Have you ever dreamed about bike riding through Tuscany? Scaling the Cliffs of Moher? Running with the Bulls in Spain? With the new year comes new opportunities, decisions, and more chances to study abroad. We at Gulliver are dedicated to helping you study or travel abroad. Deciding where to go is one of the hardest parts, so here’s a quick rundown of the top places. Use these as a starting point, but feel free to venture to different, more obscure places. In future articles we’ll pinpoint this year’s popular picks. Always remember you can use Gulliver to search study abroad programs and prepare for any trip abroad. Have fun!
In no particular order:
France
Educate You Taste Buds in France
Parlez-vous Francias? Rightfully so, France is one of the most-visited countries on earth. It’s hard not to fall in love with the romantic and magical City of Lights (aka Paris), even on a student budget, but there are plenty of other notable French cities: Avignon, Lyon, Lille, Normandy, Aix-en-Provence. What’s the best way to improve French language skills? Speak them daily. Want to perfect them: study art, cuisine, fashion, and history.
Spain
Nearly every student – at one point- has studied Spanish. Take it to the next level and learn Catalan! Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca are all magnets for young people; the combination of European culture and a Mediterranean climate is just too good to pass up. Don’t forget to check out Granada and Seville and the rest of the country.
United Kingdom
Meet the Queen at Buckingham
The U.K. always ranks high for study abroad. For English speakers, there’s no foreign language to master. The U.K. is also a popular destination for tourists. London is a great city to get lost in, as well as Scotland’s historic capital city of Edinburgh, or any number of smaller cities and towns throughout England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The U.K. is especially great if you’re pursuing literature or history.
Italy
If you want to study in paradise, look no further than Italy. Take history courses in Rome; study art history in Florence; become an expert on fashion in Milan and religion in Vatican City. Tough life. Want to avoid tourists? Study during the fall or winter. Take courses in one of the country’s oldest universities (Bologna) or go south to explore Messina and Palermo in Sicily. Don’t forget Umbria, Verona, or Torino.
Australia
Want a break from the crowds in Europe? Then take your studies down under. Consider living in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth. If you’re studying marine biology, you can’t do much better than the Great Barrier Reef. Students of just about any subject can find lots to enjoy in Australia.
Mexico
Kayak in the Sea of Cortez
Mexico is still a hot spot. Again, put those Spanish skills to use! This big Spanish-speaking country just south of the U.S. border offers amazing landscapes, adventures (both on land and water), cuisine, and people. Consider Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Baja California. Studying in Mexico also brings you closer to some of the best Spring Break destinations.
China
Considering a trip to China? Don’t just visit, live there! As China increases its status as an economic world power, it is also becoming a more popular place to study. Learning Mandarin or Cantonese will increase your chances for success in international business as well as the broadcast industry. The best way to learn a difficult language is by discovering the intricacies of its culture, cuisine, and people.
Germany
Germany’s voluptuous history is its driving force. Imagine visiting the former Berlin Wall, discovering Bavarian culture at Oktoberfest in Munich, or learning classic traditions in Frankfurt. Germany has undergone so many political and cultural changes in recent decades and it’s fascinating to witness the current transformations.
Costa Rica
Improve your Spanish while experiencing the exotic nature of Costa Rica. Learn about ecotourism, explore rainforests, and indulge in your coffee addiction. If you’re studying anything related to nature Costa Rica may feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven.
Ireland
Explore Dublin Castle Any Time of Day
Maybe we saved the best for last. It’s hard to imagine a better destination than the Emerald Isle. One warning, although they speak English in Ireland, for most parts (especially the west) Irish (or Gaelic) is in fact the native language. Ireland is known for its beautiful green landscapes, great beer, unpredictable weather, and some of the kindest people you could imagine. Ireland is heaven, unless you require sun to survive. Check out Dublin, Galway, Cork, or Limerick.
