Tag Archives: Europe

4 Reasons to Learn German During Your Next Trip to Berlin


Berlin is a major tourism and business hub that attracts millions from across the globe every year. From the memorial Berlin wall to the Brandenburg museum, there is hardly a shortage of culture, history or things to do. One of the things that should be done by every tourist is taking German lessons while in Berlin. One might wonder why they should. After all, tourist guidebooks provide a lot of information and overall, they feel they can get by without actually learning German, at least not in an organized setting. However, learning German is highly beneficial for tourists and visitors both during and after the trip for the following reasons:

1. It makes your trip easier

Whether you’re visiting Berlin for a holiday, educational purposes or for any other temporary stay, it will do you a world of good to take German courses in Berlin. First of all, it will help you relate better with the locals and you’re more likely to form relationships that way. This means better communication with colleagues, business owners, co-workers, and even strangers on the street. It also means that you can navigate your way through the city better without needing to consult a tourists handbook or translation book at every turn. This immerses you in German culture and gives you the chance to experience the city as a local rather than a tourist.

2. You’re less likely to get scammed

Every major city is plagued with various tricks and scams which are usually aimed at visitors and tourists. These range from pickpocketing to hiking of prices for tourists. One of the tell-tale signs of a person being a tourist and a potential target is the inability to speak German. By taking German courses in Berlin, you are less likely to be targeted with the scams that usually go after tourists.

3. It can help your career

Being bilingual or multilingual is a unarguable benefit to a person’s life and career. School applications are often beefed up with the addition of a second or third language to the mix. Job applications are also helped with multilingualism. If you are looking to get a part-time or full-time job while in Berlin, having the ability to speak the local language is an invaluable and big plus.

4. The opportunity to study in Germany

With German waiving tuition for University attendance, many people for foreign countries have found themselves flocking there for further education. One roadblock a lot of them face is the lack of knowledge of the German language. Many end up taking a six-month German language course in order to continue unto school. With prior knowledge and fluency in the German language, you can skip this step and find yourself beginning your education. When you do begin, integrating into German society will be significantly easier due to the seamless communication.

Visiting Berlin is a truly wonderful experience which is made immensely more enjoyable with German Language classes. German courses in Berlin open up to a wonderful new world of benefits that lasts even after you have left.

Tips For Cheap European Travel

By catering for yourself at market stalls such as this one, you are sticking to the ethos of cheap European travel that will keep you on the road for a long time ... photo by CC user yukikomatsuoka on Flickr

GET A EURAIL PASS

A Eurail pass can help you save a lot of money especially if you are travelling across vast countries. Europe boasts of some of the best railways and speed trains across the globe. However, if you buy a single ticket for every time you travel from one point to the next, it may be too expensive. According to sites like this, Eurail passes are a fantastic way to save money when travelling across several countries in Europe. All you need to do is plan your itinerary carefully, to avoid ending in one place twice and book in advance.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

Have you ever wondered how chameleons survive in the wild? Well, they change their color to match with the environment. This concept should help you as you travel on the cheap in Europe. Avoid the touristy high-end restaurants, cater for yourself in markets, and eat in places where you see most locals, chances are, the food is great and affordable. Eating local dishes also gets a taste of authentic dishes as well as great services. You can also shop for snacks in local department stores and have picnics in any of the numerous parks across UK.

BOOK A LARGE VILLA WHEN TRAVELLING IN A GROUP

Group travelling is always fun and apart from offering safety in numbers in a strange country; it is also a fun way to save money on travel in Europe. Accommodation can really clear your travel budget, and fast, however when travelling as a group, you can enjoy all the comforts of a villa like this and split the cost. Villas are a smart way to save money for groups as they often have more rooms, kitchens to prepare your own meals and offer privacy. Some villas also allow parties on the premises, so you can always party with your friends as you explore Europe.

TRAVEL SECOND CLASS IN TRAINS

Travelling first class is tempting, with all the comforts, but it could end up leaving a huge hole in your pockets. However, travelling second class can cost about 50% off compared to first class but it will still get you to your destination same as the first class. The differences in comfort are always minimal yet the difference in cost is vast, so save money and travel second class.

TRAVEL OFF SEASON

Travelling across Europe when everybody else is on the move can really end up being costly, travel agencies, airlines and hotels are looking up to recover from the low seasons. However, in the low seasons (usually in the winter) you can travel in Europe on the cheap, you can save on flights, hotels, restaurants and avoid long queues in major attractions. During the low seasons, the attractions have fewer tourists and you can be able to visit more attractions than when they are overcrowded. Major cities in Europe such as Paris and London are always fabulous to explore any time of the year, hence travelling during low seasons does not mean missing anything, but it saves you a lot of money.

Free college tuition for everybody! 4 countries that are making this happen

 

Does this place look like somewhere where you could get free college tuition? Well ... it is, as this is Oslo University in Norway!

It is a seemingly inescapable problem for many young Americans. The work force is getting more competitive as the bulk of new jobs are being created in highly skilled fields, yet the cost of education is skyrocketing to healthcare-esque heights.

As a result of this conundrum, many feel they are in a proverbial Catch-22, having to choose between taking on crippling amounts of debt in the hope that the jobs they seek will be there for them when they get out of school, or take their chances with a high school diploma in the job market, or as an entrepreneur.

Meanwhile, across the pond, a tantalizing Third Way is materializing, as many schools in European countries are either drastically lowering or eliminating tuition fees for foreigners in a bid to attract them to their schools.

But why? In the article that follows, not only will we review each country’s free college tuition incentive programs, you’ll find out the method behind their madness…

1) Germany

With the scrapping of tuition fees in Lower Saxony this past year, every single university within Germany’s borders are now 100% free to attend, for residents AND for foreigners. What’s more, the degrees that these schools offer span most disciplines, with some programs not even requiring that you put together a formal application.

This all seems too good to be true, but in this case, it is, as the government of Germany has invested enormous amounts of money to attract English speaking foreigners to German schools so that its citizens might be exposed to native speakers of the language.

Germany also has many glaring skill shortages that it is staring in the face over the coming years, so the hope is that after foreigners complete their schooling, they will have loved their time in Deutschland so much that they will decide to pursue a career here as well. Go to school for free and get a job in an in-demand field after graduation? What is this, 1955?

2) Slovenia

Those looking to immerse themselves in a relatively obscure Central European country may want to consider spending some or all of their college career in Slovenia, as this nation offers easy access to Croatia and Italy for those seeking exciting weekend trip ideas.

In addition to only paying a paltry €30 registration fee, your meals here will also cost much less than you may be projecting, as the Slovenian government subsidizes meal plans, with the average meal costing half of what it would back in America.

While no school here tops international rankings, those looking for a piece of paper and a good time in their college years may want to consider coming to Slovenia.

3) Norway

If the fjords of Norway are beckoning you, then you’ll be happy to know that the schools here cost foreigners nothing to attend … not a single krone. Of course, the fact that Norway is one of the world’s most expensive countries, or that some schools in the Norwegian arctic are cloaked in 24 hour darkness for a portion of the winter will weigh on your decision, but there are many other positives that make this country a strong contender.

Outdoor lovers will have their hands full with activities such as skiing, hiking and Northern Lights viewing, while those that are serious about their academics will love the small class sizes, professor approachability and lightening fast internet access in even the most far flung of communities.

4) Sweden

Like its Nordic neighbor to the west, Sweden also offers college programs to foreigners that are highly attractive. Unlike Norway though, Sweden’s programs do charge tuition fees for those seeking a bachelors or masters degree.

Sweden makes an exception for those seeking a PhD, waiving tuition fees for those seeking the highest attainable academic honor. The workforce of the world is getting more competitive with each passing year, with even master’s degree owners beginning to feel the heat.

For members of this crowd, this program may be the opportunity to finally break apart from the pack, all while experiencing life in a foreign country in the process.

 

Quirky Things to do in Paris

The Big Thumb statue is certainly one of the quirky things to do in Paris...

The Big Thumb statue is certainly one of the quirky things to do in Paris…

Out of all the travel destinations that you have dreamt of during repetitive and boring Biology 101 lectures, Paris with its romantic mystique has stood out among all the world cities that you have lusted over recently.

While all the cliché sights and attractions all appeal to you, you also have a thing for the off-beat highlights of any destination that you visit. In spite of what you might think, Paris is no different in this regard, as it has more than its share of quirky things to do.

Before you hop on that plane to head out on the most fun you’ll have all year though, don’t forget to pre-book your stay to avoid a potential crisis when you get on the ground. Find some accommodation here that will allow you and your friends to have a place that will exceed anything you can find in a hotel or hostel, as well as the peace of mind that comes from having an apartment that is ready and waiting for you upon arrival.

Now that we gotten that necessary advisory out of the way, let’s get down to the business of revealing all the quirky things to do in Paris.

1) Musée de la Magie

If you ever spent a significant portion of your childhood attempting to nail that card or coin trick perfectly, then checking out La Musee de la Magie (The Magic Museum) will be of great interest to you.

Here, artifacts from centuries of magic performances around the world can be found, from the boxes where you watched in horror as that magician’s assistant got sawed in half, to ventriloquist’s puppets that are as mystifying as they are creepy.

2) Le Cimetière des Chiens

The great majority of us have grown up knowing a favorite furry friend. Unfortunately, this also means that we have likely been around long enough to witness their inevitable demise. Most pets in the developed world are either cremated or buried on a private plot of land.

However in Paris, there is a dedicated cemetery where human’s best friends are given over to the earth in the same manner that our human loved ones are. Here, custom tombstones and tributes will touch you and creep you out, often at the same time, while the land’s resident stray cats will also give you the chance to celebrate life as well.

3) The Giant Thumb

This attraction is exactly what the title suggests: it’s a statue of a giant thumb, carved in intricate detail from a piece of metal. Located in Paris’ central business district of La Defense across from the ultra modern version of the Arc D’ Triomphe, its positioning in the midst of what is otherwise a rather sterile business center makes it all the more surreal.

3 of the best cities in Spain to study abroad

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

 

While taking on student loans may make you hesitant to take to the road on an epic trip with all the bills that you owe to your creditors, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to sacrifice seeing the world until you are 55.

An interesting way to get over this beguiling hurdle is to apply to study in your discipline overseas. Most universities and colleges offer arrangements like this, or you can go to the trouble of arranging it yourself.

One nation that is an excellent place to spend a year or a semester overseas is Spain. Being home to amazing culture and history, mouthwatering tapas, and a language that is one of the most popular mother tongues in the world, this nation is an excellent choice to spend a period of time separate from the life you’ve always known back in America.

The only question that remains is: what city should choose to study in? This guide will you choose the best cities in Spain to study abroad so you can get the best possible experience during your brief period in this amazing country…

1) Barcelona

If being near a fabulous beach, amidst unique architecture, and within a community that speaks a regional language in addition to Spanish appeals to you, then Barcelona will prove to be a good choice. La Sagrada Familia will inspire you with its soaring spires, the strong regional identity of the Catalans will undoubtedly pique your interest in geopolitics, and when the time comes to relax on weekends with your new found friends, the beach will provide a chill spot to relax.

2) Salamanca

The mixed use of Catalan and Spanish will make it hard to focus on the latter if you are you are determined to learn it; if you are in this camp, Salamanca is a much better choice. A lack of English speakers makes it easy to immerse yourself in the local language, and when you are at ease in the community with your improving Spanish proficiency, you will be able to experience local cultural aspects like the generous lunches that are indulged in by the local population, experience the fervor that they employ to cheer on the local football team, and run errands like picking up mobile wif-fi from All Day Internet Spain with ease.

3) Madrid

If Spain’s complex art history has you interested in this storied nation, the best place to experience it is in the capital, Madrid. The Museum Triangle downtown contains some of the finest art museums in the world, and once you’re done getting your culture fix, some of Europe’s most lively nightlife awaits you in this cities’ entertainment district.