5 Ways to Improve Your Language Skills While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is always a memorable experience, especially if you choose to live in a country where you don’t speak the language. In fact, most students choose to study abroad in the first place for the opportunity to gain proficiency in a foreign language. Despite the difficulties, it’s important to really focus on improving your language skills while you have the chance to live in a country with native speakers. Here are some of the top ways to get the hang of a foreign language while studying abroad, no matter your skill level.

1. Stay with a Host Family

This is the best way to become fully immersed in the local language and culture. Many study abroad students stay in residencies with other abroad students, but it can be very tempting to revert to speaking English in a residency. Even staying with other foreign students can turn into an English fest, because most young people speak English as a second language.

Benefits of Study Abroad for ESL EFL Teachers

A guest post by Sarah Fudin, who currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California's Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters Degree in Teaching credential online. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

As an ESL teacher, you will work every day with students struggling to learn a new language, many of whom may also be struggling to adapt to the customs of a new country. As their instructor, you will have an intimate knowledge of the challenges and rewards of that learning process as it unfolds in your classroom, but students also lead full, vibrant lives outside the classroom. As they absorb the English language, they will also acclimate to the cultural life of their new home country. These are struggles and joys that teachers can certainly relate to, but not all teachers have experienced themselves.

Hungarian Government Scholarships for International Students

Hungarian Scholarship Board Office offers scholarships for foreign students and lecturers in higher education institutions as well as research fellows who intend to gain further professional experience in Hungarian higher education institutions or research institutes. Scholarships can be applied for in two different ways:

1. Work plans and bilateral agreements: The Office of the Hungarian Scholarship Board (hereinafter HSB) welcomes applications by citizens of countries (and territories) that have a valid/effective educational work plan with Hungary, or a bilateral agreement signed by the Hungarian Ministry of National Recourses and the relevant ministry of the given country (or territory). Dissemination of all information regarding the application procedure and deadlines as well as assessment and shortlisting of applications is conducted by the scholarship authority or the Ministry of Education in the relevant home country (or territory). Applications forwarded by partner scholarship offices shall have a priority. However, applications submitted directly to the HSB Office shall also be accepted in the framework of the Pool system outlined below.

IES Seminars: Europe & Liberty - Germany 2012

Interested in exploring the ideas of liberty? Learn about classical liberalism with distinguished faculty? Apply now and join us at the Theodor-Heuss-Akademie in Gummersbach, Germany between July 29 and August 04, 2012 for a weeklong of intellectual challenges, intercultural exchanges and lots of laid-back fun, all in the spirit of liberty. This week is entirely free for the students. Through the generosity of our partners, IES-Europe is able to offer the seminars for free. Lectures, housing, meals are provided by the IES-Europe. Participants only pay for their own travel.

Perugia International Journalism Festival 2012

The next edition of the annual Perugia International Journalism Festival will be held on April 25-29, 2012, in Perugia, Italy.

The annual Perugia International Journalism Festival is the leading journalism event in Italy. It is an open invitation to listen to and network with the best of world journalism. The leitmotiv is one of informality and accessibility, designed to appeal to journalists, aspiring journalists and those interested in the role of the media in society. Simultaneous translation into English and Italian is provided. The festival is open to the public free of charge.

Tips For A Perfect Revision Period

When end of year exams are looming, it’s inevitable that students across the country will start to get twitchy, and suddenly regret the hours lost in the union bar. Even those who've been diligent during term time can find the prospect of final assessment daunting.

However there are a few simple tips that should get you into the right frame of mind to perform to the best of your abilities.

First of all, work out what you actually need to do because very little will be achieved if you try to tackle revision without a coherent plan. Think about what subjects you're going to be tested on then decide which need the most work so you can allocate your time accordingly.

International Student Week in Belgrade 2012 - "Youth Changing the World"

We are more than happy to announce that the sixth ISWiB (International Student Week in Belgrade), under the motto "Youth Changing the World" will take place from 15th to 22nd July 2012 in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. We came a long way since our humble beginnings in 2006, constantly improving in quantity and popularity, and we have no intention of stopping. The previous edition of the festival, ISWiB 2011, gathered more than 200 students from 50 countries from all over the world.

As the goal of ISWiB is breaking national, religious, cultural and language barriers, not only through the exchange of knowledge, opinions and ideas, but also by making friends and hanging out with each other, ISWiB 2012 will be an opportunity for lots of fun, cultural manifestations, day trips and, of course, parties!

Time Management Tips for Study Abroad Students

Studying abroad is certainly one of the best life experiences that lucky students get to experience. It is a great opportunity to see new places, meet new people and live in a foreign country.  However, time spent studying abroad is not all fun and games. There is an academic component during study abroad that cannot be discarded or forgotten when you travel. It is important to manage your time well and in ways that allow you to get your work done, learn as much as possible, and have the study abroad experience you desire. 

Mises Seminar 2012 - Ninth Edition

IES-Europe encourages you to contribute a paper to the 2012 Mises Seminar, to be held in Sestri Levante (Italy), October 13th-14th. The general theme discussed will be: "Failure: Why We Need It".

The conference will feature original contributions on the themes of failure and bankruptcy—either in the business and governmental arena—and how it is a necessary and ultimately beneficial feature of a free market and a free society. The topic can be investigated from the perspective of economics, history, sociology, legal theory, political philosophy, economic history.

Workshop on Ukraine-EU Cooperatio​n in Crisis Management and Disaster Risk Reduction

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR INSTITUTIONAL STUDIES in partnership with University of Birmingham, UK, Harvard Black Sea Security Program, Harvard University, USA, European Security Journal, Routledge and financial support of Jean Monnet Program, European Commission invite you to take part in 2012 Jean Monnet International Seminar "Ukraine-EU Cooperation in Crisis Management and Disaster Risk Reduction:  Sharing Best Practices, Building Effective Capabilities".

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Cooperation in crisis management and disaster risk reduction (natural, man-made disasters, terrorism, conflict and conflict-related emergencies) is a priority and thematic platform of the Eastern Partnership and an important sphere of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU within the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, but it is an almost completely neglected topic in the academic cur-ricula on EU/European integration/security studies in Ukraine and other countries of the Eastern Partnership. Similarly, very little research has been carried out on diplomatic and politi-cal/institutional aspects of this subject, which further diminishes the prospects of high-quality modules and courses and effective education and training of current and future academics and professionals working in this area.