How to Tolerate International Air Travel

Did your mother ever tell you that old travel adage, claiming that "getting there is half the fun?" Well, Mom lied. "Getting there" sucks, especially when international flights are involved. Inflight amenities are all but disappearing and the airline always sits you next to the most unpleasant neighbors. I mean, you're inevitably stuck with the Exhausted-Young-Couple + Screaming-Infant Combo, or the Awkward Conversationalist, or the I-was-too-busy-to-shower-but-still-found-time-to-gel-my-fauxhawk Guy. Since I take pity on travelers like you, I've come up with some tips to make international air travel tolerable. You can thank me when you land.

What to bring...

• Always carry both dollars and euros with you when traveling internationally. If you arrive in a smaller airport and can't obtain local currency, you'll be able to get by with internationally accepted dollars and euros until you can find a currency exchange.
• If you're as frugal a traveler as I am, carry an empty water bottle through security. You can fill it up at a water fountain once inside the terminal and avoid shelling out ten bucks for an Evian.
• Bring documentation explaining where you are going and what you are doing abroad to show foreign customs officials. This may be a letter from your study abroad program or the name and address of the person you are visiting. Call me paranoid, but this has saved my ass at least twice when I haven't been able to communicate with suspicious airport authorities.
• Sign up for frequent flier programs with all major U.S. airlines and bring your membership cards when you travel. Membership is free and most international airlines have partnerships with U.S. airlines, so there's no excuse to miss out frequent flier miles.

Reduce your travel time...

• Pack light. Checking bags not only delays you on both ends of your journey, but also increases the risk of lost luggage. When at all possible, travel only with carry-on luggage. No matter how good you look in those knee-high pleather boots, they're not worth checking your luggage.
• Twenty-four hours before your flight, check in online and print out an e-Ticket. If you're not checking luggage, you can skip the check-in desk and go straight to security. Though some international airlines will not issue e-Tickets for connecting flights, make an effort to print out an e-Ticket for every leg of your journey. Be absolutely sure that the name on your boarding pass matches the name on your passport to avoid any confusion.
• Upon arrival in a foreign country, get to customs inspection quickly and pass as many other passengers as possible. Do whatever it takes to get there first, but be aware that social norms in some foreign countries may prohibit you from pushing small children out of your way.

Fight jet lag...

• Open bars are just about as dangerous on international flights as they are at AA meetings. While the flight cart on most international flights is essentially an open bar, you'd be wise to resist the temptation to throw back as many Bloody Mary's as you can; the effects of alcohol are intensified at high altitudes, so consuming even small amounts can result in hangovers and fatigue upon arrival, exacerbating jet lag.
• Jet lag is to today's traveler what dysentery was to Ma and Pa when they traveled the Oregon Trail on your Macintosh circa 1992. But Ma and Pa didn't have access to clean drinking water, and you do, so drink plenty of water both before and during your flight to fight jet lag. The cabin's dry atmosphere make you prone to dehydration, causing headaches and a sore throat. Stay hydrated by constantly taking small sips of water.
• Avoid overeating. You eat airplane food not because it's haute cuisine, but rather because it's placed in front of you and you're bored. But eating sodium-laden plane food both dehydrates you and disrupts your body's circadian rhythms. So instead of gorging on reconstituted beef nuggets and soggy linguine, you're best off skipping the inflight meal altogether and snacking on something light and high in protein. Granola and dried fruit make a perfect combination and will help you fend off fatigue upon arrival.

Czech Please

Great Restaurants in Prague

Celeste/La Perle de Prague

Formally known at "La Perle de Prague" this restuarant was recommended by a friend who travels through Prague on a regular basis. While it is rather expensive, it offers modern French cuisine, with a phenomenal wine list and an exceptional view. Located on the sixth and seventh floors of The Dancing House, your dining experience will be accompanied by a panoramic view of Prague. Celeste also has a deck that opens in the summer which looks over the Vltava River. The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable, the food is delicious and the ambiance cannot be beat!

Rašínovo nábřeží 1981/80
12000 Praha, Czech Republic

221 984 160‎

celesterestaurant.cz

Bohemia Bagel

When looking for a bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, this is the place to go. In addition to bagels they also offer fresh salads, hummus, baked goods and other similar dishes that are hard to come by in Prague. They also serve brunch-like items all day long - omlettes, hash browns, pancakes, french toast, etc. The staff is friendly and the food is good. While it can be a bit expensive (a bagel lox and cream cheese can be about $10), it does offer all of the comforts of home. BB also offers free refills of soda and coffee - a rarity anywhere in Europe.

Masná 620/2

110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město, Czech Republic
224 812 560
www.bohemiabagel.cz/home.html

Cerny Kohout (The Black Rooster)

While the Czechs produce some of best beer in the world, their cuisine often leaves something to be desired. Many find Czech food fattening, bland and unexciting. However, if you find yourself in Prague and want to try some traditional Czech food, head to Cerny Kohout. This restaurant offers traditional Czech favorites like dumplings, goulash and ham, but with a modern twist. The food here is not boring and bland but exciting and flavorful. The head chef is a pioneer in the world of Czech cuisine - his food incorporates touches of French, Asian and Western European flavors. Cerny Kohout also will not break the bank. While it is definitely considered fine dining, it is not much more expensive than any other traditional Czech restaurant you can find in Prague.

Vojtěšská 9, Praha 1, Czech Republic
(+420) 251681191,
www.cernykohout.cz

Ambiente - Ristorante Pasta Fresca

The Ambiente restaurant group has restaurants of different cuisines all over Prague. While the ones that I have been to are all good, this one is my favorite. It offers Italian food with a great wine list and exceptional homemade pasta. Located in Old Town Square, it looks like a typical Czech restaurant until you walk down the stairs and enter the cavernous main room with beautiful decor. While you cannot really go wrong ordering anything here, definitely get a dish of homemade pasta. I ordered some of the best spaghetti I have ever had!

Celetná 11
110 00 Praha 1
tel.: +420 224 230 244
http://www.ambi.cz/ambi_pastafresca_kontakt_eng.php


U Dědka (At Grandpa's)

This bar/restaurant is not located in the heart of Prague but in the beautiful Vinohrady neighborhood in Praha 2. While the waitstaff is friendly, their English is limited to non-existent. They have an English menu, though, so ordering is not too difficult. U Dedka offers a wide range of cuisine, from Czech dumplings to quesadillas, but the real reason to come here is for their hamburger. It is arguably the best burger in Prague - not only because it tastes good but because no other restaurants have one! The atmosphere is inviting and it offers an eclectic mix of Czechs and expats.

Na Kozačce 12
Praha 2, Vinohrady
Tel. (+420) Tel. 222 522 784

Guest Blog Spotlight: Where Would You Study Abroad?

We are thrilled to feature our first guest blog entry!

This article was written by Victor C. Johnson, Senior Advisor for Public Policy at NAFSA: Association of International Educators (Cross-posted on the NAFSA blog)

The world is the limit – or should be – when it comes to opportunities to explore other cultures, learn a foreign language, and expand global understanding. But since the Bush Administration placed harsh regulations on academic travel to Cuba in 2004, study abroad to the island nation has declined so precipitously that it hardly exists anymore.

In fact, according to the most recent data available from the Institute for International Education, only about 200 American college students studied in Cuba during the 2006-2007 academic year. Ten times that many studied there only three years earlier.

With a new school year just around the corner, eighteen diverse organizations have come together to send a letter to President Obama today, asking him to build on the important steps he took earlier this year to renew U.S. relations with Cuba by lifting restrictions on academic travel. These programs are enormously important, and their benefits reach well beyond what students learn in the classroom. When our students venture beyond our borders to study, they have the potential to be some of our most powerful ambassadors. And what they experience abroad supports, in countless ways, the president’s efforts to reach out to the world and bring us together as an international community.

NAFSA is the professional association of 10,000 international educators. Because of this, our focus is on supporting academic travel to Cuba. But we also believe that freedom of travel to Cuba for all purposes is vital to renewing relations between our countries, and we are proud to join with Orbitz and many other organizations in the Opencuba.org campaign. We hope you’ll join us.

Hillary Clinton Promotes Study Abroad

Kudos to our Secretary of State, who gave a very impressive commencement address at NYU highlighting the importance of international exchange.

Hillary remarks:

"...study abroad is like spring training for this century. It helps you develop the fundamentals, the teamwork, and the determination to succeed. And we want more American students to have that opportunity. That's why we are increasing funding for Gilman scholarships by more than 40 percent."

Check our our scholarship feature to learn more about the Gilman scholarship and many more ways to make study abroad a more affordable option.

Handling Your Finances While Abroad

Congratulations! You're going to study abroad. Now it's time to figure out how to handle your finances while romping around some exotic destination. Here is some information to keep in mind while planning to study abroad:

Credit or Debit Card: If you do not have one, try to get one before you leave. It is very helpful in booking flights, hostels, hotels etc. Credit cards also have the best exchange rates and can be used in most major cities worldwide. Make sure to let your bank know you will be out of the country so they do not put a hold on your card when you spend overseas. Also, check with your bank and make sure the credit/debit card that you have will be accepted abroad.

ATM Card: Before you travel abroad, make sure the bank that issues your ATM card is part of an international network. You can either find this information online or by calling your bank. Also, many ATMs - especially in Europe - ask for a four digit pin. If your pin is longer than 4 digits, you can enter the first four digits and that will most likely work. Also, many ATMs have hefty transaction fees of up to $10! If you have a safe place to store cash, it is a good idea to take a large amount out at once (but store it quickly after!) to avoid these fees.

Travelers Checks: Personally, I did not use these while I was abroad and most people on my program did not find them useful. It is sometimes easier to go to the ATM and take money out than to find a place to cash travelers checks. However, if you do loose them, they can be replaced (unlike cash). It's really a personal decision.

What happens if I loose my cash, credit/debit card and ATM card? First - make sure you cancel them! If they are lost or stolen someone else can easily use them. Also, there are many Western Unions throughout the world where family or friends at home can wire you money in a tight situation. www.westernunion.com and www.moneygram.com are two ways to have money sent anywhere throughout the world.

Passport: When using a credit/debit card or cashing travelers checks you may be asked to show identification. Usually, places will only accept a passport as a legitimate form of identification.

Remember: It is very helpful to have photocopies of all of your credit/debit/atm cards as well as travelers checks and passport - you never know when you might need them!

Which Study Abroad Scholarship is Right for You?

Sure, studying abroad is expensive. But with the wealth of abroad scholarships available to today's undergrad, you really can't afford to not study abroad. There is funding for everyone: from need- and academic-based scholarships to grants in Egyptology and tropical topiary design, there is truly a scholarship for everyone. With a little determination and a few Google searches, you'll find a scholarship that suits you. Here are some tips to get you started:

First, check with your program provider to see if they offer scholarships based on merit or financial need. AIFS, CIEE, and IFSA-Butler, for instance, all offer various financial aid packages that help to cover tuition and airfare costs. In addition to direct scholarships through program providers, academic and merit-based scholarships can also be obtained through independent societies and foundations. Academic honors societies like Phi Kappa Phi award grants to support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad, while civic groups like the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lion's Club offer funding to deserving scholars abroad.

If you belong to a particular ethnic, racial, or religious group, search for foundations and funds that send your group abroad. Hispanic Study Abroad Scholars, for instance, aims to send Hispanic students abroad for semester and year programs, while the Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship offers financial aid to black students who attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and who wish to study in Africa. Also visit DiversityAbroad, which aims to send underrepresented minority groups abroad on academic and internship programs.

Additionally, be sure to look into funding for specific fields of study. If you're interested in studying business abroad, check out the John T. Petters Foundation, which offers grants to students studying international business abroad. The Foundation also hopes to send young volunteers abroad to address global issues like hunger, poverty, and water supplies in communities around the world. For foreign language study, apply for a scholarship from the Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad. The grant, designed to promote foreign language training abroad, has a reciprocal component that requires returning recipients to share his or her experiences with others. Similarly, the Boren Scholarships also promote language training abroad, but also focus on languages and geographic regions deemed critical to U.S. national security. Languages defined as critical by the Boren Scholarship include Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Swahili.

If your major or concentration requires that you study only in a specific region or nation, then be sure to research specialized grants and scholarships that send students to your location. Budding Egyptologists might apply for the Simpson Scholarship in Egyptology to study at the American University in Cairo, while Turkish Studies majors would be wise to pursue a grant from theInstitute for Turkish Studies to study in Turkey. If you're inclined to study somewhere off the beaten path, check out the the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which provides grants to send students to non-traditional study abroad regions, especially those outside of Western Europe and Australia.

The moral of this blog post is as follows: Be sure to hunt for a study abroad scholarship before letting the high cost deter you from going abroad. Apply for one, two, or twenty scholarships. If you put in some extra effort, you're sure to find a way to finance an overseas experience. Let your background and your academic interests guide you towards the right scholarship. Remember, you can't afford not to study abroad.

Top Ten BlackBerry Apps for the Study Abroad Student

1. WorldMate Live (Free) Arguably the best app on the market for traveling. Businessmen who travel the world rave about it - this app provides information on hotels, restaurants, travel, currency conversion and anything else you'll need abroad. A must-have while out of the country!

2. Lonely Planet Phrase Book ($9.99) Need to know how to ask for the bathroom while visiting Paris? Looking for the best pubs in Berlin? Lonely Planet's language specific phrasebooks will give you all the information you need on necessary phrases while traveling in foreign countries.

3. Viigo (Free) This app literally places the world in your hands. It has news, weather, restaurant reviews, entertainment, podcasts, flight info and more. While abroad, you will be able to keep up on news at home and in your current location!

4. Google Maps Mobile (Free) This app is only reason I returned back to America safe and sound! Every time I was lost in a foreign city, (which was...everyday) this app showed me where to go. It gives directions from point A to point B on your BlackBerry with interactive maps and on-the-spot location detection.

5. HRS (Free) For those late night, last minute trips, you'll need to find a hotel in a pinch. The Hotel Reservation System app provides service in hotel listings, rankings and reservations.

6. OandA Currency Converter (Free) This currency converter gives you up to the minute exchange rates for world currencies. Very useful when trying to budget and plan a trip to somewhere new.

7. ZAGAT ($3.99/Month) The renowned restaurant review resource is now available in the palm of your hand. It has reviews of restaurants in over 70 cities throughout the world. It can help you eat on a budget or find a place for your parents to take you when they're visiting!

8. Pandora (Free) For those metro rides and walks to class, Pandora is a great way to keep the tunes coming. You can keep up on what's current at home and find all of the new music you hear while out and about!

9. Flickr (Free) Crazy mom? Needy boyfriend? Why not snap a few pictures on your BlackBerry to show them your foreign adventures (and prove you're alive so they'll leave you alone)? Flickr will help you do it all.

10. WhereAmI (Free) This is a very cool interactive map. It shows your current location as the background picture on your BlackBerry. So without putting in any extra work, you'll know your location!

Top 10 iPhone Apps for the Student Abroad

1. Google Maps (Free) You will inevitably get lost while abroad in a foreign city. Use Google Maps on your iPhone to get where you're going. Enough said. Also, browse the app store for metro maps of your host city, like the London Tube or Metro Paris apps (both $1).

2. XE Currency (Free) This free currency converter has up-to-the-minute exchange rates for 180+ currencies and allows you to select 10 favorites for easy access. To reset the application, simply shake your iPhone with a flick of your wrist a la Harry Potter. And if, God forbid, you should ever enter a dead zone, XE Currency saves the latest figures for offline use.

3. Babelingo ($3.99) This phrasebook offers the best linguistic value: 300 entries in 11 languages for under four dollars. As an added feature, Babelingo will also display any translated phrase in large, easy-to-read type. So if you're too timid to tell that Czech cab driver that you urgently need to visit the nearest pharmacy for some Immodium, just flash him your iPhone. Alternatively, for a more comprehensive translator, download one of Lonely Planet's language specific phrasebooks for $9.99. This phrasebook speaks translated phrases aloud.

4. Skype (Free)
Download this free Skype app to keep in touch with friends and family while abroad. With free Skype-to-Skype calls and reasonably priced Skype-to-cell rates, you'll spend less money calling your hometown sweetheart and have a few extra pesos to take that foreign hottie out to dinner.

5. Tweetie ($2.99) With this easy-to-use mobile Twitter app, you can continue to bother your buddies with pithy remarks and witty observations, no matter where you are in the world. You can also upload travel photos, so your great aunt Melba and your pet goldfish can keep tabs on your adventures.

6. Flight Status ($3.99) Never miss a flight again with this clean and simple flight tracker app. Just enter an airline and flight number and you'll get the latest info on departures, arrivals, and delays.

7. TripIt (Free) Email your itineraries to TripIt and they'll be automaticall synced and saved to your iPhone. You can access your reservations and flight information even if you're offline.

8. Mobile Fotos - Flickr Browser and Uploader ($2.99) This is the most versatile Flickr app for the iPhone. While it's not free, it does allow you to upload high-res photos tagged with GPS locations, browse video, and create an upload queue so you can upload on the go. You can also integrate this app with your Twitter account.

9. SitOrSquat (Free) Yes, this app does exactly what its title implies; it's essentially a global toilet database for the traveling germaphobe. Modern technology has now rendered Delhi Belly a benign foe: just click to find the nearest porcelain throne.

10. Wide Email ($.99) Writing home while traveling abroad is a pain. And since the iPhone keyboard wasn't created with your chubby fingers in mind, you're tempted to find the nearest toilet on SitOrSquat and flush the damn thing. But fear not: the Wide Email app allows you to turn your iPhone sideways and type in landscape mode on a larger keyboard.

Destination Spotlight: Sunsets in Madrid, Spain

The Spanish sunset is blood-red and beautiful. There's no better place to watch the Spanish sun dip below the horizon than from atop one of Madrid's rooftop terrazas. These top floor bars and restaurants boast stunning views, especially at dusk. Madrid has no skyline to speak of, but by rising above its snaking, narrow streets, you'll earn a view of the city's old world, red-tiled rooftops. For the capital's very best twilight views, head to one of these five hot rooftop spots.

1. El Viajero
El Viajero is located on top of a three-story restaurant in Madrid's hip La Latina district. If you can brave the early evening crowds, you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of 17th century Real de Calatravas church, its domed roof set against a pink sky. The food is tasty, if a bit pricey. Locals and foreigners alike congregate on this rooftop to watch the sun set. El Viajero is also a perfect jumping-off point to hit some of the city's best tapas restaurants located along the nearby Cava Baja.
Plaza de la Cebada 11 / Tel: (+34) 91 366 9064 / Metro stop: La Latina

2. La Casa Granada
You'd never find La Casa Granada on your own...so you're welcome. It's one of those unmarked, secret spots that's left out of guidebooks for a reason. To get there, enter the rundown apartment building at number 17 Calle Doctor Cortezo and hop into the very unsound-looking elevator. The light bulb may flicker and the ride may be shaky, but don't fear. Take the elevator to the very top floor of the six-story building and you'll find yourself in a loud, bustling bar. Get there early enough to snag a table outside on the balcony; open air tables are in high demand. La Casa Granada serves traditional dishes from southern Spain, although quantity seems to trump quality at this joint. Savor the fried seafood and sip a cold drink as you watch the sun sink.
Calle de Doctor Cortezo 17 / Tel: (+34) 91 369 3596 / Metro stop: Tirso de Molina


3. The Penthouse Bar and Terrace
The über-trendy Penthouse Terrace sits atop the über-trendy Hotel Reina Victoria. Owned and operated by Cindy Crawford's hotelier husband, the Penthouse offers a truly spectacular setting in which to catch some late evening rays. Whether you're lounging in one of the many rooftop cabanas or enjoying the exorbitantly priced food and drink, this is the best place to be seen at sunset. Visitors to the Penthouse are also awarded a bird's eye view of the bustling Plaza Santa Ana.
Plaza Santa Ana 14 / Tel: (+34) 91 701 6000 / Metro stop: Sol / www.memadrid.com/ThePenthouse.html

4. Gaudeamus Café
Gaudeamus Café is located on the roof of a centuries-old converted church in the working class neighborhood of Lavapies. The building is now used as a school, museum and, of course, rooftop cafe. The beautifully lit cafe serves excellent tapas, offering a contemporary take on traditional Spanish favorites. Try their updated version of the classic Spanish croqueta, a deep-fried--and totally addicting--ball of soft cheese. From the rooftop, you'll also see one of Madrid's oldest apartment blocks, exterior wooden staircases still intact.
Calle Tribulente 14 / Tel: (+34) 91 528 2594 / Metro stop: Lavapies / www.gaudeamuscafe.com

5. Bar SkyNight

Head to the very top of the Hotel Puerta America for one of the loftiest views in the entire city. Each floor of the hotel, including the Bar Skynight, is unique in style and design. Check out this swanky 13th-floor spot on the weekends for live jazz and 180-degree views of Madrid.

Avenida de América 41 / Tel: (+34) 91 744 5400 / Metro stop: Cartagena / www.hoteles-silken.com/HPAM/index.php

What's New In Study Abroad?

Short Term Study Abroad Rises In Popularity

A new trend is emerging in the world of study abroad: short term study. While the number of students studying abroad has increased steadily over the past decade, short term programs--usually less than a month long--are now seeing a rise in popularity.

While many factors contribute to this new rise in popularity, the increase in short study programs may be due to flexibility. Since the recent change in the global economy, many students have found themselves in unpredictable financial situations. Semester and year long programs require students to pay for housing, food and classes in foreign--and possibly more expensive--countries. Short term programs send students abroad for less time, which allows for financial flexibility yet still provides students with a cultural immersion.

In addition to financial flexibility, these short term programs also offer academic flexibility. For many students whose majors do not allow them to leave campus for an entire semester, short term programs are a feasible alternative. Also, many majors--such as business and economics--require that students study abroad in Western European countries. With the option of short term programs, students can spend a short amount of time in a non-approved country in addition to a required destination for their major.

As global awareness and cultural exposure become increasingly important in colleges and universities throughout the nation, short term study abroad programs are a feasible alternative to conventional semester and year long programs.

Today, U.S. Students Study in Non-traditional and Exotic Regions

During the 2006/07 academic year, 241,791 U.S. students studied abroad for credit. The number of Americans studying abroad has increased by almost 150% over the past decade and shows no signs of slowing down. Historically, the vast majority of these students have studied in Western Europe, a trend that has remained constant in recent years. Last year, 58.3% of U.S. students abroad elected to study in Europe. The most popular destinations last year were, once again, the eternal favorites among American students: the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France.

But another trend has become evident in study abroad: a growing number of U.S. students are spending their time abroad in non-traditional destinations. While the majority continue to study in Western Europe, an increasing number of students are choosing to spend a summer, semester, or year abroad in an atypical location. The host nations who have experienced the highest increases in U.S. students abroad include Ecuador, China, Argentina, South Africa, and India. These, and other exotic destinations, have seen the number of U.S. students in local schools and universities increase by as much as 30% over the course of just one year.

But why are American students bucking the trend and journeying farther afoot? First off, many forgo the familiar comforts of developed nations in an effort to cut costs during a time of recession. A semester abroad in South America or Africa, for instance, is considerably less expensive than a semester in Western Europe or Australia due to favorable exchange rates and a lower cost of living. Additionally, the global political climate has contributed to the increase. As the U.S. strives to revamp its image abroad and improve foreign relations, young Americans have mirrored these efforts with their choices in study abroad destinations. Lastly, students who study in developing regions may not even have to sacrifice the comforts of a developed nation. The NYU campus in Accra, Ghana, for instance, boasts air conditioning, 24-hour security, and a dining hall that serves West African food tailored to American taste buds. Inside what is essentially an insulated American compound, students enjoy the comforts of a developed nation in West Africa. Although arrangements like this have received criticism from proponents of true cultural immersion, there is something to be said for striking a balance between the comforts of home and the experience of living in the developing world. In either case, it's clear that accommodations like NYU's in Accra have encouraged U.S. students to study in more exotic destinations that might have otherwise intimidated them.

Looking towards the future of study abroad, it seems that the trend towards non-standard destinations will hold steady. The U.S. Senate recently advanced the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, which aims to send one million American students abroad per year by 2018, with an emphasis on studying in developing regions. This trend shows no evidence of slowing down and is a great indicator that American attitudes towards foreign nations are changing in positive, productive ways.

9 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. See the world while earning college credit

There's no mystery behind why the majority of Americans who study abroad do so as undergrads: College is the ideal time to take a risk and take off. As a young student, you have the flexibility to pack up and ship out to a foreign country for a summer, semester, or even a year. And since most U.S. colleges and universities will award academic credit for courses taken abroad, studying abroad is a great opportunity to continue your studies while simultaneously exploring your world.

2. Improve Your Language Skills

Spending time abroad in a non-English speaking country is the single best way to improve your language skills and achieve fluency. By doing so, you force yourself to communicate in a new language. You have no choice but to improve! But don't let this scare you; studying abroad is not only for those who can already speak a foreign language. If you are not confident in another language, don't let that dissuade you from studying in a non-English speaking nation. Most study abroad programs offer courses taught in English and provide you with outlets to speak English so that you are not overwhelmed as you try to comprehend a new language. Essentially, you can test the waters and ease your way into language immersion. Just because you're tongue tied in Thai or speechless in Swahili doesn't mean you can't study abroad; on the contrary, it means you have more potential for improvement.

3. Break Your Routine

It's easy to fall into the all-too-familiar college routine. On any given day, you eat the same food, see the same faces, listen to the same professors, and watch that same re-run of Real Housewives of New Jersey. It's easy to get into a rhythm that discourages you from seeking out new challenges. Studying abroad is an excellent way to break this routine. Living in a foreign country is new, different, and exciting. Interacting with foreigners in a unfamiliar environment on a daily basis constantly keeps you on your toes. While abroad, it's easy to seek out new experiences. When you return home after spending time abroad, your former life will seem fresh and you'll be able to avoid falling into that same old routine.

4. Meet New People

We all know that studying abroad is the quickest way to boost your Facebook friend count into the high thousands. But did you know that going abroad is the perfect opportunity to make real-life connections as well? Yes, it's true: Spending time abroad allows you to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds from across the globe. You'll cross paths with students and travelers whom you would have otherwise never encountered. Whether it's a friend from a foreign country, a host sibling from your host city, or even a classmate from a different state, meeting people abroad will not only expand your cyber network, but it will also expand your horizons.

5. Educate Yourself About Foreign Culture

Mark Twain, an avid traveler, once wrote that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Though he penned these words over a century ago, they still hold true today. Studying abroad, like travel, entails immersing yourself into a foreign culture. The mere act of spending time in a foreign environment is a sure way to dispel stereotypes and overcome preconceived notions. In a shrinking world that becomes increasingly globalized on a daily basis, we have a responsibility as global citizens to get to know our ever-closer neighbors. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all have certain preconceptions about those who are different from us. Spending time abroad compels us to change these ideas.

6. Educate Foreigners About Your Own Culture

Conversely, studying abroad allows you to educate others about your own culture and way of life. This idea of cross-cultural understanding is especially relevant today as the United States aims to revamp its image on a global scale. By going abroad, you act as a global ambassador for your country; you have the unique opportunity to represent your country and create inter-cultural alliances on a personal level. Think of studying abroad as being appointed President Obama's Global Image Consultant: armed with an open mind, your mission is to give your country a global makeover starting from the ground up.

For more information on becoming a Global Image Consultant (GIC), please visit Abroad101.com

7. Add Value to Yourself and Increase Your Marketability

U.S. students who have studied abroad make up an elite group of Americans who have spent time in a foreign country. Studying abroad provides both tangible and intangible benefits that translate directly to the job market. Beyond just padding your resume, studying abroad increases your hire-ability. The skills you bring home from your experience abroad are key to your success, especially in today's down economy. You'll learn real-life strategies that you simply can't pick up in a classroom. Getting lost in the Mexico City subway system, for instance, might help you develop problem solving skills, while tactfully bargaining for a turquoise necklace in Marrakesh might improve your communication skills. But subways and jewelry aside, one thing is certain: students who go abroad boost their own value by broadening their minds and learning to adapt to unfamiliar situations.

8. Return Home With a New Perspective on Your Own Country and Culture

There is no better way to see your own country in a new light than to study abroad in a foreign nation. Existing and interacting in a foreign culture forces you to evaluate the differences between your host country and your home country, and therefore allows you a new perspective on what you once saw as standard. Two kisses on the cheek may at first seem like a strange greeting, but once you get accustomed to new cultural norms, you'll realize that perhaps your own country's cultural norms are neither standard nor right; instead they are simply different. Similarly, being exposed to a foreign education system may help to you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your own country's system. Upon returning home, you will be able to perceive your own country from a new, more objective standpoint.

9. Gain a New Perspective on Yourself

“Not all those who wander are lost," wrote Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. He was absolutely right; wandering is best way to truly find yourself. But not only a soft-spoken hobbit carrying a magical ring to Mordor can embark on an epic (yet introspective!) journey. You, too, can find yourself by wandering in foreign lands. Of the myriad benefits of study abroad, this is perhaps the most important: you will return home from abroad with a new perspective on yourself. Studying abroad allows you to learn more about yourself than, well, you ever wanted to know. You'll discover how you react to new situations and adjust to strange and unfamiliar territory. By taking the plunge and immersing yourself in a foreign culture, you'll force yourself to find effective ways to adapt and succeed. You'll uncover a potential that you never even knew existed as you stimulate individual growth...you global citizen, you.

5 Ways to Create a European Adventure

1.Train

The train is one of the most beautiful, relaxing, and economical ways to travel around Europe. Unlike in the United states, where trains are somewhat infrequent and notoriously unreliable, almost every European city has a train station with many daily departures... and they're punctual! Also, while air travel requires the traveler to get to the airport at least an hour before take off, getting to the train station fifteen minutes early is usually ample time.

Discounts: Travelers between the ages of 16-25 are considered "youths" and can get train tickets at cheaper prices. Also, at many train stations allow you to buy multiple tickets (usually six or more) at a discounted rate.

Where to get train passes/tickets:

raileurope.com
railandpass.com

These websites both offer different rail passes for routes throughout Europe. Also, if you go to any local train station, you can almost always buy train tickets the day of or the day before your departure.

2. Bus

While the train is convenient it is often not the most economic way to travel. Traveling by bus is a cheaper option that usually takes a little longer but also allows you to see much of the countryside. Buses are also very punctual and bus stations can be found throughout many cities, large and small. Buses also go to smaller cities that trains do not.

Purchasing tickets:

Eurolines.com
Busabout.com

Student travel agencies are good places to buy bus tickets - they have all of the schedules available and you can purchase tickets directly. And they can give you directions to the bus station!

Also, like train travel,it is often convenient to simply visit the bus station the day of or day before you depart and buy your ticket there.

3. Plane

When traveling a long distance (i.e. 24+ long hours by bus or train) it is almost always a better idea to fly. While it usually is more expensive, there are student travel and discount travel websites that have cheap flights. The fares vary on your starting point and destination but if you book things early enough, you can usually find a pretty good deal.

Here are some good websites to find cheap flight tickets:

Ryanair.com (An airline that offers inexpensive flights)
skyscanner.com (A flight search engine that finds inexpensive flights)
studentuniverse.com (For students with valid college email addresses)
Europebyair.com

4. Car

Traveling by car is usually not the most popular way to for young travelers but is definitely ideal if you are trying to visit small villages and rural cities. Traveling by car throughout Europe tends to be about two to three times more expensive than in the United States because of gas, tolls and parking. However, if you decide car travel is for you there are a few things to keep in mind!

While American licenses are considered valid in Europe, it is also a good idea to get an International Drivers Permit (IDP). If you get pulled over, a police officer may not recognize your state's drivers license but will definitely recognize an IDP. They are fairly easy to get online and only take a few days to process.

Like the United States, there are countless car rental companies in cities both large and small. However, some rental companies only allow their cars to be driven in certain countries and their cars to be returned to specific locations. Just make sure you do some research before renting a car!

5. Boat

While many do not think traveling by boat is the most conventional way to go, it often makes sense depending on where you are! Boat travel is actually very popular in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea and the Mediterranean. Most of these boat trips range from 24 hours to about a week and allow you to see many different cities and ports all while sleeping in the same place! Another mode of boat travel that many do not think about but may be helpful is through the English channel, from England to France. There are a few different routes that it takes and allows you to get from one place to another with little hassle.

Here is an informative article with a lot of information on boat travel throughout Europe:

http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/europe-by-boat-budget-cruises-ferries-and-more.html


Be creative! Your optimal travel experience may involve train, bus, plane, car and boat! Happy Travels!