I realised, while googling 'how to avoid committing suicide while spending Christmas Day by yourself' (I am kidding... but some websites pretty much say this!) that there is a distinct lack of practical advice out there for people who, for whatever reason, are not going to be with their nearest and dearest. So here is my self-help guide.
Realising that I would be at a loose end and probably horrendously depressed about being home in the summer after my year abroad, I decided to do something constructive with my time. Being the unimaginative type, I decided to do an internship in the only career path that people who don’t study languages think that linguists are destined for – translation.
Spring has sprung, and with it comes the irrational desire to go outside with bare legs at weekends and, of course, to get fit for the summer. What better way to do so than to dig out your wackiest costumes and accessories and pound the streets for charity?! Wherever you find yourself, pre- or post-year abroad, there must be a charity worth embarrassing yourself for at the perfect Fun Run. Find out where the best ones are here!
How do other cultures celebrate the New Year? Here are some ideas of what you could get up to, on the last day of 2011 and rolling into 2012... Check out the eccentricities in other countries, around the globe!
Heather studied French and Drama at Goldsmith University London and spent her year abroad in Paris in 1992. Here she…
Simon is studying Law with French at Birmingham University, and is currently on his year abroad as an Erasmus student…
Seasoned adventuress, Nell Fane, passes on her top tried-and-tested tips about fitting in quickly when you arrive in a new…
It’s coming to that time of year again...No, not Christmas, nor the end of exams, but rather a fun weekend…
I arrived in Barcelona in September and having only read the Lonely Planet guidebook and taken a few notes of…
If you’re kicking off your year abroad in Barcelona (or anywhere in Spain, for that matter!), one of the first,…
On arrival in Austria the first thing you will probably want to do is run down a mountain singing "the…
Georgia Mallin, a Year Abroad Graduate, gives out some great advice about what to do if your year abroad isn't…