We asked you for your Top Year Abroad Tips and were so impressed we've pinned them to our noticeboard (check it out here!), but at the end of the day we had to pick a winner.

Congratulations go to Ali Lockett-Burke for her brilliant advice below - have a wonderful time at the Big Chill Festival and let us know how it goes!

Read Alison's Top Tips and let us know your favourites...

Spending time abroad is an introduction to a different culture and amazing new friends from all round the world, which is exactly what ThirdYearAbroad.com is all about. Fortunately enough for us, it is also the driving force of the OCEANS Network! I was so happy to be invited to speak at their first Annual AGM and arrived in Brussels to meet 60-or-so students of 21 different nationalities who spent (or will spend) time on an EU exchange programme in North America or the Asia Pacific region.

Alicia Rubiales

I am currently studying Film and Media at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, where I am originally from. I spent my year abroad in the UK, at the University of Exeter, and it really was an unforgettable experience! I felt so much at home that once I graduate, I'm going to be moving back to the UK. Planning my year abroad was mad though, so when I heard about ThirdYearAbroad.com I thought it was a great idea, and know it would have helped me a lot if it had existed when I set off for a new country! So if you have any worries before, during or after, don't hesitate to contact us or post a question in the forum; we'll be happy to help!

Tom Stephenson

I graduated from Cardiff University this year where I studied Integrated Engineering. To fill some free time (that I generated by failing some exams, not the recommended way to free yourself up for travelling) I went off to do an internship in Brazil last year and loved it. I contribute to ThirdYearAbroad.com as I think other people should be made aware of the great opportunity they have during their course/summers off/general life to go away and experience something different and fantastic. I will be leaving the UK again as soon as I can!

Poppy Bending Beckett

I am currently studying Communications, Advertising and PR up in Edinburgh after taking four years out after my A levels to travel and work overseas in a number of countries. ThirdYearAbroad.com is a fantastic site, full of great information to get your started on your trip overseas. I wish I had had a resource like this when I first took off abroad! But I love that I can now contribute and help others.

Su-Lin Tan

I graduated from Central Saint Martin's in 2004 where I did Media Studies. I'm really passionate about writing, but by far and away the best decision I ever made was to pack my bags and jet off to sunny Singapore for an editorial internship at a leading fashion and beauty magazine! I recommend spending some time abroad as it really is an eye-opening experience and you'll come back having had amazing and unique experiences! I now contribute to ThirdYearAbroad.com as I can write about what life is really like on the other side of the ocean, and show that there's so much more to the world than what's within these four walls!

Chloe Hibbert

I am currently studying English Literature at Cardiff University, and I'm passionate about writing. When I graduate, I'm planning to complete a ski season in France, before entering the world of journalism. Contributing to ThirdYearAbroad has given me a fantastic insight into working and studying in a foreign country, and I now feel fully prepared for when I decide to travel overseas! I hope ThirdYearAbroad is just as informative for you, but do email us if you have any further questions or ideas for the site.

Please get in touch with your ideas about what you would like to see on the site and places you'd like us to cover, and we will keep ThirdYearAbroad.com up-to-date and packed with essential information, help and advice.

Check out our Blog to see what we've all been up to recently...

Broadly across all languages, you can:

1. Undertake a British Council Assistantship
2. Work placements are allowed only under special circumstances (see website for more details).
3. The stage (modestly paid work experience) is a highly recommended option for French students.

For more subject specific information, visit the year abroad website.

You can spend your year abroad:

1. As a language assistant at a school
2. Studying at a partner university under the Erasmus scheme
3. At a university in a non-EU country
4. On a work placement

To find out more, visit their Year Abroad website.

At Oxford, the following options are suggested:

1. Undertake a British Council Assistantship, an exchange scheme with another university or apply for a different course at a foreign university (specifically French and Italian speakers).
2. Find employment (although this option is less highly recommended, as it is often difficult to organize in advance and can lead to menial work predominantly in English).
3. For French students, work on a stage (modestly paid work experience).

To find out more, visit the Year Abroad website.

Cambridge offers three options:

1. Study abroad at a university with links to Cambridge. The only prescriptions on choice of course are that the course is taught in the target language, and more offbeat choices are encouraged as a way to broaden the horizons.
2. Undertake a language assistantship (NB. Placements in Russia are unavailable, and those in Italy and Latin America are heavily subscribed).
3. Enter employment, proof of which must be submitted before the University can approve this option. Work must be in the target language and involve some intellectual or professional skill or challenge.

For more information, see the year abroad office webpages.

At Durham, the following options are encouraged:

1. French, German, Italian and Spanish students are encouraged to take up a language assistantship.
2. The University has agreements with specific universities in each language at which it is happy for students to complete an academic year (facilitated by the Erasmus scheme).
3. It provides careers advice and offers a database of work previously undertaken by students if someone wishes to find a job during their year out.