The Pro's of Blogging

So although I'd like to believe that my blog has all the latest and greatest on Italy but in all reality it's not! I find that some of the most valuable blogs are from those who have been to Italy, live in Italy, etc. So here is a little compilation of what I have found to be some pretty valuable blogs. They include things like what to do while you are there, food, music, news, etc. I also find some of the personal accounts that these blog owners have shared to be quite helpful. So check it out and hopefully you find something that helps you out!

http://wanderingitaly.com/blog/

http://www.blogfromitaly.com/

http://www.blogfromitaly.com/

http://www.msadventuresinitaly.com/blog/

Here is also a compilation of great blogs to view from Blogs.com

http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-great-blogs-for-exploring-italy/

Picture Courtesy of ExcelSports.net

Above is the beautiful city of Venice!

Italy is one of the Top Places to Study Abroad!

According to Courier Journal, Italy is among one of the top rated countries in the world to study abroad!

Read the article about how study abroad offers students a unique and driven perspective on academics.



Cinque Terre

It's a hidden treasure. I've just recently come upon this city and area in my research. 

Picture courtesy of Giada Velenti

The beautiful pictures of this region are little of what what makes this small little city so attractive. Reviews about the friendly villagers, food, and sites are enticing travelers from all around the world to make their way to this rocky beauty. The region has it's very own website which features a little more information about each of the cities and what they have to offer to you.

If you are wondering about the food, read about it with Giada Valenti on her blog.

Visit InItaly.com to read about this areas history and modern features.

If you prefer to read an overall review of the area, visit the NY Times online article titled "36 Hours in the Cinque Terre."

There is a multitude of sites out there that provide different information on Cinque Terre, these are just a few. Feel free to scope out the area on your own!

What about $$$

As a student, I know you've thought about it. How in the world am I going to pay for myself to go to the other side of the world?! It's an intimidating thought. And although college programs usually have aid to help you along your way, it's usually just enough to cover the basics. What about meals, shopping, site seeing, traveling? You're gonna need a plan. Lucky for you a found a really neat slide show that presents some of the most basic yet crucial information on planning a budget.

Photo Courtesy of PinellasNewsboy.com

Visit DIWYY again to view their Financing a Trip Abroad slide show presentation. It's cute and quirky and just what you need to get a feel for how to plan your budget.

In addition to this little slide show, I've also come upon a website called Drexxel which provides some pretty simple but thorough tips on how to cover the costs of going abroad.

Cutest Little Place!

I found the most adorable little bed and breakfast called Le Stanze dei Medici located in Florence. It's not the most extravagant of places to stay but it's the essence of what you think of (or at least what I think of) when you think of Italy. It's cute, dainty, and modern. Check it out!

Study abroad in Portovenere, Italy.

For some the cities of Rome, Florence, Tuscany, and Milan are very obvious and perfect choices when choosing where they want to stay during their time abroad. While these cities offer a multitude of opportunities, there are also many small towns, such as Portovenere, that can do the same.

Photo Courtesy of Grassroots Gourmet Blog

This beautiful ocean-side city may be just what you are looking for on your visit abroad. It's a very small town that offers a very locally focused experience. You will eventually be able to interact with the locals on a personal level very soon after the beginning of your stay. 

I found a pretty cool blog for girls called DIWYY which stands for Do It While You're Young. The admin of the site blogged about her experience at Portovenere and offers some inspiring words about choosing a smaller city over the large ones.

Why Go Italy?

Through all my searching for the best of Italy I keep finding myself back at Why Go Italy?. It is a comprehensive website featuring news articles, blogs, and the latest on what's happening in Italy.

I found a really great link on where to go holiday shopping while in Italy. If you're like me, you can't get enough of shopping! This article provides information on all the neatest places to go to buy gifts for people back where you live or even for yourself!

From leather markets in Florence to Carthusia on the Island of Capri, you'll be able to find just what you are looking for.

Study Abroad Hub

Being a student at Colorado State University has provided me with some pretty valuable resources concerning study abroad. The Office for International Studies provides a website solely focused on the Study Abroad Program.

This website is very helpful in it's abilities to accurately search for study abroad programs that fit your specific needs. If you click on the "Program Search" tab on the site, you will be taken to this search engine.

You can then choose which city, country, or region that interests you the most. You can also sort by choosing whether you want a semester, summer, or academic year long program. Another cool feature that this search engine provides is the ability to search by language. If you are wanting to go to a country which has a language different than that of english, you can find schools that will teach courses in english so you are not completely SOL.

Finding a program or school that has courses that will be able to transfer back to your specific university can be a difficult process. While the experience itself is worth more than the ability for your credits to transfer, having credits that will transfer back will assist you in pursing your degree. This search engine helps aid this process by allowing you to search programs based on your area of study! This is extremely helpful for students (like myself) who are on a strict academic schedule.

Even if you aren't a student at CSU I strongly urge you to look into this search engine. It has a multitude of programs in its database... you are sure to find something!

Adios for now!

Study Abroad Programs

After doing a little research for my own potential travel I came upon some really reliable and fun programs that you can use as your host to go to Italy!

Panrimo.com is a great site providing exceptional information to it's potential students and their parents alike. It is a site not only organized in an aesthetic way, it's very easy to navigate.  In addition to finding information like you would on most study abroad program sites including program fees, housing options, academic programs, etc., you will find pictures and a 'program builder' feature.

This feature is really handy in figuring the exact cost of what your program will look like as well as what features, amenities, courses, etc. that you can select. Since every one of us wants to get something different out of studying abroad, this is a very valuable resource.

API Study Abroad is also a really great resource to use if you are looking to go through a program in order to study abroad. This website is a very informational resource about what the program itself has to offer. Nearly all of your questions can be answered just by looking through this website's resources. This is really nice considering some websites do not fully give you all the information you need which then requires you to set up a phone appointment or something of the sort.

SAI or Study Abroad Italy is a program strictly dedicated to studying abroad in Italy (how ironic? ha). This makes it really specific to the area itself which is really handy. They seem to have developed an expert plan for you as a student if you choose their program. They have pictures, information on pricing, lists of courses offered by semester, etc.

I recommend that you visit the video tab of their website in order to really get a sense for what they have to offer. There is one beautifully made video that I feel really encompasses the experience that SAI is trying to offer.

Well that's it for now... happy travel searching!

Long time no blog

Hello my fellow bloggers!

I apologize for my lack of posts the past few weeks! School plus working 30 hours a week is something I would highly not recommend!

But back to the Italy business... I found a really great book that you can buy that has all the little tips and secrets to a successful trip to Italy. Florence is highlighted the most in this book by Suzanne Morrison. She is a frequent traveler to land of pasta and wine which has made her an expert on all the little spots you don't want to miss while you are there.

This book was recommended to me by a friend who is looking to travel to Italy after he graduates. After doing a bit of research I have found that it is recommended by a decent amount of bloggers who have also traveled to Italy!

I have also been considering more universities in the Florence area. Below is a short clip on Study Abroad Italy, Florence University of the Arts. This is a great school for anyone in a liberal arts area of study. So take a look and I'll be back with more helpful hints when it comes to studying abroad in Italy!

Hope Remains for Small Business Owners

For my Online Writing Class, I was asked to produce a story told only through audio means. My family has many close friends who are self-employed and owners of small businesses in the Fort Collins community. That said, this is how it turned out. Enjoy!

ASAP Hosts Homecoming After Party

Photo Provided by ASAP

10/14/2010 - The air in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night will be filled with the sounds of modern swing and funk as the popular bands, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (BBVD) and Bop Skizzum, hit the stage.

Loren Martinez, the Concert Coordinator for the Association for Student Activity Programming (ASAP), said that this is one of the biggest and most unique concerts that CSU has seen in a while.

“These bands are authentic and fun. They both are very passionate about what they do and it shows in their performances. Once you hear them play, you want to hear more,” Martinez said.

*Hear more of what Loren Martinez has to say about BBVD

The event, which will also be accompanied by the finale of CSU Idol, will take place after the homecoming football game. However, students will have the opportunity to see the bands perform during the half time show when they play with the CSU marching band.



Photo by: Ashley Boden



“We want students to feel like we are bringing them valuable, diverse, and most importantly, fun events,” said Nick Eppley, one of ASAP’s Marketing Coordinators, “The homecoming after party featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, arguably one of the world’s best swing bands, is just one part of this experience.”



*Want to know more about ASAP? Nick Eppley tells you here



Since it began in the 1960s, ASAP has been responsible for coordinating many of the events students attend at CSU. Though the organization has provided students with a variety of programs, it is often ridiculed for using student fees to do so.

Eppley said that although some students don’t like to see their money going toward ASAP, there are many students who would rather pay the student fee and in turn have the opportunity to experience free or reasonably priced and fun events on campus.

“My hope is that the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Bop Skizzum concert will be an experience that students will never forget,” Martinez said.

*Loren Martinez talks more about ASAP Concerts

The event is open to the public and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

*Click here to hear Nick Eppley talk about the benefits of getting involved with ASAP

Secret Spots of Italy- Hard to come by via Internet!

Going abroad is something I've always wanted to do but it is also something that I have come to fear. Not only does the expense give me a headache, the idea of visiting a country that speaks another language is more than intimidating. On top of that, how will I know what to do? There are numerous websites that will tell you the top ten things you can do in Italy... You can pick one and I'm sure you would have a great trip. But I also noticed that all of these websites are the same... Go to the Colosseum, visit ancient Pompeii, tour Amalfi Coast...

But as a young and very curious college girl I have to admit that I am looking for a little more than the normal italian vacation...

After researching a bit I found a great website that highlights the secret and special spots of Italy, perfect for swimming and sun bathing, shopping, photography, and museums.

The site titled Why go Italy? is great. I especially liked reading an article about why it's great to be a woman in Italy and also the one that highlights those amazing secret spots.

I am still on the search for the best secret food, shopping, and photo-op places so stay tuned for more to come!

Meet Aubrey!

For my online writing class I was assigned a classmate introduction project.  I had the great opportunity to work with Aubrey who thoroughly enjoys competing in triathalons with her mom. Aubrey is a senior Journalism major at Colorado State University who hopes to someday work in the realm of Public Relations. Soooo... meet Aubrey!

Being a Student Abroad

There are many reasons students want to study abroad...

• To experience another culture
• To learn another language
• To enhance their resume
• Simply visit another country
• Networking
• Experience
• Fun, duh.

As someone who is interested in studying abroad for all of the above reasons, I have been exploring all possible opportunities and resources available to me at CSU.

The Study Abroad Website is a really helpful resource for students who are looking for CSU-affiliated programs and financial aid.

There are a basic 10 Steps to studying abroad as a CSU student according to the website. 

It is also a way for you to filter which area of the world you find most interesting.

Passport? I think yes.

So in order to get out of this great country of the United States, you need to get yourself a passport. While this process may seem simple to some, it actually can be a semi-complicated process for those (such as myself) who have never had to get one. I found a pretty neat website where you can follow some easy steps in order to set up your new passport.





Here is another helpful link I found on the Colorado State University website that gives you some other simple tips on how to go about obtaining and maintaining a passport.

New to this Blogging thing...

Hello!

My name is Ashley and I am a Junior at Colorado State University majoring in Journalism and Technical Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. For my Online Writing class I am required to do a blog throughout the semester.

Soooo... since I am extremely interested in studying abroad next school year I am going to focus my blog on Italy and Italian language and culture. My goal is to completely highlight all aspects of Italian culture and to focus in on specific areas and events that take place.

Keep in mind I have never traveled outside the United States before so for those of you who have, well, some of my findings may seem a little juvenile. Let's hope I can at least offer you something interesting to ponder.

That said, I look forward to learning how to blog and to make an effective site for people looking to visit Italy.

:)