Greenheart Travel

Tag: teen

  • Money Saving Tips to use while Abroad in Spain

    Money Saving Tips to use while Abroad in Spain

    Zev Feldman is a First Time Traveler Winner and participant on Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp Spain Program

    Salamanca, a historic city in western Spain, is renowned for its beautiful architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant student life. While traveling to such an enchanting destination can often seem costly, there are numerous ways to explore Salamanca on a budget without missing out on its many charms. Here are some money-saving tips that will help you enjoy your trip to Salamanca without breaking the bank.

    Cost-Effective Transportation

    Salamanca is a compact city, making it easy to explore on foot. Walking not only saves money but also allows you to fully appreciate the city’s historic streets and architecture. For longer distances, the local bus system is efficient and inexpensive. A single bus ticket costs only a couple of euros, making it a very budget-friendly option. Additionally, renting a bike can be a fun and cost-effective way to see more of the city. Several rental shops offer reasonable daily rates, and the flat terrain of Salamanca makes biking an enjoyable experience. With many attractions close to each other, walking or biking around Salamanca will keep your transportation costs minimal.

    Free and Discounted Attractions

    Many of Salamanca’s iconic sights can be enjoyed for free. The Plaza Mayor, a grand square surrounded by impressive buildings, is a perfect example. It’s a great place to relax, people watch, and soak in the atmosphere. The Plaza also has lots of free concerts and spectacles The old and new cathedrals, though there is a small fee to enter, can be appreciated from the outside at no cost. The Casa de las Conchas, known for its unique façade adorned with shells, is another stunning sight that doesn’t require an entry fee. It is also the public library for the other book people out there.

    Saving money in Salamanca, Spain with Greenheart Travel

    Salamanca also boasts several beautiful parks and public spaces, such as the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea, a romantic garden offering panoramic views of the city. Additionally, if you’re a student, carrying your student ID can provide discounts at various museums and attractions. Many institutions offer reduced prices or even free entry to students, making it easier to explore the cultural richness of Salamanca on a budget.

    Saving money in Salamanca, Spain with Greenheart Travel
    Another great way to explore Salamanca is by joining free walking tours. These tours, usually operated by knowledgeable locals, work on a tips-only basis. They provide insightful introductions to the city’s history, architecture, and culture, and are a fantastic way to get acquainted with Salamanca without spending much money. One of the tours that I went on is the walking Graffiti tour, here are a few of the graffiti that I saw:

    Saving money in Salamanca, Spain with Greenheart Travel

    Saving money in Salamanca, Spain with Greenheart Travel

    Saving money in Salamanca, Spain with Greenheart Travel

    General Money-Saving Strategies

    Using discount cards such as the Salamanca Tourist Card can provide savings on attractions, tours, and dining. These cards often include entrance to multiple sites and discounts at various restaurants and shops, offering excellent value for money.
    To avoid extra charges, consider using a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. These cards can save you a considerable amount on currency exchange fees and are widely accepted throughout Spain. It’s also wise to withdraw cash from ATMs sparingly, as frequent small withdrawals can lead to high fees.
    Planning and budgeting your trip carefully can also help you save money. Research and list the must-see attractions and look for any free events or festivals happening during your stay. This way, you can allocate your budget effectively and ensure that you don’t miss out on any key experiences.
    By implementing these money-saving tips, you can fully enjoy the wonders of Salamanca without straining your budget. Whether it’s cost-effective transportation, exploring free attractions, or utilizing general savings strategies, there are plenty of ways to experience Salamanca’s rich culture and history while keeping expenses in check. So pack your bags, plan smartly, and get ready to discover this beautiful Spanish city without breaking the bank. Happy travels!

  • Is It Safe to Send Your Child to Japan?

    Is It Safe to Send Your Child to Japan?

    So, your teen can’t stop talking about Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp in Japan (and high school abroad). They can’t wait to dive into an arcade to play Taiko no Tatsujin or find their perfect bubble tea spot.

    And your biggest question?

    Is Japan safe?

    We understand why you’re asking. Whether it’s through the narrow streets of Florence, Italy or the coast of Chile, safety is an important topic to consider before going on a program. Especially when sending your teenager across the globe, alone!

    But before we gush about what a great program our Teen Summer Language Camp in Japan is, we have to be honest: we would never send our participants somewhere we would not go ourselves. We will continue to travel personally and professionally and many of us visit Japan frequently.

    Of course, no matter where you are – even in your suburban neighborhood in Ohio – there is always a certain amount of risk in traveling.

    Greenheart Travel’s Associate Director of Marketing, Sara, in Japan

    Here are a few things to consider when wondering if Japan is safe:

    By international standards, everyone is jealous.

    Remember your question “Is Japan safe?”

    Yes.

    Japan overall is an extremely safe country, in many respects actually far safer than the United States. So safe, that in fact it was ranked the “safest country in the world.” Why? One writer has some reasons.

    Greenheart Travel’s Program Manager, Kara, in Japan

    There is no Department of State Warning against Japan.

    The U.S. Department of State does not have any warnings or advisories for Japan. Even so, Greenheart Travel recommends our students enroll in the STEP program through the US embassy to receive alerts in case of emergency.

    Just to give some perspective, the United Kingdom has a travel alert about the United States right now. They warn UK citizens traveling to the US that gun violence is common, hurricanes are a problem, and there is a general threat of terrorism. The moral of the story is that from a distance, looking only at news reports and reading your own country’s travel advisories, foreign countries look much scarier than they actually are.

    Greenheart Travel’s High School & Short-Term Abroad Programs Coordinator, Allison, in Japan

    In case of emergency – we’ve got you covered.

    Greenheart Travel programs include 24/7 local and long-distance emergency support.

    Plus, our local staff have evacuation plans in place for all major threats – not only potential military escalations with North Korea but all manner of disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, etc – so you can rest assured that in the unlikely safety event, we will take the necessary steps to ensure student safety.

    We recently hosted a webinar about safety & security abroad.

    Greenheart Travel’s Teach & Work Programs Director, Lauren, in Japan

    Remember, you should treat Japan like anywhere else. You should expect the best, but always be aware and trust your gut. It is ultimately your decision to travel, and with the trust and support of an organization like Greenheart Travel, we hope you will feel comfortable doing so.

    We firmly believe that travel and cultural exchange bring the world closer together, person by person. Now is exactly the time we need the type of cross-cultural communication our programs provide.

  • The Education System in the United States vs England

    The Education System in the United States vs England

    Before I came to England, I had only gone to school in the same school district and had no idea how different other schools can be. After living in a new country for 5 months, I now realize how different school can actually be. Let’s compare:

    Summer Vacations

    I was shocked when I found out that summer is only 6 weeks long in England! My initial reaction was “that’s unfortunate”, but that quickly changed when I heard how many breaks they get during the year. Each school gets 14 weeks off, just divided differently. In England, every 6-8 weeks they have what’s called ‘half term’ which is a week off once they finish a term. In America, we only have a few breaks during the year which can be quite exhausting.

    Country United States United Kingdom
    Summer length 10 weeks 6 weeks
    Mother Day in Hayor in Dartmoor

    School Years

    Another major difference is the breakdown of school ages. Students in America begin and finish education one year later than those in England. There are also different levels of schooling offered at different ages illustrated in the charts below.

    COUNTRY United States
    Elementary School 5-11
    Middle School 11-14
    High School 14-18
    University 18-22
    COUNTRY United Kingdom
    Primary School 4-11
    Secondary school     11-16
    College 16-18
    University 18-21
    Fishing in Wembury

    HIGH SCHOOL VS COLLEGE

    The biggest difference I experienced was going to college at age 16. In the US, I was a junior in high school and had another year before I graduated. However, when I came to England, I was a college student. This was even better than I could have imagined.

    In the US I would attend 6 lessons from 7:20-2:13 with only 6 minutes passing time between classes and 25 minutes for lunch.

    In the UK I would start on most days at 9, but only have 2-3 classes a day giving me at least a 2 hour break.

    This was great for me because I could sleep longer, spend my free time catching up on homework, or hanging out with friends.

    Country Start & End time Classes Lunch
    United States 7:20-2:13 6 25 min lunch
    United Kingdom 9-4:30 3 2+ hours break

    I enjoyed attending 3 college classes because there was much more focus on each subject. With that extra focus, however, came more pressure. The grade received for each class was the final exam grade. In the courses I took, no coursework, homework, or quizzes counted towards the overall grade. This was very different to what I have experienced in the states as 85% of my final grade consisted of homework, tests, quizzes, and only 15% accounted for my final exam. Although I prefer the schedule I had in England, I enjoyed the grade breakdown of the states.

    As there are pros and cons to both education systems, I cannot choose which one I prefer. However, I am fortunate to have experienced the differences and now appreciate them as well.

    Greenheart Travel’s Tips for Studying Abroad in England

    • You will experience culture shock in ways you don’t expect. Although England might be very similar to your home country, there will be cultural differences regarding self-expression, mannerisms, and social expectations.
    • Every country has a different set of priorities on what it deems as valuable curriculum. There will be areas where you thrive and others where you don’t. This has nothing to do with how “smart” a country is.
    • Do your best to request subjects that genuinely excite you. Though ultimately your courses will depend on the school, you are able to put in preferences. Make sure to choose subjects that you will be excited to learn more about or that your home school has said they will give you credit for. This will motivate you through the increased workload you can expect! Studying abroad at a Sixth Form college in England is one of our most academically rigorous programs!
    • Use your study periods – catch up on studying in your own time, you’ll be expected to be very independent when it comes to making progress at school! Use your study periods so that after school you can focus on joining a club or sport.
  • What It’s Like Flying Alone from the US to Japan

    What It’s Like Flying Alone from the US to Japan

    Hi! My name is Madison and I am a part of the teen language camp for Fukuoka Japan. I am currently sitting in Shanghai after a long flight. I thought this was a perfect time to let others know what it was like getting here.

    My mom and I started out in Denver. An airport I am quite familiar with. This went smoothly and I quickly arrived in LA. My experience was different from the moment I stepped off the place because I was now alone.

    I had never navigated an airport by myself until this point. I was extremely nervous and a bit uncomfortable. Already I wish I had relaxed a bit. It wasn’t as bad as I had expected. Everyone helped me out when I asked questions and I made it to my gate in plenty of time

    The next flight was very long, reaching about 13 hours. It was definitely the longest I’d spent on a plane at one time. I mainly slept on the flight but enjoyed the food and drinks that were given.

    When the plane landed I was in Shanghai!  I definitely panicked a bit because I was not able to call my mom at first due to being in a different country. I didn’t really know what to do so I just followed the signs. First I was fingerprinted, then I made my way towards international transfer. I was in the wrong line at first but they directed me to the correct stop and suddenly I was at security after scanning my passport and boarding pass. Once I made it through security my gate was very easy to find. There was English all over and everyone I spoke to was able to talk to me very well. I had a four hour layover so I walked around, seeing as much of Shanghai from the airport as I could before my last flight to Fukuoka.

    For my final flight of the day everyone has to take a bus over to the airplane with a set of stairs leading to the door. We all scanned our board passes again made our way to the plane. It was a quick flight compared to the others.

    Finally, I am in Japan! I had to fill out an entry card and go through customs. There my host family was waiting for me!

    I know it’s scary and nerve-wracking flying by yourself but it was worth it and not as bad as I was expecting. My time getting to Fukuoka was 26 hours total but I enjoyed the experience. Now I am eating ramen and walking around in Fukuoka.

    Hope this helps give everyone an understanding of what it was like traveling to Japan.

    Madison Schuler, from Wyoming, is a Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient. Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s scholarship opportunities to help you travel for a change!

  • 8 Ways to Support Your Child While Abroad

    8 Ways to Support Your Child While Abroad

    When you’re a parent sending your child abroad, you know there’s a lot they must prepare for: culture shock, homesickness, and language barriers. But your children aren’t the only ones experiencing a life change.  

    “This was definitely a learning experience for the parents as well!” says Lisa Hall, mother of high school in Sweden alum Matilda. “It was very hard to not be there to help when things were tough.” 

    So what can you do? Miles away from your children, how can you still support them? We asked parents of Greenheart Travel alumni share their insight on how you can best support your child while they’re abroad. Here are their tips.  

    Before they go abroad, talk about life when they return  

    “Prior to him leaving for the 6 months, we did discuss what he wanted to do at his school in the US during his junior year.  He decided he would try to run for student council office while he was overseas.  And unbeknownst to his dad and I – he did run, campaigned via Instagram and won the vice president spot for the upcoming junior class here in the US.  The lesson to learn…. make goals with your child and then let your child be the captain of that ship while he is away.” -Bonnie Green, mother of high school in New Zealand alum Graham.

    Agree on a weekly time to talk – and stick with it  

    Schedule a time and way to communicate in advance, that way you are both on the same page. For example, decide that they need to check-in on Sundays around 7:00 pm their time via WhatsApp. This way, you don’t need to send them texts throughout the day because you’ll already have a set time to catch up. 

    Mary Scott, mother of language camp in Spain alum Emmy, explains why it’s so important to give space. “While she was abroad, we made sure we weren’t constantly bombarding her with texts and skype calls which at first was difficult. However, we knew she would have a more enriching experience if she wasn’t having to think about us back in Michigan the whole time. We wanted her to be able to completely devote herself to speaking Spanish and learning about her new environment.”

    For Hall, being far from her daughter was “hard in a different way when she was having so much fun, there was hardly any contact! But that was the best kind of growth for us all.” 

    Olivia McCollum at her high school while studying abroad in Japan

    Recognize that YOUR life is going to change  

    Your life at home is undoubtedly going to change. For Bonnie Green, she and her husband experienced being empty nesters for the first time.

    Her advice? Take this opportunity and focus on you.  

    “Make a list of things YOU want to do while your child is away. My husband and I took dance lessons, had adult only (no children) dinner parties, accomplished house updates, traveled to visit our children who were away at college, visited aging parents, put in extra time at work and started hiking more.”  

    And that leads us to our next point… 

    Don’t say how much you miss them or how much you want them home

    Your child will most likely be homesick at some point, and it can be really hard to go through that while hearing pleads to come home. Being asked to come back and hearing about what they are missing at home can make a hard day so much worse. 

    Instead, tell them that you are so excited to hear about their adventures when they are back.   

    Jacob Dane Chilton with host family in Spain

    Encourage them to reach out to local staff and take initiative  

    Part of why going abroad builds confidence and leadership skills is because travelers are expected to speak up and handle themselves. Instead of telling your teen what to do, or doing things on their behalf, allow them the opportunity to be independent. This is especially important when handling the pre-departure logistics so that they don’t feel totally lost when stepping foot in the airport. “When a problem comes up, discuss the different ways it can be solved instead of jumping in and telling them what to do.” says Scott.

    The best thing you can do for your teen is to let them practice communicating with adults and learning how to manage themselves. It can be hard to trust your child to do everything right but giving them that space to grow will make them better prepared for their program (and life).  

    “I think it is vital that while your child is aboard that he/she become a part of their new community,” says Green. “While he did stay in touch with friends in the states, he made friends in NZ.  The small town even had a send-off for him and took him to the airport.” 

    Read about their country and take interest when they share new knowledge 

    A great way to get involved in their experience is by learning more about the culture in the country in which they’re going. As  you learn about your child’s new home, take note of what your child is excited about. “I was sure to listen to all the positive details, no matter how small!” says Hall. 

    You could practice making a tortilla española or start listening to the music of traditional Austrian brass band and surprise them with your newfound knowledge.  

    Greenheart staff member Allison Yates’s mom started learning Spanish when she studied abroad in Argentina. “She knew that Spanish was a huge part of my life, so it meant so much that she wanted to learn it too! It helped her feel like she understood my experience more,” says Yates.  

    Students attending high school abroad in the Netherlands

    Educate yourself on what they might be feeling – and how you can help from afar

    A great way to get a sense of the mental and emotional experience of studying abroad is by completing the Greenheart Travel Atlas along with your child. This is tool for before, during, and after the cultural exchange experience that includes personal and professional development, cultural understanding and environmental awareness. 

    For example, if your normally independent child calls you multiple times a day when they first arrive in the country, you’ll remember it’s likely initial culture shock.  You can remind them to follow the Greenheart Travel Atlas tools to overcome this stage and focus on meeting new people and spending time with their host family.  

    Halls says she supported Matilda by “making sure she knew I was there to talk about things, whether they were positive or negative. I tried to give her as much time as I could, but not to have it be open-ended or all the time.”  

    While your first instinct might be to check in more frequently, increased contact with friends and family back home only exacerbates culture shock. 

    Rest easy – they’re in good hands 

    “We had to give up our control and trust in the goodness and professionalism of others. We did our research, chose a great partner in Greenheart, and raised a strong daughter,” says Laura Foster, mother of high school abroad Costa Rica alum, Eleanor.  

    As parents and former exchange students, Greenheart and our in-country partners know what it’s like to be far from your family, and we work to equip students with the tools they need to succeed.  

  • When Your Child Goes Abroad: Reflecting on a Parenting Sabbatical

    When Your Child Goes Abroad: Reflecting on a Parenting Sabbatical

    After years of wanting to spend a semester abroad, on Feb. 4, 2019, our youngest daughter Eleanor, age almost 17, walked onto a jetway, heading to five months in a small town on a Costa Rican volcano.

    She’s a young woman who deeply loves her home, Oregon. Its forests, lakes, beaches and mountains are her playground and temple. We treasure her connection to the natural world, and her taking on challenges that move her further and further into it.

    And now, at the airport, she’s completing another move, one that has seen us migrate from the center of her world to its periphery, as her friendships and experiences expand.

    We are happy for her.

    But I must say, watching the back of our girl disappear into a crowd shuffling down a jetway was a hard moment. We turned away from the gate and walked out of the airport with the odd feeling that we’d left something behind. And we did. After 30 years of parenting, we had no child to watch over, plan for, or schedule our days around.

    Emotions crashed into each other: fear, excitement, worry, relief, wonder, anticipation, hope.

    We had both recently retired. With Eleanor’s sojourn in Costa Rica, it seemed for me a good time to unhitch from ordinary life and think about what I’d do with my next chapter. My husband could live out his days gardening and crabbing, but I was more restless.

    After taking care of other family commitments, by late March, he and I were ready to turn back toward each other, and a vacation. We had been hewing to Greenheart’s rules and kept our communications with Eleanor infrequent, although at first there were many logistics to deal with. (She needed a transcript; she needed health insurance info . . . all of which had been provided, but were requested again by the Costa Rican school and in-country partner.) But after a bit, things settled out and she was in her groove.

    We’d learned enough to envision what her life was like: her host family, bedroom, school, bus ride, small town. And that was enough. We did not go see her. We wanted to, sort of, but also wanted to stay out of her experience. It was her time.

    And it was our time. So on a cold day we packed up the Subaru and drove over snowy Mt. Hood, into our vacation. Our goal: stay off interstates, and explore every town, park, river and canyon that called to us from the maps and Wikipedia. We took a meandering route on blue highways to Big Bend National Park, the only planned destination on a seven-week trip.

    Sleeping in the back of the Subaru, biking in a Nevada park under sunset-stained bentonite cliffs, kayaking with sea lions and pelicans off California’s Channel Islands, canoeing through Boquillas Canyon on the Rio Grande, recovering from bad food in an El Paso AirBnB, howling at a full moon with new old friends in Terlingua, Texas . . . for the first time since we began working as pre-teens, we had no one to please but ourselves.

    And, after seven weeks on the road, without anyone else to shape and fill up our days, we rediscovered that we really liked being together. Time away from commitments is an amazing elixir for a relationship!

    We often thought, “The kids would love this!” We wished, sometimes, that they were young again and we could see their five-year-old selves pop out of a kiva, hike barefoot down a canyon, or snorkel in clear water. But we are old! And getting tired! And the next best thing to seeing your child’s joy in discovery is knowing they’ve gotten it. That love for the world’s wonders is now part of them, and they seek it out, becoming lifelong learners and active participators. On their own, without your showing it to them, they find the joy in the small moments, and respect for the differences of country and culture. They find a passion and purpose.

    We knew Eleanor was having an experience in Costa Rica that would inform her choices for the rest of her life.

    And we didn’t, we came to realize, need to know all the details. We trusted her. We trusted Greenheart, its in-country partner, and her host family. Throughout the process, not everything proceeded at the pace we would assume it would. But that was our lesson to learn. We had to give up our control and trust in the goodness and professionalism of others. We did our research, chose a great partner in Greenheart, and raised a strong daughter.

    Now, in late May, with our trip over, and just a few weeks left before Eleanor returns, we are thankful to Greenheart in helping us write this fulfilling chapter in all our lives.

    You can read more work by Laura O. Foster on her blog.

  • Take 5: “Put Your Phone Down” & Other Advice from Nicole Pothitakis’s Time in Spain

    Take 5: “Put Your Phone Down” & Other Advice from Nicole Pothitakis’s Time in Spain

    Want to know what it would be like to go to High School in Spain? Here is Nicole Pothitakis’s take on her experience, from siestas to spin classes! Read on to hear about her favorite moments and advice in this week’s Take 5 interview.

    1. Biggest laugh with your host family?

    The biggest laughs I had with my host family were always in their living room. One time, I was trying to explain to them in Spanish that some words in English had the same meaning. While trying to do this I accidentally said a bad word in Spanish, in front of my whole host family!!! This was a big laugh for me and my host family. As I write this, I am smiling just thinking about it.

    2. Best Way to get involved?

    One big way to get involved in the Spanish culture, spend some time with friends, and relive some stress is by joining a gym. One of my favorite parts of the week was going to the gym. I would go to the gym every Thursday or Tuesday and do a spin class there. In the Spain class I learned some simple, but useful Spanish words. It was fun to see and meet new people at the spin class who I would never meet anywhere else. The Spin class leader was very helpful and always made sure that I was understanding and doing the right thing! The best way to get involved with your host family is to be open to try new things. Whenever my host family went somewhere, whether it be the grocery store or to the park, I would always go with them. By going with them, I strengthen my relationship with my host family and was more immersed in Spanish culture.  And always ask questions! You never know what you might learn!

    3. Spanish aspect you wish US Americans would adopt?

    La Siesta is one of the things that I wish we would adopt here in the U.S. Everyday after school, in Spain, I would come home and eat lunch. After eating lunch, I would spend a short time with my host family and then take my siesta. For my host family, siesta time was between 3:30 to 5:30. What I would do to be able to take a siesta every day in the U.S.A.!

    4. Favorite Spanish junk food?

    My favorite Spanish junk food is the Dipper candy. It is a long, thin taffy-like candy that is super sweet! These were so yummy and so cheap! I would buy at least 3 every Friday night. My other favorite junk food was Tejitas Queso!

    5. Advice for others going abroad?

    My advice to others going abroad would be to not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Talk to others and make new friends! One thing that regretted was being on my phone a lot when I didn’t know what to do. Put your phone down, ask questions, and get involved in the conversation!! You won’t regret it!

    Are you a teen interested in High School in Spain? Click the link below to find out more!

  • Take 5: Discussing Travel Playlists and French Coffee with Ian Taraszewski

    Take 5: Discussing Travel Playlists and French Coffee with Ian Taraszewski

    Time to Take 5 with Ian Taraszewski, who went to High School in France!  Take 5 is a series where Greenheart Travel alumni answer quirky questions about their time abroad. Let’s dive in and learn Ian’s take on cafés, French music, and what it means to be present while abroad.

    1. Best way to get involved?

    It can seem difficult, especially in a completely new, completely foreign country, to get involved and make wherever you are feel more like home. But honestly, for me, the answer was quite simple and it was just being present. If there aren’t any clubs or teams that seem to present themselves initially, the best way to integrate the quickest is to just put yourself out there as much as you can. For me, that meant spending as little time in my room or by myself as possible, especially in the first few weeks. The less English I spoke, the more French I learned every single day. I did my best to talk about my day with my host family at dinner and introduce myself to the people in my class at school.

    2. Biggest language miscommunication?

    My biggest language miscommunication was extremely awkward but walking away from it I just had to laugh because I knew that it was bound to happen at some point (and continue happening very frequently). It was right around my second week in France and I was in the downtown area after meeting with some friends but had to use the bathroom before taking the bus home. I walked into a cafe and wanted to ask the lady if there were bathrooms here. However in French when asking such a question people say ‘toilettes’ which means toilet. The phrase for bathroom ‘salle de bain’ typically refers to the shower or bath because in France the toilet is often separate from the rest of the bathroom. So, of course, I asked the lady working at the cafe ‘Est-ce que tu as une salle de bain’ (notice I also used the informal tu when I should’ve most definitely used the formal vous). After getting the weirdest look and an awkward “no”, I walked away having learned immediately the dangers of direct translation.

    3. Favorite French song?

    My favorite French song is always changing and I try to stay on top of new French music that comes out even though I’m back home. But ‘Tout Va Bien’ by Orelsan was a song that came out in France right around when I got there and stayed popular and playing on the radios throughout my study abroad, so whenever I hear it, it just brings back a lot of good memories. It’s a catchy song which is what first drew me to download it on my phone, but it was one that kind of grew with me in that the first time I heard it I couldn’t understand any of it, but by the end of my semester I could basically sing it by heart. It has kind of a deep meaning to it and was produced by Stromae who tends to have symbolic meanings in his songs about society that you don’t notice at first which I think is kind of cool.

    4. French aspect you wish US Americans would adopt?

    A French aspect that I wish US Americans would adopt is cafe culture in general. In France, it’s seen as a weird ‘faut pas’ to get coffee to go and eat or drink while on the way to other places. I think this ties into the French culture in general in that they take their time to enjoy moments. So when people go to a cafe together, it’s customary to sit at the cafe and enjoy an espresso with friends and talk rather than going to the cafe to study and be alone or take one to go. I also wish that the US would have espresso more often as opposed to a huge cup of coffee with milk and sugar. A standard coffee in France is a little cup with one shot of espresso in it, but people can still take a long time to sit and drink it which I think helps to appreciate it more.

    5. When was the first time you felt like you made a friend?

    The first time I feel like I made a friend was during my first week of school in France. My school followed a trimester system so arriving in January meant that I kind of just started in the middle of everything and classes were full in session. On the first day, after the principle had brought me in, introduced me and everyone realized I couldn’t speak that well. A boy lead me to his locker and let me put my books there. He also made sure there was a spot for me at his lunch table with some other people in my class. As I was first learning conversational French and until I could do things on my own, he would help me with homework and notes in class. It was really cool to feel like I had someone on my side from the getgo who made sure I felt welcome and not overwhelmed. Eventually, when I was able to speak more fluently our friendship became even better.

     

    How amazing would it be to go to High School in France!? Click the link below for more information about Ian’s program.

  • Ferias and Flamenco Dresses in Spanish Culture

    Ferias and Flamenco Dresses in Spanish Culture

    In most of the towns all throughout Spain there is a fair, or feria in Spanish,  that lasts anywhere from 2 to 7 days. There are small little attractions, rides, and the link of games that we associate with fairs. But, here in Spain, there are also tents set up with music and everyone dances flamenco!

    People go to the fairs dressed in their everyday clothes, but some wear flamenco dresses that cost anywhere from $100 to $1000! People that live in big cities like Seville or Cordoba have a different dress for every day.

    The feria I went to was the feria of Rota. All of the dresses were so pretty and unique! There also were horses pulling carts full of people dressed to a T! The party never stopped there and usually, the people don’t leave the fair until about 7 or 8 in the morning! I learned how to dance flamenco a little bit, and I am very bad. My sisters took lessons when they were younger so they are going to teach me so that I’m ready for the feria of Cordoba in three weeks, which is even bigger than Rota. Hopefully, I won’t embarrass myself too bad! imageimageimageimage

  • 5 Things No One Tells You About Being an Exchange Student

    5 Things No One Tells You About Being an Exchange Student

    Dear fellow current and prospective exchange students,

    So, something about living in a foreign country seemed enticing to you? I understand 100%, that’s what led me to go to high school in France. But there are some things that you have absolutely no idea about until you arrive and begin to experience for yourself. Therefore, my young guppies, I’m going to get into some real talk about what life is like as an exchange student, from my experiences.

    1) If you speak English, you are not alone. At all.

    Before I arrived, I had really only experienced foreign exchange students coming to America, never the other way around. All of those students spoke another language that I didn’t know so it sounded super cool when they would say a simple sentence and baffle us all with their brilliance. For English speakers, that is not the case. When I first arrived the students at school spoke more English than I did French. In some ways, it’s totally awesome that so many people speak your native language, even if just a bit because that can really help you out when you’re struggling for words, which happens on the regular, I assure you. The downside is you never have that secret language moment where you can say things and no one has any idea what you’re saying. In all honesty, that was something I was expecting that was far from the reality of the situation.

    2) Smile and nod.

    There will be times where you straight up have no idea what is going on. Like, at all. In some instances, it is appropriate to ask the person to repeat what they said or explain it another way (for example, it’s usually an okay thing to do with your host family), but there are other times when you just can’t. For instance, if you’re in a large group of people and someone is telling a story and you miss it, you can’t ask them to repeat it. Just laugh or follow whatever the rest of the group is doing and try not to attract too much attention to your confusion. Alas, there are times when this will not work, like when you are asked questions. It is painfully embarrassing to smile and nod through a question and have the person tell you “that was a question” but you’ll survive. Smile and nod is BIG.

    3) The home you live in is your home, but it isn’t your home.

    At the beginning, it will feel really awkward completely intruding on this family’s life but as you adjust to each other, it will become more comfortable and you can start to do things like take a blanket on your own initiative or stretch out on the sofa or select your snack from the kitchen without asking. But there are some things that will just be different from how things are done from your actual home and you just can’t do it your usual way. After conferring with some other exchange students here in Bordeaux, France, we all noticed how all of our families always wear socks or slippers or something when they are inside the house, and how we get strange looks from our host families when we have gone around barefoot once or twice. It’s those little things that separate your life from your native country and your life during the exchange.

    4) Do what works for you.

    Lots of advice is given to you before you go on an exchange and it can be overwhelming to try to follow all of it. Obviously, you need to follow the rules set by your exchange company, but you also have to do what will keep you happy and motivated. It’s very easy to sink into a pit of depression when you live in a place where no one understands you, so you have to find things that keep you happy.

    For me, it doesn’t make me sad to talk to my family or friends from the US. It feels nice to know that they are still thinking of me and supporting me. But that is not the case for every exchange student. A lot of times, it makes people really sad right after they finish talking to their family so they can’t do it too often. I’ve decided that you have to embrace the sadness in the same you way you embrace happiness and just let it happen instead of trying to bury it. When I relish in my sadness or happiness, I go for a walk and listen to music or color. Something that keeps me occupied but still allows me to think. An exchange is a great opportunity to grow your emotional maturity if you handle it correctly.

    5) This is YOUR experience. Make the most of it.

    That doesn’t mean you have to have huge plans for every day of the week or means you’re going out every Friday night. I received this advice Greenheart Travel and other former exchange students. Their advice was “Say yes more than you say no.” Of course, there will be times where it is acceptable to veg out and just relax for a weekend, but if you’re turning down a weekend of activities with classmates or your host family to do so, you’re not making the most of your exchange. Part of the reason you are having this experience is to experience things. Take a walk through your town or explore the city with a friend…Say yes to experiences and you will not be disappointed.