Movie Release: Mao’s Last Dancer

Maos_last_dancer A fascinating new movie, Mao's Last Dancer, is opening in Philadelphia on August 20, 2010. The movie tells the true story of Li Cunxin, a Chinese man with a poor upbringing in rural China, who rose to international stardom as a world-class dancer. Directed by Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy), written by Jan Sardi (The Notebook, Shine) and produced by Jane Scott (Shine), all of whom are previous Academy Award nominees.

The story of Li Cunxin tells about the strength and determination it takes to study dance as well as to pursue one's dreams. It also shows a glimpse of Chinese vs. American culture and the difficulties of adapting to living in a different country. 

Click to see the trailer for Mao's Last Dancer.

You can also check out Mao's Last Dancer on Facebook.

Go to AmeriSpan's Chinese programs.

Beat the Heat!

 
There's a heat wave storming through the USA, and now is the perfect time to take advantage of more reasonable climes abroad!  There are so many great places to go when the heat becomes unbearable, and AmeriSpan can help you find the best place possible to beat the heat!

Santiago_cityview

Read more on “Beat the Heat!” »

Top 5 Reasons the Host Family is Totally Worth It!

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

When I was first applying for my AmeriSpan program I wasn't sure if I wanted just the lodging house or a host family.  After talking with one of the representatives from the "Live Help Chat" on the AmeriSpan website they explained that I would be getting more practice if I was with a host family.  I was also apprehensive because I don't know any Korean and I would be going to the country with no language abilities except for English.  I asked if that would be a problem and the representative said that it wouldn't be an issue and I would benefit the most because I would be engulfed in the culture and language.  With the reassurance from AmeriSpan I decided to go for it, and boy am I glad I did!

5) Having a Family Away From Home
The host family I'm staying with is household consisting of a grandmother, mother, (mother's) brother, and a baby. It is a comfort to come back from school, or from exploring Seoul, to see the hustle and bustle of normal family life. Everyone is so welcoming and happy to see you that very quickly you start to feel like part of the family.

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New “Re-Entry: Need to Know” E-Report!

AmeriSpan loves seeing perspective, current, and registered students alike taking full advantage of our free e-Reports!  Our "19 Biggest Study Abroad Mistakes", "Ultimate Guide to Packing", and "Predeparture Guide" are the most popular downloadable tools at the moment.  They are proving to be a valuable resource for studying languages and traveling abroad. But, until now, all of our e-Reports have been geared towards those preparing for their trips, and there haven't been any designed for those of you coming home!

This is why we are excited to announce the arrival of our newest e-Report, entitled "Re-Entry: Need to Know"!  Having a game plan for your return home is almost as important as getting ready to leave; your actions when coming back can help cement your memories abroad and help others know what to expect!  It can also help us sharpen our preferences for sending future students abroad, as well as assist in developing our "Like/Don't Like" categories!

The "Re-Entry: Need to Know" e-Report will be a great bookend for your trip, and answer a variety of questions you may have, such as:

  • What is "Reverse Culture Shock"?
  • How does your "Repeat Client Discount" work?
  • How do I share my travel photos, videos, and stories with the world?
  • I want to start my own travel blog!  How do I get started?

Check out the "Re-Entry: Need to Know" e-Report for yourself here:

Is our world view influenced by the languages that we speak?

The question of whether
languages shape the way we think goes back centuries; Charlemagne
proclaimed
that "to have a second language is to have a second soul."

Do the languages we speak shape the way we think? Do they merely express
thoughts, or do the structures in languages (without our knowledge or consent)
shape the very thoughts we wish to express? 

The Wall Street Journal's lifestyle section has a fascinating article on this topic.

Introduction to Studying Spanish in Uruguay

By Angela B., AmeriSpan Delegate to Montevideo, Uruguay

So I made it!!! And Uruguay is awesome!!  I got here this past Sunday night and it has been nonstop ever since!  I mean who doesn’t like city that is lined by a beach???  I have class everyday from 9-1pm, not too early so I can sleep in a lil and then we get out early enough to go out on the town all day and night!

The Uruguay Spanish school sets up activities every day so that the students have something to do, since we don’t know anybody or anything. There are things like, intercambio, which is where you go and meet people who want to practice their English and you can practice your Spanish, also there is couchsurfing, and it´s pretty much the same idea. They meet at a cafe and chat. It’s a great way to meet locals. Monday we went to a Tango class, it was fun, not really my thing, but I liked it.  Tuesday was the big game..Uruguay vs. Holland…the city was CRAZY. There was a huge parade and everybody met in the plaza downtown, it kinda reminded me of the crowd during New Years Eve in NYC… people everywhere, confetti, flags, face paintings, tears, laughs, hugs!!!  Today we went horseback riding in el campo.  The director of the school has horses galore and she took some of us along with her daughters to ride some horses and check out the Uruguayan countryside.  It was so fun, my very first time on a horse and it was a success, I must say!  This will be our first weekend here, so we are really looking forward to it! It should be lots of fun!!  

As of right now, and because it is winter here it’s extremely cold and I didn’t pack right so I’m freezing everyday!! Also there are only 5 students right now but this weekend there will be 3 new girls from Brazil and 1 new guy from USA…CAN´T WAIT!!!

Read more on “Introduction to Studying Spanish in Uruguay” »

Tips from Studying Abroad in Lyon France

By Ashley C., guest blogger studying French in Lyon, France

Avignon:
This weekend I went to Avignon with a couple friends from the school (again, the proximity of Lyon to other parts of France just makes Lyon a fantastic place to study French). In Avignon, there are street artists everywhere and practically every wall, car, and building is filled with posters of upcoming theatre productions. It’s common to see a man walking down the street with a rolling piano, clowns singing opera, dancers dressed up in old fashioned dresses. It?’s just an incredibly unique place. I would highly recommend visiting if you study in Lyon. Price for the train: 44 Euros (a bit pricey) and 30 Euros for the hotel (when split three ways). If you do make the voyage, I would recommend going on the ferris wheel, seeing the big park, and just enjoying all the street artists around the central downtown. I would not recommend going to any cathedrals that are expensive (the rooms really aren’t that cool).

A sponsor of this site says that one of the benefits of attending an online school, is you can do it from any where; including France."

When something goes wrong (between student and teacher):
There is an instructor here who leaves the classroom every time we work on something. I wrote in my evaluation (we write evaluations of the teachers every week) that I wish he would stay in the classroom to help us, and I’m happy to say that he’s actually very different in the class now – he’s always helping us. This just to say, if you are unhappy with something in the program, you can let someone know and, usually, your voice will be heard.

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Study Abroad Korea: How to Get Through Customs

“If All Else Fails Follow the Leader: Incheon Airport”

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

Going to the airport by yourself can be a scary endeavor, but what can add to the fear is when that airport is in a foreign country.  I recently landed in Incheon Airport to start my adventure in Seoul where I am taking my AmeriSpan program for Korean Language.  When I arrived at the airport I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going.  

Now a few things about entering South Korea. If you are an American traveling in the country as a tourist for less than 90 days you do not need a visa.  Immunization shots are always suggested but none are required.  Also, Korea checks your temperature and if you show any signs of “flu-like symptoms” you are quarantined.  (Please make sure you check the embassy’s website before going and don’t just take my word for it, because things do change!) 

So with all this information in my head I still had no idea what was going to happen when I got off the plane.  The only things that kept racing through my mind were:  ”Do they check my passport first?”  ”Do I exchange my money before or after baggage claim? ” and “Please, oh please, oh please DON’T say I caught the flu from the women coughing up a storm that sat next to me for the 10 hour flight!  I don’t want to be quarantined!”  Okay, so the last one was me panicking a bit, but sadly that thought raced through my mind as I was in the line where they check your body temperature as you pass by a camera. Needless to say, I was fine and did not get quarantined, nor anyone else from my flight that I could see (including my coughing neighbor).

Read more on “Study Abroad Korea: How to Get Through Customs” »

French & Cooking Video: Classes and Excursions

By Miluska S., guest video blogger from Nice, France. 

Miluska is studying French & Cooking, one of AmeriSpan’s Language & Fun programs, in Nice, France. In this video, Miluska brings us to her French language classes and on some excursions with the French school.

For more information on this program, go to French & Cooking in Nice. 
See all French programs in Nice.