Flying halfway across the world to beaches, the outback and koalas is a dream for many. The best time to make the most of Down Undah is before you set off for uni or even during your year abroad, as you’ll get the chance to see something totally new and fresh, work or study, without having to worry about language requirements - i.e. an opportunity open to all! From what costs are involved, where you could go, where to study or work, as well as getting your head round paperwork, it’s all in here!
Although preparing your year abroad back home may seem like a lot of faff, paperwork and what not, but the prospect of going to France and dealing with all of that, all over again and in - aaargh - French can leave you with a bit of a headache. Filling out forms, no speaking the bureaucratic lingo and no knowledge of protocol. This is where this article comes in: what to watch out for, how to get the most out of your money and what you can sign up to. Read on to find out more:
It has been fascinating to hear stories about what the year abroad was like 20-30 years ago. It makes me realise just how easy we have it now, although there were definitely benefits to being more out of the loop and less reliant on the Internet, which our contributors (one who studied abroad, one who worked abroad, one Erasmus student and one language assistant, all in Europe) were quick to point out. I thought I’d compare and contrast “then and now” for you here so you can judge for yourself. Please do let me know if I have missed anything or made any mistakes, and I’ll keep it updated…
We were recently contacted by a parent whose daughter has just begun an Erasmus exchange in Madrid but has decided, after a few weeks, that she wants to get a job instead. I hope our advice helps other parents with children in the same situation...
If you’re planning on moving to Spain for your year or semester abroad, you will be thinking of accommodation, bureaucracy, bank accounts and much more. It might be wise to read our Culture Shock section for more tips about Spanish working hours, politeness and more before you set sail to the Iberian Peninsula. Read on to find out what you should do when you arrive, how to sort out lodgings and what to look out for regarding money issues and more...
If you have recently graduated, you may be able to benefit from a work placement in another European country. Leonardo Mobility funding enables UK organisations to offer work placements in other European countries and provide individuals with a unique opportunity to enhance their skills and gain valuable experience. Participants can be any age but must not currently be studying in Higher Education. Part of the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme, Leonardo Mobility aims to support UK vocational education and training (VET) organisations, staff and learners to work together with EU partners to improve training, skills and employability.
I was very excited to be invited by King's College London's Study Abroad Office (@breakfastabroad) to speak to their students about making the most of their time abroad, including the summer holidays before and after. We talked about foreign internships, part-time work, blogging, keeping a vocab book, joining in with local events, taking up courses and classes... in fact, here are my presentation slides so you don't miss out:
Anna studies Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Manchester and has been living in Madrid since September,…
Charlotte is doing a degree in Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature at Queen Mary's University London, and is studying at the…
Bex studies French and Spanish at Lancaster University and spent her first semester abroad studying at ISTI in Brussels and is…
Rutasha is studying Law with Spanish at Nottingham Trent University and is currently on her third year abroad at the…
Budgeting for a year abroad on a shoe-string is standard practice, but these tips are by no means money-saving survival…
Lucy is studying BA French Studies and Spanish Studies at Lancaster University, spending a semester at the Universidad de Deusto…
Grace Cahill, studying Latin and Spanish at the University of Manchester, has just completed her year abroad in Santiago and…