Specials Update!

AmeriSpan is still reeling from the excitement of Spain’s victory in the World Cup, and we’re celebrating by knocking down program costs in select Spain locations over the next few weeks!  We’ve also added a few new specials and renewed some others (keep in mind that we have permanent discounts for bloggers, groups, students, and Facebook Fans!).  Here’s a refresher of all our current location-specific “Recession Proof” deals:

  • Spain World Cup Celebration – Save $49/week: Some people experience Spring Fever but it is different for AmeriSpan. 
    We catch Spain
    Fever!
    Save $49/week when you register for AmeriSpan

    Spain programs     in Alicante, Barcelona, Granada, Madrid,
    Marbella, Salamanca, Sevilla, Tenerife and Valencia.  You must register by
    August 15, 2010
    and use discount code “World Cup” when
    registering to receive the discount. The maximum discount on
    this offer is $350! Offer not valid for Teenager Summer
    programs.
  • Jordan Special – Save $15: Save $150 when you register for a 4 week or longer program
    and start by the end of 2010 in Amman, Jordan  You must register by
    August 31, 2010
    and use discount code “Jordan Special” when registering
    to receive the discount.

  • Volunteer &
    Internship Offer:     Save $150 when you register for any AmeriSpan

    Volunteer or Internship
    program     in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatuemala,
    Nicaragua or Honduras).  You must register by
    August 15, 2010
    and use discount code “Work in Central America” when
    registering to receive the discount.
  • Free Week Classes in Quito (Value $165): Free week of group classes or $165 off any
    Quito language, Part-time
    Volunteer, Full-time Volunteer or Fun program and take at
    least 2 weeks or longer of group classes and complete your
    program in 2010.
    You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code “Quito
    Special” when registering to receive the discount.
  • $250 off Quebec City French Program: Take $250 off when you register for a
    Quebec City program
    for 4 weeks or more during June, July or August.
    You must start your courses before end of August and use discount code “Quebec Offer” when
    registering to receive the discount.

  • Save 15% in Panama City, Programs: Save 15% when you register for any
    Panama City language program 3 weeks or longer, and complete
    the program in 2010.
    You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code “Panama
    City Special” when registering to receive the discount.
  • Guatemala Special – Save $150: Save
    $150 when you register for any
    Antigua program starting on any date AND for 3 weeks or longer.  You must register by
    August 15, 2010
    and use discount code “Antigua-150″ when
    registering to receive the discount.

To see AmeriSpan’s specials, contests, and discounts at any given time, check out our Facebook page or visit our Specials Page.

Traveling, Homework & Exploring Lyon France

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

On Traveling:
Lyon?s a great city, but what makes it even more appealing is its proximity to the rest of France and other countries. This weekend I took a two-hour train to Geneva for a day of paddle boating, and exploring. I could have stayed in a hostel for the night, but decided to jet back early to save a bit of money (museums are also closed on Sundays in Geneva). Total cost of the trip breakdown: Train: 30 Euros, Food: 10 Swiss Francs, Boat Ride: 4 Francs (Granted, I shared the boat with six other people from the school - all of whom I met less than a week ago-, so we split the cost). I think a trip to Geneva for less than 50 Euros is a steal. Tip about traveling to Paris: book your train early! The price can fluctuate a lot, so plan ahead and you can save over 50 Euros on the train alone.

Read more on “Traveling, Homework & Exploring Lyon France” »

Study Abroad Korea: Fun with an 8 Hour Layover!

By Josephine K., guest blogger studying Korean in Seoul

When booking your ticket most people just want the quickest flight to their final destination.  However, a layover can be tons of fun if you don’t mind the wait.  This was my first time traveling abroad and I couldn’t wait to start my AmeriSpan program in South Korea.  Originally I thought that a layover would be a bad idea, let alone one that lasted 8 hours.  However, it was a great beginning to my time in Seoul.

My flight took me from the United States to Amsterdam (where I had the layover) and then from Amsterdam to Seoul, South Korea.  When I first got there I thought I would probably just spend my time looking at a few shops inside the airport and then just go on my laptop for the remaining time.  Lucky for me I when I was trying to find where my gate would be for my connecting flight (so I wouldn’t get lost later after exploring the airport) I found a booth for Amsterdam excursions.

Read more on “Study Abroad Korea: Fun with an 8 Hour Layover!” »

Homestay and Host Family FAQs

Living with native speakers is an unequivocally educational part of the
language immersion process, and in some ways it can give you the best
possible scope of your unfamiliar surroundings and language.  We here at AmeriSpan couldn't help but notice how excited our former students are about their homestay experiences, or how anxious our students-to-be are to find out as many details about their families as possible!  So, we want to share with you some very common questions and answers about our homestay arrangement process, and what you can expect!

Homestay-03

Read more on “Homestay and Host Family FAQs” »

First Impressions in Lyon France

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

First Impressions – On How I Made Friends
I am not the kind of person who would typically move to France
for two months to study French.  I like my American hamburgers, watching
TV and hanging out with people who speak my language (literally and figuratively). 
I came anyway though, in part, because the graduate program I’m entering in the
fall requires a reading knowledge of French, but also because one of my
childhood dreams has always been to learn how to speak French.  

Last Friday, I arrived in Lyon with a million pounds worth of
luggage (how do you pack for 2 months?) and I was terrified.  Though my
first weekend was lonely (I know absolutely no one in Lyon, and unfortunately I
opted out of the homestay option).  I was really happy to see, upon arriving
at my first class, that the school in Lyon has after-class activities planned
everyday after class.  Monday’s activity: Tour; Tuesday: Laser Tag;
Wednesday: Crepes, ect.  None of these activities cost much money, and
everyone is required to speak French the entire time.  Now it’s Wednesday,
I’ve been going to all the activities, spent only 7 euros on all them combined,
and I’ve made a lot of friends. 

To me, these activities are a godsend – in my very short time
here, I now have feel comfortable enough with the people that I don’t feel like
I need to worry about conversing in my shoddy French. 

Read more on “First Impressions in Lyon France” »

Studying French in Quebec City: City Tour (Part 2)

By Christina H., Guest Video Blogger studying French in Quebec City, Canada

Watch a video blog from our guest blogger, Christina H., who is studying French in Quebec City, Canada. In this video, Christina takes us on a tour of beautiful Quebec City.

See French in Quebec City.

College Semester/Year Abroad in Spain

A lot of people are not aware of the fact that they can save thousands of dollars on college tuition by spending a semester abroad!  Studying abroad has long been considered a luxury reserved for those lucky enough to have extraneous financial opportunity, but the reality is that tuition abroad is cheaper, and that many US colleges and advisors are willing to approve international credit!  Additionally, studying abroad for a semester or year is a phenomenal resume-builder, regardless of your major.  Courses are taught with international students in Spanish and/or English, and there are usually several elective options.  AmeriSpan now offers 4 College Study Abroad locations in Spain: Madrid, Granada, Barcelona UAB, and Barcelona BIC!

Read more on “College Semester/Year Abroad in Spain” »

French & Cooking Video: A City Tour of Nice France

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 takes us on a tour of this beautiful city.

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

3 Reasons to Study Italian in Venice


Italy_Venice_Gondolas 1. It FLOATS!
You probably know that the watery streets of Venezia are gondola-accessible, but did you know that it is built on 117 small islands?  While visiting the city, you will have plenty of opportunities to take gondola rides and tours.  But be careful!  Venice's many twists and turns can result in getting lost fairly easily!  Many newcomers like to stay close by to the city's main thoroughfare, the Grand Canal.

Read more on “3 Reasons to Study Italian in Venice” »