Aspire by API Blog http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog High School and Gap Year Programs Abroad Fri, 18 May 2012 18:10:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Parents’ Hopes and Dreams http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/parents-hopes-and-dreams/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/parents-hopes-and-dreams/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 17:19:21 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1277 In this series, entitled Sending Alex Abroad, Aspire by API’s very own Jill Denton writes about preparing for this summer’s Salamanca program from her unique perspective as a mom.

Today I want to explain why, as high school parents, we decided to send Alex abroad for four weeks with a chaperoned teen group the [...]]]> In this series, entitled Sending Alex Abroad, Aspire by API’s very own Jill Denton writes about preparing for this summer’s Salamanca program from her unique perspective as a mom.

Today I want to explain why, as high school parents, we decided to send Alex abroad for four weeks with a chaperoned teen group the summer after completion of her 9th grade year.

We could have alternatively decided to travel abroad on vacation as a family of four (with Alex’s 11 year old brother).

  • The primary reason why we chose to have Alex go with the group instead of as part of a family vacation was because we felt strongly that her experience would be much richer without us hovering over her.
  • A second reason was due to parent budget and work constraints which would have limited our overseas family trip to two weeks and then not provided Alex with nearly the language learning immersion that four weeks could offer her.
  • Third, we felt like this would be a wonderful step toward Alex’s blooming independence, and an expressive way to say “we trust you to grow up and we trust your decisions.”

Here is why I believe a high school group trip could be a RICHER experience for Alex than if we traveled outside the country as a family (we don’t necessarily have the budget to do both!):

A summer with a high school group trip is not a mere tour.  The group leader and morning language classes challenge teens to engage with the people and culture.  There are many opportunities for teens to experience their new lifestyle firsthand, whether through a carefully chosen host family or by sharing in cultural activities and excursions.

Teens mature tremendously in unexpected ways when they go abroad with a group of peers and caring, experienced group leaders. They discover that different isn’t necessarily weird. They begin to understand how foreigners feel when they are not in their native country and develop a certain humility. Their self-confidence increases because they discover they are able to communicate to others who speak a different language. They have to reach out, take responsibility, do something more than if their parents were there calling all the shots at every turn.

So once we had decided to send Alex abroad with a high school group trip, the next step was to ask Alex what her hopes and dreams were…more on that next week!

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/parents-hopes-and-dreams/feed/ 0 Gap Year as a Marketable Experience http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/gap-year-as-a-marketable-experience/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/gap-year-as-a-marketable-experience/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 02:56:11 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1264 The Courtyard at University College Cork

There are many reasons students choose to take a gap year. Some want to improve their foreign language skills, while others are looking to discover their heritage. For some, it’s a combination of several reasons. Regardless of why you decide to study abroad, the experiences you’ll undergo are [...]]]>

The Courtyard at University College Cork

There are many reasons students choose to take a gap year.  Some want to improve their foreign language skills, while others are looking to discover their heritage.   For some, it’s a combination of several reasons.  Regardless of why you decide to study abroad, the experiences you’ll undergo are sure to leave you with several skills—and these skills will be attractive to future colleges and employers.  Rachael Boggia, who studied with us in Cork, reflects on the long-term benefits of her time overseas in this week’s post.

Study abroad is a marketable experience to universities and employers because the skills learned abroad make one more adaptable and stronger in new and challenging environments.  This includes collegiate as well as professional environments. In my many internship interviews since, employers have asked me of my experience abroad in Ireland. They have been curious and intrigued as I discussed my academic classes, living situation, and travels throughout Europe.

In explaining my study abroad experience I focus on several marketable points. Study abroad has allowed me to become more adaptable. I went to Ireland by myself without knowing anyone and without knowing the specific surroundings I would be living in for the next four months. I was able to adapt to my surroundings through living and taking classes with Irish and international students. Cork truly felt like my home away from home. I quickly made friends with my roommates and classmates. I was able to adapt to new ways of living through forming friendships with my roommates, who taught me the customs of the Irish culture. I became accustomed to the norms at the university which were different from what I knew at home. For instance, in Cork I had classes in large lecture halls as opposed to smaller classrooms.  Essay requirements were also different in Ireland. I was forced to adjust my norms to the norms of the culture surrounding me.  I routinely spent time in the city center and campus which made me very familiar with my surroundings. I became accustomed to the transportation systems and culture of the city. Adaptability is a key skill to have in the world beyond high school. Going abroad allows one to adapt more quickly and easily to new surroundings.

Cork Harbor

Going abroad also makes one more independent, responsible, and confident. These traits lead to better performance and satisfaction in college, and ultimately, in the professional environment.  They’re what admissions counselors and employers look for. I definitely have changed positively in this respect. I went to Ireland by myself and left with many friends and a strong sense of achievement. I was forced to jump into my new surrounding and try new experiences. I became more responsible for my own actions, finances, food, shopping, travels, etc. I learned how to interact with people of different backgrounds and perspectives. I learned how to navigate through situations of conflict. I learned how to form a life and home in my new (and sometimes strange) surroundings. I did this by making friends with as many people as I could, trying new foods, traveling to new places, taking different classes, etc. I left Ireland with a sense of achievement and satisfaction knowing that I was able to live in a foreign country for four months. I look at my first day arriving in Ireland and compare it to my day of departure and know that I have become enriched by the new relationships that I formed.

Taking a gap year provides immediate satisfaction but also has lasting effects. The skills one gains from living in a foreign country can only benefit one in future endeavors. It is an  experience that not only enriches one personally but also those surrounding that individual. The skills gained from study abroad can only help to ensure a successful future, in college and beyond.

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/gap-year-as-a-marketable-experience/feed/ 0 Sending Alex Abroad: Introduction http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/sending-alex-abroad-introduction/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/sending-alex-abroad-introduction/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 17:51:54 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1216 Here’s the first in a series of posts entitled “Sending Alex Abroad”. Aspire by API’s very own Jill Denton writes about preparing for this summer’s Salamanca program from her unique perspective as a mom.

Hi, I’m a mom with a 15-year-old daughter (Alex), and I have the incredible privilege of sending Alex abroad to [...]]]> Here’s the first in a series of posts entitled “Sending Alex Abroad”.  Aspire by API’s very own Jill Denton writes about preparing for this summer’s Salamanca program from her unique perspective as a mom.

Hi, I’m a mom with a 15-year-old daughter (Alex), and I have the incredible privilege of sending Alex abroad to Spain this summer on Aspire by API’s teen group trip (a language study and immersion program). I also work here at Aspire and have insight into the operations and planning involved in making abroad experiences both safe and meaningful.

The purpose of this blog series is to write down my thoughts, hopes, fears, and feelings regarding sending Alex abroad, as well as to share my experience in finding the suitable teen abroad experience for her.

When I first considered sending Alex abroad over a year and a half ago, in retrospect I realize neither she nor I were ready. I was a basket case and my fears outweighed my hopes for her on such a trip.  Even so, I ventured to ask Alex whether she wanted to go overseas as part of a teen group. She responded quickly, “no thanks.” She said, “Mom, maybe when I am older but I don’t feel ready to go abroad on my own yet.”

The topic was dropped, but the seed had been planted. A year later, Alex tells me she has been talking about going to Spain with her friends and wants to go!

What I realized was that when Alex felt ready to go abroad, I was then more comfortable for that to happen as well.

In the upcoming blog posts, I want to share how Alex and I decided on the right overseas teen group program, what’s involved in preparing for Alex to go abroad, my communications with Alex while she is overseas, and what it’s like to reunite with a teen world traveler.

Stay tuned!

Alex and Jill

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/sending-alex-abroad-introduction/feed/ 3 La Vida Salmantina http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/la-vida-salmantina/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/la-vida-salmantina/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 16:51:40 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1224 Are you ready to take on Spain this summer? Here’s the first entry in our “Postcards from Salamanca” series, designed to get you ready for an amazing experience. This post was written by Tom Durigan, and describes his impressions on daily life in Salamanca.

Tom and friends in front of the Catedral Nueva de [...]]]> Are you ready to take on Spain this summer? Here’s the first entry in our “Postcards from Salamanca” series, designed to get you ready for an amazing experience.  This post was written by Tom Durigan, and describes his impressions on daily life in Salamanca.

Tom and friends in front of the Catedral Nueva de Salamanca

Living in Spain is an experience like nothing else—it’s better than anything I could have ever imagined.  I have traveled and seen many different cultures from all different parts of the world but the culture here in Spain is unique and life-changing.

This university town is filled with Spanish students from all around Spain and even more international students from the United States, South America, and all over Europe—all flocking to Salamanca to attend the well-known and historic University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. While in class the differences between Spain and the United States are very evident: from day one you are told to refer to your professors by their first names. Class here is also different from home because in Spain your grade is typically determined solely on a midterm, final, and class participation. There are no quizzes or papers to write, the midterms and finals are made up of everything covered in the class and it is your responsibility to know all of the material for the test. The days when you have a midterm or final are tough—so be sure to study!

The differences in classes are noticeable, however the differences in culture and lifestyle of Spain is what makes living

La ciudad dorada

here so amazing! The Spanish culture is one based around socialization and families. The stories of siestas are true, from about 2 to 5 in the afternoon stores are closed and the streets are empty. Once you do finally leave and take to the streets the discoveries are endless and the beauties of the city are unveiled. Wandering the narrow streets, you are greeted by buildings and cathedrals far older than the United States itself. The architecture is mind blowing and the details on the doors are incredible, and then to think that individuals such as Miguel De Unamuno, Cervantes, and Christopher Columbus attended this same university, well that turns your session and your experience into something even more special and unique. While walking and discovering the incredible buildings, if your heart still hasn’t fallen for Salamanca ask someone ¿Dónde está la Plaza Mayor? And be prepared to be amazed.

The Plaza is my favorite place in Salamanca and maybe in all of the world. During the day it is filled with hundreds of people sharing drinks at the numerous cafes or simply sitting in a circle on the ground with friends. The plaza is always the meeting place before you go out and do anything. It’s in the middle of the city and always a perfect location to meet. There are concerts, ceremonies, and processions that all take place within the plaza. Here you can also eat little a wide variety of Spanish appetizers or snacks known as tapas.  Tapas are an awesome alternative to dinner because there are hundreds of different choices, each restaurant has their own unique creation. This tapas dinner is my favorite dinner however it’s very different than in the U.S.A.—you don’t generally order more than one tapa at the same place. Get one and socialize for around 15 minutes or when everyone finishes then you leave and walk down the street or next door and get another one. The numerous different tapas with jamon iberico (cured ham) and seafood are exceptional.

Salamanca is the perfect city to study abroad; the people speak pure Castellano (traditional Spanish), the university is well regarded and historical, the city is beautiful, and it is the university city of Spain causing the streets to be filled with students from all over the world at any hour of the day. La vida salmantina is the perfect lifestyle and I will truly miss this place for years and years until I come back someday.

 

Tom's favorite spot: the Plaza Mayor!

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/la-vida-salmantina/feed/ 0 Finding My Roots While Studying Abroad http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/finding-my-roots-while-studying-abroad/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/finding-my-roots-while-studying-abroad/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 03:07:19 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1200 What are your reasons for studying abroad? Many students want to improve their foreign language skills, while some thirst for new adventures. Still others seek to discover their heritage firsthand. Alicia Kennedy had all three goals on her mind when she set out to study with us in Spain, and she came back with an [...]]]> What are your reasons for studying abroad?  Many students want to improve their foreign language skills, while some thirst for new adventures.  Still others seek to discover their heritage firsthand.  Alicia Kennedy had all three goals on her mind when she set out to study with us in Spain, and she came back with an amazing story to tell:

For as long as I can remember, I have had a burning desire to explore the world outside my small, predominantly white, middle-class, suburban town. Many of my peers were content with the status quo and did not share my desire to move away and discover all that this world has to offer. Growing up with a mother who hasn’t renewed her passport since the 80’s and a father who has never owned one – meant that for the majority of my life, vacations consisted of 2 hour car rides to the beach, and ordering Chinese food counted as a cultural experience. I have never been satisfied with that lifestyle.

I have always longed for the opportunity to study abroad and see what else the world had to offer. I carefully selected my program in Spain and counted down the days until my departure. I knew that this experience was going to change me forever and I set many goals for myself before I left. Aside from polishing my Spanish language abilities, I wanted to explore a new culture. I wanted to increase my cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity. More importantly, I wanted to find out more about who I was. As a third generation American, much of my family history is based on the other side of the world. I have always wanted to connect with my roots and meet both my Italian and Irish relatives. While I was abroad I traveled to both Ireland and Italy to connect with my family and now have a deeper sense of self and a better understanding of where I came from.

Alicia with Italian relatives

I traveled to Italy first and spent a few days with my grandfather’s cousin and her son’s family. I had never met them before. They didn’t speak a word of English and I didn’t speak a word of Italian. We relied on my cousin Ciro’s laptop and Google translate to communicate. While I was concerned about the language barrier at first, I quickly realized that you can connect on a deeper level without words. I felt closer to my cousin Maria when she was holding my hand as we walked through Pompeii than I did when we were typing back and forth on a computer. Those five days were some of the most life-changing of my entire experience abroad. For the first time I was able to see where I came from.

But my trip to Italy was only the beginning. In December, with only a few weeks left abroad, my girlfriends and I decided to take a week-long trip to Ireland. We hopped on a plane and landed in Dublin during one of the most epic snowstorms in recent memory, and arrived at our first host’s home in the middle of Fermoy, County Cork – a small speck on the map with nothing but miles of green countryside in the horizon. Our friends couldn’t imagine why we would want to come to the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter. As it turned out, my great-grandmother was raised only a few miles away in Riesk. We didn’t know where her home was, but I just wanted to get as close to it as I could – just to feel connected. I

pulled out my census documents that I had spent months searching for online and shared them with my host family. They were thrilled and eager to help me find my great-grandmother’s home. A couple days later, once the ice had thawed from the gravel roads, we ventured out with nothing more than my records and phone number of a farmer in town. We went as far as we could and then stopped to ask for directions. It was a Sunday and we weren’t anticipating finding anyone, but spotted a family in their driveway and pulled over. We rolled the window down and asked if we were in Riesk. The man responded, “Sure are. What can I help you with?” Jim (our host) responded, “I’ve got an American in here lookin’ for her great-granny’s house.” “Who is she?” he replied. “Her last name was Geary,” I shouted out the window. “I’m a Geary,” he said. I was in shock. The next thing I knew he and his wife had whisked us into their home and were pulling out family photo albums. They grabbed my census papers and started cross-checking them with theirs. As it turned out, they were my cousins! They had been looking for the half of the family that had come to America just as I had been trying to connect with the half that had stayed behind in Ireland. It was truly a moment of Divine intervention. What were the chances that I would not only find my great-grandmother’s home, but also find relatives who had been living there all this time? It was a powerful moment and one that I will never forget.

Alicia with her Irish relatives

I came back to the states a completely different person. I was more relaxed and confident in who I was. I had a better understanding of where I came from and that helped to figure out who I am today. Benjamin Button said it best, “It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed is you.”

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/finding-my-roots-while-studying-abroad/feed/ 0 A Day in the [Surreal] Life http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/a-day-in-the-surreal-life/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/a-day-in-the-surreal-life/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:39:12 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1192 So what is a typical day like in Rome for a study abroad student really like? How does it compare to life back home? I suppose every student’s experience is different, each with its own nuances and events, based on the preferences, perceptions, and desires of each respective student. However, I am quite partial to [...]]]> So what is a typical day like in Rome for a study abroad student really like? How does it compare to life back home? I suppose every student’s experience is different, each with its own nuances and events, based on the preferences, perceptions, and desires of each respective student.  However, I am quite partial to my very own. Then again, aren’t we all?

Waking up in The Eternal City of Rome, Italy is unlike anything I have ever experienced in all of my life. Knowing you are in the city that was the center of the world’s most famous empire, that holds thousands of years of the world’s greatest history, and is home to some of the greatest pizza and gelato you’ll ever taste, allows for nothing less than a deep breath, a smile, and a self‐inflicted slap to convince yourself you are not dreaming.

Life abroad is very different than life at home, but some core occurrences are similar across most cultures. You will still shower. You will still brush your teeth, comb your hair, get dressed, and all the other normal morning rituals will still be part of your routine. It is after these mundane daily activities that the fun truly begins.

Depending on what time you wake up to attend class, you’ll be faced with a difficult choice: Breakfast or lunch? For myself, breakfast usually involved a quick stop in one of the many cafes Rome has to offer on my way to school. Of course, Italy is famous for its coffee culture, so this was an especially great treat. Do not expect to receive your typical “tall white chocolate mocha, half soy, half low‐fat milk, I’m being complicated latte” order at an Italian café. You’ll get a crazy, almost offended look from the Italian you just ordered from. I recommend a pastry and an espresso. It’s something light to start your day off with and something to wake you up and prepare you for the day.

If lunch is your thing, then you really are in for a treat. Stopping by a pizza place for the best pizza I’d ever tasted was something I did at least 5 times a week, whether it was for lunch or dinner. The other option is something you will struggle to find in the United States‐the Kebab. I could describe how wonderful it is to you, but I’ll run out of room. If you go abroad to Europe, you will surely discover this meal somewhere in your travels.

The walk to class is surreal. The buildings you pass as you walk along main roads and through the winding, cobble‐stoned streets of Roman neighborhoods like Trastevere are beautiful and old. The Tiber River flows as you make your daily commute. Depending on where you walk from, you see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, perhaps the world’s most famous church, off in the distance. You realize you are standing in the middle of one of the world’s most famous cities that, at one point, was the center of the world. You’ll also be amazed at the “skill” of the Italian drivers who, despite breaking a number of laws and driving like maniacs, manage never to get into an accident. It’s simply amazing.

Your walk home is much like your walk to class in Rome. History and art, fast drivers, strolling Italians, and the smells of Italian cooking and brewing coffee, surround you. The ambient sound of the flowing Tiber River, cars zooming by, conversations in Italian, flood your ears.

Two or three nights a week, I would take a walk with a friend and see the beautiful city at night. The perspective changes drastically and I found the city more enchanting when the sun was sleeping. A nighttime visit to the incredible Trevi Fountain is a must. The way the light shines off the statues and water is breathtaking. Take a cab and ask the driver to drive around the Colosseum. The way it flows by as you speed by it is amazing. Of course, you must walk it, too. It is one of the world’s most well‐known and beautiful landmarks. Even if you do not end up at a famous tourist hot spot, appreciate the nighttime beauty of all of Rome. The streetlights play off the colors of the classic architecture and create beautiful hues, while the smells and sounds change from their daytime counterparts. Do not miss out.

Hopefully you are reading this with the intention of going abroad. Wherever you may go, you will not regret it. The world is filled with beauty and culture beyond your comfort zone. Go out and experience, live, grow‐up and change. You will come back with a renewed sense of passion about your life and the world you live in, inspired and driven, armed with self‐confidence, ready to be a global citizen. Get ready; your life is about to happen.

 

 

This week’s post was contributed by Nick Stewart, who spent a semester studying with us in Rome, Italy.

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/a-day-in-the-surreal-life/feed/ 0 Meet me at the Plaza Mayor! http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/meet-me-at-the-plaza-mayor/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/meet-me-at-the-plaza-mayor/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:57:30 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1165 The Plaza Mayor, illuminated at night. Picture by Nick Welch

Without a doubt, one of the most iconic features of Salamanca is its Plaza Mayor, or main square. Built between 1729 and 1755 in the Baroque style, it was originally used as a center for bullfights. There are no more bullfights there today (those [...]]]>

The Plaza Mayor, illuminated at night. Picture by Nick Welch

Without a doubt, one of the most iconic features of Salamanca is its Plaza Mayor, or main square.  Built between 1729 and 1755 in the Baroque style, it was originally used as a center for bullfights.  There are no more bullfights there today (those were stopped in the mid-19th century), but the Plaza is still a place where residents and visitors alike gather all the time.  Restaurants, ice cream shops and jewelry stores line the perimeter, and a beautifully ornate clock tower adorns the north face, just above Salamanca’s City Hall (helpful tip: the Oficina de Turismo is located in the plaza as well, in case you find yourself in need of another city map ;) ).

The Plaza is considered by many to be the most beautiful in all of Spain.  The Churriguera brothers designed its intricate walls out of sandstone– helping give Salamanca the nickname of La Ciudad Dorada– and their style heavily influenced  the architecture in Latin America in the following decades.

Whether you are enjoying a cup of coffee in a café, checking out a traveling art exhibit, or just relaxing with friends, the Plaza is an ideal place to go in your free time, especially if you like to people-watch!   Many people in Spain come out of their homes in the evening to socialize before dinner.  It’s a great example of the difference in the change of pace you will experience abroad.  After all, how often do you get to relax like that in your home town?

Don’t be afraid to dive in and become a part of it yourself: it’s easy!  Simply choose a spot on the square, grab a seat, and watch the world go by.  You’ll be surprised at how fast Salamanca starts to feel like home.

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/meet-me-at-the-plaza-mayor/feed/ 0 Photo Essay: A Birthday Abroad (Part Two) http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/photo-essay-a-birthday-abroad-part-two/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/photo-essay-a-birthday-abroad-part-two/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:57:55 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1155  

Birthdays can evoke a wide variety of emotions, which are seldom of neutral nature. Some adore celebrating the beginning of new age and the joys that will go along with it. Whereas others may passionately try to hide/forget the fact that they are another year older. Some enjoy big celebrations with many friends and [...]]]>  

Birthdays can evoke a wide variety of emotions, which are seldom of neutral nature.  Some adore celebrating the beginning of  new age and the joys that will go along with it. Whereas others may passionately try to hide/forget the fact that they are another year older.  Some enjoy big celebrations with many friends and family.  Others enjoy a small dinner with their loved ones. I was extremely fortunate to have a double celebration this year.  On the actual day of my birthday, I went skiing with two French friends.  It was a beautiful day in the mountains and we ate lunch together near the summit.  A week later, my host family graciously invited 10 of my friends over for an exceptional party.  We ate delicious food (coutrtesy of my host mother), bantered in franglais (a sophisticated hybrid of French and English), and danced the night away.  This warm celebration is the highpoint of my time in France.  I cannot be appreciative enough for my host-family, who went completely out of their way.  Thank you.

 

We laughed a lot.


We danced a lot.

My friends presented me with some heartwarming gifts.

My INCREDIBLE host family. They have truly incorporated me into their home this year.

 

This post was contributed by Jacob, an Aspire by API student who is currently taking part in a gap year program in Grenoble, France.  He will be updating the blog periodically throughout his time abroad.

 

 

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/photo-essay-a-birthday-abroad-part-two/feed/ 0 There’s Still Time! Summer Program Deadlines have been Extended http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/theres-still-time-summer-program-deadlines-have-been-extended/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/theres-still-time-summer-program-deadlines-have-been-extended/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:34:50 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1140 Aspire by API has recently announced a deadline extension on its summer programs in France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain!

Haven't had a chance to apply yet? That's OK!

 

That means you still have a chance to spend the summer exploring the streets of Paris, discovering the medieval cathedrals of Florence, or exploring the [...]]]> Aspire by API has recently announced a deadline extension on its summer programs in France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain!

Haven't had a chance to apply yet? That's OK!

 

That means you still have a chance to spend the summer exploring the streets of Paris, discovering the medieval cathedrals of Florence, or exploring the local traditions of Salamanca.  All the while, you’ll be taking challenging courses that expose you to new languages and cultures–and some programs even offer college credit!

 

We will now be accepting applications until April 15, 2012.  Apply today!

                                         

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/theres-still-time-summer-program-deadlines-have-been-extended/feed/ 0 Studying Abroad with Social Media http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/studying-abroad-with-social-media/ http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/studying-abroad-with-social-media/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:47:40 +0000 PatrickAspire http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/?p=1101

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing your experience is an important part of studying abroad. Every day you spend away from home, you will be exposed to new and exciting places, cultures, people and more. As you begin to collect stories, which capture all you have seen and felt, it is natural to [...]]]>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing your experience is an important part of studying abroad. Every day you spend away from home, you will be exposed to new and exciting places, cultures, people and more. As you begin to collect stories, which capture all you have seen and felt, it is natural to want to share them.

 

Here is where it can get tricky! If you do desire to share these anecdotes with family and friends, conventional methods of communication can make it both a time consuming and taxing process. That is why utilizing social media while you study abroad is so great! You are able to share a variety of stories, media, and more on a grand scale in half the time.

 

So which study abroad social media is right for you? Well, that depends on what you hope to use it for. First, consider both:

1. Your audience

  • Close Family and Friends
  • Extended Family and Friends
  • All the World Wide Web!

2. What you would like to include

  • Long-form writing
  • Short-form writing
  • Video
  • Photos
  • Multimedia

Below are descriptions of social media tools useful for sharing your experience:

Blogs: Blogs are a great way to share long-form writing. They also allow you to share pictures and video in the same site. You are normally able to personalize your background and URL so it’s easy for your followers to find you!

Here are some popular choices for blogging abroad:

WordPress: WordPress is by far the most popular blogging site! It easy for “blogging beginners” to use and personalize, and also offers advanced options for more seasoned users.

Tumblr: This site offers a blog platform with a focus on media-rich posts. Great for study-abroaders who plan to take a lot of pictures and want to write short-form, blurb-like posts to go with them.

Blogabond.com: Blogabond is a strictly “travel blog” site. It offers an opportunity to share your experiences on a grand scale and interact with people who have been to the places you’ve been to or hope to go!

The Official Aspire by API Blog – Ok, shameless plug, but becoming a blogger for Aspire by API is a great way to not only share your story, but also become a “published writer!” Great to add to any resume!  Email us at hello@aspirebyapi.com to find out more info.

 

Other social media resources:

Facebook: Who doesn’t have a Facebook? Well, you can use yours while abroad to easily share pictures, videos, and notes with all of your friends! Facebook also has the added bonus of allowing you to connect and share with all the new friends you make while studying abroad as well.

Twitter: If you enjoy sharing in real-time, this is the social media tool for you! Utilize 140 characters to share what you’re up to, moment-to-moment abroad!

Flickr: If you enjoy photography, this is a great social media for you! Share all your pictures in one place, for a great online gallery your family and friends can enjoy.

YouTube: Budding cinematographers out there, this is a great option for you. You can put together memorable montages or share video-blogs (vlogs) to share as well!

Gowalla and FourSquare: These geo-location social media can be used alone or linked up to other sites like Facebook and Twitter. They let you update your location, post reviews and collect points and badges along the way! Gowalla even has a virtual passport you can use to track all the places you have gone (Editor’s Note: since this post was written, Gowalla has been acquired by Facebook – stay tuned for what this means!).

Take the time to pick the right sites for you! These will be the most fun for you to update and create content for along the way! Documenting your journey shouldn’t be a chore. Explore your study abroad social media options, get exciting and get going!

 

This post was written by Lo Martinez, who studied with us in Salamanca, Spain during the spring of 2011.

]]> http://www.aspirebyapi.com/blog/2012/studying-abroad-with-social-media/feed/ 0