Top Ten Ways to Feel Like You’ve Experienced England in One Semester or Less 

1. London

 No study abroad trip to England is complete without a trip to London. Whether you’re staying in London or elsewhere, the transportation system into and out of the city is top-notch - making it possible for any study abroad student to navigate. England is somewhat less accessible in other regions. Explore London’s West End, from Picadilly Circus and Oxford Street all the way to the Southbank, where Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and Southward Cathedral stand. London’s walking tours are top-notch - especially through the Tower and crooked medieval streets.

 2. The Lakes

The Lakes District, including the famous town of York, is one of England’s most beautiful destinations. Many study abroad students spend their break in England hiking through the Lakes. Along the hiking trails, small huts have been established to house the walkers overnight before they continue one. From the Lakes District Latitude, hikers can walk from one side of England to the other generally in about three weeks.

 3. Cottswalds

The Cottswalds are small towns that are distinct because of their sand-color homes and well-manicured gardens. Study abroad students enjoy visiting the Cottswalds because they are some of England’s most old-fashioned homes and towns. Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown, is also famous for its Cottswald-style homes, two of which Shakespeare himself occupied.  4. Stonehenge

Stonehenge is located only about an hour drive away from the Cottswalds. The popular icon of English mystery is a popular destination for study abroad participants in England. The structure lays amid fields dotted with burial grounds, making it the scene of much mystery and excavation.

 5. The Coast

England’s coast offers a relaxing retreat for college students on study abroad programs. In fact, many programs arrange for students to spend a weekend away from their natural surroundings and on the coast. Torquay is one of England’s more famous coastal towns. The rocky beaches and swift winds make it a destination not for sun-bathers, but for walkers and sailors.

 6. Liverpool

Liverpool is located about 1.5 hours south of London. As the home of the Beatles and the world-famous Liverpool soccer team, the city draws study abroad students from several cultural backgrounds. Liverpool is also famous for its pubs and party scene - making it a worry-spot for study abroad advisors keeping an eye on their students in England. 7. Birmingham

Birmingham lies to the far northern part of England very near Scotland. because of its proximity to Scotland, many Birmingham residents have a thick and barely understandable accent. Most study abroad students don’t find cause to travel to Birmingham, but those that do, discover one of England’s most notable working class cities, famous for community pride and defensive aggression.

 8. Bath

Bath is home to the famous Roman Baths, which occupy several buildings above ground and underground. The intricate tiling awes and amazes study abroad students who can appreciate the technology that was (or was not) available at the time of its construction. Most study abroad students choose to stay in one of the many charming bed and breakfasts during their stay in Bath. 9. Hastings

Hastings is the site of the famous Battle of Hastings n 1066 in which France invaded England and continued through the country to establish the Lakes District. Study abroad students can bare witness to one of the frequent battle reenactments and walk around the town fairs, in which battle-feigns display their medieval wares for sale. 

10. Warwick

Warwick is home to one of England’s most prized castles. Warwick Castle is world-famous for his well-kept and lavishly landscaped gardens, including a consortium. The castle itself is said to be haunted and study abroad students can visit the torture chamber for a look into England’s most devilish historic past-time.

I studied abroad in Germany in July of my junior year in college through a nearby college in my town  Valdosta State University. For 20 days, I lived in a small village called Schwadisch Gmund, which is located in southern Germany right at the bottom of the lovely Alps.  

During my study abroad summer in Germany, I had the opportunity to travel to nearby towns and places all over German, such as Tubingne, Stuttgard and Heidelberg. I was also able to travel to other cities after my study abroad program in Germany, such as Munich, Berlin, and Zurich (in Switzerland).  

The study abroad program to Germany focused largely on business and finance, which is my major and all of my credits transferred back to my school (12 total credits.) 

Many people asked me how I did studing in a town as small as Schwabisch Gmund. I found that there was tons of things to do there. I love the outdoors, so I took many hikes with my host family into the Alps. We ate out in authentic, small, family own German restaurants several times a week with other students from my  study abroad  program . We went on plenty of field trips to art museums, cultural spots . I actually found that the five weeks I spent there flew by and I didn’t really think that I did enough! 

For students interested in studying abroad in Germany, I would advise living with a German family. You will learn some fun German customs and really have a chance to practice the language. If you go and just want to learn German, you will also be able to speak the language in half of Switzerland (the eastern half) and you will be able to understand many Slavic languages, such as Hungarian, a little bit.  

My favorite vacation while I was in Germany was my trip to Bern. Some other study abroad students and I rented a car and drove over the beautiful Alps into Switzerland. We didn’t even need a passport to skip countries! We went to the Bern zoo and saw bears and also got to see where Einstein lived. The streets had lots of lines for streetcars and it made me think about how far we have come with technology. 

I hope to go back to Germany soon and will never forget my study abroad experience there or my German family. 

Finding a foreign language study abroad program is not that hard; it’s as simple as doing a quick Internet search and compiling lists of your options. The tricky part of finding the language study abroad program that’s right for your needs. We’ve been there and have come back to offer you a few tips to help you ensure that you enroll in the program that helps you maximize your time abroad. 

1. If you’re a foreign language major, than enrolling in a language study abroad is certainly a strategic way to help you realize your goal of becoming proficient or fluent in a foreign language. When selecting your program, make sure that it has the right foreign language density for you. Many foreign language study abroad programs are, surprisingly, taught in English, with only one or two courses taught in the language of study.  

2. Credits. If you’re a college student who desires to learn a foreign language but is not a foreign language major, then studying abroad is certainly a helpful means to that end, but it might require some strategic course-load stacking, as many colleges and universities are picky about which credits they will accept towards a degree. Make sure that you have enough credits saved for general education requirements so that you can still fill up your at-home schedule with courses towards your major.  

You might also be able to count your study abroad credits towards your major, even if you’re not majoring in a language. For example, if you’re a history major but want to study Italian, you might be able to count some of your credits abroad towards your history major if you take a history course or two. 

3. Keep in mind that if you enroll in a language program with American students, you’re more likely to spend most of your time speaking English than if you enroll in an independent course through an independent company or a local university. There are many fine study abroad opportunities through American universities and colleges, but the majority of them specialize in the country and culture and de-emphasize the language immersion among the students. Look into some independent study abroad language courses through programs such as IES or even through universities in your country of choice for more language intensive options. 

4. Different countries might speak the same language as their native tongue, but especially if you are going to be a translator, learning a particular dialect might be important. Assess your career goals and do some research into particular dialects. For example, French-Canadians and Parisian French speak vastly different dialects and have different language nuances. Likewise, Parisian French speakers and Souther French speakers have a strong difference in their accents. Most languages follow in the similar pattern, so if you’re a serious foreign language student, it’s important that you understand the accent differences before you commit to studying in a particular country or region. 

Now that you have a few tips to think about when researching your foreign language study abroad program, get out there and find some options that work for you. Remember: The more you put yourself in situations that force you to communicate in the foreign language, the quicker you will become with your skills. Good luck!

If you’re a new French study abroad college gearing up for a semester or year with a bunch of college students in Paris, get ready for an experience you won’t want to leave behind!

Paris has earned its reputation as the city of lights not only because the architecture of the French capitol city is backlit each night to illuminate the meticulous sculpture work, but because the city is thus never dark. You and your fellow study abroad students will surely take advantage of you college study abroad experience in Paris as an opportunity to spend late nights on the town and early mornings taking the metro home. Consider it your role and job to ensure that you take advantage of all that the study abroad experience has to offer, while also learning French, exploring all parts of Paris and, when there’s time, studying. You’re gearing up for a busy semester in Paris!

Here are a few tried-and-true tips that all college French study abroad students spending time in Paris can take advantage of to help you get in tune with the city and culture:

1. To help yourself get acquainted with Paris when you first arrive, check out this afternoon outing: Paris is a city that adeptly combines elements of new with deeply-rooted history. Take a walk from one end of the Champs-Elysees to the other and compose a journal entry - en francais - about you experience. You can begin by taking the Metro to La Defense. Explore the contemporary architecture and commercial feel. As you head towards L’Etoile and the Louvre, you will walk across a busy highway, past the park and through a not-so-upscale section of Paris. Finally, will arrive at la Carree in the center of the Louvre, surrounded by half-millenium-old architecture. Paris, more than any other study abroad destination, is rich in architecture, history and style. This walk will help you appreciate the changes that occurred in the city over centuries and will offer a glimpse at Paris’s future.

2. Head out for a typically French study abroad weekend sojourn to Versailles. The town of Versailles sits about 30 minutes East of Paris along the RER. While the town itself is small and unassuming, you and your fellow study abroad students will find the contrast between the small town and the big city of Paris a relaxing change about halfway into your study abroad experience. Of course, all college students studying French will have learned about the famous chateau called Versailles, where Louis XIV spent his days riding horseback and wondering the delicately manicured gardens.

3. Many Paris study abroad students also enjoy taking part in a weekend camping and hiking trip to Fontainbleau, the famous forest to the southwest of Paris. Like Versailles, visitors can also take the RER train for about an hour to the wooded location. You and your fellow French study abroad students will have an opportunity to spend time away from the fashion-conscious and fast-paced city of Paris and can practice your French amongst yourselves along the trails. Many college study abroad students also find the Fontainbleau trip useful as a retreat towards the end of the study abroad trip, as it offers them an opportunity to bond with one another before returning home. If you have time in your schedule for an end-of-semester retreat, why not head south?.

Now that you have a few tips for some fun outings, enjoy your time in Paris. Take as many pictures as you can bare, keep a journal and be sure to make time for yourself. Most of all - don’t forget: you’re studying in Paris!

My Study Abroad Trip to Poland

by Joan K.

I went to Poland, of all places, for my study abroad experience in college. It was not my intention to ever go to Poland, but the study abroad program at my college is very competitive and I did not get my application in in time to go to London. I didn’t speak a foreign language, especially Polish, so I was really nervous about studying abroad in Poland, but I knew that I would not be happy if I graduated from college without actually doing a study abroad program.  My school’s program in Poland is in Warsaw. I was assigned to live with a Polish family that, thank goodness, spoke fluent English. I had a mom, dad and brother to look out for me while I was over there.  I’m a history major, so it actually turns out that studying abroad in Poland, especially Warsaw, was a valuable thing for me to do in college, not only for the experience of living abroad, but also for the in-depth look at the culture and history of a war-torn city and it’s rebuilding. Warsaw is divided into two halves by the Vistula River. On the Western side of the river is where most of the older parts of Warsaw are. It’s also where the new city center is along with other things for tourists to do. I lived on the eastern side though, with my family and most of the other families. The eastern side is really known to be more industrial and business - oriented, kind of like a suburb.  After World War II, people of Poland spent a lot of time and money trying to restore the old town to what it looked like in the 18th century. They rebuilt homes and buildings and relined the streets. The also maintained the old market square in the center of the city so that people would also have hope of further restoration and proliferation of classic Polish culture. My study abroad experience helped me to learn about what makes up a general city-wide feel and taught me a lot about city planning and rebuilding, that’s for sure! My favorite spot to spend my Saturday’s in Warsaw was the Historical Museum of Warsaw, which is actually three stories tall. I became something of a fan of city reconstructing especially after seeing the in-depth documentary at the museum about how to go about rebuilding Warsaw. The film was made up of footage that the Nazi’s took with the cameras while they destroyed the city. It’s remarkable to see and understand how far they have come from where they have been.  

After my study abroad experience in Poland, I have a new appreciation for history, which is good since it’s what I want to do with the rest of my life. I understand the effect that cultural events have on people and know a little about how to maintain morale during rebuilding efforts. I think that every history major, particularly those that are interested in European and World War II history, would greatly benefit from spending a semester on a study abroad program to Poland. Take time to look around Warsaw and really think about what happened in the city and how it became a sort of Phoenix.

Next great city to visit is Cracow (south east of Poland), a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. For centuries Cracow (Krakow) was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world. It is their talents and imagination we must thank for the city’s rich legacy of unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture.
 But by all means - go to Poland! You’ll be so glad you did (I am.) 

Where to Go in Paris if You Get Homesick on Your Study Abroad to France Many students experience culture shock during their first visit to a foreign country - especially when the natives speak a language in which you are not fluent. If you’re a France study abroad student residing in Paris, then check out a few local American destinations that may help you to feel more at home.  1. The American ChurchThe American Church is a study abroad favorite for students studying in France. The church, which is one of the oldest buildings in Paris, sits along the Quai not too far from the Eiffel Tower. The Church, being entirely non-denominational, acts as a meeting ground for Americans of all walks of life. France study abroad students and American expatriates alike visit the Church to mingle, share stories and meet other Americans traveling abroad. If you’re interested in prolonging your study abroad in France, hanging out at the American Church may very well be a strategic move. Many American ex-patriots have been known to offer positions as interns or for miscellaneous services to other Americans at the Church. One recent study abroad visitor reported that she was offered a job as an au pair in France after her study abroad trip when an American family from the American Church invited her to lunch. 2. WICEWICE, formerly called “Women in Continuing Education” is located on the Boulevard Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement. Study abroad students enjoying learning about the culture of France from one of WICE’s many educational programs, such as French cuisine, wine and history. Stop on in to WICE anytime if you feel to need some connection with English speakers. The staff is entirely English-language based. 3. The Frog and the Princess PubThe Frog and the Princess Pub, located in the 7th arrondissement, is a favorite watering hole for study abroad students. Students are welcome to sample one of the many beers and ciders on tap and take part in weekly contests. The F&P showcases photographs of study abroad students on bulletin boards throughout the bar and has a reputation for being full of fun, good food and great drink. 

As you study abroad, you’re bound to run into some periods of culture shock and homesickness. With a little help from your fellow-English speakers, Paris will start to feel like home in no time. Bon chance!

Spend a Summer in Madrid: My Story -T.H.

I recently returned from a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain. I went through a program called CEA: Cultural Experiences Abroad and actually earned 16 credits towards my college degree (I could have earned more, but i wanted lots of time to hang out in the city.) The classes in Spain I took were in the arts and business, so they counted mostly towards my general education core requirements. I also studied at the Antonia de Nebrija University, which was cool because my host family practically lived around the block and I could sleep in late when I had a morning class.  I chose to go to Madrid in the first place because even since I was a kid and watched the bull runs on TV, I thought Spain was cool. My Spain study abroad experience was everything I thought it would be and I would definitely recommend Madrid to anyone who wants to study abroad in a place that’s full of culture and food. Well, everyone was surprised to learn that I gained about 20 pounds during my study abroad in Spain, but my host family was so generous with food, so I kept eating it! When I came home, my girlfriend made me go to the gym so that I could fit back into the clothes she bought me. Basically, in Spain, people take food and drink so seriously that they can dedicate up to 6 hours a day just eating. No joke - my lunches sometimes would last 3 hours, with everyone around the table laughing and eating. Dinner didn’t start until 8 or 9 at night and would last into the wee hours. I wonder how any one in Spain ever gets anything done! My favorite museum in Madrid was the Museo del Prado because there were so many paintings by artists from Spain that I had studied in school, like Velasquez. Even though I don’t play soccer, I wanted to be a good study abroad student in Madrid, so I went to a game at the Santiago Bernabeu and was totally amazed by how fun it was.  Finally, because my whole study abroad experience to Madrid began with a bull fight, I couldn’t leave Spain without seeing one. Some other study abroad students and I went to the little town of Las Ventas to check out a real bull fight. It was amazing.  

I would tell anyone to study abroad in Madrid and Spain. I’m so glad I did!

Top Ten Ways to See the Best of Italy in your College Semester Abroad;

 A Brief Overview of Places You Need to Visit 1. RomeRome, the “Eternal City” is Italy’s largest city. If you are going to study abroad in Italy, you are ensured to never run out of things to see and do in Rome. Rome is located at the western side of the boot about halfway down Italy’s coast. The city itself dates back well over 2,000 years and still has ancient remnants to explore during your study abroad trip. For a taste of ancient times, check out the Castel Sant’Angelo, which sits on the bank of the Tiber river. St Peter’s Cathedral also offers a rare chance to see one of the world’s largest and most ornate religious buildings.  From art to architecture and culture, Rome is the location for students who want to study abroad in Italy and get lost in the experience. 2. VeniceVenice, the city on water, is a fun place to travel to when participating in a study abroad program in college in Italy. Many students say, though, that they would not want to actually attend school there full time. The city itself, while enchanting and one of the most unique and celebrated cities in the world, is also smelly, dirty and, during warm-weather months, known to have infestations of flies and other unpleasant critters.  3. Leaning Tower of PisaPisa is a small town on the outskirts of the greater Florence region. The city itself is charming and is home to many small cafes and boutiques. Most students enjoy taking day trips to Pisa while they are studying abroad and few actually have the opportunity to study in the tourist-sponsored town. 4. FlorenceFlorence is home to many college study abroad programs in Italy. The ancient city hosts the world-famous Duomo and some of the finest Da Vinci and Michaelangelo art known to exist. Florence is dissected by a river, across which a bridge, complete with stores and cafes, spans. The town itself if over run with college students, particularly American college students studying abroad for a semester in Italy. Don’t expect to be bored while studying in Florence! 5. MilanMilan is the fashion capital of the world. The city is a mid-sized city and is considerably smaller than it’s Roman counterpart, but the culture is noted as being sophisticated and streamlined. Most students recommend spending a weekend of their study abroad Italy experience in Milan, though many say they would return.  6. Cinque TerraCinque Terra is a series of five fishing villages located in the northwest section of Italy right along the coast. Study abroad students say that a study abroad trip to Italy would not be complete without a week or weekend in Cinque Terra - as the area is unique and special to all of Italy. 7. TuscanyTuscany is the region in the middle of Italy that is known for it’s fine wine, rolling hills, ceramics and friendly people. There are many small hilltop towns to visit during your study abroad trip to Italy, including Montepulciano, Cortona and Deruda. Renting a car is the best way to travel around Tuscany, as many hilltop towns don’t have train access. 8. PompeiThe Italian islands have been favorite weekend destinations for study abroad students for decades. Hop on a ferry to Pompei for a chance to see lava that remains from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.. You can also visit ancient homes and tour the deep baths that used to be used by Pompei residents to clean themselves. Study abroad students report that of all their trips wile studying in Italy, the chance to check out Mount Vesuvius and Pompei is the most unique. 9. CapriThe Island of Capris is a semi-tropical paradise that offers a welcome getaway vacation for students spending a semester, summer or year abroad in italy. The Blue Grotto, which surrounds the isle, is perfect for sailing and for transporting students to the many caves that spot the mountainous coastline.  10. CortonaCortona is one of the most famous hilltop Tuscan towns, made famous by Frances Mayes popular book and movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” The town sits atop a hill and is accessibly by car along windy roads. Visit the marketplace on Saturday mornings for a chance purchase fresh produce at the town market. Study abroad students will also have a chance to stay in Italy’s most unique hostel: a converted monastery on a hill below its old church.