Study Abroad Programs Blog

Tips from Studying Abroad in Lyon France

By Ashley C., guest blogger studying French in Lyon, France

Avignon:
This weekend I went to Avignon with a couple friends from the school (again, the proximity of Lyon to other parts of France just makes Lyon a fantastic place to study French). In Avignon, there are street artists everywhere and practically every wall, car, and building is filled with posters of upcoming theatre productions. It’s common to see a man walking down the street with a rolling piano, clowns singing opera, dancers dressed up in old fashioned dresses. Itʼ’s just an incredibly unique place. I would highly recommend visiting if you study in Lyon. Price for the train: 44 Euros (a bit pricey) and 30 Euros for the hotel (when split three ways). If you do make the voyage, I would recommend going on the ferris wheel, seeing the big park, and just enjoying all the street artists around the central downtown. I would not recommend going to any cathedrals that are expensive (the rooms really aren’t that cool).

A sponsor of this site says that one of the benefits of attending an online school, is you can do it from any where; including France."

When something goes wrong (between student and teacher):
There is an instructor here who leaves the classroom every time we work on something. I wrote in my evaluation (we write evaluations of the teachers every week) that I wish he would stay in the classroom to help us, and I’m happy to say that he’s actually very different in the class now – he’s always helping us. This just to say, if you are unhappy with something in the program, you can let someone know and, usually, your voice will be heard.

Study Abroad Korea: How to Get Through Customs

"If All Else Fails Follow the Leader: Incheon Airport"

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

Going to the airport by yourself can be a scary endeavor, but what can add to the fear is when that airport is in a foreign country.  I recently landed in Incheon Airport to start my adventure in Seoul where I am taking my AmeriSpan program for Korean Language.  When I arrived at the airport I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going.  

Now a few things about entering South Korea. If you are an American traveling in the country as a tourist for less than 90 days you do not need a visa.  Immunization shots are always suggested but none are required.  Also, Korea checks your temperature and if you show any signs of "flu-like symptoms" you are quarantined.  (Please make sure you check the embassy's website before going and don't just take my word for it, because things do change!) 

So with all this information in my head I still had no idea what was going to happen when I got off the plane.  The only things that kept racing through my mind were:  "Do they check my passport first?"  "Do I exchange my money before or after baggage claim? " and "Please, oh please, oh please DON'T say I caught the flu from the women coughing up a storm that sat next to me for the 10 hour flight!  I don't want to be quarantined!"  Okay, so the last one was me panicking a bit, but sadly that thought raced through my mind as I was in the line where they check your body temperature as you pass by a camera. Needless to say, I was fine and did not get quarantined, nor anyone else from my flight that I could see (including my coughing neighbor).

French & Cooking Video: Classes and Excursions

By Miluska S., guest video blogger from Nice, France. 

Miluska is studying French & Cooking, one of AmeriSpan's Language & Fun programs, in Nice, France. In this video, Miluska brings us to her French language classes and on some excursions with the French school.

For more information on this program, go to French & Cooking in Nice. 
See all French programs in Nice.

Specials Update!

AmeriSpan is still reeling from the excitement of Spain's victory in the World Cup, and we're celebrating by knocking down program costs in select Spain locations over the next few weeks!  We've also added a few new specials and renewed some others (keep in mind that we have permanent discounts for bloggers, groups, students, and Facebook Fans!).  Here's a refresher of all our current location-specific "Recession Proof" deals:

• Spain World Cup Celebration - Save $49/week: Some people experience Spring Fever but it is different for AmeriSpan.  We catch Spain Fever! Save $49/week when you register for AmeriSpan Spain programs in Alicante, Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Marbella, Salamanca, Sevilla, Tenerife and Valencia.  You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code "World Cup" when registering to receive the discount. The maximum discount on this offer is $350! Offer not valid for Teenager Summer programs.
  
• Jordan Special - Save $15: Save $150 when you register for a 4 week or longer program and start by the end of 2010 in Amman, Jordan  You must register by August 31, 2010 and use discount code "Jordan Special" when registering to receive the discount.
  
  
• Volunteer & Internship Offer: Save $150 when you register for any AmeriSpan Volunteer or Internship program in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatuemala, Nicaragua or Honduras).  You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code "Work in Central America" when registering to receive the discount.
  
• Free Week Classes in Quito (Value $165): Free week of group classes or $165 off any Quito language, Part-time Volunteer, Full-time Volunteer or Fun program and take at least 2 weeks or longer of group classes and complete your program in 2010. You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code "Quito Special" when registering to receive the discount.
  
• $250 off Quebec City French Program: Take $250 off when you register for a Quebec City program for 4 weeks or more during June, July or August. You must start your courses before end of August and use discount code "Quebec Offer" when registering to receive the discount.
  
  
• Save 15% in Panama City, Programs: Save 15% when you register for any Panama City language program 3 weeks or longer, and complete the program in 2010. You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code "Panama City Special" when registering to receive the discount.
  
• Guatemala Special - Save $150: Save $150 when you register for any Antigua program starting on any date AND for 3 weeks or longer.  You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code "Antigua-150" when registering to receive the discount.
  

To see AmeriSpan's specials, contests, and discounts at any given time, check out our Facebook page or visit our Specials Page.

Free Spanish for Critical Social Service Professionals!

Are you in the medical, law enforcement, school teaching, social work or ministerial fields? 

Do you need to learn Spanish or expand your Spanish language skills?

AmeriSpan Study Abroad has partnered once again with Bilingual America to offer a very special, high quality Spanish program for free to qualified participants. If you are in the medical, law enforcement, school teaching, social work or ministerial fields you can get Bilingual America's Basic to Expert Level Spanish Power course at no charge through The Claro Initiative. The Claro Initiative is a community service initiative to provide Spanish training to critical social service professionals at no charge. Spanish Power is considered the most comprehensive and results-driven Spanish training program in the country by many people and we encourage you to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. By the way, if you don't qualify but know someone who does, send them the link below so they can benefit.

Click or share this link to read more about this offer and request admittance to the free Spanish Power course here: https://bilingualamerica.infusionsoft.com/go/claro/immer$$ab/

Traveling, Homework & Exploring Lyon France

By Ashley C., guest blogger studying French in Lyon, France

On Traveling:
Lyonʼs a great city, but what makes it even more appealing is its proximity to the rest of France and other countries. This weekend I took a two-hour train to Geneva for a day of paddle boating, and exploring. I could have stayed in a hostel for the night, but decided to jet back early to save a bit of money (museums are also closed on Sundays in Geneva). Total cost of the trip breakdown: Train: 30 Euros, Food: 10 Swiss Francs, Boat Ride: 4 Francs (Granted, I shared the boat with six other people from the school - all of whom I met less than a week ago-, so we split the cost). I think a trip to Geneva for less than 50 Euros is a steal. Tip about traveling to Paris: book your train early! The price can fluctuate a lot, so plan ahead and you can save over 50 Euros on the train alone.

Study Abroad Korea: Fun with an 8 Hour Layover!

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

When booking your ticket most people just want the quickest flight to their final destination.  However, a layover can be tons of fun if you don't mind the wait.  This was my first time traveling abroad and I couldn't wait to start my AmeriSpan program in South Korea.  Originally I thought that a layover would be a bad idea, let alone one that lasted 8 hours.  However, it was a great beginning to my time in Seoul.

My flight took me from the United States to Amsterdam (where I had the layover) and then from Amsterdam to Seoul, South Korea.  When I first got there I thought I would probably just spend my time looking at a few shops inside the airport and then just go on my laptop for the remaining time.  Lucky for me I when I was trying to find where my gate would be for my connecting flight (so I wouldn't get lost later after exploring the airport) I found a booth for Amsterdam excursions.

Homestay and Host Family FAQs

Living with native speakers is an unequivocally educational part of the language immersion process, and in some ways it can give you the best possible scope of your unfamiliar surroundings and language.  We here at AmeriSpan couldn't help but notice how excited our former students are about their homestay experiences, or how anxious our students-to-be are to find out as many details about their families as possible!  So, we want to share with you some very common questions and answers about our homestay arrangement process, and what you can expect!

First Impressions in Lyon France

By Ashley C., guest blogger studying French in Lyon, France

First Impressions - On How I Made Friends
I am not the kind of person who would typically move to France for two months to study French.  I like my American hamburgers, watching TV and hanging out with people who speak my language (literally and figuratively).  I came anyway though, in part, because the graduate program I’m entering in the fall requires a reading knowledge of French, but also because one of my childhood dreams has always been to learn how to speak French.  

Last Friday, I arrived in Lyon with a million pounds worth of luggage (how do you pack for 2 months?) and I was terrified.  Though my first weekend was lonely (I know absolutely no one in Lyon, and unfortunately I opted out of the homestay option).  I was really happy to see, upon arriving at my first class, that the school in Lyon has after-class activities planned everyday after class.  Monday’s activity: Tour; Tuesday: Laser Tag; Wednesday: Crepes, ect.  None of these activities cost much money, and everyone is required to speak French the entire time.  Now it’s Wednesday, I’ve been going to all the activities, spent only 7 euros on all them combined, and I’ve made a lot of friends. 

To me, these activities are a godsend - in my very short time here, I now have feel comfortable enough with the people that I don’t feel like I need to worry about conversing in my shoddy French. 

Studying French in Quebec City: City Tour (Part 2)

By Christina H., Guest Video Blogger studying French in Quebec City, Canada

Watch a video blog from our guest blogger, Christina H., who is studying French in Quebec City, Canada. In this video, Christina takes us on a tour of beautiful Quebec City.

See French in Quebec City.

College Semester/Year Abroad in Spain

A lot of people are not aware of the fact that they can save thousands of dollars on college tuition by spending a semester abroad!  Studying abroad has long been considered a luxury reserved for those lucky enough to have extraneous financial opportunity, but the reality is that tuition abroad is cheaper, and that many US colleges and advisors are willing to approve international credit!  Additionally, studying abroad for a semester or year is a phenomenal resume-builder, regardless of your major.  Courses are taught with international students in Spanish and/or English, and there are usually several elective options.  AmeriSpan now offers 4 College Study Abroad locations in Spain: Madrid, Granada, Barcelona UAB, and Barcelona BIC!