There’s nothing better than watching a good old romantic comedy, curled up on the sofa or the double bed, with a loved one. Whether he/she is real or just a fluffy toy doesn’t really matter - what does matter is getting to grips with the exaggerated plot-line, and what better way to do so in another language? Take a look at our list of some of the best romantic films from across the globe - Kleenex and chocolate not included...

What was the world like before that the birth of the green and black music program, king of all melodic libraries, Spotify? Well, before then, people used to own music. And if you’re going on a year abroad, if you don’t have a smartphone, the Spotify app won’t be of much use. Long bus rides warrant bringing an mp3 with some good tunes, though you might just be looking to update your music collection. It seems that these days, with the English-speaking monopoly on the music industry, it is harder to come across foreign music. But that makes it all the sweeter and more surprising when you do. Your year abroad could be the perfect opportunity to discover some lesser known bands or artists, and improve your language skills at the same time!