Good summer Program

I am looking for a good Summer study abroad program that is about 1-2 months long, that is less than $2500. It doesn't even have to be THAT educational. I just want to live in another country for about a month or two this summer without putting myself into debt but want it to be fun. I had countries like Thailand, Italy, Ireland, Australia, Poland in mind. I went on a program in Prague last summer through USAC and had a blast. At the same time, it was relatively inexpensive (somewhere around $2400). Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Getting yourself to Thailand would be pricey but living there wouldn't be....you won't be able to do anything in western europe for that amount, unless that is your budget for the program costs only. Have you looked into a TEFL class?

That is my budget for the program cost only. Of course it would be better if it included airfare for that.

If you're interested in taking a TESL course then TEFL International offers courses all over, including Phuket, Thailand and Rome, Italy for $1,590 and $1,690, respectively. Although the Rome course does not include accommodation's whereas the Thailand one does. Courses are about a month long.

Fro what I read about the TEFL courses. IT seems that they are somewhat difficult. Is that true? The main thing for me would be to enjoy the region and travel and not spend the whole month studying my ass off. I could do that at home? Has anyone done the one in Thailand? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

This is probably a stupid question, but I have no idea what USAC is. You're looking for university programs, correct?

What are you studying? Do you want liberal arts? Sciences?

NO this question is not stupid. USAC is one of the largest study abroad programs based out of Reno, Nevada. From all the research I've done on these programs, it seemed to be one of the best organized, indepentent and inexpensive programs. I am majoring in Finance, but I still need two electives, so I could do a lor of different things.

I spent a summer in Peru interning with a organization called ProWorld. It's not academic, but I got credit through my university as a practicum. They'll tailor an internship to your skills and interests, so you can probably do something money related if you'd like. It's under $2,000 for a month and includes EVERYTHING once you're there. I had a really great experience, volunteered with children and had individual spanish lessons everyday. The people were great and Peru is a gorgeous country. I combined it with travel afterwards - Bolivia is amazing and can be done on less than $10 a day. Check out their website at www.proworldsc.org

Hi,

You can also consider India for summer Program. If you wish, please visit at http://www.volunteersindia.org/volunteer-program-summer.asp

thanks

If you're not looking for college credit, try VFP.

They have placements all over the world in work camps doing interesting things. You can teach, do painting, go on a culture trip, all kinds of things, and all with other european and American youth.

I've done a few projects and they deliver what they promise, more or less.

If you want variety, sign up for a series of 2 week work campts at about 250 a week not including transport, but all food and housing is usually provided by the host.

Its an interesting idea to do three different two week camps, and then sign up for an intermediate type camp if they're avalailable. Some are very interesting.

Anyways, it works out to 500 a month, and that should be in your budget, no? Also, the intermediate term camps often only charge a one time fee for the entire period.

Go alone. Hooking up is a major preoccupation of workcamp volunteers no, not joking. That's why they're usually co-ed by rules. Still, some camps do teach valuable skills if you choose correctly.

I found a great internship summer program though my school. I would recommend talking to the career center a few months before summer so that you have time to interview and apply. I found an internship in a different state. It was completely worthwhile. I went through charter college http://online.chartercollege.edu

There is a Field School at the University of Ghana which focuses on culture and archeology. I think it's about 1 and ahalf months and is dirt cheap if you apply directly through the University not one of the shoot-off "study abroad" companies that charge up the butt for no reason.

Directly enrolling in just a couple classes is also a good option. Check out University of Ghana, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega Kenya, University of Cape Coast, etc.

Also you could do an internship instead which most colleges give credit for. Ikando (www.ikando.org) based in Africa offers really reasonably priced programs ranging from weeks to months and they are all internships or just volunteer programs focusing on everything from health and sanitation, to agriculture, to just working in orphanages. Try STAESA www.staesa.org which also does internships or volunteer projects for really cheap.

Most of my suggestions are in Africa, so not sure if that's where you are looking.

Haha I like how you said it doesn't have to be "THAT" educational. I love study abroad programs that are not THAT educational, too. Thanks for the resources guys! I missed the boat for summer but hopefully when next summer comes around, I'll be reporting back to you from abroad.

How about something like this? http://www.sportlived.co.uk/

I've no idea how much they cost though, but a short summer programme can't be that much I'd imagine...