Study Abroad Blog

Meet 'Pink Pangea: The First Online Community for Women Travelers'

AmeriSpan likes to keep up with the latest trends in travel resources and blogs, and we know that our students, primarily those who are female, like to travel safely.  So when Pink Pangea came to us looking to recruit female bloggers who have experienced volunteering in another country, we knew it would be beneficial to share with you!

Pink Pangea allows women on location to blog about their experiences and share with other women unique places to go and things to do that are relevant to a female audience.  For example, some of the site's recent blog posts are called "Searching for Parisian Style on a Budget," "Peace on the Horizon in the Himalayas," and "The Many Faces of South Africa," to name a few.

Please contact the site to contribute, and remember that AmeriSpan offers discounts for bloggers!

To discover this great new site for yourself, check out www.PinkPangea.com

To find out how to receive a Blogger discount from AmeriSpan, visit AmeriSpan's Specials Page

Celebrate Oktoberfest: 15% Off all German Programs

From September 18 through October 3rd, the world-famous Oktoberfest celebrations take over the city of Munich, Germany: the city's mayor taps the first keg and then people from around the world raise their steins in unison and enjoy some of Germany's finest beer!

Study Spanish in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Itching to study Spanish at a location in Mexico that's safe and tourist-friendly but isn't an uncomfortably flashy beach resort town?  Then San Miguel de Allende may be just the spot for you!

Summer NOW!

If you've already received a copy of last week's newsletter then you have already heard, but for those of you who haven't, AmeriSpan is encouraging last-minute summer registrations!  Sad you missed out on studying abroad this summer?  There's still time!

All  you have to do is register for any program starting before Labor Day and mention "SUMMER NOW!!", and we will let you squeeze by without paying any late fees!

While we like to ask students to register a few weeks in advance for clarity's sake, we are usually able to accommodate last minute applicants in a pinch.  But right now, you can actually receive money off your program for a last minute registration - a rare deal!

Contact our office with any questions or concerns, and for a rundown of all of our specials, visit our Specials Page!

Beat the Heat!

  There's a heat wave storming through the USA, and now is the perfect time to take advantage of more reasonable climes abroad!  There are so many great places to go when the heat becomes unbearable, and AmeriSpan can help you find the best place possible to beat the heat!

New "Re-Entry: Need to Know" E-Report!

AmeriSpan loves seeing perspective, current, and registered students alike taking full advantage of our free e-Reports!  Our "19 Biggest Study Abroad Mistakes", "Ultimate Guide to Packing", and "Predeparture Guide" are the most popular downloadable tools at the moment.  They are proving to be a valuable resource for studying languages and traveling abroad. But, until now, all of our e-Reports have been geared towards those preparing for their trips, and there haven't been any designed for those of you coming home!

This is why we are excited to announce the arrival of our newest e-Report, entitled "Re-Entry: Need to Know"!  Having a game plan for your return home is almost as important as getting ready to leave; your actions when coming back can help cement your memories abroad and help others know what to expect!  It can also help us sharpen our preferences for sending future students abroad, as well as assist in developing our "Like/Don't Like" categories!

The "Re-Entry: Need to Know" e-Report will be a great bookend for your trip, and answer a variety of questions you may have, such as:

• What is "Reverse Culture Shock"?
• How does your "Repeat Client Discount" work?
• How do I share my travel photos, videos, and stories with the world?
• I want to start my own travel blog!  How do I get started?

Check out the "Re-Entry: Need to Know" e-Report for yourself here:

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.

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. 

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!