Minds Abroad: Study, Volunteer and Travel in Asia

TITLE OF PROGRAM: Minds Abroad: Study, Volunteer and Travel in Asia

WHO: Minds Abroad is a US based organization that conducts study abroad programs in Asia for both individual students and customized groups from colleges and universities. We were recently named as a “Top 10 Program in Citizen Diplomacy” by the Center for Citizen Diplomacy and U.S. State Department.

WHAT: Our programs contain the following components:

• Small Sized Morning Mandarin Classes that are offered by highly experienced teachers of the faculty of our university partner
• Afternoon Volunteering at local NGOs, Internships at offices or Structured Language Exchange with local students
• Weekend Travel to places of academic interest from Beijing and Shanghai in the East, to the more 'typical ' Chinese city of Kunming in China's heartland, to small villages and towns in the Chinese Himalayas.

WHERE: Beijing, Shanghai and Yunnan Province, China's most diverse province and Lonely Planet's top choice in China.

WHEN: From June through to August

APPLICATION DEADLINE: At least sixty days prior to the program’s commencement  

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on these programs, please visit MindsAbroad.com

EMAIL FOR INFORMATION: info@mindsabroad.com

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE: Yes, inquire for more details.

NAME OF PROGRAM: Summer Study+Travel Programs

SHORT SUMMARY OF PROGRAM:  These programs combine morning Mandarin classes and constructive afternoon activities including language exchange with local students, volunteering or serious internships at local NGOs and offices as well as weekend travel to places of academic interest in and around Yunnan.  

School Year Abroad

WHO:   

     - Year abroad programs: juniors (most commonly) and seniors; 

     - Summer programs: rising 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders; 

     - Vietnam: juniors and seniors; post-graduate

WHAT:   Study abroad opportunity

WHERE:  France, Spain, Italy, China, Vietnam

WHEN:  Yearlong; Semester-long; Summer programs (See above descriptions)

APPLICATION DEADLINE:   

     - Year abroad: rolling admission but spots go quickly—apply ASAP!, financial aid application due Feb 1st; 

     - Summer programs: rolling admission beginning on Jan 23^rd, until programs are full 

FOR MORE INFO: www.sya.org

Student Participant 2010-2011 academic year: Ava Hoffman ('12) 

A perspective from Ava Hoffman ('12):

NAME OF PROGRAM: School Year Abroad (SYA)

SHORT SUMMARY OF PROGRAM: SYA is a study abroad program placing students with host families while learning at the program’s school across the globe. Students are immersed for the entire academic year (August through May) in cities in their choice of four countries—France, Spain, Italy, China—with an additional semester-long and post-graduate program in Vietnam.  SYA also offers 5-week long summer programs in France, Spain, Italy, and China incorporating a home-stay in addition to guided travel throughout the country of choice.

HIGHLIGHTS: SYA is an amazing opportunity to learn a new language, learn about rich cultural traditions of a nation, building a connection with a host family, and experiencing a foreign country with a hands-on learning approach—all while completing academic credit from an American-designed academic curriculum at one of SYA’s five schools.

LOWS: I have no reservations about recommending SYA! It is important to note, however, that embarking abroad for such an extended period of time is a serious commitment and students should be certain that they are up to the challenge that comes along with adjusting to an entirely new lifestyle.

Feel free to contact me with questions about this program

Ava Hoffman ahoffman@bayschoolsf.org