The winner of this essay contest will receive 1 Week of language classes and a shared room in dorm/apartment. Second prize is $500 gift certificate valid for any AmeriSpan program in Barcelona 2 weeks or longer including Teenager programs, College Study Abroad or any other Barcelona program.

See AmeriSpan's Why Barcelona? Contest Page for details!

Read more about Barcelona Spanish schools

Great job, everyone!

See Great Travel Abroad Contest winners!

This photo was taken at AmeriSpan's Spanish school at Samara Beach. Our professors decided we needed some good old-culture lessons and performed for us. It was amazing! Here is my professor wearing traditional garb for her region of Costa Rica. She's dancing the traditional moves and yelping the traditional "OI!" while one of my fellow students tries to keep up. This was a really special day for us. I kept thinking that it was amazing to have such dedicated professors. And of course, I appreciated that they wanted to teach us about their culture just as much as they wanted us to learn Spanish and enjoy the beach.

This is a great example of the many cultural lessons I've received in the study abroad programs that I have participated in through Amerispan. What I love most about these programs is their unique approach; you can live with locals, cook regional cuisines, and learn fantastic new dance moves. I can't wait to continue my exploration!

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Samara Beach Spanish school

Audrey P., current Great Travel Abroad Contest participant, shares an exciting activity she participated in while studying in Ireland

"It's like there?s always a twist to make it more awesome." -Jordan S., fellow classmate.

You'll have an exam, that's open book.
You must complete a 10 page term paper about your feelings
Your assignment today is to go to two different towns and have coffee and we're buying.

School began this week, and I must have spent no more than four total hours in class after sleeping for nine hours each night. If you think I'm living the pampered life, you're wrong. I have to pour my own cereal in the morning.

Our first professor is Irish, and his name is Monty. He's about a foot and a half taller than I expected,  so  he was at least 6 feet tall. He asked us, What instruments do you play?? I told him I play piano, and sometimes I can sing so high it sounds like I'm screaming.

There's a girl in my class who's quite short. She puts her feet on a stack of books when she sits because she can?t touch the floor (and also fears varicose veins). I haven't found her gold yet, but I'll keep you updated.

I. played. football. with. some. Irish. lads. the. other. day. (I wanted you to read that last sentence slowly so the awesomeness could sink in.) There was one other girl who played, and thus we were chosen as captains. I papered her rock and the bidding began. I knew nothing of the players' skills so I had to judge based on looks. Should I go for the guy who looks like an American or the lad who has red hair and is named Cormac? 'Your name's Robert? And you don't go by Bob? Yeah, I'll take Cormac.' I actually held my own against them, though. Those three-year-olds can be such pushovers when you give 'em a wee shove.

On Saturday, we split into teams and embarked on a scavenger hunt in Dublin. Basically, it was just an excuse to talk to Irish people by asking them for directions. 'Where can I find -oh, I can't read this, it must be Gaelic? Mac-Dawn-ahlds??'

We almost missed the train on the way back. We darted in as the doors were closing. I am unsure if the doors will bounce open like an elevator's if there?s a human in its midst, but I didn't want to wait long enough to chance it. If I come back with one less arm (so just one), you'll know curiosity got the best of me.

Note: While AmeriSpan doesn't currently offer any programs in Ireland, we recommend AllStudyAbroad for anyone interested.

Now, we were only supposed to award one Kindle for the first person to 501 points but they both arrived within 30 minutes of each other.  We tried to ascertain who was first but it was too close. So we decided both deserved a Kindle.  Don't forget that our Grand Prize drawing is only two weeks away, and the more points you rack up, the better!

Poppy T., current Great Travel Abroad Contest participant, relays her experiences arriving in South Africa

Wow, so much to report after just two weeks! First off, we endured a ten hour flight, which gave me and the other volunteers a chance to meet and chat. We got to Johannesburg Airport early in the morning, then came to the Johannesburg Ritz Hostel to stay for two nights- for a hostel it is the ritz! It has a pool, bar and a pool table! We have made lots of use of these three luxuries. After getting to the hostel, we went straight out for a tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. We were all so tired after the all night drinks on the plane.

We went to the Apartheid Museum, where Hector Pieterson's sister actually works (for those that dont know, Hector Pieterson was the first boy to be killed in the End of Apartheid Riot, at only 13 years old.) We finally got back, swam in the pool and had an early night. Today, we went to the orphanage, where we will be living starting tomorrow. We met some of the tiny babies and then the older children when they got back from school. All the babies and children were so happy to meet us and were reaching towards us. Then we had an orientation, where we learned there are 90 children at Othendweni, including 30 babies. We came back to the hotel, freshened up, went for a meal, then spent the rest of the night in the bar, where we had some great conversations.

Everyone I'm traveling with seems great so far. We all get on really well and all have great stories to tell eachother. So far, so good – although I'm aware this may change at some point! The school children here seem to walk very far on dangerous roads for school, which in the UK (where I'm from) just wouldnt be allowed. People stand in the middle of these dangerous roads trying to sell things to drivers, which also would not be allowed in the UK! Taxis are big, and drive people around cheaply. They beep as they're driving if there are seats for other people to jump in and share the fares!

Things here are so different- in some ways great and some ways bad. I am enjoying what I am doing although I slightly miss things. Sorry if I have rambled on!

Off to live in Othendweni Orphanage tomorrow and off to bed now. Hope all is good back home!

Learn how you can volunteer in South Africa

Caitlin Beal – Kindle
prem – Travel Gear ($25 amazon gift card )
kateska22 – $100 Airfare discount
alocke117 – Think Spanish (1 year subscription)
rachelne – Think Spanish (1 year subscription)
grnhcat – Think French (1 year subscription)
sashayn – Think French (1 year subscription)
jwing105 – Think Italian (1 year subscription)
emerritt – Think Italian (1 year subscription)

Thank you to everyone who is participating in the Great Study Abroad Contest. Our next prize drawing will be on May 25th. For more information about this contest, check out the Contest Overview.