Some
first-hand information about our Spanish school in Anitgua, Guatemala. Antigua is a beautiful Colonial city in Guatemala, and our programs there are of excellent quality and also a great value.
School We went
from the airport to the school and arrived a little after 4 pm. I was surprised
how many students were just hanging out at the school. There are two computers
with internet for student use. The school stays open until about 6 and students
are welcome to stay until they close up for the night.
Study abroad to learn Spanish in Valencia, Spain. Valencia is Spain's third-largest city, and well worth a visit for its wonderful museums, stunning beaches, and active nightlife. As there are far fewer tourists in Valencia than Barcelona and Madrid, a true immersion experience is easily found here.
Click for more information about AmeriSpan's Spanish programs in Valencia. Click to see more videos from AmeriSpan's language schools.
By Katie P., Guestblogger from Coronado, Costa Rica Independent Teen program
Some
travel to Costa Rica with intention, with plans and reservations and a return
flight already booked. Unfortunately my age, and obligation to high school does
not allow for infinite vacation and so I am one of those people who came and
fulfilled my intention, with only the luxury of flexibility and no schedules on
the weekends.
By Katie P., Guestblogger from Coronado, Costa Rica Independent Teen program
The
Caribbean Coast definitely has its own vibe, much different from that of the
Pacific. Immediately as I stepped off the bus, I felt the tropical heat
saturate my face in rays of glory, heard the melodic pulse of Bob Marley’s One
Love, floating through the open windows, saw the turquoise waves lashing at the
worn surfboards through the crisp layers of palms, and inhaled the herbal
scented air of Puerto Viejo.
Can't take the time to study abroad right now? Try some at-home language immersion with Think Language. Think Language has designed an online magazine and community for learning Spanish and French. Designed to increase fluency while learning about life and culture abroad, Think Spanish and Think French deliver ten engaging articles each month focused on fluency and grammar. Each article has an accompanying audio file that can be saved to your iPod or to a CD. In addition, each month you receive lessons, quizzes, vocabulary flashcards and more.
In this era of the "stay-cation," at-home immersion can be a great way to get a head start on learning Spanish or French without having to travel abroad to do it!
If you read our blog often, you know that AmeriSpan recommends doing some language study prior to studying abroad. This can help you with cultural adjustment as soon as you arrive in your new country, and alleviate concerns about getting around and basic needs until you get settled into your study abroad program. If Spanish is your target language, it is worth your while to take a minute to download the Free Spanish Learning Pack from Bilingual America.
There are many documents that you will need to get in order prior
to your trip. Which ones do you need? How do you get them? How far in advance of your study abroad trip do you need to start applying for them? Read on for all these answers and more.
Passport: If you do not have one, make sure to
apply for one at least 6-8 weeks prior to your departure in order to save money
and headaches from expediting your passport. If you already have one, check the
expiration date. For travel to many countries, it is required that your
passport be valid for a minimum of 6 months after you are planning to return
home. Also make sure there are enough blank pages left. A good website to order
or renew your passport at is PassportVisasExpress.com.
A helpful article: Don’t Forget Passports When Studying Abroad
By Katie P., Guestblogger from Coronado, Costa Rica Independent Teen program
People in the Park - *names changed
The best place to hang out for an interesting day in Coronado is
the park right in front of the huge gray church in the center of town. Almost
always you will meet some entertaining character or another. The first was Mark.
Four other gringos and myself were hanging out at the benches and this
middle-aged man approaches us and introduces himself. With his dark skin we
assumed him to just be an English-speaking Costa Rican but it turns out he’s
from California, with Italian heritage. Mark has lived in Costa Rica for 22
years; he moved here for a more simple life after getting out of the US army.
He was definitely an interesting character, who talked with a twitch, and we
enjoyed his company until he started getting carried away with over helpful
information about all the places he could take us in Costa Rica. (He works with
a tour agency.)
By Jamie F., Guestblogger from Cusco, Peru SALUD program
Sadly this is my last blog about Peru...
So we left the somewhat modern civilization that I had come to
know for the past 5 weeks and ventured into the rainforest/jungle/selva/amazon
(whatever you want to call it) there were all sorts of animals. We took a
30 min plane ride into Puerto Maldonado and were met by a guide who took us on
a 1 hr bus ride to the Tambopata River. We were given all natural,
rainforest snacks of fresh banana trips, a local cocona juice, tiny (finger)
bananas and the most famous, brazil nuts. We boarded a small boat that luckily
had a good motor and were on the river for about 3 hours with some occasional
stops for animal sightings. We were given another local delicacy for lunch: a
fried rice dish in a banana leaf that we disposed of in the water when we were
done. We very much felt like jungle people!
Whether you know ZERO vocabulary or you are an advanced speaker in your target language, a little preparation can help you get the most out of your immersion program. These are some pointers from AmeriSpan Study Abroad’s experienced staff members about expectations, goals, ways to build your vocabulary, and tips on how to get by if you suddenly forget every word you learned in your new language. For more tips and preparation, download our newest e-report, Pre-Departure Guide.
By Katie P., Guestblogger from Coronado, Costa Rica Independent Teen program
This trip to Costa Rica has opened my eyes in so many ways. And I
don’t mean to sounds like a lame college essay either! Back home, in the US,
I’ve met all types of people but have never really had the chance to get to
people from all over the world. Not only have I been exposed to the Latin
American culture and language but also many other countries that I knew nothing
about before I reached out and met these people. Now I even know a handful of
German words (mostly inappropriate ones though) and even an Austrian word,
which I am obsessed with saying all the time now since I can finally pronounce
it (and remember it!): GadaLada Lella Shnala. It means…your mother’s bedroom
window blinds…strange I know.
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