Studying Abroad. Summer 2k7.

[[Q]]

ok so I really want to study abroad next year, but I don't wanna take time off during the regular school year. So I was thinking about going during the summer. Since I'm going in the summer, my options are more limited. I wanted to go to Spain or France, but they don't have summer options. I also really wanted to go to the Philippines, but I worry that the language barrier will get to me (they do teach classes in English, but I don't know how I feel about that). I would say the University of the Philippines (Diliman) is my first choice, but there are others.
Here are the links to the sites with info: http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/country/
http://www.philippinestudies.org

What are your thoughts?

[Null17]

In schools like UP, a lot of people speak English pretty well so staying their isn't much of a language barrier really, it's when you go out of te school is when it becomes a problem. You should check out the school our graduated from...not sure if it has the exchange student program that you're looking for though.

http://www.admu.edu.ph/

[Laxation]

Italy!! it rocks there Hot women too

[[Q]]

I need to go through a certain program to get credit for going... and this program that goes to Diliman is used by my school, so I don't think I have a choice to go elsewhere. But I have friends that went last summer and they say they had a lot of time to do what they want (go to bars, the city, etc.) and I was worried I might not be able to get around without being able to converse in Tagalog.

[Null17]

It won't be that much of a problem IMO. We have tons of Koreans walking around who can't speak a word of Tagalog Most of the people can at least understand basic English especially in Manila and lots of the people in Diliman and in that area (my school's near that area as well) are pretty good English speakers.

[Mikki]

It won't be that much of a problem IMO. We have tons of Koreans walking around who can't speak a word of Tagalog Most of the people can at least understand basic English especially in Manila and lots of the people in Diliman and in that area (my school's near that area as well) are pretty good English speakers.

My High School (which I graduated from last March) was just in front of UP Diliman.

Anyway, Diliman (UP) is a top-notch school in here. Yeah, a ton of people speak English there and it's a pretty big campus so IMO. I can also meet you up if you want.

The weather is pretty fine but when Summer strikes (March-May) it becomes very hot in here. But other than that.

[Ty-Land]

I would recommend Sweden or Denmark from personal experience. I lived on exchange in Sweden for a year and it was great, plus I made several visits to Copenhagen and it was a really cool city. The beaches near Copenhagen, and south of Lund are really nice in the summer!! The language barrier will be minimal, most people can speak english. Drinking ages are 16 in Denmark and 18 in Sweden (but 16 to purchase from the government run bottle shop). Only downer is things are a little bit expensive, but the culture, history and music is awesome.

Lund is a very old univeristy but is meant to have an awesome night life and atmosphere. I have a few Swedish mates who study their and think it's pretty cool. It's only a short train ride across to Denmark as well, and is close to Malmo and Copenhagen. Cause it is so far down the south it is warmer than most of Sweden and it doesn't snow as much in the winter from memory.

I spent a little time in Italy as well, and the language barrier will be more of a problem there. No one spoke a lot of english, especially when trying to go shopping or something. But the culture and vibrancy of the place is real nice.

What are you studying by the way? That could help guide where it is best to go.

[Laxation]

Ty - I found when I was in italy that the language wasnt a huge problem. I was only 10 or 11 at the time, and even at that age I found there was enough people who spoke english to make it manageable.
If you go anywhere overseas I would reccomend some sort of phrase book at the minimum, my dad was able to teach me simple stuff like "how much is this" and it wasnt a problem.

It really depends where you go of course. In Rome its really easy to find people to who speak english because nearly everyone does. Towards the north, Italy is more refined and more people there speak heaps of languages, like French, Italian, English, Swiss etc. Down south its more farm-ish and harder to find english speakers. Im pretty sure Sienna was good with english because its a popular tourist place.

[Ty-Land]

Well, I went a couple of years ago and I was near the french border for a bit, then over near Venice. Venice wasn't so bad, but near the french border it was a bit harder. Bigger cities will be easier for sure. That's only from personal experience, and in saying that the language may be somewhat of a barrier it is not any attempt to dissuade anyone from going there. The challenge of understanding a new language and culture is a great experience, and was pretty much what I had to do in Sweden (even though people spoke English rather well, I would ask them not to so I could learn to speak Swedish).

SO i guess I'm saying it is different depending where you are in Italy. And Lax, I agree, I would suggest a phrase book as essential, and maybe look around for an online teaching guide (which you can find freebies) to help your pronounciation, listening skills and learning.

Ty

[cklitsie]

I'd go to go England if you really want to get out, but if I were you I'd stay right where you are.

[Laxation]

near the french border it was a bit harder

Thats odd, because for us there were quite alot of people who spoke english Maybe with you, the french were just being assholes and pretending they couldnt speak english, but because my dad looked italian they relented

french people can be assholes

[J@3]

When I went to France none of them spoke English. I nearly lost 50 Euro's because I didn't know the woman was trying to give me change.

[Laxation]

I heard that french people deliberately pretend they dont speak english to tourists just for the fun of it... Not sure if its true, but ive heard it from a few people -.-

[J@3]

It wouldn't surprise me to be honest, they seem like the type to do it.

[Cloudy]

China! Tough education and you get to learn about a giant nation developing into world's number one. Yeah and you can learn Chinese, a must-learn if you wanna succeed in life. And you can visit many historical spots, also many new high-tech places around China. Just like Hong kong!

[Drex]

Italy or Sweden

[[Q]]

What are you studying by the way? That could help guide where it is best to go.

um my major at UC Irvine is Studio art and my minor is digtal art but there arent any summer programs that teach art.... so I guess it'll be more of a "cultural studies" thing.

[Ty-Land]

What are you studying by the way? That could help guide where it is best to go.

um my major at UC Irvine is Studio art and my minor is digtal art but there arent any summer programs that teach art.... so I guess it'll be more of a "cultural studies" thing.

Well if it's a cultural studies trip your going for, what's the culture your most interested in? That should play a major role in your decision making. I mean your not travelling so much to study, thats more of a byproduct of the trip, your going overseas to learn about a different culture and language, to indulge yourself in it and take it in. So if theres a particular culture, language or people that interest you the most I'd go there!

[[Q]]

yeah that's why the Philippines is my first choice. I don't know a whole lot about the Philippines, so I just wanted to learn more... I joined the Filipino club here at my school and I've met a lot of cool people... and damn, those pinays are fine. haha

[[Q]]

Anyway, Diliman (UP) is a top-notch school in here. Yeah, a ton of people speak English there and it's a pretty big campus so IMO. I can also meet you up if you want.

yeah I might have to take you up on that Mikki...

[dada]

What are you studying by the way? That could help guide where it is best to go.

um my major at UC Irvine is Studio art and my minor is digtal art but there arent any summer programs that teach art.... so I guess it'll be more of a "cultural studies" thing.

You should share some of your work with us.

[J@3]

If you join the Filipino club at the NLSC you'll probably get banned.

[Mikki]

Anyway, Diliman (UP) is a top-notch school in here. Yeah, a ton of people speak English there and it's a pretty big campus so IMO. I can also meet you up if you want.

yeah I might have to take you up on that Mikki...

I live close to Diliman. Should be a 5-8 minute ride.

If you join the Filipino club at the NLSC you'll probably get banned.

LOL Jae. ASTIIIIIG!!

[Null17]

ooo...they're gonna have an e-date. If you do plan to go here Q, you should make a thread about your adventures so we can see how you're doing

[[Q]]

yeah that would be cool...

I think I've decided on the Philippines, now I'm just not sure whether to go in the summer of 2007 (next summer) or the summer after that (2008) after I graduate.
well, I got some time to decide so we'll see.

btw, you guys should keep voting, I'm curious to see how the results turn out...