January 9, 2012

5 must-have travel products for studying abroad this spring

After months of filling out paperwork, researching the best guide books, scouring the internet for useful travel tips and daydreaming about your upcoming adventure, it’s time! Time to start packing, that is. But before you become overwhelmed at thought of having yet another task to complete, remember that what you pack becomes the foundation for your trip. So have fun, stay organized and don’t put it off until the last minute – your future world traveling-self will thank you!

To help kick off the packing process here are five must-have travel products for your semester abroad!

• Dictionary or translator – Communicating in a foreign country can be a challenge when you don’t speak the language but with a little patience and the help of a trusty translator, you can get by just fine!

• Umbrella –Sure there are umbrella vendors wherever there are tourists, but they often come at a high cost for low quality. Pack a compact, sturdy umbrella ahead of time and save yourself the cash and the hassle of being caught in the rain.

• Adapters and converters – Voltage and outlet configurations vary across the globe and without the right configuration your electronics won’t work or worse, you could fry them. This Global Electricity Guide can help you avoid an international traveler’s worst nightmare by finding the right adapter and converter ahead of time.

• Alarm clock or cell phone with alarm capabilities – Hostels are great for young travelers on a budget, but they typically lack hotel-style amenities like alarm clocks. Be sure to pack your own so you don’t miss out on a minute of your adventure.

• Cross-body bag – Finding the perfect site-seeing bag is key to the study abroad experience. Look for a bag that’s large enough to hold the essentials (money, camera, guide book, umbrella, etc) but isn’t too bulky for you to tote around all day. Also, choose a bag with a cross-body strap to keep your possessions safe from pick-pocketers.

*Extra tip: Those long plane, train, and bus rides will be much more tolerable with a little music. Bring your iPod or mp3 player, make a playlist of your favorite tunes and watch the scenery change!

Beth Smedinghoff studied in Florence, Italy as an undergrad and now spends her days helping others make the most of their travels as a writer for TravelProducts.com.

 

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October 26, 2011

Carbon Conscious Study Abroad

Last year API introduced our first carbon offset program.

Earlier this year, API began our first external carbon footprint evaluation as part of our ongoing effort toward becoming a carbon-neutral company (results and recommendations pending).

Now, API is issuing an exciting challenge to our students… for every student that contributes toward the API carbon offset fund, API will match the contribution. That’s right – 2 for 1! Dr. Jayme Walenta of Carbon Clear (API’s carbon offset provider) spoke enthusiastically about this innitiatve.

“API’s commitment to promoting study abroad in an environmentally friendly manner is strengthened further by this announcement…  The funds generated by this program go to support carbon reduction projects in the developing world that both reduce greenhouse gases and improve the social livelihoods of residents. All projects students invest in are third party certified to either the Verified Carbon Standard (formerly the Voluntary Carbon Standard) or Gold Standard and meet strict international rules for additionally.”

We at API believe that every study abroad student should have a positive impact on their host culture and environment, and offsetting the emissions from one’s travel is quite literally the first step in this process! Students may elect to contribute toward this goal in their post-acceptance online forms, or by speaking with their API Program Manager.For more information on the API Carbon Offset Project, please visit the API website.

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September 27, 2011

API study abroad “Leeds” the way in England

Hello Leeds!

By: Heddi Cundle, MyTab.co

Hey all – yes, the title is not a typo and I do not need to go back to University! Leeds is in Yorkshire, which is in England. It’s about half way between London and Glasgow. There’s a saying (maybe I made it up, maybe it’s an ole myth) that the weekend in London starts on a Friday, in Leeds it starts on a Thursday and north of Newcastle right to the tip of Scotland – it starts on a Wednesday.

If that’s the case, why do all study abroad students clamber to London? At least once a week I try a Tweet campaign for a 3 day weekend in my home city, San Francisco, yet Leeds – the place where I lived from birth right up to 18 years old, landed this wish on my lap from the get go. My family and childhood friends are from Leeds and still live there. It’s an incredible city and needs bigging up. So here goes:

  • Leeds is around 20 mins drive away from Sheffield, the mecca of the hit movie ‘The Full Monty.’ Yes, Leeds is very close to middle aged overweight male strippers….hypothetically speaking.
  • Leeds was a coal mining city and the hub of the real working man. Yorkshire, the county (similar to a ‘State’ but tinier) is the soul of rugby league. Not rugby union where they prance around trying to not hit each other….but rugby league where solid men get absolutely filthy walloping each other trying to win the game. Rugby league is very similar to American Football – minus the commercials & shoulder pads!
  • Leeds was the center of trading wool (which, oddly enough, I was sure came from a tree, whilst I was adamant cotton came from sheep). You can still find wool mills in Leeds – they’re just gorgeous.
  • Leeds has a really diverse cultural history – with Bradford’s huge Indian community not far away (which means incredible Indian food!) and a really large Jewish community (of which my father organizes the Jewish Theater Festival, now a major UK attraction. Go Stan Cundle!).
  • Five minutes walking in the Yorkshire Dales aka the farms, countryside etc – you will be rejuvenated and exhausted. The altitude of Leeds isn’t high but there’s something in the fresh air that knocks you out and really makes you want to step into the nearest pub for a typical Yorkshire Pudding (Google it).
  • Leeds has a bunch of traditional songs that make absolutely no sense including: There’s a Hole in my Bucket, She’ll Be Coming around the Mountain, On Ilkley Moor. These songs will be heard at any given hour. Give it 3 months and you’ll be blasting it out with the rest of the Leodesians (Leeds peeps).
  • Both Victoria Quarter & Millennium Square have the best designer clothing and I know these are on par with London. Many major designers have rights to sell their clothing in Leeds, so the Leeds/Manchester competitive traits are great. If you can’t find it in Leeds, just head over to Manchester!
  • The club and music scene in Leeds…rocks! Leeds is a major music hub – whether it’s club, dance, indie or mainstream. Some of the UK’s best clubs are in Leeds including every major global DJ.
  • Elland Road (soccer) and Yorkshire Cricket Club are the two biggest sports destinations. Some of the best national games have taken place at these locations. Lots of history & cucumber sandwiches!
  • Roundhay Park is one of Europe’s largest parks with 700+ acres. I think it actually spans 3 zip codes. I’ve seen some incredible live concerts here. The Park can accommodate 120k people (yes, 120,000).

So just in case you weren’t sure whether to study in Leeds – I’m telling you to do it. You’re 2.5 hours away by train to London, 1 hour to Manchester (or as I call it ‘Madchester’), 1.5 hours away from Newcastle and can always hop on a cheap flight to Ireland or most places in Europe. If you don’t, you’re missing out on one of the UK’s top 3 student scenes, wooly sweaters, pub lunches & holes in buckets.

Bought to you by myTab.co – an online travel gift card to help you fund, plan & save for your study abroad travels. BTW, set a reminder to check myTab’s new design upgrade mid Oct. It’s fun, interactive & going to blow your student mind away!

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