o Study in Egypt for an entire semester abroad and be sure to visit the Valley of the Kings. If you’re a history buff or you just like to uncover hidden treasures, this valley is the perfect place to find mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

o Students that join a summer study program should visit the site of Abu Simbel, a famous archaeological site where two temples where carved into the side of the mountain during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Egypt.

Wherever you decide to study abroad in Egypt you’ll find amazing natural wonders and ancient artifacts, so don’t forget to take your camera and visit as many places as you can during your stay.

Egypt Study Abroad Programs

You can study the Arabic language, learn about the history of Egypt or meet other international study abroad students when you join a study abroad program at an accredited university in Egypt.

o The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies offers environmental teaching and research programs to students interested in environmental studies. Students can take classes such as Environmental Study, Environmental Law, Water Management and Sustainable Development.

o One of the most popular study abroad Egypt universities is located in the capital of Cairo. The American University in Cairo offers international students a variety of classes for their undergraduate degrees, including Accounting, Egyptology, Computer Engineering, Middle East Studies and more.

o Located in Assiut City, which is south of Cairo, is Assiut University. This higher education institution offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Art, Science and Technology. Not only does the university provide a library with over 4,000 reference books, but it also has an “Olympic Village” with an indoor arena and swimming compound.

Egyptian Transportation Options

Egypt is a bustling country that provides many different modes of transportation to its inhabitants and visitors:

o Egypt has over 5,000 miles of railroads, making the railway one of the most popular ways to travel within the country. Even though the Egyptian Railway is one of the oldest in all of Africa, passengers find it to be fast and convenient.

o The northern section of the Nile River flows through Egypt, so another popular mode of transportation is by ferry. You can choose to ride a high-speed ferry or a passenger ferry, both of which will take you within Egypt or to neighboring countries.

o Riding the bus is another way to get around Egypt, though it may not be the most enjoyable. Egyptian buses are often crowded and dirty, but there are more luxurious buses you can ride if you have the extra money.

o You can always hail a taxi in Egypt, which is never a problem because taxis are everywhere. Just make sure that you aren’t in a taxi with a broken meter and a driver who wants you to pay a high are.

o All of the major car rental agencies offer car rental services in Egypt, but you must be safe when you drive in the overcrowded and hazardous streets!

Make sure that whatever form of transportation that you choose to use will be safe.

Exchange Rates for Egyptian Currency

Egyptian currency is known as the pound, or gineih. It is divided into 100 qirsh.
Here’s what you need to know about the pound:

o Coins = 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 qirsh; 1 gineih
o Bills = 5, 10, 25 and 50 qirsh; 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 gineih

You can use an Egyptian currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the shilling.

Best Locations to Visit in Egypt

When you study abroad in Egypt there are literally hundreds of different amazing places that you can visit to get a feel of Egyptian culture:

o Located near Cairo along the Nile is the Great Sphinx of Giza, one of the oldest structures in the history of mankind. With its human head and lion-like body, the Sphinx is truly an amazing sight that continues to be a popular tourist attraction.

o One of the strangest and most intriguing places you can visit when you study abroad in Egypt is the ancient burial ground known as Saqqara, or Sakkara. Known as “The City of Dead,” this burial ground is not only the home to ancient tombs, but it’s also the site of the world’s oldest step pyramid.

o If you’re interested in taking a nice swim after a long day of classes then the Siwa Oasis, which is over 50 miles long, is the best place to visit.

o Students interested in getting in some shopping or enjoying local seafood can visit Aswan, the third largest city in Egypt. During the day you can visit local markets and watch sailboats along the Nile, and at night you can watch local musicians and dancers perform.

o The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is the best place to see over 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, most notably, the treasures of King Tutankhamen. With over 107 halls full of huge statues, mummies, papyrus scrolls and other Egyptian wonders, this is THE museum for Egyptian enthusiasts.

Trish Smith is a copywriter for Green Student U, Student Finance Domain and Study Abroad Domain, websites that are devoted to providing college students with helpful environmental, financial and study abroad advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trish_Smith

A number of areas need to be covered with regard to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. Fortunately, most of these areas are covered during the job guidance and support sessions within the TEFL course and are a fundamental component of the course itself. Interview techniques are covered along with resume building. A variety of potential questions and answers are discussed in relation to interviews. Positives and negatives for TEFL in different countries are considered and discussed as well as salaries, working conditions and employment benefits. What to expect from your employer and what your employer will expect from you. Lastly and perhaps most importantly: where and how to locate TEFL jobs.

The internet has quickly become the main source for research into TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. There are a plethora of forums, TEFL job databases and directories offering or advertising teaching positions in countries all over the world. Simply type ‘TEFL in Thailand’ into a search engine and you will receive thousands of results. Two of the most popular directories are ELT career portal and Dave’s ESL cafe which both list thousands of jobs. Dave’s ESL café also has many, many forums that cover most topics relating to teaching English abroad. Another good source for TEFL jobs is the classified ads in newspapers both in print and online.

The variety of teaching jobs continues to increase with TEFL jobs available in areas such as schools, colleges, universities, language centers, businesses and companies, hospitals, hotels and tourism generally. TEFL in Thailand for example, businesses, hotels and hospitals employ English language teachers to train their staff to communicate with customers from overseas. This has become big business in Thailand due to the generally lower costs of living and especially in terms of lower medical expenses. For those wishing to teach English abroad there really is a great variety of locations and teaching positions to choose from.

Salaries, conditions and benefits vary greatly from country to country. TEFL in Thailand for example, salaries range from $800 to $2000 USD per month depending on qualifications and experience. Salaries are high in Thailand where a typical salary for a Thai person is about $200 USD per month. Living costs in Thailand are low and salaries afford the opportunity to live well, save and travel. Employers in Thailand provide all working papers which are renewed every 12 months. Health insurance is arranged automatically through monthly contributions. Teachers will have on average 20 to 25 contact hrs per week with their students. Students in Thailand are respectful and are keen to learn.

Approximately 80% of TEFL graduates teach English abroad for between one and 3 years before returning home to pursue other forms of employment. This is not surprising as TEFL tends to be the spring board for travel and employment on a limited basis. Employers at home look favorably on applicants who have spent time overseas training, teaching English, gaining new skills and qualifications. Approximately 20% of TEFL graduates go on to gain advanced TEFL qualifications and continue with TEFL jobs. Advanced level qualifications include Diploma in TEFL and MA TEFL. With these advanced level qualifications the types of TEFL job options increases with positions such as Director of Studies, Teacher Trainer and Curriculum Developer become available.

Weather you choose teaching English abroad as career, a conduit for travel and experience or as a stepping stone to other things, you will have a wealth of choice in terms of location and type of TEFL job. Teaching English abroad will provide you with an unforgettable experience and also provide you with an opportunity to help in the lives of others through education.

Teach, Travel, Live and Work Abroad.

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL Jobs and Teaching English Abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

TEFL International: Where the world is your classroom.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Fisher

I talk with many foreign language students who want to travel and study or teach abroad. Sadly, most of them will never actually leave the country. Most have no idea where to start and the process of finding a school and moving to another country seems too overwhelming. Others are on the verge of leaving the country but someone in the family convinces them that living abroad is too dangerous. Still others are excited about the idea but it seems to them that the financial and educational sacrifices are not worth a stay overseas. It is exhausting for me to think of all of the enthusiastic people that I have talked to who have decided that studying or teaching abroad is just too difficult. It is sad to think of all of the people who I have talked with who wished they had studied abroad when they had the chance. If you have the chance, do not waste it. While it is important to contemplate the potential risks of traveling abroad, sometimes you just have to do it.

I have never used recruiting agencies. In principle, I do not like them. Many of them will take your money as well as the control over where you teach and how much you are paid. People often ask me where I found such good teaching jobs. They assume that I had connections in Mexico and China or that I used a recruiter to help me. In truth, I found my own jobs by doing a simple search on Google and Yahoo. If you do not know where to start, simply pull up your favorite search engine and type in ‘Teach English Abroad.’ You will be shown listings linking to large websites that recruit teachers as well as small private schools that are seeking to make direct contact with potential teachers. There really is no better way to find teaching jobs than to perform your own search.

Even if you do not know where you want to teach, looking at job opportunities is the best way to learn more about different regions. For example, if you see a school that interests you, look up some information about the location of the school. You should find out about the size of the city, the weather, the nearest embassy, sites in the area, and whatever else you want to know. It is also important to see what others are saying about the school. You can use a search engine to gather all of this information.

I have always preferred to teach in smaller cities and in private schools. The less foreign contact that you have, the more immersed you will become in the culture. If you want to learn Spanish, or any other language, you need to be in an area where you will be forced to use the language. Teaching in a large university can be fun but spending all of your time with people who speak English is not going to help you pick up another language. Choose a location where you feel safe but where you can benefit the most from your experience abroad.

In closing, do not let people convince you that traveling abroad is too dangerous for your own good. Remember that every time you step out of your front door, you are risking your life. Driving a car on your local highway or taking a jog through your city all involve potential hazards. While it is important to be careful and alert wherever you are, it also important not to let paranoia control your life. Sometimes the best experiences in life require us to step out of our comfort zones and do something that others consider to be crazy. Do not be afraid to follow your heart’s desire. Do your research and find the place that is right for you and then just do it and never look back.

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Nathan Ryan is webmaster at the Spanish Help Net [http://www.spanish-help.net/]. He has taught English and Spanish around the world. For more information, visit Nathan Ryan’s Website . This blog can also be found on The Spanish Help Net Website Blog [http://www.spanish-help.net/myblog/index.php?blog=2].

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Here are the top five reasons why you should travel abroad:

1. Exposure

The college experience is all about exposure to new things. In college, you are introduced to new perspectives, lifestyles and choices. Your exposure to these new ideas, identities and incidents will shape your own view of the world in ways you can’t completely calculate. If you have the opportunity to expose yourself to another country, you have to take it. Immerse yourself in this new cultural experience, and embrace difference.

2. Language development

There is no better way to learn a language than traveling abroad. When you travel abroad, you never turn off your language skills. You are forced to employee what you know on a daily basis. Your vocabulary, pronunciation and overall comfort-level can’t help but improve in such an environment. And unlike classroom learning, the language skills you will pick up while living abroad aren’t easily forgotten. Your language abilities are imprinted with practical functionality, so they tend to stick in your mind longer.

3. Add variety to your academic experience

Four years at the same institution can lag a bit. You have to mix it up when it comes to your academic development. Trying new things and taking classes outside of your comfort zone is always recommended. Physically removing yourself from your own country creates an interesting learning opportunity. You aren’t sidetracked by the typical distractions. You work hard and learn more, because it’s a more exciting and streamlined learning environment.

4. Networking

You always hear how college is all about networking. What’s cooler than having an international member in your network of associations? Imagine traveling back to the place where you studied abroad, after about ten years have passed. Wouldn’t it be nice to meet up with your local contact, who you’ve kept in touch with through the years. Friends in foreign places can come in handy in a variety of situations. Having a friend with a different perspective is a good idea, but having a friend based in another country is brilliant.

5. Travel while you learn

When you travel abroad, you get to travel! While in total school mode, you can still do fun touristy things like explore museums, architecture, places of historical interest and so on. Traveling abroad lets you play while you work, because as soon as you are out of class, you are in full discovery mode. Embrace every travel opportunity that comes your way, especially one where you are guaranteed to learn.

You owe it to yourself to travel abroad. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that’s available for a limited time only. Take full advantage of it while you still can.

Chris Stout is a feature writer for CareersandEducation.com. Review more of his work and read about using a Career Learning Center and explore his thoughts on Online Degree Programs and Online Colleges.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Stout

In a more recent study of 119 employers conducted by the Career Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 59% of respondents said that Study Abroad or other international experience, other than an internship, would be very valuable or somewhat valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization.

Study Abroad programs are becoming increasingly attractive as more and more college students seek meaningful ways to spend college breaks or explore true diversity of cultures. Additionally, as students return and share their positive experiences, others sign up to head overseas as well.

Two great resources for students considering studying overseas are StudyAbroad.com and Semester at Sea.

StudyAbroad.com is a comprehensive online source of information about educational opportunities for high school students, college students or graduate students wanting to study in other countries. It includes information on summer programs, internships, service learning programs and overseas volunteer opportunities. The information is easy to follow and is sorted by subject, country or city.

Semester at Sea, run by the Institute for Shipboard Education, gets academic sponsorship from the University of Virginia where students can apply for credit for the 2007 summer trip. This trip will have students traversing the Western coast of Central America and South America. Stops this summer will include Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Financial aid is available to help students cover the $8000+ cost of the just over 2 month journey onboard the floating university. The Fall 2007 trip is scheduled for stops in Japan, Thailand, China and India while Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Africa and Mauritius are on tap for the Spring 2008 journey.

No study abroad program is without risk and students and parents should do all the required due diligence to make sure these experiences do not end with less than positive results. Some general advice to be safe on a study abroad experience are as follows and include some tips from the University of Chicago’s Study Abroad program:

1. Be alert at all times. Remember you are in unfamiliar surroundings

2. Trust your instincts

3. Be cautious and protective with your cash

4. Observe political gatherings from a distance

5. Learn where the nearest police station, hospital and embassy is located

6. Stay sober and away from drugs and alcohol. This is not the time to lose focus

7. Be particularly alert while on public transportation and in public places

8. Be mindful of new friendships that develop too quickly

9. Make copies of all your important papers. Keep a set of copies with you as well as leave one at home.

10. Be inconspicuous and try to blend in as much as possible. Avoid being the noisy tourist

11. Check in often with home. Have somewhat of a routine so that folks at home will know if you are off schedule.

Marcia Robinson writes and trains on career, workplace and employment related issues. She is a Principal at The RayeMartin Group, a HR consulting firm in Philadelphia, that owns BullsEyeResumes, publishes the Norristown-At-Work monthly and maintains career advice blogs. Robinson has a BS in Human Resources Management and a Masters in Business Administration.

Bullseye Career Blogs

BullsEyeResumes.com [http://www.bullseyeresumes.com]

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Study Abroad Programs have distinctive characteristics, like students, and thus it is important to find the right “match” between the student and the program. Your friend, or sister, or teacher may have participated in a program that was “absolutely great” for them, but may not be a good fit for you. Thus, a glowing recommendation from someone who went on a program is not necessarily the most appropriate approach to choosing a program.

o Understand your needs and characteristics before choosing a study abroad program
o Explore several options and compare program characteristics
o Choose a study abroad program that fits your needs and characteristics

Your Needs and Characteristics

Ask yourself these questions, and get a friend or family member to confer with you on these topics.

1. What type of courses do you need to take (major requirements, major electives, general education requirements or lower-division courses, electives)?
2. What academic topics do you need (and want) to study (only your major, or a mix of academic disciplines)?
3. Does your home institution approve experiential courses (ie, internships, field study, independent study, independent research, service-learning, touring)?
4. Can you take courses in another language / are you sufficiently fluent?
5. Do you have beginning or intermediate foreign language skills?
6. Does your home institution have requirements about the number of weeks and/or contact hours the courses must fulfill to transfer credit?
7. Would you feel comfortable living in a fast-paced, urban city where it is difficult to make friends and interact with locals living in a city?
8. Do you feel comfortable using public transportation (buses, taxis, trains)?
9. Would you prefer to live in a community where you can easily navigate your way, and meet local people?
10. Does the weather bother you? Have you experienced the type of climate common to the host country you are considering?
11. Are you a self-starter, outgoing, and self-motivated, experienced in exploring new/different situations?
12. Do you prefer functioning in a group with leaders and/or guides making decisions for you and being surrounded by others much like yourself?
13. Do you have any dietary, medical or mental health needs?
14. Do you want to become a “specialist” in one location (language and culture and history and current events) or do you want a comparative perspective of several different places and perspectives?
15. Have your friends or family ever called you “high maintenance”? Do you have a high level of attention to conveniences, personal appearance, the newest fads or specific activities?
16. Do you enjoy camping, hiking, backpacking, “roughing it”?
17. Do you have a good sense of how (and if) you will use alcohol in a mature setting? Have you ever been disruptive of others or put your well-being at risk with alcohol?
18. Have you ever traveled before? Outside the U.S.? If yes, how long and where?
19. How long have you ever been away from “home” before, away from family and friends?
20. What type of leisure activities do you enjoy? What do you do with your “free-time”?

Program Types

Direct enrollment – Explore colleges and universities in other countries, and directly enroll in a study abroad program that allows “transient” or “international” students.

Exchange – Utilize an established relationship through your school that exchanges students with another designated college or university.

Program provider – Participate in a program administered by an organization offering study abroad support services.

Faculty-led – Participate in a program administered by a U.S. college or university and taught by a U.S. professor.

Location

Country – Location, geography, language, population, economic/industrial development, cost of living, food, health and safety conditions, climate, ease of transportation, etc.

Language – Do you have beginner, intermediate, or advanced language skills in the host country primary language? What is the English language fluency of the local population?

Community / City size – Cosmopolitan city, Urban city, industrial city, suburban city, town, rural community

Host institution – Enrollment size, percentage of local students and international students, urban campus or enclosed campus, facilities available, teaching style, language of instruction, grading/assessment style, academic options, academic rigor, distance from housing,

Living conditions – Homestay, residence hall, apartment, house, hotel, with all Americans, with all locals, distance to shopping, entertainment, school, transportation, shared or not, cost of living, where will you eat meals?

Here are a few pros and cons of various study abroad programs

Direct Enrollment

Pros
- Authentic academic experience with locals.
- Immersion with local students
- Likely to be less expensive.

Cons
- Unfamiliar administrative bureaucracy, teaching style, support services.
- Unexpected costs.

Exchange

Pros
- Tuition cost will be the same as you pay on your home campus.
- Your campus has an established contact person at host institution.

Cons
- Unfamiliar administrative bureaucracy, teaching style, support services.
- Unexpected costs.

Program Provider

Pros
- Support services established for the needs of U.S. students.
- You get what you pay for.

Cons
- You pay extra for support services.
- Sometimes isolated/marginalized from host country people and culture.

Faculty-led

Pros
- Most of the time, accompanied by a professor you know and trust.
- Take classes that are familiar and similar to what you would take on your home campus.
- In a group of U.S. students, most often from your home school.

Cons
- Take classes that are familiar and similar to what you would take on your home campus.
- In a group of U.S. students, most often from your home school.
- Faculty not necessarily trained to provide full-service support and study abroad best practices and standards.

Country

Pros
- Someplace that excites you.
- A pleasant break from your “home”.

Cons
- Not what you expected.
- Do not like the weather, or food, or living conditions.
- Not comfortable with under-developed status, OR strategy for political or economic development.

Language

Pros
- Language was less of an obstacle than expected.
- I would like to learn a new language now.

Cons
- Language was a bigger obstacle than expected.
- I did not have the level of language skills I thought I had.

Community/City

Pros
- Love the different shops, restaurants, activities.
- Just the right size.
- Experienced new activities that I never knew I would like.
- Transportation was easy.
- Scenic and/or comfortable.

Cons
- Too big or too small for my enjoyment.
- It was hard to meet locals, or make friends with locals.
- Transportation was not adequate.
- City was ugly, dirty, noisy, boring…

Host Institution

Pros
- Love that it was much bigger or smaller than my home campus.
- Conducive to meeting local students and making friends
- Local professor and students were friendly, helpful and welcoming of foreign students.
- Courses were meaningful and challenging and motivated me to learn more.

Cons
- Hate that it was much bigger or smaller than my home campus.
- Not conducive to meeting locals or making friends.
- Local professors did not like or know how to deal with foreign students.
- Courses too easy or too hard.

Living Conditions

Pros
- Love my housing.
- Lived close to campus.
- Cost of living was less than the U.S.
- Conducive to meeting locals and making friends.
- I felt so comfortable because it was similar to what I am used to, OR because it was new and something I liked.
- Made it easy to focus on academics.

Cons
- Hate my housing.
- Lived too far from campus.
- Cost of living was so much more than the U.S.
- Not conducive to meeting locals and making friends.
- I felt so uncomfortable because it was something I could not adapt to.
- A huge distraction from my academics.

Study Abroad – Global Learning Semesters offers study abroad programs for American and Canadian students. Our study abroad programs include courses in Belize, Cyprus, UK, France, Spain, Europe, Mexico, Argentina, India & China.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Sandi_Smith

Jet Lag

You may experience jet lag or traveler’s stress. Some helpful ways to counteract jet lag include: getting plenty of rest before your trip, eating healthy food, drinking plenty of fluids (particularly juices and water), getting some moderate exercise and wearing loose, comfortable clothing.

Culture Shock and Stress

Culture shock is a typical phenomenon that happens to most travelers who venture to a new culture and country to study abroad, for an extended period of time. There are many emotional effects of facing new values, habits, and lifestyles. You may experience confusing emotional highs and lows during your time abroad. You may also feel impatient, bewildered and depressed at times. These are all initial symptoms of culture shock, and may easily be overcome.

Be aware that a moderate amount of anxiety and stress is a natural part of intercultural transitions. A new language, exotic foods, registration, beginning classes, and even changes in the weather can affect your stress level. This stress is nothing to be afraid of and can easily be dealt with by having a positive attitude and taking good care of yourself emotionally and physically during your study abroad program.

Other Health Issues

AIDS and STDs

You are undoubtedly aware of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Your risk of infection depends almost entirely on your own behavior. You should take the same sexual health precautions abroad that you take in the United States during the entire course of your study abroad program.

Drugs

The use of illegal drugs is treated very seriously by local authorities in all countries and by all study abroad program sponsors irrespective of whether you choose a program to study in London or a program to study in Spain. If you are convicted on drug charges, you will almost certainly be charged with fines and face jail time. If you are arrested on drug charges, there is nothing the U.S. government, your school or the study abroad program sponsor can do with respect to the legal process.

Any student consuming or possessing illegal drugs while on a study abroad program will most likely be expelled from the program without a refund or credit transfer and there are bound to be additional sanctions back at the home university.

Alcohol

The use of alcohol for adults over the age of 18 is legal in all of our program host countries. That said, most students in other countries are taught from an early age to take a moderate and considered approach to alcohol. Heavy/binge drinking and drunkenness are far less common than in the United States, and considered immature and unacceptable behavior.

The negative social and physical effects of the use of alcohol are well documented. Use of alcohol may cause: blackouts, poisoning and overdose; physical and psychological dependence; damage to vital organs; inability to learn and remember information; and psychological problems including depression, psychosis and severe anxiety. Impaired judgment and coordination resulting from the use of alcohol and drugs is associated with acquaintance assault and rape; DUI/DWI arrests; hazing; falls, drowning and other injuries; contracting sexually-transmitted diseases including AIDS; and unwanted or unplanned sexual experiences and pregnancy.

You will be in unfamiliar settings and alcohol can lead to you to make poor and unsafe judgments. Your safest decision is not to drink alcoholic beverages.

If you choose to drink, follow sensible drinking habits, including:

o not drinking on an empty stomach

o not drinking if you are feeling tired or ill

o alternating alcohol drinks with non-alcoholic drinks like water or juice

o limiting yourself to 2-3 drinks in a night at most

o having a friend with you in case you have difficulties

o not drinking during periods when we are traveling vigorously

Do not under any circumstances drink and drive or accept a ride from anyone else that has been drinking!

Study Abroad – Global Learning Semesters offers study abroad programs for American and Canadian students. Our study abroad programs include courses in Belize, Cyprus, UK, France, Spain, Europe, Mexico, Argentina, India & China.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Sandi_Smith

For instance, if a student seeks to learn abroad for aquatic biology, he or she will travel to a nation where practical training can be obtained. There are over 20 plus subjects an individual can study abroad, as well as over 50 countries a student can journey to. For example, a pupil from China who is interested in business can get into the Rochester Institute of Technology program in the US. Several programs offer various advantages such as college credit, scholarships, and internship to a plethora firms. People often confuse students who study abroad with foreign exchange students, but there is a huge distinction between the two.

Many academies prefer their enrollees to be involved with study abroad programs rather than student exchange programs because it is easier, since international programs are more flexible. A student exchange student on average does not earn credentials and is purely there for the experience and in order to gain knowledge about the foreign language and culture. For example, if a student in the US wanted to learn French, he or she would exchange with an attendee from France who seeks to learn English. Many students who are a part of study abroad programs do it during the summer or some type of school break. It is very popular to travel to Europa-based countries such as Germany, Sweden, Holland, England and France.

Of course the list is continuous, but most of these offer training, awards and grants. To find out more about study abroad programs in Europe, ask your nearby university for a database of study abroad programs or even better start your internet search at our no cost resource site. study abroad programs in Europe.

Get useful review info on colleges and universities in Europe and to learn why study abroad is good for you. Visit TuitionFreeColleges.Mtnhome.org – find out what study abroad programs can give you the overseas living experience of your dreams today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B_Von_Ahlin

- Length of program
- Geographic location
- Language of host country
- Academic standards and structure
- Academic curriculum choices
- Immersion in host culture
- Interactions with locals
- Housing
- Safety and emergency services
- Orientation services
- Utilization of host country resources
- On-site staff
- Cost

There are currently no “certified” or “accredited” study abroad programs per se. The Forum on Education Abroad is a professional organization authorized to establish “best practices” that will distinguish programs that operate on the highest standards? Familiarize yourself with these standards and ask program directors and/or providers how they measure up to best practices for responsible study abroad programs.

Just as there is not one ideal location for a study abroad experience, there is also not one ideal structure for a study abroad program. There is a time and a place for various types of structures in developing various student outcomes. If the priority of your institution is to promote and develop foreign language proficiency, then it goes without saying that you would not limit your students’ options to programs in the U.K., neither would you put much of your efforts into short-term faculty-led programs.

It is crucial to determine the appropriate methodology to produce the intended outcomes. There are valuable and consequential learning outcomes from a two-week international experience, however, a two-week experience cannot be considered an appropriate methodology for developing an adequate level of intercultural competency. Thus, the type of program should be appropriate for the intended outcomes.

Unfortunately, some institutions operating without explicit intended outcomes can look to the “number of study abroad enrollments/participants” as their measure of success. However, the “number of study abroad enrollments/participants” does not indicate the quality, relevance, or learning outcomes of the international experience. Even with the best of intentions, it is actually possible to generate learning outcomes that initiate and/or reinforce negative stereotypes and enhance discomfort of intercultural interactions if programs are not developed and facilitated appropriately.

As education abroad enters the arena of public scrutiny and administrative importance, institutions are being compared and ranked.

Unfortunately, to date, measures are limited to comparing mere headcounts. And thus, there is a threat that number crunchers will emphasize volume at the expense of quality. It may be necessary to remind someone that just as universities are not ranked by U.S. News and World Report by enrollments alone, similarly schools should not be ranked in international education by enrollments alone.

Quality of education is measured by relevant and measurable intended outcomes. Similar and appropriate measures of quality should be applied to education abroad.

About the Author:
Study Abroad Programs – Global Learning Semesters offers study abroad programs for American and Canadian students. Our study abroad programs include courses in Belize, Cyprus, UK, France, Spain, Europe, Mexico, Argentina, India & China.

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2. Travel. There is no easier time in your life to travel than when you are young, have the time, are willing to go the extra mile to save a few bucks and adventurous enough to check out the out of the way towns and festivals. If you are in Europe, head over to Munich for Okterberfest in the fall, check out hiking the Alps in October, before the ski crowds, high prices, and cold move in, go to the Greek Islands in May before the crowds roll in and when the weather is great or Southern Spain in the winter months. Investigate opportunities for cheap travel within your region. Check out RateYourStudyAbroad.com’s Helpful Links section for links to websites and resources for low cost airline, lodging, package travel, as well as travel blogs. Don’t forget that much of the world travels by train and bus, which can be both cost effective and one of the more interesting cultural experiences you will have. There is nothing quite like sitting on a 10 hour bus ride with a family and the family pet pig or catching a taking an overnight train to your destination and bundling up the cost of lodging and transportation all in one.

3. Student Discounts. Take advantage of student discounts if they are available in your study abroad country. Depending on the country you study in, student discounts can save you money at museums, tourist attractions, transportation, shopping outlets, and even the movie theater. Also, many hostels and other businesses have negotiated discounts for holders of the international student card or ISIC which you should take advantage of.

4. Communication Abroad. Figure out how you will be communicating with your loved ones and friends back in the United States, your new friends and the locals in your new home, as well as the local emergency number (it probably isn’t 911). For calling your friends and family in the United States, as well as others with an internet connection, VOIP options, including Skype and Vonage may be a great, cost effective option for you. You may have to invest in a microphone and speakers for your computer, if you don’t already have them, but these VOIP options are cheap, reliable, and you can call anywhere, as long as you are by your computer. As far as keeping in touch with your local friends, check into cell phone plans that are available. Some countries do not allow you to sign up for a monthly cell phone plan unless you have a local bank account, but most countries offer pay-as-you-go cell phone plans that can do the job for only slightly more than the cost of a monthly plan. Don’t forget to also check out the landline options while you are abroad, for calls made locally (from landline to landline as well as landline to cell) and internationally (from landline to landline as well as landline to cell). Sometimes landline rates can be quite reasonable.

5. American Food. If your idea of comfort food is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chances are you should stock up on peanut butter before you leave the US. Most countries have either their own version of some American foods, or nothing at all. You may not realize until you are already abroad, but you will come up with food items you CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT and that you cannot find anywhere abroad. In my experience, living without a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, brown sugar, real BBQ sauce, or even American ketchup made the one trip my mother made to come and visit that much more exciting because she brought these staple American items I had been missing so much.

6. Money. One thing you will notice after your first month of living abroad are the foreign transaction fees your credit card company charges on all purchases made in another currency as well as the transaction charge for most ATM withdrawals. Although the bank offers no service for these fees, which range from 2 to 3 percent of the charge, they can add up quickly. So if you are not planning to open up an account at a local bank, check to see if your American bank has any agreements set up with international banks and affiliates, to cut down on this expense. Capital One does not charge foreign transaction fees on credit card purchases, but does on ATM transactions. If your bank does not have any special arrangements with a foreign bank, another idea is to withdraw a large sum of cash each month and go through that as needed. Don’t forget that if your debit or credit card is lost or stolen, it can be difficult to replace quickly. Check out this article from the NYTimes Here to read more about credit cards while abroad.

7. Do Something Different. Many who go abroad are happy to spend time with other Americans, party until all hours of the night at different bars and dance clubs, and speak in English for the duration of the trip. However, I encourage you to do something out of your comfort zone, whether it is studying in the local language, living in a homestay with a local family, joining a local club or sports team, volunteering or finding an internship locally, or simply getting off the beaten path when you travel. Not only will you get a better flavor of the cultural nuances and how things work in the country you are living in, but you will be more resilient and gain a different view of the country you are in. Don’t forget that when you return to the United States, you and others will be most impressed and have the best memories of how you integrated into new environment.

8. If you Play a Sport, Get Involved. Although most Americans associate college sports with intense practice and competition schedules, the rest of the world does not think of college sports in that way. At most colleges, there are sports clubs and teams with more casual practice and competition schedules. Not only can you play a sport that you love, but you can meet other students and it is always a great study break. Depending on your skill level, you may also think of giving lessons in your sport, or volunteering your time coaching a youth team or league. If you do plan to play a sport overseas, don’t forget to bring your gear, as sports equipment can either be difficult to find or very expensive. Click Here for an article on one student’s experience with swimming while living in Paris, France.

9. Act Like a Local. You will always be an American, but it is worth reading up and respecting the history of the country and people you are living with. Take behavioral cues from locals, especially in regards to dressing more conservatively in churches and the local tolerance for public drinking. Know what is an appropriate tip when at a restaurant and for a cab ride.

10. Take Pictures. Studying abroad will provide memories that will last a lifetime, make sure you capture these moments to share with friends and family as well as to reminisce in later years. Using photo sharing websites like (ophoto.com, flickr.com, webshots.com, shutterfly.com, kodakgallery.com, etc.) may help you organize your photos, without taking up a lot of space on your hard drive. Many of these sites also allow you to create photo albums and photo books (check out Blurb.com for photo books, as well) that will allow you to create a hard copy version of your experience abroad.

Whitney is a contributor to the website http://rateyourstudyabroad.com/. She spent an amazing year studying abroad in Paris, where she was not only a student, but au paired for a family and swam on a local swim team. Currently, she is a freelance writer living in New York.

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