Petersburg has a lively cultural scene of art, music, literature, and sports. 

Click for more information on learning Russian in Russia.

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".

Video: Studying Spanish in Madrid Spain

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is an excellent location in which to study Spanish. Centrally located in Spain, Spanish students in Madrid can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere, fantastic restaurants and shopping, and excellent Spanish schools. Another advantage of studying in Madrid is that it is convenient to travel to everywhere else in the country within a few hours. This video is from Don Quijote's Madrid school. To find out more about this and other Spanish programs in Madrid, see Madrid Spanish Schools.

Study Spanish in Guanajuato, Mexico!

Studying Spanish in Guanajuato is an endeavor that is worthwhile, inexpensive, and a great way to discover a charming and visitor-friendly Mexican town.  Guanajuato is a brightly-colored and festive college town with much to offer, especially in the way of the arts.

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.

Learn Cantonese or Mandarin?

There are more than fifty Chinese dialects spoken throughout different regions of China, but the most effective way to reach the majority of native Chinese people and Chinese speakers is to learn either Mandarin or Cantonese.  The way the two are pronounced are similar, but the characters are practically the same.  This was not the case until 221 B.C., when Emperor Qin Shihuang insisted that the country retain a more unified way of communicating.

Where you choose to study Chinese abroad may be impacted by which dialect you wish to learn.  So which dialect of Chinese should you learn - Cantonese or Mandarin?