My experience in Dublin

Since St. Patricks day was celebrated last week, I thought it was about time to write something about my visit to Dublin. St. Patrick’s Day is a bank holiday on which Ireland’s most important saint is commemorated. You can find many parties where people dress up in green or dress up with other Irish symbols. This day is celebrated worldwide, but the best location to celebrate this bank holiday will be definitely Dublin!

I went to Dublin together with two friends, we all love to visit cultural sites during the day and explore the pub culture during the night, and this was exactly the reason why we decided to book a trip to Dublin.

The first day we went to see Trinity College (http://www.tcd.ie/). This is the oldest University of Ireland, it looks absolutely stunning and typically Irish. You could see many students walking around, on their way to the lectures.  The most interesting part of Trinity College was the library; I have never seen a library this large (and high!). I must admit that it felt like I just walked into the library of Hogwarts.

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My time in Sorrento!

Ciao a Tutti!

My name is Paula and I am an American student who has been studying in Sorrento for the last 4 weeks . I was looking for a great study abroad experience and this is the perfect example! The school in Sorrento is a small school for students of all origins and age. I think that things like that are the best. I have taken Italian classes with other people from the Netherlands, Austria, and Russia!

Since I am here for the full semester, I have a concentrated Italian class with another student from America twice a week. In that class we learn grammar and verb tenses, things that will help us to communicate with the local Sorrentini. However my favorite class is definitely Italian conversation class, because that’s where I can put to test what I have learned in class.

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Annecy – perfect your French and hit the ski slopes!

Annecy is a hidden gem for Skiers / snowboarders, located just an hour’s drive of more than 10 major ski resorts. Why not combine your French course in Annecy with weekend excursions to the slopes and a spot of après ski!

Annecy is only an hour away from The Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallées) the largest ski domain in the Alps with 600km of prepared and maintained pistes. The slopes connect the ski resorts of Courchevel, Meribel, La Tania, Val Thorens and Les Menuires. I myself have spent a ski season in The Three Valleys and can vouch for it being one of the best locations that I have ever snowboarded!

If you want to ski closer to Annecy, why not visit the ski resort “La Clusaz” , just 30 minutes drive away . If you like, you can follow your morning French classes with half a day’s skiing in the afternoon , as it is so close!

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El Caganer – Christmas in Catalonia!

One of the most universally recognised symbols of Christmas is the traditional nativity scene: Mary and Joseph; the newborn baby Jesus; and the three Kings and other well-wishers that have come to bestow gift s on the child.

However, in Catalonia, another figure hides at the back of the scene. El Caganer is a uniquely Catalan character, who is depicted in the process of defecating.

A humorous character, the caganer is not intended to cause offence.

His place within the holy scene may seem a little strange, but in Catalan tradition this symbolises the fertilisation of the earth, and is supposed to bring a successful harvest for the following year, as well as luck and happiness to loved ones.

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Genoa – A hidden pearl set between the mountains and the sea…

Genoa, the first thing to say about this city is that it’s just magic! I’m Elisa, I’ve studied in Genoa, worked there and I can tell that it’s one of those cities you never get tired of, since there’s always plenty of places to see, things to do and new friends to make!

If you have the chance to go there, I’m going to suggest you the best places I know where you can enjoy some of the most beautiful sceneries of this charming city, the best little shops where all Genovese go and buy food as well, and also where you can go to enjoy the real night life, as if you were born in Genoa!

I hope that, while reading this, you will feel like you are travelling virtually with me through the vicoli, you’ll taste with me the wonderful and incomparable focaccia and enjoy together its lively and amazing nightlife!

And… here we are in Genoa! What about starting our tour in one of the little pedestrian streets in Genoa, it’s called Via San Vincenzo and it’s just some minutes walk from both the station and the main square in Genoa. Walking up this street, you can find two of the best focaccerie where you can taste our special, amazing and absolutely unique focaccia! You can also have a slice of pizza or farinata another speciality of Genovese cuisine.

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Discovering Milan!

I have just come back from Milan, and I had a brilliant time there! There is so much to see and do, and it’s not all about the shopping (although that is excellent too!). I have been to Milan a couple of times now, and it is a city that I would love to continue visiting. I have no hesitation in recommending Milan as an excellent location in which to learn Italian, as for someone that is interested in Italian culture, history, art, music and shopping (like me), Milan is perfect! It is also an excellent location from which to visit other exciting locations in Northern Italy, such as the lakes, Turin, Verona and Genoa!

The first evening I arrived, I took a gentle stroll down to the Piazza del Duomo, which is in the heart of the city and very close to the school. In the evening light, the Duomo looked positively magical, glowing a bright ivory in the setting sun. Perched on the steps of the Duomo, I ate my gelato (the most delicious ice cream I have ever tasted!) and watched the Milanese heading through the piazza, on their way to aperitivo, and then dinner.

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You have to see Kiev!

What can I say about Kiev, except WOW! The city is simply full of beautiful churches, historic buildings, and really friendly people! I’ve been to Moscow and St Petersburg (which I loved), but Kiev is totally different, and feels really Russian, in the best of ways!

It’s clean, welcoming, and very easy to get around, whether on foot, or by bus.

It’s a great place in which to learn Russian, because people really are very happy to talk to you. Though Kiev is a large city, with great shopping and an excellent nightlife, the pace of life is much more relaxed than in Moscow and St Petersburg, so people have time to stop and chat. If you’re a foreigner, they’re keen to help, give directions and generally look after you – even if you’ve just met them on the street!

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Beautiful Lyon

After considering both Lyon and Paris, I chose to study in Lyon. This was because I was planning to spend several months in France, and I wanted to be in a big city, but I felt that in Lyon I would have more opportunity to speak French and experience real French culture than in Paris.

What I discovered was that Lyon has so much more to offer than this! Beautiful Lyon lies on three rivers. The masculine Rhône and the feminine Saône divide the city into distinct districts.

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Picturesque Heidelberg

The city has a great cultural programme. Every day over 50 different events ranging from festivals, music, theatre, dance and art exhibitions take place across the city.

The castle illuminations which take place each summer, the medieval autumn fair and Christmas market are particularly worth a look!

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Learn French in Paradise!

This photo tells you everything you need to know about Guadeloupe!

With white sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees, clear blue skies and warm turquoise sea – a true island paradise awaits!

During my visit, I loved speaking French with the friendly locals, eating great Caribbean food and working on my sun tan!

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