ABBEY ROAD'S HEADIN' TO THE LONE STAR STATE

Abbey Road is packing up some gear and hittin' the road for Texas. We'll be in for the long haul all around the Lone Star State next week (Feb 28-Mar 6) and spreading the good word about our programs! We'll be doing the grand loop, so to speak, and rolling through Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth and everywhere in between. When we're not chatting with the fine folk about Abbey Road's stellar programs, we'll be sure to sample some of the world-renowned regional fare and enjoy the open road. Can't wait! More details to come about our journey!
And now for some fun Texas facts!
Did you know that:

1. Texas is the only US state that has actually had six flags fly over it (Spanish, French, Mexican, Texan, Confederate, and United States), making it the only state in the union that can technically lay claim to the true meaning of "Six Flags", as in the chain of amusement parks that are now located all over the nation.
2. By Federal Law, Texas can fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag, because it was a republic before becoming a state.
   
3. Texas comes from a Spanish misunderstanding of the Caddo Indian word "tejas", meaning friend.
4. Austin, the capital of Texas, is considered to be the live music capital of the world.
5. The official state sport of Texas is Rodeo, although high school football is more popular.
6. In Texas, it's illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.
7. In Texas, it is illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
8. In Houston, it is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday.
9. Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois combined.
10. You could fit 220 Rhode Islands inside Texas.
11. The world's largest parking lot is located at DFW Airport.
12. More popcorn is sold in Dallas than anywhere in the U.S.
13. El Paso is closer to Needles, California than it is to Dallas, Texas.

TRAVEL WITH ABBEY ROAD PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE ACADEMICS - AND LIFE

Abbey Road’s study abroad programs for high school students prepare students academically and socially for college and enhance the quality of their college applications.

Many students return from their summer travel programs with new academic interests they hope to pursue in college.
Stephanie Picozzi’s daughter Kimmy Drexler went on the multi-country Western Civilization program in 2009, traveling to Athens, Rome, Florence and Paris and reading Plato and Rousseau. “It has changed her thinking toward college, thinking maybe she'd like to major in something that could lead to international travel,” said Picozzi.
Other students find themselves more confident and prepared for the college experience of living independently and interacting with people from all walks of life after traveling with Abbey Road.
“Both of our sons spent the best times of their lives with Abbey Road overseas between their junior and senior years of high school,” said Annie Bradley, whose son Ian went on the Western Civilization program in 2009, after his brother Grant couldn’t stop raving about his 2007 Italian Civilization experience. “There is no substitute for the authentic, original, hands-on learning of history, culture and languages that they received.”
Yvonne Fedrick’s daughter Jadyn went to Florence with Abbey Road in 2009. “To be immersed in a totally different culture is an education unto itself, not to mention the art and history involved,” said Fedrick. “To listen to her conversations with others has opened my eyes to the intellectual, stimulating young women she has become because of the experience she acquired in Italy on the Abbey Road program.”

THE 2010 ALUMNI REUNION PARTY POLL RESULTS

The people have spoken. The polls are closed. In a landslide victory, Disco (Black Light) Bowling has been chosen for the 2010 Abbey Road Alumni Reunion Party! Now that the type of party and the weekend have been selected by you, we'll get to work planning this gig! Thanks to everyone who voted and helped make the decision! We're super excited for the party and hope everyone can make it! It will be a swell ol' time! Invitations and details to come!

ABBEY ROAD IS SUPER EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE...

ROCK THE VOTE! Take the two-part poll to the right to decide how we do the First Annual Abbey Road Programs Alumni Reunion Party! The choice is yours! Choose what type of event setting you would prefer and when you think would work best! There's only one week to vote so spread the word! Polls close at midnight on Monday!

WINTER ENROLLMENT OFFER EXTENDED!!!

The highly popular and world famous triple Benny Franklin-approved Winter Enrollment Offer has been extended! Enroll by February 28, 2010 and receive $300 off the summer 2010 program of your choice! But act swiftly because time is slippin' away and cute little February will be gone before we know it!

ABBEY ROAD STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE ENHANCES COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

College applications. The two-word phrase is enough to strike fear into the heart of even the most confident high school student.

Students applying to college today are more prepared than ever before, making the already stressful process even more competitive.
However, many students find their college applications benefit from their summer study abroad experiences with Abbey Road.
“My daughter has approached her senior year and college visits with a lot more confidence and anticipation of the enriching experiences that await her, having lived one just this summer,” said Kathy Hopkins, whose daughter Allison went to Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France with Abbey Road in 2009. “In her college essay, she even talked about how she changed as a result of her Abbey Road experience.”
Jacquie Moore’s son Michael went to Cádiz in 2009, and Moore credits Abbey Road with helping Michael get accepted at top schools.
“Above and beyond the language immersion, my son gained much in the appreciation of the culture and came home with a fabulously enhanced world view,” said Moore. “Mike has been accepted into one of the colleges he applied for with the highest honors and a great scholarship. I know this is, in part, due to his cultural experiences abroad and the transcripts he was allowed to submit from the program.”
“We are waiting on another college, which doesn't reply until February or March,” Moore added. “The fact that Michael was accepted so fast from another private college is testament to the great application he was able to send.”
Abbey Road’s language immersion programs improve students’ SAT Subject Test Scores, which further bolsters a college application packet.
“The test was fantastic! I got my score back, and it is 730 out of 800, considered to be an incredible score,” said Michael Mallon, who went to Nice with Abbey Road in 2009. “I owe much of that score to Abbey Road, especially because the test included listening, which for me improved greatly while I was on my trip.”
Abbey Road staff members are dedicated to their students and committed to helping students through the college applications process, often writing recommendation letters that many students credit with helping them secure admission to top colleges.
Mallon adds that he is sure his recommendation letter from Abbey Road helped him get accepted to Cornell University. “I was accepted Early Decision to Cornell University, where I hope to study Government and International Relations,” he said.