Study Abroad Blog

Studying Spanish in Montevideo Uruguay: Week 3

By Angela B., AmeriSpan Delegate, studying Spanish in Uruguay

So another week in Uruguay...a success, it's still cold but we are managing to have some fun!  This week Juan had another little field trip, this time to a part of Montevideo called Ciudad Vieja, the old city.  It's beautiful and pretty "old."  It is where the city began, so there's a lot of history to look at and learn about, it's beautiful!  We also saw a restaurant that George Bush ate at when he came he to visit a few years ago, I thought that was interesting, hahaha!!  

I've been a little under the weather this week so I've been trying to go out and have fun, but also go home early and try to get lots of sleep, so I've done things like go to the movies instead of walking through the city if I don't have to.  Or take a bus or taxi instead of walk. So one activity that we did this week was a little "intercambio," where some English learning students came over to our school and we spoke with them in Spanish and visa versa. We shared some wine, and tea, and cake and some good conversation, it was great!!

My First Impressions of Playa de Carmen

By Alisa W., guest blogger studying Spanish in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

When I arrived at mi familias casa in Playa del Carmen I was very nervous.  When I walked in the entrance, the entire family was sitting around the table, and then I was overwhelmed!  After introducing myself, my papa showed me to my room and explained how everything in the house worked, and what time breakfast and dinner were at.  He also asked if there was any foods I didn't like to eat. After getting unpacked, I took a deep breath, and I went downstairs.  All of the extended family were gone and it was only my new parents and two sisters. I also met my fellow peers that are visiting Playa del Carmen and staying with the same host familia. 

Study Abroad: The Best Way for Me to Learn French

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

I’ve been taking Spanish classes for like six years, and I barely know how to say anything. I’ve been taking French for about four weeks, and I know how to say nearly everything I want to say. The difference? Spanish is harder than French. Just kidding! Iʼm picking up French much faster because Iʼm always, always using it. Iʼm in class everyday, and my instructors will not let me forget the words that we used the day before. I canʼt forget the present tense, because Iʼll use it again and again and again throughout the week. The present tense, the past tense, and the future tense are always in my head and I canʼt imagine going home and forgetting them now. When I took Spanish, I had class (where we mostly spoke English, by the way) for about an hour and then, when I left, I didn’t speak Spanish or think about Spanish until the next class, or when I did my homework while watching the tube, and Iʼm still terrible at Spanish because of it. You have to use the language you want to learn; you have to work and work and work at it, and make sure you donʼt forget it. You really, really need to immerse yourself in the culture, and thatʼs what these immersion classes are all about!

Learning Spanish & Good Times in Uruguay

By Angela B., AmeriSpan Delegate, studying Spanish in Uruguay

Ok, so everything here in Uruguay is still great. We didn't advance much further in the world cup but these Uruguayos are more than happy to be in 4th place. They held a huge parade, like a caravan to welcome the players back into the country. They came into town in a big bus, it took them 4 hours to get through the whole city, it was amazing!! there were people/fans with flags and gifts with their faces painted, they were crying and cheering and everyone was just so happy and excited!! The caravan ended in a part of town and they were greeted by the president, who gave them all a gift and congratuated them on their success. The whole thing was shown on a big screen for everybody to enjoy, the love here is just undescribable!

Reflections on Learning French in Lyon

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

While riding the Metro during my first few days in Lyon (itʼs a wonderful Metro, by the way), I sat across from a couple who were speaking in sign language. Here I was, just a little ways away from them, feeling very isolated from the general public due to a language barrier, and then I saw this couple that must feel that way all the time (or, at least, struggle to communicate with others). It struck me that learning a new language is a good experience not just because you can put another language level on your resume, but also because 1) you get to learn so much about what so many people go through when they immigrate to another country 2) and, therefore, you can relate to so many more people. 3) Third, learning a new language is also very humbling. Iʼm a Ph.D. student in English in America; Iʼm paid to read and write for a living. I read Eliot and Proust, and I write complicated critics. In French, however, Iʼm reading baby books about the colors and the alphabet and the names of different types of fruits. I think I can relate much better to the ESL (English Second Language) students that I tutor back home. Language is hard, and my professors are patient with me; this makes me want to be more patient to those I meet in the states who donʼt speak English very well. In short, I think learning French is making me a better person.

A Weekend at the Theatre in Seoul

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

After spending a week in your Korean class the weekend is the perfect opportunity to unwind and explore the city.  There are so many options but my favorite weekend evening has go to be going to a theatrical show.

The first show that I went to, which I highly recommend, is "Nanta." This is the longest running show in Seoul and perfect for any age.  It is a show that is best explained as a mix between "Stomp" and "Top Chef".  There is plenty of audience participation and the best thing is you don't have to know Korean to understand the show.

French Riviera & Nice, France at Night Video

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 takes us around the French Riviera and shows us what Nice is like at night.

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

Observations from Studying French in Lyon France

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

On Street Performers:
In Lyon, street performers, more often than not, are well-dressed people who seem to perform primarily out of passion for whatever instrument they play or show they put on. Thereʼs a very put together woman who plays the harp at a local market, and while she does put a cup by her feet for donations, she seems more concerned with pleasuring her audience with beautiful music. In the states, I rarely see a street performer who isnʼt primarily concerned with obtaining donations. However, A frequent (and awful) site in Lyon are women who beg on the street while cradling their babies. If the child cries, the mother will often just set the baby on the ground allowing him or her to cry (I think), so as to draw sympathy from those who pass by. Perhaps this isnʼt a site particular to Lyon especially, but itʼs one I rarely ever see in the states, and have already, in my three weeks in Lyon, seen several times here.

Be Ready to Learn in Korea!

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

 Having no prior knowledge of the Korean language I was a bit scared about how the class would be structured and the pacing.  I wasn't sure if they would explain things in only Korean or if they would even start me off at the beginning.  Classes are also only held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10A.M. - 1P.M so I was a bit skeptical about how much I would be able to learn in a short period of time and only being here for 4 weeks.  However, I am quickly adapting to the fast pace and the amount of information being given during each class.

French & Cooking Video: The Cooking Classes

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 takes us along with her to cooking class and shows us some of the delicious dishes she made. 

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

Top 5 Reasons the Host Family is Totally Worth It!

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

When I was first applying for my AmeriSpan program I wasn't sure if I wanted just the lodging house or a host family.  After talking with one of the representatives from the "Live Help Chat" on the AmeriSpan website they explained that I would be getting more practice if I was with a host family.  I was also apprehensive because I don't know any Korean and I would be going to the country with no language abilities except for English.  I asked if that would be a problem and the representative said that it wouldn't be an issue and I would benefit the most because I would be engulfed in the culture and language.  With the reassurance from AmeriSpan I decided to go for it, and boy am I glad I did!

5) Having a Family Away From Home
The host family I'm staying with is household consisting of a grandmother, mother, (mother's) brother, and a baby. It is a comfort to come back from school, or from exploring Seoul, to see the hustle and bustle of normal family life. Everyone is so welcoming and happy to see you that very quickly you start to feel like part of the family.