Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Info on Health Insurance for Summer Study Abroad... and More

In March 2011, the University will purchase health insurance for you.  The insurance will cover you for the three weeks of your summer program.  If you wish to stay on after your program ends (or if you travel to your destination early, before the start of your program), this coverage cannot be extended and you will need to purchase additional insurance to cover the full period of time you will be spending abroad.

Also, you need to obtain the International Student ID Card (ISIC).  It costs $22.  You can purchase it through STA travel or online @ http://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/.

It is a little early to be purchasing plane tickets right now, but if you wish to do so, you should check out STA Travel or Student Universe.  Both are discount travel agencies which cater specifically to students.

Information provided by Kathryn Morrissey.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all 2011 BEST students!  We are thrilled that you decided to sign up for summer study abroad with BEST and committed by making your downpayment.  We are confident that you will love traveling and learning and growing in Europe and that you will come back a changed and enriched person. 

Please keep in touch with us through this blog, e-mail, Facebook and /or in person.  Updates, announcements, and information will be posted on a regular basis.  We will let you know of any additional steps that you need to take before you actually "take off."  For now, if you don't have one already, it's time to get a passport!  Check here how to do it: http://www.usps.com/passport/.

Contact Granitz or Harich for any questions or concerns: ngranitz@fullerton.edu and kharich@fullerton.edu.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Did you know this about China?

China is the world’s most populous country. It is estimated that almost one-fifth of the world’s entire population lives in China.

China is one of the oldest continuous civilizations of the world. In fact, the states and cultures present in China date back to more than six millennia. In addition to this, it also has the world’s longest continuously used written language system.

The most popular and important symbols of China is the Great Wall of China, also regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was started more than 2,500 years ago and was constructed by various ruling dynasties. It measures over 5,000 km long.

One can see striking contrasts in the lifestyle of Chinese people. Though the city has many high-rise and modern buildings, the countryside has very rustic bamboo houses.

The Chinese calendar was developed thousands of years ago and has the years named after 12 animals of the Zodiac. The Chinese had an advanced system of astronomy as well as mathematics, which laid a strong foundation for their beliefs and traditions, followed to date.

China was the first country to invent gun powder and fireworks and also use gun powder for guns, rockets and other arms. It also produced silk for the first time. The process of producing silk was a well-guarded secret!

China is known for manufacturing ceramic plates and it was a mystery known to the Chinese only, for a long time. 

From: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-china-1378.html

Friday, October 1, 2010

Did you know this about Europe?

Most of the countries of Europe use the universal currency called the Euro. The United Kingdom still use their proprietary unit of money, the British pound. The only country in Europe not part of the European Union, which formed in 1957, is Switzerland.

Paris is the largest city in Europe with a population of about 10 million. There is a lot of competition with big cities like London, Istanbul and Moscow.

One fun fact about Europe that is usually unknown is that no deserts inhabit the continent of Europe.

Three countries in Europe start with the letter "I": Ireland, Italy and Iceland.

The Alps mountain system runs through Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, France and Slovenia. The word "Alps" simply means "mountains." The Alps are usually separated into the Western and Eastern Alps.

The Netherlands and Holland are the same. About one-fourth of the Netherlands is underneath the sea level. Many of the Dutch people speak one foreign language; some speak two.

Besides Germany, Austria also has German as their official language. The only country in Europe that does not have an official language named after the country is Yugoslavia. Their official language is Serbo-Croatian.

Germany is the country that is surrounded by the most countries (nine total). The countries are Switzerland, Poland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Belgium, and Austria.

From: http://www.2020site.org/fun-facts/Fun-Facts-About-Europe.html