The International Student Blog

For many travelers, tour guides are a must as they help us plan ahead and navigate in a foreign land. But when walking into a book store you will see many different tour books claiming to be the best travel guide. If you are going to study abroad in France, you might wonder how to choose a guide book that is right for you with so many options; you will find books on traveling Europe, books specific to France and others for Paris alone.

Guide books can be a valuable tool saving you time and money while you are abroad. No need to waste the first day of your trip trying to figure out which hotel to go to or looking up what subway line when you arrive. How to choose a guide book that is good and reliable is not just about choosing the one that is accurate and up-to-date, but also knowing what your needs are and what sort of traveling you will be doing.

Travel guides can cover an entire continent, a single country, combination of frequently traveled countries, a region in a particular country or even just a single city. So let’s say you will be studying abroad in France and you will have time to travel within the country and to neighboring countries as well. Will the best guide book change if you are going to stay in Paris and perhaps take a single trip to London? If you will be doing the latter, you may consider buying two city guides rather than a book on France and Britain so that you’ll get more city-specific information. Contrast that scenario with backpacking Europe where it makes sense to purchase a European travel guide.

Make sure the guide is up-to-date since the world is constantly changing. Restaurants and hotels open and close frequently, prices can change (e.g., food, train ticket, etc.), and even maps or bus schedules change regularly. Using an out of date guide can cause head aches especially if you are stuck scrambling to find a hostel last minute, or find yourself running out of money because you budgeted your trip based on outdated prices.

There are also different formats available including traditional guides, visual guides, and electronic guides described below:

1. Traditional guide books  – contains mostly text with few pictures, 3 of the most popular guides are Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Let’s Go.
2. Visual guide books – are usually filled with pictures printed on glossy paper. Visual guides are great for specific locations where it can show exactly which sculptures to look at with specific details. In some cases, however, they may lack more in depth information on more practical topics like logistics. They are also heavier to carry around because of the glossy paper they are usually printed on.
3. Electronic guide books – Many smart phones now  include apps that acts as an electronic guide book for many different cities around the world. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, for example, have travel guide applications for iPhone and Android phones. While they have the potential to be very useful, in my experience, mobile app guidebooks are not yet as user friendly while traveling as opposed to a traditional paper book.

So that brings us back to the question, how to choose a guide book? When choosing among the different options choose a guide that fits your needs (budget, interests and location), is up-to-date as possible, and that is written in a format that you find easy to use.

New Year celebrations are major events all across the world and each country celebrates differently. In the US, most cities host public events to count down the seconds to the New Year. One city, in particular, is the most famous and that’s New York City. Every New Year’s Eve, up to one million people gather in Time Square to celebrate by watching the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at midnight.

If you are in the US during New Years, watching the Ball Drop in New York may be the chance of a lifetime. Because it is such a popular event, there are a few tips to ensure you have a good view of the ball drop. Arrive early to get a good view since many people will start arriving in the early afternoon on December 31st.  There are many small events and musical performances to keep you entertain from the afternoon to midnight, check out this year’s New Year’s Eve schedule of events to see what to expect.

Because you will be standing and waiting all day, remember to dress comfortably and warmly since the weather is bound to become colder as you get closer to midnight.

Having friends with you can also help the wait go quicker, and it will also make the actual New Year celebration that much better. You will be around so many people crowded all together that there is no doubt that you’ll make some new friends.

Celebrating the New Year in New York City can be tiring. To sustain you while you wait for the New Year to arrive, bring food and drinks with you. Because you cannot save space, if you leave to get food, you may lose your spot. This applies even if you need to use the restroom, so be prepared before you arrive!

No matter where you are or how you celebrate your New Year’s Eve, we wish you a happy New Year!

For many people Christmas is a time to spend with family and loved ones. Studying abroad can be a fun and rewarding experience however it can be tough if you’ll be away from your family during Christmas. If you are accustomed to spending the holidays with your family and will not have the chance to return home this season, you may find yourself celebrating Christmas while studying abroad. If you will be celebrating Christmas away from your family this year, you can still celebrate the season and make the most out of it.

Depending on which country you are studying in, you may find it harder to find Christmas celebrations if Christianity isn’t a commonly practiced religion. But even if you are in a country where Christmas is not widely celebrated, there is usually a community of people that will celebrate and welcome travelers.

Since you are studying abroad, chances are high that there are other foreign students who have no family to celebrate with. So gather your friends, classmates and other Christmas-celebrators together and enjoy the day. You can also invite your local friends to join even if they don’t celebrate Christmas. It is a great way to share your culture with each others. Remember if your friends are not Christians, Christmas celebration can just be about being together – it does not have to be religious.

If you really miss the lights and trees, consider decorating your dorm room or apartment with lights, red bows and ask your family to send you a small ornament that you can hang up. Celebrating Christmas while studying abroad doesn’t mean it has to be without your family either. On the actual day, call your family and use a video chat, like Skype. Seeing your family can make you feel more included even if you are far away.

What is Christmas without gifts? If you are by yourself, why not buy a present for yourself? Get that new camera so you can record your trip in higher quality, or treat yourself with a short trip to another city or country nearby. Many countries celebrate Christmas differently, traveling will let you see how other people enjoy the holiday.

Lastly, keep a positive frame of mind. Even if you are alone, you can spend it doing activities you enjoy like reading or watching a movie marathon. Go outside, sight see and enjoy nature. Before you know it, you might find celebrating Christmas while studying abroad is not as daunting as you originally thought!

More and more students are now studying abroad than ever before. If you are considering going on a study abroad program, one of the decision you will have to make is where to go. Some study abroad destinations are more popular than others.

There are many reasons why students choose to go to one country over another. You may choose your host country because it shares the same language or offers a chance to improve a second language, or perhaps it has a good reputation of higher education and safety. Some students choose a location because it offers lower tuition and living cost or just for the fact that it is just a cool place to go!

Listed below are the top 5 destinations that U.S. students decided to study abroad based on the data from the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report for the year 2008/2009. Whether you want to go to one of these leading destination or break out from the crowd and choose a less travel road to some exotic place, here are the the most popular study abroad destinations:

1. United Kingdom

There is not much surprise here. While the United Kingdom and the United States have cultural differences, being an English speaking country makes the U.K. a top choice for students looking for an easier transition especially for those on their first study abroad experience. London is one of the world most diverse cities and one of the worlds great financial hubs. No wonder why so many people choose to study there. Check out our Study in the UK page on our website for more detail information.

2. Italy

Most of us grew up with a lot of exposure to Italian culture – from Italian food, like pizza and spaghetti to Italian Renaissance like Michelangelo and Donatello. As the heart of the Roman Empire and the Vatican, Italy draws students interested in studying history, religion, art, food and fashion.

3. Spain

Because there are so many Spanish speakers in the United States, knowing how to speak Spanish is a valuable skill. Many students take Spanish classes, and what better way to improve your language skills than to study in a country that is the birth place of the language that is continually used even today.

4. France

French food, French wine, great fashion and Paris, the city of love; France is known for many great things. While just like every country here in the list, there are so much more the country has to offer – not to mention fine arts, food as well as history.

5. China

While the top 4 countries on the list have held its spot in the top 5, the total numbers of students studying there has all decreased slightly from the previous year. China, however, continues to attracts more students each year making into one of the new top 5 destinations!

The 2011 Travel Video contest has now closed, and the entries this year have poured in! Our technical team have been working overtime over the past few days, making sure we can get them all online and we managed to do this and they are available to view on our contest homepage. This year we have two great enhancements to the competition to help those who submitted videos spread the word:

1. Each video now has its own landing page on the site – this allows anyone to share the page to their Facebook Friends, Twitter Followers or any other social media platform simple by clicking the buttons at the top of each page. Share your favorite videos with your friends and let them know about all the excellent entries we have this year!
2. We have also added in user voting this year – simply click on the “Vote” button, confirm with your email address and vote for as many videos as you want to!

Being an international student is more than just attending school in a foreign country. Part of this experience is traveling within your host country (or even continent!) and experiencing its culture. We understand that as an international student you maybe on a budget and this is no reason why you’d need to miss out on traveling! To help you along, we have put together some basic tips to help you explore the world without spending a fortune!

The first thing is, of course, your transportation cost. Whether you are taking a plane, train or car, it can be one of the largest expenses. If you plan on flying, try comparing your flights on multiple websites to find the lowest price. Some discount airlines serve a specific region so it is important to know your airlines and compare this to aggregate airline searches. Some discount airlines include Ryan Air and Easy Jet in Europe as well as Air Asia and Tiger Airways in Asia. You can also try searching for cheap student airfares on the InternationalStudent.com travel center where there are specific discounts for international students. Also, depending on where you are located, consider taking a train (instead of plane) as they can be much less expensive. Once you are in a city, it may also be cost effective to consider what kind of public transportation is available to you. Taking taxis, for example, can be expensive, but taking the bus or subway can potentially save you money.

The next consideration is where to spend the night! You have many options from hotels, to hostels to couchsurfing, check out our blog about alternative places to stay while traveling for additional helpful hints. What’s more, consider traveling during the off-season since many accommodations have two prices: high season and low season. When there are not as many tourists, you’ll find that many rates are lower. Also, consider staying on the outskirts of your main attraction area, the extra bit of time you need to commute may save you money and even give you the opportunity to stay in nicer accommodations!

Additionally, don’t forget about saving money when withdrawing or exchanging your money! When you’re traveling abroad and need to exchange money, there are exchange booths at the airport where you can get the local currency. Often times you will get one of the worst exchange rates by doing that. Instead, exchange your money before you leave or withdraw directly from an ATM if you are already in your host country (keep in mind that you may incur an additional ATM fee).

Not to be left out, the phrase “pack light and pack right” can also save you money. Know the climate where you are traveling to and pack accordingly. Packing light can save you money on all the luggage fee the airlines may charge you. Packing right also means that you will not need to buy things later on (i.e., rain jackets or sweater)

Lastly, consider getting an international student ID card. You can get discount on many museums and attractions in major tourist cities around the world along with some discounts on the occasional services.

This is a guest blog post that originally appeared on the International Student Insurance blog on  September 7th 2011

Studying abroad can be a great experience – you will meet new people, experience new traditions, eat exotic foods and possibly learn a new language. But with these new experiences you may find yourself homesick missing your family, friends, pets, food or even something as simple as your own bed.

When you are homesick you may feel sad, lonely, or even anxious. Depending on the severity, it may be mild or you may experience some physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. However, if you feel homesick while studying abroad there are some steps you can take to help you cope:

• Stay active! Fill your time with activities that you enjoy. Do activities with your friends or by yourself like going to the gym, reading a book, doing a puzzle, or playing games.
• Eat well and stay healthy. Eating junk food can make you tired and weak.
• Bring a momento that reminds you of home. It can be anything from a picture of your family to a blanket.
• Call home once in a while. If you’re homesick, calling home to hear your family or your friends’ voice can be comforting. Try to call when you are happy. Calling when you are sad will make them worry -  which may in turn make you more upset in the process.
• Keep a journal. Many people find that writing down their feelings can serve as an outlet. You may look back at a previous entry and realize that it wasn’t such a big deal after all. So if you feel sad again, you will know that it is just a temporary feeling that will pass.
• Make new friends! Being with other people is one of the best ways to start feeling good about your new environment. Even if you don’t know anyone very well yet, consider joining a club or organization. See if there is any opportunity to go grab a bite to eat with other people. Just remember, friendship doesn’t develop overnight, so don’t expect to have a best friend right away.

Home sickness can affect anyone, but if you feel depressed don’t be afraid to talk to someone and ask for help. If you have any tips you would like to share on how to cope with homesickness, please leave a comment!

International students who want to study in Texas usually exhibit a natural love for adventure, passion for personal growth, and thirst for new experiences! Without a doubt, the state of Texas (which is truly a place with its own cultural identity quite unlike any other) may be the perfect U.S. state for international students to receive an invaluable, first-hand education on the individual experience of adapting to a considerably unique and foreign cultural environment.

International students studying in Texas stand to gain so much from the experience: the diverse Texan culture (including its authentic cowboy culture of rodeos, ranches, boots, hats, camaraderie) and its unique history in relation to the colonization process of America, the southern hospitality and determined spirit of its people, its year-around sunny weather (with plenty of time to explore and experience its beaches, mountains, deserts, and other adventurous terrain whenever you please), its affordable cost-of-living, and its reputable educational institutions.

However, it is also important to be aware of (and prepare for) some of the challenges international students face in studying and living in an entirely new environment. Similar to many of the transitional challenges faced by all students starting their education in a new place far from home (and regardless of whether home is within the country or some location abroad), international students who want to study in Texas should educate themselves on some of the emotional challenges they may face in adapting to a whole new environment with its own unique cultural identity, sets of values, and personality types.

It is especially important to consider some of the most typical challenges faced in those first initial months of your transition to studying in the United States, which include a potential sense of homesickness or isolation from familiarity, roommate conflicts due to personality and value differences, and the potential for social rejection in the beginning stages of your transition due to others’ sense of distrust based on perceived difference. Even though it may seem difficult at first, do not be too discouraged if it takes you some time to make close friends and feel at home yourself in your new environment, as that is a perfectly normal part of the process.

International students studying in Texas should just remember to (1) stay positive and open to new people and experiences without taking any initial rejection personally) because (2) for both yourself (as an international student studying in a foreign land) and the many new people you will have the opportunity to meet and befriend, that initial sense of discomfort and distrust of the unknown can be turned into an exciting adventure and infatuation with learning about and experiencing new peoples, places, and things! That said, international students who want to study in Texas (and or other U.S. States), should prepare themselves (in advance) for some of these initial challenges by educating themselves on what kinds of challenges to expect, as well as what kinds of international student counseling services (if any) are available at their prospective campuses. For example, the University of Texas at Arlington provides a very helpful month-to-month list that highlights some of the most common challenges international students face (different emotional issues and personal concerns) as they adapt to their new academic environment and set out on new social adventures.

The issues of transportation for international students interested in studying in Washington, D.C. (just as with most travel abroad educational experiences) is worthy of student consideration and pre-planning. Transportation options for international students can be a tricky problem, requiring creative solutions whenever and wherever possible. An example of such creative solutions are the emerging bicycle sharing systems (also known as community bicycle programs, public bikes, free bikes, and yellow or white bicycle programs) in many major U.S. cities, such as Washington, D.C.

These are programs where bicycles are made available to the general public for a minimal charge (or for free in some cases) to be used for travel within specific areas in and around cities. This bike option reduces or eliminates the following issues of transportation for international students interested in studying in Washington, D.C. (infamous for its traffic congestion and delays) and other select U.S. locations: avoiding traffic jams, reducing your carbon footprint, finding home parking for a personal bike, cost and maintenance of a personal bike, as well as having to invest to protect a personal bike from theft.

Reasons for cities to provide these bicycle sharing systems range from promoting health and exercise for local residents to decreasing local environmental pollution. Of the many transportation options for international students in D.C. is a bicycle sharing system such as the Capital Bikeshare program or their competitor, SmartBike DC.

Other major U.S. cities with bicycle sharing system transportation options for international students include Boston in Massachusetts, Buffalo in New York, Chicago in Illinois, Denver in Colorado, Marquette in Michigan, Miami Beach in Florida, Pottstown in Pennsylvania, Salt Lake City in Utah, and Minneapolis in Minnesota.