Study Abroad Bloggers

Economic Breakdown of a Study Abroad Experience

Interesting and relevant article from The Fairfield Mirror:

December 2, 2009 By: Cynthia Palmieri
Peter Caty/The Mirror

It’s a typical week in Florence and Katie Clavin ‘11 has spent 60 euro ($88) on her food, 300 euro ($444) on a trip to Capri, and 30 euro ($44) per night at the local bars.

With the euro rising to 1.47 in comparison to the U.S. dollar, it seems study abroad has reached new economic heights.  “The money situation is ridiculous, you spend so much more,” said Clavin.

Now's the Time to Plan a Study Abroad Trip

With the end of 2009 almost here and 2010 knocking on the door, what better time than to start planning a study abroad trip for next year? Teens and college students looking to study abroad during the summer months do well to start planning now and applying soon, before popular programs and locations get booked up. If you are thinking of doing a semester or year abroad, it's best to start planning especially early to ensure the proper steps are taken. 

How Can I Increase My Spanish Vocabulary?

- Spanish Students Offer Advice
via spanish.about.com
Question: Are there any recommendations that anyone has for building vocabulary? I've tried many things, some things work and others do not work so well. Usually if I hear the word or phrase spoken it sticks better than if something I read from a book and tried to memorize. I've heard that using a word 10 or 20 times will make it stick (some say 10 and others say 20). But it's not always easy work a word into a conversation and I don't always have the chance to speak to someone in Spanish. I read books, look up words if I can't tell the meaning by the context. I watch Spanish programs, mainly the news and soaps. I watch soaps to try to get the gist of the way people talk in a conversation.

Get Guidebooks & Maps Before You Study Abroad

It’s a great idea to get guidebooks before you study abroad. This way, you can familiarize yourself with your new city and country before your trip. It also gives you something to read on that long plane ride and during inevitable airport delays! The best guidebooks are a wealth of great information, including not only places to see, where to stay, etc… but also important cultural tips that can be indispensible for preventing embarrassing mistakes while studying abroad. 

Study Abroad Location: Costa Rica

If you are going abroad to study Spanish, Costa Rica should be high on your list of places to research. Costa Rica's incredible natural diversity is sure to offer something for everyone. From breathtaking beaches to volcanoes, cloudforests, to a huge array of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is not to be missed. With language schools all over the country, be sure to check out popular locations such as Alajuela, Coronado, Monteverde, and Flamingo Beach. For those looking to do more than just study Spanish, you can also volunteer, do a college semester or year abroad, or even apply for an internship in Costa Rica. 

Contest for Two Free Study Abroad Weeks in Berlin

ESL has launched a contest, with the grand prize being two free weeks of study abroad in Berlin! It's easy to enter:

Participate in the big competition launched by ESL, the specialist in language studies abroad, and win language study trips and other prizes that will enable you to travel the world!

Each week, guess the city shown in the photo and grab a maximum of points. Fabulous prizes await you!

Learn Spanish in Salamanca Spain

Salamanca, Spain, is a beautiful city to study Spanish and live in. Watch this video from a Spanish school in this elegant, charming city. Click for more videos of this and other Spanish schools in Spain.

Studying Abroad? Kindle Goes International

It’s here! The Kindle has revolutionized travel by allowing people to take thousands of books with them, without adding weight or bulk to their luggage. The biggest drawback was that you had to either load all the books you wanted before you left, or have access to a computer with an Internet connection to download new books to the Kindle. No longer! Now you can download books in under 60 seconds in over 100 countries around the world. Same for newspapers, blogs, etc. How cool is that? Now if you are studying abroad or traveling to countries like Spain, Argentina, Japan, or Mexico, you can keep up-to-date with new reading material, instantly. 

Study Spanish in Madrid

Madrid, Spain is a great place to learn Spanish. The capital of Spain, there is always something to do in Madrid! Limitless art, culture, food, shopping, and nightlife await in this cosmopolitan city. Combine this with a great study abroad program, and you have a great recipe for success. 

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.

Thai Language School Video

This funny video illustrates the teaching methods used at the ALG World School in Bangkok, Thailand. This is just part 1 of 3, you can go to their YouTube page to watch more!

Study Spanish with Visual Link

There are many different types of language learning software available on the market. One we like to use to learn and practice Spanish with is Visual Link Spanish. Visual Link offers a free trial to their software, which gives a great overview of their program. The program includes interactive lessons, review games, verbal quizzes, and practice quizzes.

Where to Study Spanish in Guatemala

Guatemala is a beautiful country located in Central America, bordering Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador as well as the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Many Spanish language schools are located in Guatemala, primarily in five different locations across the country: Antigua, Flores, Huehuetenango, Panajachel, and Quezaltenango. The greatest concentration of Guatemala schools is in Antigua, followed by Quezaltenango.

Three Places to Study Spanish in Latin America

Central America, a land of mystery and excitement, indigenous culture and culture clashes, is also a great place to learn to speak Spanish. Three countries that offer Spanish language schools and immersion programs are Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala.

Honduras is host to some of the greatest ruins from the expansive Mayan civilization. The Copan ruins, located in western Honduras are known as the best remaining testament to Mayan culture. The Copan of today is a small, quaint city just a few miles from the Guatemalan border. This can be an excellent place to learn Spanish, as the programs tend to be small with a lot of personal attention. La Ceiba is another Honduran city where travelers flock to learn Spanish. Located on the Caribbean, La Ceiba has a fun atmosphere and is close to world-renowned scuba diving and snorkeling sites.

DELE Preparation Spanish Course

DELE stands for Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera, or "Spanish as a Foreign Language Diploma". It is the only certificate for non-native Spanish speakers that is officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. This diploma is of great international value for those who are going to study at a Spanish University and who want to work, or are going to work in a Spanish speaking environment. Everyone taking a long term Spanish course should consider taking the DELE examination.

You can follow the DELE preparation courses for the Certificado Inicial (CIE), Diploma Intermedio (DIE) and the most advanced Diploma Superior (DSE).

Don Quijote offers DELE preparation courses in a variety of locations, including Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Salamanca, Tenerife, and Valencia, Spain, as well as in Guanajuato, Mexico. They are currently offering a 5% off special, be sure to check them out if you are interested in these programs!