La Vida Victoria

Tonight, our students in Cadiz spent several hours at the beach chatting and eating ice cream — it was a fun-filled evening and the weather was beautiful! At Playa Victoria, the students were able to catch the sunset and enjoy relaxing time together as a group.

Check out Jessie's blog for more details: http://abbeyroad-jessiebrown.blogspot.com/



Check out the Cadiz program blog here for updates on the whole group: http://abbeyroad-cadiztwo2012.blogspot.com/

Keep checking back for more updates!

Nice Students Experience Chagall Firsthand

Today, Nice students went to  to see the works of world-renowned artist Marc Chagall! Some were familiar with his work and described it as vibrant and meaningful. For others, this was their first interaction with Chagall's work, and they described it as unique and his characters as popping off the canvas. 


To hear more about their experience, check out these blogs:


Alison at http://abbeyroad-alisonborowsky.blogspot.com/



Are you familiar with Chagall's work? Want to learn more? Explore the site of the museum they visited! http://www.musees-nationaux-alpesmaritimes.fr/chagall/

Gift Ideas for Your Host Family

Hey Abbey Road students, parents, and supporters! I hope you're getting ready for a phenomenal Summer 2012 with Abbey Road. 


My name is Lizzy Kinnard and I am an alumna of the St-Laurent-Du-Var homestay program in 2009. This summer, as an intern for Abbey Road, part of my job is to make helpful videos that will guide you wherever you travel this summer. 


This video is all about gift ideas for your host family if you are going on a homestay program with Abbey Road. I am sure your hometowns are full of hidden gems — make the gift personal! Of course, it is the thought behind the gift that counts.






Bon voyage!

2012 Summer Kickoff!

Abbey Road students, parents, and supporters — we hope that you are as excited as we are about Summer Kickoff! Now that school’s out, it’s time to conceive of learning in a whole new way. Want to learn how to cook ratatouille in France or identify paintings at the drop of a hat in Florence? Dedicated to perfecting that college app in order to go to the school of your dreams? Great news: you’ve never been closer!


Here at Abbey Road Programs, we are packing our bags, all the while envisioning how each item we pack will play into our summer adventures. Sunscreen for the beach, cameras for sightseeing, journals for note-jotting, and guidebooks for navigating new cities. We can’t even name all that we are excited about — the cuisine, the locals, the celebrations. Both here in the U.S. and abroad in Europe, we are 100% sure that this summer will be better than any we’ve had yet.

Please check out our packing tips video (up soon!) which will help you pack like a champ and ensure that you don’t forget anything crucial! If you’re staying with a host family, have you thought about any host gifts you could bring — maybe something from your hometown? Get ready to embrace culture in a whole new way, but don’t forget to bring your outstanding sense of self along with you.

Your families can adventure along with you this summer while you’re away, so encourage them to stay updated!

Wherever you may be going this summer, travel safely and bon voyage!



Upcoming Informational Meetings!

Come join us! Abbey Road Informational meetings are a wonderful opportunity to meet our directors in person, learn more about our summer programs and ask questions. Meetings are open to prospective students and their parents, as well as teachers and advisors. Here is a short list of some upcoming info meetings! RSVP is required for all meetings. Please call 1-888-462-2239 (weekdays) or 1-310-560-3312 (evenings and weekends).

• Saturday, January 14th: Los Angeles Informational Meeting
• Wednesday, January 18th: 9am at Bergen County Academies Summer Opportunities Fair
• Thursday, January 19th: AWTY School Summer Opportunities Night, Houston
• Saturday, January 21st: 1pm at Masco Camp Fair
• Saturday, January 21st: 11:30am at The Presidio Social Club, SF, CA
• Sunday, January 22nd: 12:00pm at Phillips Academy Summer Opportunities Fair

To view all of our upcoming informational meetings, check out our Info Meeting Calendar

Meet us in your area!
Schedule an informal meeting with our staff in your neighborhood. We will tell you more about our programs and answer all of your questions. With staff members all across the United States, we can accommodate many locations. To schedule a meeting in your area, please email info@goabbeyroad.com

Florence, Greece and Vienna named Must-See Destinations for 2012





Both the New York Times and National Geographic Traveler Magazine agree: Greece, Florence, Italy and Vienna, Austria are among the world's must-see travel destinations for 2012 and Abbey Road has two summer programs that will take you to the heart of these celebrated destinations.

On our Western Civilization program, students spend 6 nights each in Athens, Rome, Florence and Paris. Tracing the origins of Western history through the mystic ruins of ancient Athens and towering monuments of Rome, students discover bustling markets and breathtaking views set to the backdrop of some of Europe’s most treasured historic sites. During guided visits to Florence and Paris’ most celebrated museums, the group is exposed to artistic treasures of the Renaissance, Baroque and Impressionist movements.

For an exceptional travel adventure to the crossroads of Eastern and Western European history, Abbey Road’s Modern Civilization program is not to be missed. Journey to Berlin, Prague and Vienna to experience firsthand the impact of the First and Second World Wars on modern European society and culture.

Under the leadership of Managing Director Dr. Arthur Kian (PhD Stanford University in International Relations and International Security), Abbey Road Programs is unparalleled in its commitment to student safety abroad. Visit us online to learn more about Abbey Road’s approach to student safety.

     

The 2011 Alumni Reunion!!

Abbey Road’s summer staff and faculty cordially invite all 2011 Alumni to attend this year’s holiday Alumni Reunion event December 3rd, 2011 hosted at The Pond at Bryant Park in New York. Enjoy the gorgeous view and tasty food and refreshments from inside our private party room as you catch up with all your summer friends and staff. VIP entrance and ice skates will be provided to everyone attending. Your RSVP is required so please call 1-888-462-2239 or e-mail info@goabbeyroad.com to confirm your attendance. RSVPs must be received by November 22nd to allow adequate time for party planning. We look forward to seeing you at Bryant Park for what is sure to be a fun-filled evening in NYC!

Reunion details:
Date: Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: The Pond at Bryant Park, 41 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, (212) 661-6640
For more information and a preview of the venue visit: www.bryantpark.org/things-to-do/pond.html

Upcoming Informational Meetings!

Come join us! Abbey Road Informational meetings are a wonderful opportunity to meet our directors in person, learn more about our summer programs and ask questions. Meetings are open to prospective students and their parents, as well as teachers and advisors. Here is a short list of some upcoming info meetings! RSVP is required for all meetings. Please call 1-888-462-2239 (weekdays) or 1-310-560-3312 (evenings and weekends). To schedule a meeting in your area, please email info@goabbeyroad.com

Dallas, TX: November 16th
San Antonio, TX: November 17th
New York, NY: November 19th
Houston, TX: November 19th
Boston, MA: November 22nd
Los Angeles, CA: December 10th

2011 Alumni Photo Contest Winners!

A huge THANK YOU to all of the students who participated in this year's Abbey Road Alumni Photo Contest! There were so many amazing photographs submitted from this past summer! Congratulations to our winners and a big thanks to everyone who voted for their favorite finalists! The votes have been tallied and this year's photo contest winners are....

BEST SCENIC/ARTISTIC

Submitted by: Daniela M.
Florence

BEST CANDID

Submitted by: Elyse T.
Aix-en-Provence

BEST GROUP SHOT

Submitted by: Karina L.
St. Laurent-du-Var

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Submitted by: Thomas B.
Aix-en-Provence

The Polls are closed!

Hi Everyone! The polls for this year's Abbey Road Alumni photo contest have officially closed. A big thank you to everyone who voted! This year saw the closest race in contest history! Now the Abbey Road staff will tally the votes and the winners of this year's contest will be announced right here on the Abbey Road Blog Monday, October 24th. Once again a huge thanks to all who participated!


Rock the vote! Make your choice count!

The 2011 Abbey Road Summer Alumni Photo Contest has come to an end. This year we received nearly 600 submissions! After careful review we have selected five finalists for each category. Now it is your turn to the rock the vote and select a winner. To cast your vote, simply look to the right and click on the name and number of the photo in each category that you think should win!  It's that easy! The polls will be open for 1 week and will officially close on Thursday October 13th at 3pm. So don’t delay and make sure to be heard! A huge thank you to all who participated and good luck to our finalists!


Best Scenic/Artistic Shot

1. Eiffel Tower

2. Seaside Cathedral

3. Lovers Locks

4. Mirror Image

5. Rooftop

Best Candid Shot
1. Bust a move

2. Gettin' a drink

3. Blowin' bubbles

4. What's so funny?

5. Playground fun

Best Group Shot
1. Visit to Musee Picasso

2. Chillin' at the park

3. Cool breeze

4. Fountain fun

5. Harry Potter!

Experiential Learning
1. Street Music

2. Lecture on the steps

3. Shopping at the market

4. Old world learning

5. Fashion class







Program Updates

Just a quick overview of the amazing experiences our groups have been having!!!

The Aix group has been having a blast practicing their French at the market and on the beach, and have been immersing themselves in French culture at Les Rencontres D'Arles Photography Festival and the Vasarely Foundation Museum.

The Barcelona group explored Girona, a preserved Medeivil city, and have watched some Spanish films.

The Cadiz group has been enjoying the beach, the local cuisine, and a national park where they went surfing and kayaking! They also volunteered their time to help with a beach clean-up.

The Firenze group has been soaking in the beautiful weather, spending time doing outdoor activities like frisbee, biking, and volleyball. They've also had some great cultural opportunities like visiting il Museo di Bargello where chamber music played while they looked at art.

The Nice group has been exploring the city and surrounding cities, taking dance lessons, snorkeling, and other fun activities. They even got to see fireworks on Bastille Day!

The St. Laurent-Du-Var group has visited a modern art museum, gone shopping in Cannes, gone kayaking, and has been exploring the surrounding region.

The Western Civ group has started out in Athens where they could enjoy the ancient Greek ruins, great Greek food, and eplore the region and learn about its incredible history.

The programs have been off to a fantastic start! Keep coming back to the blog for more updates and check out the Abbey Road Programs facebook page!

2011 PROGRAM BLOGS READY TO ROLL!

Our fresh batch of program blogs just sprouted up right in time for summer!  The blogs won't really become active until the programs all start next month so stay tuned for all of the exciting news from each of our programs!  Much, much more to come!  We are shaking with excitement and can hardly sit still waiting for the programs to begin!  We're all greatly looking forward to another amazing summer with Abbey Road and watching all of our diligent planning come to glorious fruition.  When the time is right, check out what's happening on our programs by following the links below!  Also, we'll have a number of student ambassador blogs documenting their experiences while on their respective programs, so stay tuned for information on those as well!  We'll post those links very soon! Be excited, be very excited.

SUMMER IS SO CLOSE!!!

ABBEY ROAD ON FOX'S MONEY 101!

Abbey Road's Student Relations Manager, Western Civilization staff member, and Summer Programs Manager extraordinaire, Emily Tzouanakis, was recently interviewed by Emily Driscoll for a piece for Fox Business!  The article entitled, "Dip Your Toes Into Campus Life Through a Summer Program", discusses the benefits of a summer program experience, be it studying abroad on one of our European programs or a domestic program such as our Leadership Academy at Stanford or College Prep in Boston.  Pretty sure we might get in trouble if we paste the article here on the blog, given the "This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © 2011 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved" on the Fox site, so we'll just post a link below for you to follow to the article.  Certainly don't want Bill O'Reilly knocking on our door with a cease and desist order! Enjoy!
Read the article HERE!
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