« Meet Lorena | Main

Where are you from?
I was born in Philadelphia and my family moved to North-Eastern Pennsylvania when I was 3. They moved to Scranton, you know, home of "The Office." Well I’m not actually from Scranton; I lived 10 miles north. I use Scranton as a reference point because no one knows where Pittston is and that show is hilarious (more season 1 & 2 than the later.)

What’s your sign?
Gemini, apparently I am “two-faced” or I have split personalities. I don’t really see it but I guess you should ask my fellow colleagues. :-) Kidding.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
Almost a year!

What are your current favorites?
Books: Haruki Murakami is spectacular! Kafka on the Shore is by far one of the most amazing novels I’ve read. Let’s see…I just finished reading Richard Brautigan, In Watermelon Sugar – Pretty odd, I’m into it. Another is The Araboolies of Liberty Street, I read it a lot as a kid; a very fine story.

Movies: Suicide Club, Harold and Maude, Clueless, Alice in Wonderland, Me You and Everyone We Know

Music: Bjork, Tujiko Noriko, Red House Painters, Electrelane...

What do you do in your spare time?
Estudio Espanol en el centro de la ciudad y hablo con mi gato en ingles! I also enjoy eating and then talking about what I ate. Brunch is my favorite pastime; I try to eat brunch at a different place every weekend. Maybe I have too much spare time.. I do like other things such as reading and spending time with good people.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?
So far in my travels, I’ve fell in love with 2 places: Tokyo, Japan and Guanajuato, Mexico; Both quite opposite from each other. I had a blast in Tokyo, really. What a great place to be, fascinating and life changing. Guanajuato is just a place that I’ve never felt happier. The whole vibe was energetic yet easygoing. It has a great nightlife too, some really interesting places to hang out and its gorgeous!

What is your favorite meal?
A HUGE burrito filled of cheese, veggie meat, refried beans, sour cream, and all the other essential burrito fillings. Yum. I also enjoy huge bowls of miso-ramen or udon noodles.

What is your favorite drink?
Ginger Beer

What is your favorite time of year?
That time of the year when Philadelphia starts to get warm and the whole city seems to change. Everything opens up and people go out and have more fun. And it’s the time I actually get on a bike.

« Meet Pablo | Main | Meet Ria »

by Lorena Freese

Where are you from?
I was born in Chile, have a German and Chilean nationality and grew up in Spain.

What's your sign?
Scorpio.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
1 year and 3 months.

What are your current favorites?
Books: Travel Guides

Movies: Independent productions

Music: Rock

What do you do in your spare time?
Travel, museums, cinema, bars and restaurants with friends.

What is your favorite place in the world?
I don’t know all the places in the world yet, but I love Chile because of the diversity: desert, mountains, lakes, rivers, sea, ice and my family is there!

What is your favorite food?
Seafood.

What is your favorite drink?
Fresh fruit juices.

What is your favorite time of the year?
Spring.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things would you have to have and why?
A friend to share my experiences with
A lighter to make fire
A tent to protect myself from weather conditions
A map of the island
A cell phone if there was a network!

« Tokyo, Meg Ryan & Jon Bon Jovi | Main | Meet Lorena »

by Pablo Dominguez

Where are you from?
Madrid, Spain.

What's your sign?
Scorpio.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
3 months.

What are your current favorites?
Books:"Amor en tiempos de colera"

Movies: The Island

Music: Spanish Music

What do you do in your spare time?
Listen to music, go to the gym...

What is your favorite place in the world?
Spain.

What is your favorite food?
Paella.

What is your favorite drink?
Sangria.

What is your favorite time of the year?
Summer.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what things would you have to have?
Soccer ball, books, lighter, my Spanish soccer t-shirt.

« The REAL Flamenco in Sevilla | Main | Tokyo, Meg Ryan & Jon Bon Jovi »

By Julie Laquer

Where are you from?
Born in Philadelphia, raised in southeastern PA, USA.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
7 months.

What are your current favorites?
Books: Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith by Gina B. Nahai
Movies: Terrible 80’s comedies pre-1990. (Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Coneheads, etc.)
Music: Poppy and melodic indie electronic music, indie rock, funk/soul, some hip-hop, and old pop/classic rock.

What do you do in your spare time?
Go on bike rides, read, illustrate/design, sketch, travel, spend time with friends/family, go dancing.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?
My favorite cities that I’ve visited are San Francisco, Paris, Nice, Munich, and Stockholm, because they were clean, friendly, and have so much to offer a ‘white bread American’ interested in art and music.

What is your favorite food?
Indian vegetarian food.

What is your favorite drink?
Non-alcoholic: limeade
Alcoholic: any fruity cocktail

What is your favorite time of year?
Spring, summer, and Halloween.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you have to have and why?
1. Company
2. Pens and paper for drawing.
3. Food and water, for survival
4. Internet access, for averting boredom
5. Music, for dancing

« Morelia on the Weekend | Main | Must See in Beijing »

by Alexa Boyce

Where are you from?
Though born in Middlesex, New Jersey (no comments, please J), I spent 19 of my 23 years just outside of Detroit, MI.

What's your sign?
Aries--I'm VERY superstitious about my horoscope!

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
Since March of 2006.

What are your current favorites?
Books: I just joined a book club with my roommate, so hopefully this list will be getting a lot longer. For starters: Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins and Brett Easton Ellis are my favourite authors, so pretty much anything by them. Also: The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, Guevara (Yes, a biography of Che written by Paco Ignacio Taibo II, an author of some…interesting novels I read in one of my many Latin American literature classes in college), Absolut: Biography of a Bottle (because I was a marketing major, I am OBSESSED with the Absolut ads). There are so many more but I get the feeling I can’t do the list justice here.

Movies: I love movies that are so terrible that they're hilarious. I highly recommend Don't Go in the Woods as possibly the worst '70s horror flick ever. Literally, the killer was a wooden spear-toting Viking who had amazingly good aim, as a 2" thick spear could send heads flying all over the woods. Cemetery Man was recently recommended to me by my brother-in-law. This is a mid-'90s Italian/French film starring Rupert Everitt, whose job is to kill the dead bodies in the cemetery after they re-awaken.

As far as movies that are good because they are, well, good, I highly recommend Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Four Rooms, Jackie Brown (Yes, I am a Tarantino fan), and 24 hours on Craigslist.

Music: I hate this question because I can't possibly list even a slightly comprehensive list. I love local bands, but I am more knowledgeable of local Detroit bands thanks to my good friends back home. Philly has a pretty good music scene as well. Currently on my iPod: Tally Hall, Duenow, Sublime, Goldfinger, Billie Holliday, Johnny Cash and Spacehog.

What do you do in your spare time?
Aside from the above-mentioned passions, I am still in the "infatuation stage" with this city so I like to do almost anything as long as it's here: Walk around, go to museums, concerts, festivals, cafes, bars, restaurants… Oh yeah, and read, watch movies and listen to music.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?
Though my worldly travels are quite modest in comparison with most of my colleagues (hopefully not for long!), so far my favorite place ever is the back patio of my host family's apartment in Marbella, Spain. I used to get up early, which is extremely rare if you know me, just to sit and look out over the Mediterranean in one direction and a majestic purple mountain in the other. Plus, the people I met on the Costa del Sol were so laid back and fun. It is just an amazingly relaxing place to be.

What is your favorite food?
I like to try new things, though I was a vegetarian until recently so strange meat still kind of freaks me out. My favorite food in the world is Greek food, because I grew up on Greektown takeout! Spanikopita, Falafel, Baklava, Tdzadziki sauce, Feta salad…. mmmmm I love it!

What is your favorite drink?
I survive on mostly water, coffee and tea. Though possibly the most delicious thing ever is this tea I had in Chinatown in San Francisco- White Jasmine Dragon Pearl tea. Smells like perfume and tastes like heaven.

What is your favorite time of year?
In Michigan it's springtime, because there is nothing better than the relief you feel after the 5-month sunless deep freeze is over. Here, though, I really enjoy the fall as well because it's really rainy!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you have to have and why?

* Something to read. Ok, Lots of things to read.
* iPod/Radio/Other music-making device.
* Friends and family- to keep me company, and protect me from bears. You know, the tropical bears.
* Burt's Bee's lip balm. I'm like a walking advertisement for them.
* Some sort of unlimited source of food. I'm a city girl- I would die in the wilderness!

« Travel Abroad Advisor : Meet Beth | Main | International Cuisine »

I think I speak for everyone here when I say TGIF because it's been a looooong week. I hope that this weekend is as lengthy as everyone needs it to be, and hey, if two days is enough for you, I applaud your efficiency with your free time. Our final "Meet AmeriSpan" entry for the week is all about John. He’s the President and Co-founder of AmeriSpan, and he’s the most recognizable because he’s the only guy here. To sum John up in a few words, I’d say he’s committed, focused and maybe a little crazy for the amount of time he can sit in front of a computer. I’ll stop before I get fired... Anyway, have a great weekend!

Where are you from?
Born near Detroit on August 8, 1963

What’s your sign?
Leo - Anne-Marie and I are both born on the same day.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
Since it was called Study Programs and its office was in a one bedroom apartment. Feb 1993, Mar 1993 was incorporated as AmeriSpan. Still remember desperately cleaning the apartment when one of our first clients and her father wanted to stop by "the office" in May 1993.

What are your current favorites?
Books: Guerilla Marketing ~ Jay Conrad Levinson, Hawke ~ Ted Bell, Jitterbug Perfume ~ Tom Robbins
Music: In the car it is WIP Sports Radio. The Darkness, old Oasis, early Prince but usually whatever my wife is listening to.
Television: The Shield, Boston Legal, Best Week Ever, Saturday Night Live and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Movies: Good Will Hunting, Silverado (favorite western, yes, I like Westerns - thanks dad) The Sixth Sense, The Lord of the Rings (don't tell my wife!!!)
Sports: Flyers - hockey is my favorite sport. Season tickets. Phillies, usually listen to every game and as usually my heart is broken. Like the Philly Fan Misery index here.

What do you do in your spare time?
What spare time? I work 15+ hours/day. I read about current events and follow the local sports teams. Like to travel - obviously...

What is your favorite place in the world and why?
Has to be Philadelphia. A big city where you know everyone. Iguazu Falls is the best natural wonder I have seen. Inca Ruins in Machu Picchu, Peru is the coolest man-made thing and Saquerema, Brazil has the best beaches I've seen...great body surfing

What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti as evidenced by my waistline. I love eating at my in-laws' who were born Italian and usually have two full kitchens in their house. Opt for Chinese and Indian takeout often, but I really miss the following three things from Michigan:
- Pink Peppermint Ice Cream (found at Stroh's Ice Cream Parlor in Birmingham, Michigan)
- WinSchueler's Cheese spread and crackers
- Vernors soda, especially when I'm sick

What is your favorite drink?
Lemonade. Yuengling Lager

What is your favorite time of year?
Fall - usually get to travel and relax a bit after busy high season. I like the cooler temperatures but still not too cold yet.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you have to have and why?
I don't need much...

• Stuff to read
• A comfortable chair to lounge
• Marina (my wife) - she makes me laugh and "gets" me
• Access to the sports scores - at least baseball and hockey - I'm addicted to sports.
• A fan if it is hot

« Sprachreisen & Sprachschulen | Main | Meet John »

Happy Tuesday! We hope that everyone’s return to the daily grind hasn’t been too difficult. With the start of school, it’s only a matter of time before the weather really begins to get cooler and the leaves begin changing color. Our “Meet AmeriSpan” spotlight is on Beth today. She’s the one to call if you need anything regarding our study abroad or teen programs, though she generally has the answer to any question you may have (as I have learned plenty of times!) Beth is funny and sweet and quite the snappy dresser, and she has a real eye for typos so beware, friends who write comments and guest bloggers. Well, I should be signing off. Have a great day!

Where are you from?
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and bred in Philadelphia, PA

What’s your sign?
I am the tenacious and witty Capricorn.

How long have you been with AmeriSpan?
Going on five years....

What are your current favorites?
Books: The Time Travelers Wife, The Sun Also Rises, and every book by Nicholas Sparks
Music: Big Elton John fan, also enjoy disco, classical, jazz..you name it. I have a very eclectic taste in music.
Television: Recently I got hooked on the Bravo show Blow Out, I really like The Amazing Race, Will and Grace and of course Sex and the City.

What do you do in your spare time?
I love to read, plan and cook dinner with my boyfriend, shop, check out new restaurants and areas of interests, happy hours with girlfriends

What is your favorite place in the world and why?
Philadelphia because it is home

What is your favorite food?
Cheese, all types of cheese

What is your favorite drink?
Red wine

What is your favorite time of year?
I love the change of seasons because you get to have it all, but I most prefer Fall. The air is crisp, skies are clear blue and the ever changing color of the tree leaves is pretty spectacular.

« Cultural Immersion Abroad - Travel Etiquette | Main | Travel Abroad Advisor : Meet Beth »

Sprachreisen & Sprachschulen means language journeys and language schools. We have launched a German language version of our website to better assist our German speaking clients. In the future we hope to introduce sites in Dutch (Talenreizen) and in Swedish (Språkresor)

German version: www.amerispan.de
Swedish version: www.amerispan.se
Dutch version: www.amerispan.nl

Main | Arabic Language Learning »

We at AmeriSpan Study Abroad are pleased to launch our new Blog where we'll keep our readers appraised of what is happening in the travel and study abroad world.  You can easily link to our RSS Feed by right clicking on the RSS Feed button or add our blog to your "My Yahoo" page by clicking on the My Yahoo button.  We invite you to email us study abroad journals and other relevant blogs so we can link to them and share their knowledge and experience with the thousands of past, present and future AmeriSpan participants.

John Slocum
President