Nassel News

Nowadays it’s a commonly shared dream to live, work, travel or study abroad - and as flights get cheaper and the internet and email broadens our minds and opens up our world to a whole host of international opportunity, so more and more of us are getting to live the dream and explore the wider world.

Once a policy has been found that matches both your requirements and your budget and you’ve read the small print, familiarized yourself with the main points, restrictions, excesses and inclusions of the policy hopefully it can all be forgotten about and you will never need to make use of it. If the worst happens and you fall ill though, at least you will know that you have nothing to worry about apart from concentrating on getting better, your health insurance provider will take care of all of the rest for you.
 

The benefits of studying abroad cannot be underestimated. There is no downside to studying abroad and the upside is huge. From learning a new language to gaining a better understanding of world politics, studying abroad can make you a far more desirable hire to potential employers. If the person interviewing you also studied abroad, it can be the key to making that connection with them that sets you apart from the others.

Observe the Andes, become eloquent in Chinese, become an expert on Italian wines or in French culinary art. There is nothing greater than breaking up four years of humdrum university classes with a term abroad. Hitting the books abroad takes a great deal of planning and comprises of a great deal more than only pounding the books in a dissimilar scenery. Here are some leads on how to organize for the experience of a life.

when the nuts and bolts of academic credit are important, do not forget to keep in mind the type of personal experience you want to have as abroad. Realistically, period spent being absorbed in the culture, touring, studying the language and building relationships with locals may greatly outweigh the time you spend hammering the books. That is truly why you wanted to study overseas anyway, Correct? That’s why it is good to keep in mind the size of the city, language and cultural draws during your search as well.
 

What A German Language School Can Do For You
German is not always the first choice for people looking to learn a foreign language. But maybe it should be. German is spoken by more than 100 million people in 38 countries around the world. Most of the world’s German speakers are in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but there are also significant numbers of German speakers in the United States and South America. That’s a lot of German speakers, and a lot of reasons to learn German. Here are five reasons to consider attending a German language school.

Where Should I Learn German?
Although there are plenty of German classes available in most countries, a good option is to study in Germany at a German language school. This means that students will learn by immersion, hearing German spoken both inside and outside the classroom. This is a good way to learn German fast and correctly. There are German language schools around the country. One option is to study in Berlin. Not only does Berlin have many universities and educational institutions, but it also has a rich cultural history and many sights to see. This makes study in Berlin a good option for learning German.
 

More and more college-bound students from the U.S. and around the world are traveling to Germany to study, some for a semester or a year, but others to pursue a two- or four-year degree at one of the country’s many prestigious universities.

The current climate of commercial and political globalization offers an advantage to students with fluency in a second language, and particularly to those who have a deep familiarity with another culture; graduates who boast a degree or even a semester at a foreign university will probably be looked upon with high interest by recruiters for large corporations. But beyond that kind of pragmatism, living in a foreign country and studying elbow-to-elbow with students from Europe, the U.S., Japan, China, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and other geographically and culturally diverse corners of the world offers students a unique opportunity to develop diverse friendships and an understanding of other cultures and world views. And perhaps this opportunity to connect on a meaningful level with individuals from other, often profoundly different, cultures is the most important benefit, in this complicated and troubled world, of study abroad.

Have you always dreamed of traveling to cool places, meeting lots of different people, and maybe picking up a language or two? No matter what country you live in, you can fly over the world’s highest waterfalls in Venezuela, learn world trade in Japan, study in France, or take dancing lessons in Ghana.
How? Join a study abroad program, where high school and college students live with a host family in a foreign country. Semester, summer, and year-long programs allow you to attend school, take intensive language courses, or perform community service in another country. Read on to learn more about study abroad programs.

Why Study Abroad?

Besides the excitement of travel, one reason to study abroad is that you will experience new customs, holidays, foods, art, music, and politics firsthand.
“Obviously, I learned the language and am now fluent, but perhaps more importantly was how much I learned about cultures, people, and myself. I learned this from the viewpoint of an active member of the community and my [host] family, not from the tourist’s point of view,” says Andrew, who studied in Poitiers, France.
Another reason for studying abroad is that you’ll gain self-confidence. Christina studied in Caracas, Venezuela, a city of 10 million people and a huge change from her hometown of 35,000! Christina says she learned how to better stand up for herself and her beliefs and to express herself in another language. What could make you more confident than that?
Living away from home can also help you adjust in the transition to college and adulthood. Matthew says he returned from studying in Australia with confidence, social savvy, and a genuine interest in international affairs that really set him apart from his peers. “After having gone abroad in high school, I found the transition to college to be a breeze - moving 560 miles from home didn’t seem particularly daunting after having lived thousands of miles away.”
And speaking of college, improving your language skills might help you get into choice colleges and even land future jobs. Colleges and employers know that studying abroad provides leadership skills in a world that is increasingly globally interconnected.
Most of all, it’s fun! You’re not likely to suffer from sophomore slump or general boredom while you’re studying in a different learning environment.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Although many programs have academic requirements, you usually don’t have to have the highest grades or marks to be eligible. And most programs do not have language requirements.
Who you are is as important as your academic record. Study abroad programs look for students who are independent, self-assured, enjoy new experiences and different types of people, and can handle challenges. When you study in a foreign country, you’ll be faced with new circumstances, environments, and predicaments. Ask yourself:

• Am I willing to try new things - everything from foods to social situations?
  
• Am I comfortable making my own decisions, such as what time to leave for school, which courses to take, and how to deal with conflict and change, without family or friends around to help?
  
• Do I like to take risks?
  
• How have I handled complex and new situations in the past?
  

If you really hate change and don’t like the idea of figuring things out all on your own, then studying abroad may not be for you. It’s important to really think about your comfort zone and to be honest with yourself - you could end up miserable far away from home if you aren’t! Of course, if you want to change those things about yourself and don’t mind tackling them head on, then studying abroad may be an ideal way to take the plunge.
Don’t let a little anxiety stop you from considering the possibility of a summer, semester, or year abroad, though. Matthew says he will never forget sitting in the airport about to board a plane bound for Melbourne. “I felt overwhelmed, terrified, and thrilled at the same time,” he says. “In the end, though, the rewards of living overseas far outweigh the initial uncertainties.”

Applying to a Program

Specific application procedures vary from program to program. In most cases, program personnel design applications and interviews to find out if you’re a good fit for the program and a host family, if you’ll be staying with one. You might need to answer questions on past obstacles you’ve encountered and what you’ve learned from these experiences or write an introductory letter to your potential host family.
You will need to provide personal and school references, health information, and practices (for example, if you have allergies or are a vegetarian). Your parents also may need to tell the program personnel how they feel about your studying abroad. You’ll also have to go through interviews with schools or sponsoring organizations.

Pitching the Idea to Your Parents

Are you convinced that a year abroad is for you, but you’re worried that your parents will never go for it? Use some of the points of view that sold you on the idea to help them understand why you want to study overseas. Point out that studying abroad is a chance of a lifetime and that it offers great academic opportunities - including learning a second language.
You might also sell them on the idea that students in study abroad programs gain experiences by being in a new culture, broaden their horizons, and increase their maturity and self-confidence levels. Study abroad students have an educational edge when entering college or starting careers - where language skills, cross-cultural experiences, and global outlooks are becoming essential.
If your parents are worried that you’ll miss a year of school, won’t get credit later, or will be stuck in a foreign country without help or supervision, explain that most of these programs are experienced in helping teens get the most out of their year abroad. Many study abroad programs are well established - the American Field Service (AFS) student exchange program has been been around for more than 50 years.
Study abroad students are well supervised. Programs usually have offices in host countries, many with 24-hour hotlines. Host families are chosen carefully to meet specific students’ needs.

Finding a Program

There are hundreds of programs through organizations like AFS, Youth for Understanding (YFU), American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), and the Rotary Club. (Click on the Resources tab to see a partial list.) These organizations and lots more are online - so try a Web search. You can call or write for catalogs.
Other sources of information are school counselors, religious organizations, teachers, librarians, family, and friends. Ask them for recommendations.
But check out programs early - applications can be due 4 to 9 months in advance. Age requirements vary, although students are usually in the 15- to 22-year age range. Program costs can vary, too. But don’t let cost scare you away. Many programs have substantial scholarships available, but make sure you apply early. Some programs help students raise money from schools and local organizations.

Staying Healthy Abroad

Depending on where you are going there are a number of suggested immunizations. You and your doctor or a travel medicine specialist should decide which vaccinations are appropriate for you. Make sure to get this information early (several weeks or even months before traveling, if possible) to give yourself enough time to get the vaccines you need.
Travel health insurance is also available in case you become ill or get hurt while you are away. Most plans include a 24-hour hotline for assistance with doctors, dentists, and other health concerns.
Drink bottled water and avoid raw foods. You may want to pack products like antiseptic ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, contact lens solution, and adhesive bandages. Don’t forget prescription drugs or items like inhalers if you have asthma. And it’s a good idea to see your dentist before departure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer information on traveling abroad at their website. Click on the Resources tab to learn more.
In addition to preparing physically, don’t neglect your emotional health. Consider journal writing to help process your experience. And prepare for culture shock when you return - you’ve grown and so have friends and family. You’ll also miss your host family and friends.
Prepare yourself for these feelings by getting support from family, friends, a counselor, or another student who has spent time abroad.

Returning the Favor

If you’ve studied abroad and want to be a host yourself, or if you’ve decided you don’t want to travel but would like the chance to learn about another culture, your family may be a candidate to host a student. Families fill out applications and interview with organization representatives, reviewing profiles (or videos) of students who might be a good fit.
Whether you host a student or study abroad yourself, you’re sure to see the world in a new way.