|
With the new year well underway, 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for learning a foreign language!From professionals looking to expand their employment prospects to students taking study abroad programs for undergraduate or graduate credit to mature adults making their international travel more cultural - learning a foreign language in the country where it is spoken is the best way to learn.
Live the language, learn the culture has been our motto for the past 42 years, so if you are looking for an established organization to help organize your program abroad you can trust in NRCSA.
Just write us with your needs, and we will be more than happy to suggest a program or destination that fits them. Or, call us toll free (from USA and Canada) at 1-888-678-6211, or internationally at 1-414-278-7410.
January 2010 Topics:
1. Foreign Language Training for Undergraduate or Graduate Credit
NRCSA has standing relationships with universities throughout the USA that allow participants in our programs to earn academic credit in over 30 countries. Our participants can earn 3 credits in 2 weeks (50 class hours) or earn 12 credits in 12 weeks (240 class hours).
State and Professional Licensing Agencies often have provisions to accept graduate credit for licensing requirements. NRCSA programs enable you to fulfill your requirements abroad allowing you to experience the world while receiving the credit you have earned for your program.
For more information contact Mike, or view the course descriptions on-line.
2. Bilingual Programs for Professionals
With the world economies only starting to recover from one of the deepest global recessions in recent history, now is one of the best times to expand your employability by learning a second or third language. While the general job market remains sluggish, there is a strong demand for bilingual candidates.
NRCSA's programs can help you to become bilingual by providing the most effective language training available - immersion learning. With NRCSA's programs you not only learn while you are in the class room, you use your new language capabilities throughout the day! For optimum immersion we highly recommend staying with a host family which further encourages you to use your new language skills in a friendly, comfortable setting.
For more information on programs for professionals, contact Sarah.
3. Teen Summer Camps
Are you looking for a Summer camp that offers an experience that can last a lifetime? If yes, then TeensAbroad.com may have the program for you! TeensAbroad.com has programs specifically designed for teenagers traveling without the parents and gives them the opportunity to meet other teens from around the world. Each teen program has language classes and an afternoon chalked full of activities. From outings to the beach to horseback riding!
And, as a major plus for parents looking to the future, most students can use their newly honed language skills to pass university foreign language requirements. Some students even earn AP credit!
For more information on teen Summer camps contact Anne.
4. Tax Credits Help Pay for Language Learning
Most governments (including the USA & Canadian governments) offer tax credits for NRCSA programs abroad. For example the USA government has the Lifetime Learning Credit ($2,000) and Hope Credit ($1,650) that help offset your tuition costs. These credits help make learning a foreign language even more affordable and present an opportunity for those interested in going abroad that should not be missed!
For more information, please contact Mike.
5. Cultural Adventures for Mature Adults
Spring and Fall are great times of the year for seniors and mature adults to travel and see the world without having their experience spoiled by teenagers and tourists. NRCSA's programs provide a cost effective way to see, learn about and experience the cultures of the world. For example, a 2 week program in Hyeres, France is just $124 per day including language classes, afternoon activities, lodging and 2 meals per day. That is less than most 3 star hotels charge per night for just a room.
Or, travel to Malaga, Spain and stay in a residence overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with on-site swimming pool and activities for just $103 per day.
So if you are looking to travel abroad and want to add a little culture to your experience, contact NRCSA.
6. Golf, Ski and Surf Programs
Cooking, arts & crafts, dance, diving, skiing, history - No, problem! We have programs starting regularly, throughout the world, that are designed to further your knowledge - while teaching you about the local culture and language. Here are some of our most popular courses:
- Golf: Biarritz, France and Queretaro, Mexico
- Surfing: Verjer, Spain and Biarritz, Spain
- Diving: La Ceiba, Honduras
- Traveling Classroom: Sosua, Dominican Republic
- Wine Tasting: Bordeaux, France, Florence, Italy and Siena, Italy
- Ceramics: Sicily, Italy and Oaxaca, Mexico
7. Medical Spanish Programs
NRCSA's programs for medical professionals and medical students focus on teaching students language skills they can use when seeing patients that speak Spanish as primary language. Our programs enable you to Build Fundamental Foreign Language Skills (conversation, comprehension, grammar, reading, and writing). The objective is to generally facilitate communications with patients, family members, and others in the foreign language.
Build Medical Foreign Language Skills: anatomy, medical history terminology, reviewing medical records including prescription and nonprescription drugs, determining locations and types of pain or symptoms, explaining procedures and followup care-needs etc. The objective is to more efficiently use communications to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and followup care.
Contact Vanessa for more information about our programs, or visit us on-line!
8. Destination of the Month: Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka is located in the south-west corner of Japan. Its moderate climate, beautiful scenery and great location have made it popular with travelers both from within Japan and from around the world. In 1997, 1999 and again in 2000, Fukuoka was ranked the best city in Asia by Asia week magazine. In 2006, it was chosen by Newsweek as one of the world's top 10 boom towns, and in 2008 Monocle Magazine ranked it as the 14th most livable city in the world, and the best shopping city in the world!
NRCSA's program in Fukuoka is offered throughout the year and classes start every Monday. You can choose to stay with a Japanese family to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture, or we can arrange an apartment for you during your stay - the choice is yours!
For more information about studying in Fukuoka, contact Stephen.
9. Question of the month: What type of program abroad is best for your high schooler?
Many parents agree - students studying abroad is beneficial academically, socially and emotionally. But - how do you choose a program? And which program best meets your teens specific needs?
Basically, study abroad programs for high school students fall into four categories:
MATRICULATING HIGH SCHOOL'S OWN PROGRAM(S) ABROAD
A local teacher at your own high school leads a group abroad - and/or an exchange program is offered between your own high school and a high school abroad.
Benefits: Students will be with peers they already know, and in many cases, one or more chaperons they already know - and this may help less experienced or less mature students to handle the emotional challenges of traveling sans their parents, especially for the first time. In the case of exchange programs, you and your son/daughter can see the world through your host students eyes to help determine what the experience will be like for your own teen when they go abroad themselves.
How to find out more? Talk to your son/daughters high school to find out what types of international experiences are offered and through what department. Often exchange programs and study abroad are offered through the language department, but may also be offered through a high school or school districts music, art or theatre programs, or recreational services department.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS FOR U.S. STUDENTS - ESCORTED GROUPS
Various companies, organizations and schools offer programs for teens led abroad by a group leader, often a teacher or university student. Typically students meet together at an agreed departure point in the U.S. (usually a major airport) and fly to the destination country together, and have the group leader's support while abroad.
Benefits: While students and leaders traveling together often don't know each other before the trip departs, your teen does have the benefit of being with a static group throughout the experience, typically all native English speaking students, which may make you or them more comfortable. All air travel, trips, etc are done as a group, so you don't have to worry about your teen navigating any of these things on their own.
How to find out more? This is something you also may be able to find out about through your home high school, and programs of this nature are also offered by a number of U.S. universities. NRCSA has escorted high school groups from time to time that open their trips up to students from other high schools, for more information and to see if there is an escorted trip open that you can join, contact Anne Sedushak.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - NON ESCORTED GROUPS WITH SUPERVISED PROGRAMS ABROAD
These are language camps and language programs abroad for high school students from all over the world, who come on their own or with a friend to take in the language and culture of the foreign country. These types of programs offer a unique experience for teens to not only meet other people from their own country and those from the host country where they study, but some of these programs have students from up to 20 or 30 different countries participating. While abroad, students are in a supervised program with mandatory classes and activities, as well as an evening curfew, and rules are enforced to make sure all teens are as safe as possible, while still able to have an incredible international experience.
Benefits: While students do need to fly to and from the foreign country on their own, from the moment they get to the destination airport and are greeted by program staff and counselors, until the moment they are returned to the airport for departure at the end of the trip, they are part of an organized program with supervised activities and some free-time to explore. Students tend to learn more of the foreign language they are studying, because that language is often the common language in large groups of international students. Friendships made outside students normal circles in a program like this can last a lifetime - and many students from different countries stay in touch and often go abroad together in future years.
How to find out more? The National Registration Center for Study Abroad offers a number of supervised teen programs abroad, with starting dates primarily in the summer, but some offered over winter and spring breaks, as well.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - NON ESCORTED AND NON SUPERVISED PROGRAMS FOR INDEPENDENT TEENS
Very mature teens (minimum age 16) with a lot of experience abroad on their own may join adult or university programs. These programs do not offer any supervision, curfews, etc - so it is important that teens be ready for the experience. Going before they are ready poses safety and emotional concerns. Teens traveling by themselves must be able to make good choices since there will be many optional activities - but only class attendance is mandatory (much like going to a university).
Benefits: Adult programs which accept teens can offer unique experiences for the right type of person, including the opportunity to study at a foreign university, take humanities and arts/cooking/craft classes abroad, or earn university academic credit. The typical teen participant in these types of programs is 17 years old, has already done 2 or 3 summer study abroad programs or has attended a boarding school abroad, is at a more advanced level of the foreign language they are studying and would like more challenging classes, and is looking for a pre-university experience to help them prepare for being on their own and develop a sense of independence and time management.
How to find out more? The National Registration Center for Study Abroad offers a number of adult programs which accept 16 or 17 year old students, with starting dates throughout the year. For more information, please contact Vanessa.
WHICHEVER TYPE OF STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE YOU DECIDE IS BEST FOR YOUR TEEN... in the famous words of a well known sports apparel company - Just do it!
If you need any help in determining which NRCSA
programs are best for you, we would love to hear from you!
Please let us know by email (study@nrcsa.com)
or phone (toll free 888 678-6211 or 414 278-7410) if you cannot find
the program that you are looking for in our newsletter or on our
website (www.nrcsa.com).
The chances are, either we offer it ourselves, or we can redirect you
to some who does.
Sincerely,
All of us at NRCSA
National Registration Center for Study Abroad (NRCSA)
Live the Language and Learn the Culture!
Assisting students to find programs since 1968
Toll Free: 888 678 6211 ~ http://www.nrcsa.com
Tel: 414 278 0631 ~ P.O. Box 1393; Milwaukee, WI 53201
|
