Top 10 iPhone Apps for the Student Abroad

1. Google Maps (Free) You will inevitably get lost while abroad in a foreign city. Use Google Maps on your iPhone to get where you're going. Enough said. Also, browse the app store for metro maps of your host city, like the London Tube or Metro Paris apps (both $1).

2. XE Currency (Free) This free currency converter has up-to-the-minute exchange rates for 180+ currencies and allows you to select 10 favorites for easy access. To reset the application, simply shake your iPhone with a flick of your wrist a la Harry Potter. And if, God forbid, you should ever enter a dead zone, XE Currency saves the latest figures for offline use.

3. Babelingo ($3.99) This phrasebook offers the best linguistic value: 300 entries in 11 languages for under four dollars. As an added feature, Babelingo will also display any translated phrase in large, easy-to-read type. So if you're too timid to tell that Czech cab driver that you urgently need to visit the nearest pharmacy for some Immodium, just flash him your iPhone. Alternatively, for a more comprehensive translator, download one of Lonely Planet's language specific phrasebooks for $9.99. This phrasebook speaks translated phrases aloud.

4. Skype (Free)
Download this free Skype app to keep in touch with friends and family while abroad. With free Skype-to-Skype calls and reasonably priced Skype-to-cell rates, you'll spend less money calling your hometown sweetheart and have a few extra pesos to take that foreign hottie out to dinner.

5. Tweetie ($2.99) With this easy-to-use mobile Twitter app, you can continue to bother your buddies with pithy remarks and witty observations, no matter where you are in the world. You can also upload travel photos, so your great aunt Melba and your pet goldfish can keep tabs on your adventures.

6. Flight Status ($3.99) Never miss a flight again with this clean and simple flight tracker app. Just enter an airline and flight number and you'll get the latest info on departures, arrivals, and delays.

7. TripIt (Free) Email your itineraries to TripIt and they'll be automaticall synced and saved to your iPhone. You can access your reservations and flight information even if you're offline.

8. Mobile Fotos - Flickr Browser and Uploader ($2.99) This is the most versatile Flickr app for the iPhone. While it's not free, it does allow you to upload high-res photos tagged with GPS locations, browse video, and create an upload queue so you can upload on the go. You can also integrate this app with your Twitter account.

9. SitOrSquat (Free) Yes, this app does exactly what its title implies; it's essentially a global toilet database for the traveling germaphobe. Modern technology has now rendered Delhi Belly a benign foe: just click to find the nearest porcelain throne.

10. Wide Email ($.99) Writing home while traveling abroad is a pain. And since the iPhone keyboard wasn't created with your chubby fingers in mind, you're tempted to find the nearest toilet on SitOrSquat and flush the damn thing. But fear not: the Wide Email app allows you to turn your iPhone sideways and type in landscape mode on a larger keyboard.

Top Ten BlackBerry Apps for the Study Abroad Student

1. WorldMate Live (Free) Arguably the best app on the market for traveling. Businessmen who travel the world rave about it - this app provides information on hotels, restaurants, travel, currency conversion and anything else you'll need abroad. A must-have while out of the country!

2. Lonely Planet Phrase Book ($9.99) Need to know how to ask for the bathroom while visiting Paris? Looking for the best pubs in Berlin? Lonely Planet's language specific phrasebooks will give you all the information you need on necessary phrases while traveling in foreign countries.

3. Viigo (Free) This app literally places the world in your hands. It has news, weather, restaurant reviews, entertainment, podcasts, flight info and more. While abroad, you will be able to keep up on news at home and in your current location!

4. Google Maps Mobile (Free) This app is only reason I returned back to America safe and sound! Every time I was lost in a foreign city, (which was...everyday) this app showed me where to go. It gives directions from point A to point B on your BlackBerry with interactive maps and on-the-spot location detection.

5. HRS (Free) For those late night, last minute trips, you'll need to find a hotel in a pinch. The Hotel Reservation System app provides service in hotel listings, rankings and reservations.

6. OandA Currency Converter (Free) This currency converter gives you up to the minute exchange rates for world currencies. Very useful when trying to budget and plan a trip to somewhere new.

7. ZAGAT ($3.99/Month) The renowned restaurant review resource is now available in the palm of your hand. It has reviews of restaurants in over 70 cities throughout the world. It can help you eat on a budget or find a place for your parents to take you when they're visiting!

8. Pandora (Free) For those metro rides and walks to class, Pandora is a great way to keep the tunes coming. You can keep up on what's current at home and find all of the new music you hear while out and about!

9. Flickr (Free) Crazy mom? Needy boyfriend? Why not snap a few pictures on your BlackBerry to show them your foreign adventures (and prove you're alive so they'll leave you alone)? Flickr will help you do it all.

10. WhereAmI (Free) This is a very cool interactive map. It shows your current location as the background picture on your BlackBerry. So without putting in any extra work, you'll know your location!

Destination Spotlight: Sunsets in Madrid, Spain

The Spanish sunset is blood-red and beautiful. There's no better place to watch the Spanish sun dip below the horizon than from atop one of Madrid's rooftop terrazas. These top floor bars and restaurants boast stunning views, especially at dusk. Madrid has no skyline to speak of, but by rising above its snaking, narrow streets, you'll earn a view of the city's old world, red-tiled rooftops. For the capital's very best twilight views, head to one of these five hot rooftop spots.

1. El Viajero
El Viajero is located on top of a three-story restaurant in Madrid's hip La Latina district. If you can brave the early evening crowds, you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of 17th century Real de Calatravas church, its domed roof set against a pink sky. The food is tasty, if a bit pricey. Locals and foreigners alike congregate on this rooftop to watch the sun set. El Viajero is also a perfect jumping-off point to hit some of the city's best tapas restaurants located along the nearby Cava Baja.
Plaza de la Cebada 11 / Tel: (+34) 91 366 9064 / Metro stop: La Latina

2. La Casa Granada
You'd never find La Casa Granada on your own...so you're welcome. It's one of those unmarked, secret spots that's left out of guidebooks for a reason. To get there, enter the rundown apartment building at number 17 Calle Doctor Cortezo and hop into the very unsound-looking elevator. The light bulb may flicker and the ride may be shaky, but don't fear. Take the elevator to the very top floor of the six-story building and you'll find yourself in a loud, bustling bar. Get there early enough to snag a table outside on the balcony; outside tables are in high demand. La Casa Granada serves traditional dishes from southern Spain, although quantity seems to trump quality at this joint. Savor the fried seafood and sip a cold drink as you watch the sun sink.
Calle de Doctor Cortezo 17 / Tel: (+34) 91 369 3596 / Metro stop: Tirso de Molina


3. The Penthouse Bar and Terrace
The über-trendy Penthouse Terrace sits atop the über-trendy Hotel Reina Victoria. Owned and operated by Cindy Crawford's hotelier husband, the Penthouse offers a truly spectacular setting in which to catch some late evening rays. Whether you're lounging in one of the many rooftop cabanas or enjoying the exorbitantly priced food and drink, this is the best place to be seen at sunset. Visitors to the Penthouse are also awarded a bird's eye view of the bustling Plaza Santa Ana.
Plaza Santa Ana 14 / Tel: (+34) 91 701 6000 / Metro stop: Sol / www.memadrid.com/ThePenthouse.html

4. Gaudeamus Café
Gaudeamus Café is located on the roof of a centuries-old converted church in the working class neighborhood of Lavapies. The building is now used as a school, museum and, of course, rooftop cafe. The beautifully lit cafe serves excellent tapas, offering a contemporary take on traditional Spanish favorites. Try their updated version of the classic Spanish croqueta, a deep-fried--and totally addicting--ball of soft cheese. From the rooftop, you'll also see one of Madrid's oldest apartment blocks, exterior wooden staircases still intact.
Calle Tribulente 14 / Tel: (+34) 91 528 2594 / Metro stop: Lavapies / www.gaudeamuscafe.com

5. Bar SkyNight

Head to the very top of the Hotel Puerta America for one of the loftiest views in the entire city. Each floor of the hotel, including the Bar Skynight, is unique in style and design. Check out this swanky 13th-floor spot on the weekends for live jazz and 180-degree views of Madrid.

Avenida de América 41 / Tel: (+34) 91 744 5400 / Metro stop: Cartagena / www.hoteles-silken.com/HPAM/index.php

What's New In Study Abroad?

Short Term Study Abroad Rises In Popularity

A new trend is emerging in the world of study abroad: short term study. While the number of students studying abroad has increased steadily over the past decade, short term programs--usually less than a month long--are now seeing a rise in popularity.

While many factors contribute to this new rise in popularity, the increase in short study programs may be due to flexibility. Since the recent change in the global economy, many students have found themselves in unpredictable financial situations. Semester and year long programs require students to pay for housing, food and classes in foreign--and possibly more expensive--countries. Short term programs send students abroad for less time, which allows for financial flexibility yet still provides students with a cultural immersion.

In addition to financial flexibility, these short term programs also offer academic flexibility. For many students whose majors do not allow them to leave campus for an entire semester, short term programs are a feasible alternative. Also, many majors--such as business and economics--require that students study abroad in Western European countries. With the option of short term programs, students can spend a short amount of time in a non-approved country in addition to a required destination for their major.

As global awareness and cultural exposure become increasingly important in colleges and universities throughout the nation, short term study abroad programs are a feasible alternative to conventional semester and year long programs.

Today, U.S. Students Study in Non-traditional and Exotic Regions

During the 2006/07 academic year, 241,791 U.S. students studied abroad for credit. The number of Americans studying abroad has increased by almost 150% over the past decade and shows no signs of slowing down. Historically, the vast majority of these students have studied in Western Europe, a trend that has remained constant in recent years. Last year, 58.3% of U.S. students abroad elected to study in Europe. The most popular destinations last year were, once again, the eternal favorites among American students: the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France.

But another trend has become evident in study abroad: a growing number of U.S. students are spending their time abroad in non-traditional destinations. While the majority continue to study in Western Europe, an increasing number of students are choosing to spend a summer, semester, or year abroad in an atypical location. The host nations who have experienced the highest increases in U.S. students abroad include Ecuador, China, Argentina, South Africa, and India. These, and other exotic destinations, have seen the number of U.S. students in local schools and universities increase by as much as 30% over the course of just one year.

But why are American students bucking the trend and journeying farther afoot? First off, many forgo the familiar comforts of developed nations in an effort to cut costs during a time of recession. A semester abroad in South America or Africa, for instance, is considerably less expensive than a semester in Western Europe or Australia due to favorable exchange rates and a lower cost of living. Additionally, the global political climate has contributed to the increase. As the U.S. strives to revamp its image abroad and improve foreign relations, young Americans have mirrored these efforts with their choices in study abroad destinations. Lastly, students who study in developing regions may not even have to sacrifice the comforts of a developed nation. The NYU campus in Accra, Ghana, for instance, boasts air conditioning, 24-hour security, and a dining hall that serves West African food tailored to American taste buds. Inside what is essentially an insulated American compound, students enjoy the comforts of a developed nation in West Africa. Although arrangements like this have received criticism from proponents of true cultural immersion, there is something to be said for striking a balance between the comforts of home and the experience of living in the developing world. In either case, it's clear that accommodations like NYU's in Accra have encouraged U.S. students to study in more exotic destinations that might have otherwise intimidated them.

Looking towards the future of study abroad, it seems that the trend towards non-standard destinations will hold steady. The U.S. Senate recently advanced the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, which aims to send one million American students abroad per year by 2018, with an emphasis on studying in developing regions. This trend shows no evidence of slowing down and is a great indicator that American attitudes towards foreign nations are changing in positive, productive ways.

9 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. See the world while earning college credit

There's no mystery behind why the majority of Americans who study abroad do so as undergrads: College is the ideal time to take a risk and take off. As a young student, you have the flexibility to pack up and ship out to a foreign country for a summer, semester, or even a year. And since most U.S. colleges and universities will award academic credit for courses taken abroad, studying abroad is a great opportunity to continue your studies while simultaneously exploring your world.

2. Improve Your Language Skills

Spending time abroad in a non-English speaking country is the single best way to improve your language skills and achieve fluency. By doing so, you force yourself to communicate in a new language. You have no choice but to improve! But don't let this scare you; studying abroad is not only for those who can already speak a foreign language. If you are not confident in another language, don't let that dissuade you from studying in a non-English speaking nation. Most study abroad programs offer courses taught in English and provide you with outlets to speak English so that you are not overwhelmed as you try to comprehend a new language. Essentially, you can test the waters and ease your way into language immersion. Just because you're tongue tied in Thai or speechless in Swahili doesn't mean you can't study abroad; on the contrary, it means you have more potential for improvement.

3. Break Your Routine

It's easy to fall into the all-too-familiar college routine. On any given day, you eat the same food, see the same faces, listen to the same professors, and watch that same re-run of Real Housewives of New Jersey. It's easy to get into a rhythm that discourages you from seeking out new challenges. Studying abroad is an excellent way to break this routine. Living in a foreign country is new, different, and exciting. Interacting with foreigners in a unfamiliar environment on a daily basis constantly keeps you on your toes. While abroad, it's easy to seek out new experiences. When you return home after spending time abroad, your former life will seem fresh and you'll be able to avoid falling into that same old routine.

4. Meet New People

We all know that studying abroad is the quickest way to boost your Facebook friend count into the high thousands. But did you know that going abroad is the perfect opportunity to make real-life connections as well? Yes, it's true: Spending time abroad allows you to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds from across the globe. You'll cross paths with students and travelers whom you would have otherwise never encountered. Whether it's a friend from a foreign country, a host sibling from your host city, or even a classmate from a different state, meeting people abroad will not only expand your cyber network, but it will also expand your horizons.

5. Educate Yourself About Foreign Culture

Mark Twain, an avid traveler, once wrote that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Though he penned these words over a century ago, they still hold true today. Studying abroad, like travel, entails immersing yourself into a foreign culture. The mere act of spending time in a foreign environment is a sure way to dispel stereotypes and overcome preconceived notions. In a shrinking world that becomes increasingly globalized on a daily basis, we have a responsibility as global citizens to get to know our ever-closer neighbors. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all have certain preconceptions about those who are different from us. Spending time abroad compels us to change these ideas.

6. Educate Foreigners About Your Own Culture

Conversely, studying abroad allows you to educate others about your own culture and way of life. This idea of cross-cultural understanding is especially relevant today as the United States aims to revamp its image on a global scale. By going abroad, you act as a global ambassador for your country; you have the unique opportunity to represent your country and create inter-cultural alliances on a personal level. Think of studying abroad as being appointed President Obama's Global Image Consultant: armed with an open mind, your mission is to give your country a global makeover starting from the ground up.

For more information on becoming a Global Image Consultant (GIC), please visit Abroad101.com

7. Add Value to Yourself and Increase Your Marketability

U.S. students who have studied abroad make up an elite group of Americans who have spent time in a foreign country. Studying abroad provides both tangible and intangible benefits that translate directly to the job market. Beyond just padding your resume, studying abroad increases your hire-ability. The skills you bring home from your experience abroad are key to your success, especially in today's down economy. You'll learn real-life strategies that you simply can't pick up in a classroom. Getting lost in the Mexico City subway system, for instance, might help you develop problem solving skills, while tactfully bargaining for a turquoise necklace in Marrakesh might improve your communication skills. But subways and jewelry aside, one thing is certain: students who go abroad boost their own value by broadening their minds and learning to adapt to unfamiliar situations.

8. Return Home With a New Perspective on Your Own Country and Culture

There is no better way to see your own country in a new light than to study abroad in a foreign nation. Existing and interacting in a foreign culture forces you to evaluate the differences between your host country and your home country, and therefore allows you a new perspective on what you once saw as standard. Two kisses on the cheek may at first seem like a strange greeting, but once you get accustomed to new cultural norms, you'll realize that perhaps your own country's cultural norms are neither standard nor right; instead they are simply different. Similarly, being exposed to a foreign education system may help to you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your own country's system. Upon returning home, you will be able to perceive your own country from a new, more objective standpoint.

9. Gain a New Perspective on Yourself

“Not all those who wander are lost," wrote Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. He was absolutely right; wandering is best way to truly find yourself. But not only a soft-spoken hobbit carrying a magical ring to Mordor can embark on an epic (yet introspective!) journey. You, too, can find yourself by wandering in foreign lands. Of the myriad benefits of study abroad, this is perhaps the most important: you will return home from abroad with a new perspective on yourself. Studying abroad allows you to learn more about yourself than, well, you ever wanted to know. You'll discover how you react to new situations and adjust to strange and unfamiliar territory. By taking the plunge and immersing yourself in a foreign culture, you'll force yourself to find effective ways to adapt and succeed. You'll uncover a potential that you never even knew existed as you stimulate individual growth...you global citizen, you.

5 Ways to Create a European Adventure

1.Train

The train is one of the most beautiful, relaxing, and economical ways to travel around Europe. Unlike in the United states, where trains are somewhat infrequent and notoriously unreliable, almost every European city has a train station with many daily departures... and they're punctual! Also, while air travel requires the traveler to get to the airport at least an hour before take off, getting to the train station fifteen minutes early is usually ample time.

Discounts: Travelers between the ages of 16-25 are considered "youths" and can get train tickets at cheaper prices. Also, at many train stations allow you to buy multiple tickets (usually six or more) at a discounted rate.

Where to get train passes/tickets:

raileurope.com
railandpass.com

These websites both offer different rail passes for routes throughout Europe. Also, if you go to any local train station, you can almost always buy train tickets the day of or the day before your departure.

2. Bus

While the train is convenient it is often not the most economic way to travel. Traveling by bus is a cheaper option that usually takes a little longer but also allows you to see much of the countryside. Buses are also very punctual and bus stations can be found throughout many cities, large and small. Buses also go to smaller cities that trains do not.

Purchasing tickets:

Eurolines.com
Busabout.com

Student travel agencies are good places to buy bus tickets - they have all of the schedules available and you can purchase tickets directly. And they can give you directions to the bus station!

Also, like train travel,it is often convenient to simply visit the bus station the day of or day before you depart and buy your ticket there.

3. Plane

When traveling a long distance (i.e. 24+ long hours by bus or train) it is almost always a better idea to fly. While it usually is more expensive, there are student travel and discount travel websites that have cheap flights. The fares vary on your starting point and destination but if you book things early enough, you can usually find a pretty good deal.

Here are some good websites to find cheap flight tickets:

Ryanair.com (An airline that offers inexpensive flights)
skyscanner.com (A flight search engine that finds inexpensive flights)
studentuniverse.com (For students with valid college email addresses)
Europebyair.com

4. Car

Traveling by car is usually not the most popular way to for young travelers but is definitely ideal if you are trying to visit small villages and rural cities. Traveling by car throughout Europe tends to be about two to three times more expensive than in the United States because of gas, tolls and parking. However, if you decide car travel is for you there are a few things to keep in mind!

While American licenses are considered valid in Europe, it is also a good idea to get an International Drivers Permit (IDP). If you get pulled over, a police officer may not recognize your state's drivers license but will definitely recognize an IDP. They are fairly easy to get online and only take a few days to process.

Like the United States, there are countless car rental companies in cities both large and small. However, some rental companies only allow their cars to be driven in certain countries and their cars to be returned to specific locations. Just make sure you do some research before renting a car!

5. Boat

While many do not think traveling by boat is the most conventional way to go, it often makes sense depending on where you are! Boat travel is actually very popular in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea and the Mediterranean. Most of these boat trips range from 24 hours to about a week and allow you to see many different cities and ports all while sleeping in the same place! Another mode of boat travel that many do not think about but may be helpful is through the English channel, from England to France. There are a few different routes that it takes and allows you to get from one place to another with little hassle.

Here is an informative article with a lot of information on boat travel throughout Europe:

http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/europe-by-boat-budget-cruises-ferries-and-more.html


Be creative! Your optimal travel experience may involve train, bus, plane, car and boat! Happy Travels!