Cheerio Mates!

London, England 2013

           Who doesn’t love British accents? 
           This past Summer I had the opportunity to visit London, England. Trying the food, meeting new people, and visiting all the beautiful sites London has to offer helped me make the easiest decision to plan on studying abroad there when I have the chance.

            While I was in London, England the people I met there were incredibly welcoming and polite. It was really easy to make friends in England especially in the oddest places. My dad even met a nice young man in the bathroom or as they call it the “loo”. In this moment (weird I know), I knew that the environment England has is somewhere I could be comfortable living in. That is also a huge factor when choosing somewhere to study abroad because of the amount of time you spend there, you want to make sure you will truly enjoy yourself.

            Spending a few months or even a year here, people could make so many more friends compared to the few friends you would make during a vacation. Studying abroad will help make lasting friendships because a relationship will form over the course of a few months rather than a one-time encounter during a vacation. In fact, according to the IES Abroad News survey 52 percent of alumni continue to be in contact with the friends they made while abroad.

Another perk of studying abroad is experiencing the differences in food. While staying in London, England I tried the famous fish and chips at a small restaurant. British people really love their fish and chips because the line for the restaurant wrapped around an entire block. Studying Abroad will open your taste buds to a variety of foods you have never tried plus the dining experiences you have will change ordinary social interactions. Not to mention, the food was absolutely delicious.

The London Eye

Studying abroad allows you to really explore the place you are in rather than just seeing pictures on the internet. It will allow you to really appreciate the architectural and traditional differences from different counties. For example, I will never forget seeing the London Eye because the tour guide told us that people often get married while riding the London Eye. They seal their marriage with a kiss once they reach the top of the London Eye and as they make their way down the marriage is downhill from there. I’m sure he was joking.

Studying abroad also will let you be active in events going on the city that you would not be able to participate in if you were vacationing for only a short amount of time. For example, while I was in London this past summer there was a marathon being held for people to run around the city. People were so engaged by it, the streets were closed off, and everyone watched or participated. Royal ParksFoundation holds a 13.1 mile marathon in Central London for every one of all ages to participate in. This is usually held during the fall which would not be ideal for students who go to school unless of course you study abroad and get to have a fun vacation while still attending school. It’s a win-win situation.  

            I don’t know about you but I’m already packing my suitcase. Good food, no language barrier, beautiful sites, beautiful people, why wouldn’t you want to study abroad here? Trust me; you will have a bloody good time!

Parlez-Vous Français?

         In case you don’t understand, this translates to “Do you speak French?” Well you can learn and what better place to learn other than France itself! Majority of universities offer a French course as part of a Study Abroad Language Program designated in France due to its large popularity. So who needs Rosetta stone? They don’t call French the language of love for nothing (wink wink). 
Trust me when I say France is a place that you must see. The views, the food, the music, and the people are completely different from back in the United States. Taking a French course in France is bringing the pictures you see in text books to life. Instead of seeing a picture of kids having fun in France, you will be living it.  Not only will learning French guarantee that you will not order the wrong food or enter the wrong restroom, but “SIT Study Abroad Program views language learning as a critical tool to greater intercultural competency, thematic understanding, and cultural understanding.” The French would appreciate you more because you are trying to follow their customs and speak in their language rather than you telling them to adapt to your traditions. 
Studying Abroad in France is definitely in the top five choices of countries to go to because of the amount of culture there is. French people love to dance. While I went to France this past summer, there was a dance festival happening in the random streets of France. It was so beautiful to see. Young couples were dancing, old couples were dancing, friends were dancing, and everyone was dancing! According to the article Summer Festivals in France: Dance and Theater Round up (2013) by French Culture, There are Long-running, world-renowned festivals such as the Festival d’Avignon (the oldest festival in France), or the Festival International de Théâtre et de la Rue in Aurillac (the largest street theater festival in Europe). Sounds like the Summer Study abroad Program in France is the place to go. 

Eiffel Tower Paris, France

Now let’s not forget about the sightseeing! The Eiffel Tower is absolutely beautiful in person. I was in awe of it. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is breath taking and something you can never forget.  Also time is not a huge factor because the study abroad program can last from three months to a year depending how long you want to stay. You may also study abroad twice. So get your romance on and have a date on the top of the Eiffel Tower with that cute French person you meet. 
Another site to see would be the Louvre.  The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums and a historical monument. Many schools and universities take tours through The Louvre. While abroad that would definitely be somewhere to go because learning and hearing about The Louvre is one thing but seeing it firsthand takes your educational experience to another level. 

Tarte aux Fruits

         Lastly the food in France is to die for. Crepes in America do not even compare to the Crepes I’ve had in France. The desserts are mouth watering. Tarte Tatin, Mousse au chocolate, croissants, Crème brûlée, the list is endless. I probably gained five pounds from that trip. Shh don’t tell anyone.
          So is France the place for you?

          It was for me. Studying Abroad here can make all the exciting adventures I had happen to you. Au Revoir mes amis (Goodbye my friends)!

Going Around the Globe

Europe 2013

          Since I was a child I always loved to watch those Mary- Kate and Ashley movies where they travel to different countries and have adventures of a lifetime. Before the start of every movie they throw a dart at a map to choose which country they want to go next. This is where the spark happened. From that moment on I knew I wanted to see every place in the world there is to see. I have a world map hanging in my room with all of the places I have been to pinned, it is my goal to have every country, island, state covered with pins. I have had the privilege to travel to many places varying from over fifteen states with in the U.S., Mexico, The Bahamas, Spain, Italy, France, England, Germany, Puerto Rico Canada, and others. Having the opportunity to experience a new place while learning and exploring what it has to offer is absolutely exhilarating. The memories I have made traveling from place to place led me to the idea of studying abroad while at university. The endless amount of benefits that come along with studying abroad makes the opportunity impossible to pass up.

My first experience traveling started out small. At the age of five I went on family road trips to states within the U.S. Obviously, I went to Las Vegas, Nevada because it was the closest state from my hometown. Plus, my mom really likes to gamble, my dad not so much. It was so interesting to see the variety of people that were also visiting. Since Las Vegas is a major tourist attraction I saw people from different parts of the U.S. and even from different countries like Australia, Canada, Mexico, etc.

Pompeii, Italy 2013

My trips to different countries is when I seriously thought about studying abroad in the future because the cultural differences, experiences, and adventures that you have while in a foreign place really excites you to see more. During my vacations I have made endless amounts of memories that I will cherish forever but that saying “you can’t see the world in a day” is completely true. I feel that a one or two week vacation is not enough to see what an entire country has to offer.

 Usually countries have more than one major city with beautiful landmarks and historical backgrounds. So, a short amount of time does not really fulfill the true beauty of a country.  For example, while in Italy I really wanted to see the famous Trevi Fountain but was unable to because of cramming a bunch of sightseeing within the three days I was there.

Studying abroad takes traveling onto another level. You will no longer be a tourist but a world seeker and a travelling enthusiast. Studying abroad creates independence for young college students to experience a foreign place for months away from home with your peers along your side. I have seen parts of the world which has made my life experiences all the more interesting, but studying abroad lets you really soak it all in. Come on fellow students; are you ready for an adventure?