How to be more environmentally conscious when traveling abroad?

StudyGlobal – Travel green!

It is a well-known saying that travelling broadens the mind. But in some cases, it also has a significant impact on the environment. We offer you a few tips that will help you enjoy travelling abroad while having the least possible impact on our planet. “Green” travelling is not as complicated as you might think

First, try to choose alternative means of transport where possible. For example, if you do not leave Europe, you have many more options: you can travel by train (at present, there are many overnight train services), bus or try to find a car-sharing.

When you travel overseas, flying is still the most reasonable solution. If you have to fly, you can still clear your CO2 emissions, which is a service offered by most flight companies nowadays. Right after you step out of the plain, you have new opportunities to behave environmentally friendly: choose a bus or a train for the transport from the airport to your destination. In comparison to taxis, these are not only ecological, but also significantly cheaper.

After you have arrived to your destination, seek the opportunity to borrow a bike – it is not only the most ecological means of transport for short journeys, but you will do something for your health, too. Did you know that doctors recommend at least 30 minutes walking or bike riding a day? Riding a bike to your language school may help you just to get into this limit. Obviously, other advantages are that you get to discover the city you are staying in quickly. If you, for any reason, cannot ride a bike, the public transport in another great option. Compared to taxi, it is cheaper and in many cases even quicker.

Another useful tip which you can follow not only during your language stay abroad, but also at home: try not to spend excessively much water or energy (the good old rules of taking rather shower than bath and turning the light out when you leave room are still valid) and if possible, sort the trash out.

It won´t take long and you will be even possible to book “green” language stays via a “green” language agency. We are preparing the “StudyGreen” project and selecting the schools that are environmentally friendly and offer their students the opportunity to minimize the negative impact of their programs on the environment or even make a positive impact by engaging in the local communities.

You see – language travel abroad and environmental consciousness are not exclusive, they can even go hand in hand!

Language learning abroad in economic crisis

Education tends to be resilient to economic crisis and most students and their supporting parents continue to invest into education as a way to improve the career prospects and possibilities to find a job especially in times of economic decline.

However education abroad which involves additional costs of transportation and accommodation can challenge the limited budget of students and their families.

Nevertheless language learning abroad can still be considerably more effective and cheaper than traditional learning methods at home.

The following are some simple guidelines to reduce the cost of a language immersion course abroad.

1. Travel outside the summer or high seasons

In many language travel destinations the summer brings additional price increases with it. Tuition and especially accommodation are much more demanded during school and university vacations and this can result in price hikes of up to 25% in some locations.

We therefore recommend to travel between September and May when tuition rates are lower and classroom sizes are smaller. Not only will you save some cash, but also the academic impact of smaller classes and less crowded accommodation options will improve your overall learning experience. The price-to-value ratio is much higher in the off-season.

Needless to say that airline tickets also are significantly cheaper during the off-season.

2. Travel to less crowded destination

Many popular language course destinations such as London, Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, New York City, Malta etc. are overbooked in the summer and many language schools are charging premium prices in the summer months. Traveling to less frequented destinations can save you money and also bring rewarding experiences in terms of cultural integration with the local people and also more ‘authentic experiences’ which may well mean making local friends easier and discover ‘off the beaten path’ attractions.

Some of these destinations are listed here:

Learn English in the UK:

- English courses in Beckenham

- English courses in Edinburgh

Learn in English in the USA:

- English courses in Santa Monica

- English courses in Fort Lauderdale

- English courses in Denver

Learn English in Australia:

- English language courses in Perth

- English language courses in Darwin

3. Look out for special language course offers

In the current times of economic downturn companies are more than ever offering special deals and promotions. This includes especially the travel business and also the educational travel. Some destinations are suffering more than others due to exchange rate conditions or less demand for shifts in trends or preferences. So look out for special offers! 3 weeks of tuition at the price of 2 weeks, registration fee off, free activities offered, discounts in accommodation etc.

Some examples of special offers in language courses abroad:

- Learn Spanish in Costa Ricca

- Learn French in Paris

- Learn Italian in Milan

- Learn German in Munich and Berlin

4. Book your language course early

Last minute bookings in the language travel sector don’t follow the same trend as in the tourism sector. Schools must plan in advance to provide quality teaching and reserve accommodation. Small and medium sized language schools do not operate like a large tour operator and so planning ahead is key. Many language course agents offer special discounts such as an ‘early bird special’ for bookings more than 12 weeks before departure date. Many times these discounts are offered in the pre-season between February and March. Keep your eyes open for these promotions.

Booking early can also positively influence the quality of your accommodation option especially for host families. Many of the most popular families that are located close to the school and have years of experience are booked out well before the summer.

5. Watch your currency’s exchange rate vs. USD / GBP etc.

The crisis as such resulted from a financial crisis which had significant impact on financial markets and exchange rates. Many currencies in language travel destinations dropped against the EUR and YEN. Famous examples are the drop of the British sterling and US Dollar against the EUR between 2008 and 2009. Some destinations have become 30% cheaper for some students?.it all depends on your currency and travel destination. Looking around and comparing can bring you huge benefits. Language travel agents offering prices in the original currency offer typically the best prices.

6. Bring a friend

Some language travel agents offer discounts for bringing another friend or making a reference to a previous client. Please be aware while you might save some money bringing your friend along should not be an excuse to speak your mother tongue during your trip abroad.

Mention it to your language travel consultant and special arrangements can be made (eg. separate accommodation and classes).

5% discount on language courses for returning clients or references

7. Cheap tickets / closer destinations

Needless to say that one of your major expenses will be the transportation when travelling to overseas destinations. Rather than simply suggesting destinations closer to your home country, which can save on the flights (low cost airlines), but won?t always be the best language learning experience considering other factors. However saving on tickets booking flights well in advance and combining trips through cheaper airfare destinations might definitely help you to save on the airfare.

8. Book through a language travel agent

Savings of up to 40% following some of the guidelines above are nothing unusual, however the best advise is to speak with your language travel agent to consult you about all the above. Language travel agents that are accredited and ethical will properly advise you what is the best choice for you; your needs and your budget.

Too many factors can influence your decision making to make the difficult choice by yourself.

Consider the following example with respect to where to find a good deal for a 16-weeks language course program :

Example:

A European student planning to learn English abroad paying from his EUR savings and traveling for the ‘winter months’ of 2008 / 2009 will find a long term program of over 16 weeks in Perth, Australia most likely cheaper than in Dublin, Ireland even after including the airfare. On top of this she will find the winter in Perth probably much more comfortable than in Dublin. However what are the purposes of her course ? Are the reasons for academic preparation to university ?

Or are there professional reasons ? Or is the student looking for work experience and considering a work and travel extension ? What is the best decision for the student and her budget ?

It all depends on the destination, duration, purpose, preferences, special rates, exchange rate situation, seasons, airfares and many others etc.

The best advise is to speak to your language travel agent to help you prepare your trip with the maximum of transparency and professional help from people that know best how to make your experience once in a lifetime.

Demand for English courses in the USA increasing!

Already in 2008 the USA language course industry has seen a significant rise in the demand for English courses in the United States.

With the credit crunch the, US Dollar saw a major devaluation against the Euro in 2008, leading to bargain prices for language students from the Euro Zone in terms of course, living and traveling cost. Even though the exchange rate has been developing in favor of the US Dollar lately, the USA is still an attractive destination for English language courses in 2009 as the old exchange rate is far from recovering. In addition the Obama government is changing the resentment attitude towards the USA with many people.

Even cities like New York now become reasonable options for language courses, stimulated by cheap flights and promising shopping bargains.

Language courses in Boston and language schools in Fort Lauderdale have always been attractive along the east coast as the more reasonable options against language schools in Miami.

Along the west coast San Diego language schools have been quite popular with warm weather and new hip Language Schools in Santa Monica develop as well.

Even more exotic locations like Language School in Honolulu, Hawaii have seen an increased interest not only by close by Asian language course students.

The smart saver will book a language course in the USA this year!

Qualification through language courses in financially difficult times

With the credit crunch looming over many people’s job, qualification is becoming an ever more important factor again. Language courses can be an important support in this context.

In times of downturn and layoffs, companies are looking for spare employees or work units. As with Darwin’s theory of evolution it will be the survival of the fittest (not the strongest). Even if a business unit may be redundant, an employee who has further qualifications will have better chances to find a new position within the company. Employees which will not be capable to adapt to new demands or handling further tasks will face unemployment as the first.

Are you working in the sales department of a travel agency for example? Can you serve Spanish speaking customers as well as English speaking ones? How secure do you feel speaking a second language? This may be the time to think about picking up some new or improve your existing language skills. Why not learn Spanish in Mexico, take a spanish course in Costa Rica or have spanish classes in Argentina?

The preferred way to efficiently learn a language is the “Total Immersion” principle. This concept supposes that you are exposed to the language all day by staying in a country where the language is actively spoken and staying in a host family to recess the learning process while you are not in the language school.

There are many language course operators who have a variety of language courses such as intensive courses or DELE preparation courses on offer in combination with staying in a host family abroad.

Set yourself apart from the flock and improve your qualification through language courses today!