NEW SPORTS ELECTIVE IN FRANCE + ITALY!

We're thrilled to announce our new Sports + Games elective which we have just added in France and Italy! Study abroad and enjoy soccer, tennis, sailing, swimming, kayaking, cycling, volleyball and more every week in Nice, St-Laurent, Aix and Florence!

FLORENCE: OSA Soccer Academy (Elective)
Train like a real Italian pro-athlete! During this exciting tri-weekly soccer elective students will be exposed to the training techniques and soccer style of the acclaimed OSA Soccer Academy and Florence’s own ACF Fiorentina professional soccer club. Each week, accredited OSA coaches will work directly with students to enhance their skills and training techniques through group and individual practice, drills and scrimmages. Students will also have the unique opportunity to tour the Coverciano complex, home to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), visit its museum as well as tour the ACF Fiorentina stadium. Participants of the course will receive an official training kit of socks, shorts and shirt along with an official diploma upon completion. Students must bring their own soccer, running shoes and shin guards. Previous knowledge of soccer encouraged.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE: Sports and Games (Elective)
During this exciting exploration of the sports, games and leisure activities enjoyed by French teenagers throughout Provence, students will be exposed to the local culture of Aix from a thrilling new perspective. Each week, classes alternate between cultural sports and/or games native to Southern France such as pétanque, tarot and belote, and 2-3 internationally enjoyed sports such as volley ball, soccer, swimming, tennis, bicycling, and squash. In addition to being a great way to stay physically active this summer, this elective provides exciting opportunities for cultural and language exchange with local French teenagers who will often join us in our play. Qualified instruction and equipment (with the exception of running shoes and cleats) are provided to all participants. No previous athletic experience is required.

NICE & ST-LAURENT-DU-VAR: Riviera Sports and Games (Elective)
Experience local French culture from a thrilling new perspective as you participate in the sports and leisure activities enjoyed by French teenagers throughout the sunny Côte d’azur! Each week, classes alternate between cultural sports and/or games native to Southern France such as pétanque, tarot and belote, and 2-3 internationally enjoyed sports including beach volley ball, soccer, kayaking, sailing, tennis, catamaran, squash, the martial arts, and wind surfing. In addition to being a great way to stay physically active this summer, this elective provides exciting opportunities for cultural and language exchange with local French teenagers who will often join us in our play. Qualified instruction and equipment (with the exception of running shoes and cleats) are provided to all participants. No previous athletic experience is required.

MEET US IN YOUR TOWN! 2011 INFO MEETINGS!

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!   More to come! 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

Boston, MA: April 2
Dallas, TX: April 2
New York, NY: March 26, April 9
San Francisco, CA: April 9

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY ABBEY ROADERS!

Lads & Lassies, here's a wee grip 'o our favorite St. Patrick's Day comics!

Our personal favorite! Click to enlarge!
©Mark Parisi
©Mark Parisi
©Mark Parisi
©Mark Parisi

TO THE LONE STAR AND BACK AGAIN!

Howdy Y'all!  Abbey Road just got finished trekking all throughout the great big State of Texas and boy, oh, boy did we have a blast!  It was a real treat meeting all of the fine folks of the Lone Star State and spreading the good word about Abbey Road to every soul who would lend us an ear.  We did the grand triangle tour, starting in Dallas, heading down to Houston, out west to Austin, and back up through the hill country to Big D once again.  We met a whole bunch of wonderful people and sampled plenty of regional fare ranging from country fried steaks, to brisket tacos, to chile rellenos for breakfast!  We covered a lot of ground and had a grand ol' time.  Thank you to everyone we came across along the journey!  We'll see you next year, Texas!  Until then, ciao ciao!


MEET US IN YOUR NECK O' THE WOODS!

EARLY 2011 INFO MEETINGS!
You're invited! Abbey Road informational meetings are a wonderful opportunity to meet our directors in person, learn more about our summer programs and ask questions in a casual and relaxed setting. Meetings are open to prospective students and their parents, as well as teachers and advisors. Come join us!
Atlanta, GA: Jan 27
Boston, MA: Jan 29
Chicago, IL
: Jan 15
Los Angeles, CA
: Jan 22, Feb 12
Miami, FL
: Jan 16
New York, NY
: Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 26
San Francisco, CA
: Jan 15, Feb 5
Abbey Road will also be embarking on our second annual Tour de Texas very soon! We had a grand 'ol time last year and can't wait to get back and visit with all of the kind folks in the Lone Star State! Dates and locations coming soon!
MEET US IN MANHATTAN!
Abbey Road hosts regular weekend info brunches in The Big Apple. All interested families are encouraged to attend to learn more about our summer programs and have their questions answered. See upcoming dates listed above.
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.
RSVP is required for all meetings. Please call 1-888-462-2239. To schedule a meeting in your area, please email info@goabbeyroad.com

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!

THE ABBEY ROAD NEW YEAR PROMOTION!

In celebration of the New Year and in anticipation of a fantastic summer, Abbey Road is offering a very special promotion to all families that enroll on an Abbey Road Summer Program by February 15th, 2011. Sign up by February 15th and you qualify for one of the following flight options:

• Students traveling from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Miami and Boston qualify for a free domestic flight booked through Abbey Road and STA travel!

• Students traveling from non-major airports will receive an automatic $300 credit good towards any program tuition to help get them across the U.S!

Call us at 1-888-462-2239 or chat with us online at www.goabbeyroad.com!

Abbey Road is proud to offer special annual discounts and promotions to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families, as well as to our fabulous Alumni. Be sure to check out the Program Scholarships page for more details!

*Restrictions apply. Student must be fully enrolled with at least half of their program tuition paid prior to flight booking.

MMXI!


(I promise this will be my last cheesy holiday post...until Valentine's Day)

'TIS THE SEASON!

A BIG OL' ABBEY ROAD THANK YA!

Thank you so much to everyone who made the first annual Abbey Road Alumni Reunion an event to remember!  We had such a blast and loved seeing everyone!  Happy Holidays!  Summer is just around the corner, kinda!









MARK YOUR CALENDARS!



Remember, remember the 4th of December... for it shall be a day full of ice-skating, pizza, friends, and fun! The Official Abbey Road 2010 Alumni Reunion Event will kick off at 3:30pm at The Pond at Bryant Park and we really, really hope that you can join us!
Abbey Road’s summer staff and faculty cordially invite you to join us for ice skating and refreshments, where you can mingle with all your summer friends and staff in our private party room! After skating in Bryant Park, we will host a sit-down pizza dinner! This is a private event hosted by Abbey Road so make sure you R.S.V.P by calling 1-888-462-2239 or email info@goabbeyroad.com to confirm your attendance! Please indicate how many people will be coming from your family. R.S.V.P's must be received by November 22nd to allow adequate time for party planning.
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
The Pond at Bryant Park
41 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, (212) 661-6640
3:30pm - 5:30pm - Ice Skating in Bryant Park!
6:00pm - 7:30pm - Sit-down Pizza Dinner!

Students may participate in both events or R.S.V.P for Bryant Park exclusively. For more information and a preview of the venue visit: http://www.thepondatbryantpark.com/

ALSO...as if this event isn't exciting enough...the Official Winners of the 2010 Alumni Photo Contest will be announced at the Alumni Reunion along with prizes! We hope to see you all there! Can't wait! Cheers!

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS WORKSHOPS IN NYC!



Lead by Harvard graduate and professional College Counselor Patricia Monticello Kievlan, Abbey Road’s intensive College Admissions Prep Workshops are designed to help sophomores and juniors jump start the common application process and prepare seniors for important on-campus interviews. Generally exclusive to Abbey Road College Prep Alumni, this December 4th and 5th Abbey Road welcomes anyone interested in perfecting their college applications to take advantage of these exciting free events. RSVP is required. Interested families are encouraged to call Abbey Road immediately to inquire as to workshop availability.

Tell Me About Yourself: Cracking The College Interview
Date: Saturday December 4th, 2010
Time: 12:00 – 2:00pm
Location: Midtown Manhattan (address furnished upon RSVP)

Workshop Description: Most selective colleges require an interview in addition to the application, and it's important to prepare thoroughly and thoughtfully for this final dimension of the admissions process. Students in this course will discuss the purpose and spirit of the college interview and how to prepare for a successful conversation. In particular, this seminar will focus on how students can turn significant life experiences into engaging anecdotes that illustrate broader points about their character, their goals, and their aspirations. This seminar will feature mock interviews and extensive in-class participation.


The College Essay: How Do I Tell My Story?

Date: Sunday December 5th, 2010

Time: 12:00-2:00pm

Location: Midtown Manhattan (address furnished upon RSVP)

Workshop Description: The Common Application asks students to evaluate a significant experience, risk they've taken, or challenge they've faced and its impact on their lives. This seminar will help students approach the college essay and discover how to translate significant life experiences into strong essays that resonate with admissions officers. Students will discuss best practices for turning their experiences into thoughtful, memorable, high-impact essays that will contribute a meaningful dimension to their college applications. This course is suitable for sophomores and juniors with college still on the horizon, and it is even better suited to seniors in the throes of the college admission process. During this lecture style course, College interview questions will also be discussed in depth.

2010 ALUMNI REUNION EVENT IN NYC!

Details forthcoming! Can't Wait!

ROCK THE VOTE! THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

The end is nigh!... the end of the 2010 Abbey Road Summer Alumni Photo Contest, that is! After receiving well over 200 submissions from our incredibly talented 2010 alums, we have managed to narrow down all of the photos to a very select twenty, with five images in each of the four categories.  Needless to say, this was a very difficult process- to start with so many amazing photos and boil it all down to this final round.  Now that we have made it this far in the contest, we turn to you to decide the winners of each category! Who will pluck from the plethora of prizes and harvest the grains of glory?  The choice is yours!  To cast your vote, simply look to the right and click on the name + number of the photo in each category that you think should win!  It's that easy!  We know making a selection in each category can be a very difficult process but the polls are only open for 10 days!  The polls will officially close on Tuesday, November 9th, so spread the word and rock the vote!  Good luck and thank you so much to all of the students who submitted their amazing photographs from this past summer!

BEST ACTION/CANDID SHOT:

1. Sunny Streets
2. Piggyback
3. Sunset Stroll
4. Hulkmania
5. The Pisa Hop

BEST GROUP SHOT: 

1. Paris Gals
2. Future's Too Bright - Girls in Shades
3. Kickin' it at the Acropolis
4. Urbanites, Preparing
5. Camouflage
BEST SCENIC SHOT: 

1. Monaco Panorama
2. Sepia Paris
3. French Seascape
4. Cinque Terre
5. French Port
BEST IN SHOW: 

1. Probably the Cutest Block Ever
2. AIX 4 EVA!
3. French Night Light
4. Heart Cloud
5. Firenze Afternoon

2010 ALUMNI PHOTO CONTEST IS ON!!!

Hey there Abbey Road Alumni! This year's fall photo contest is in full swing, so take a break from the books and enjoy reliving this summer's most memorable moments! Upload your photos to the 2010 Summer Photo Contest Event Album to be considered for the chance to win awesome prizes including... 100$ gift certificates to Amazon, Apple and others, iPod shuffles, Abbey Road Gear and much much more! Visit the new and improved Abbey Road Alumni Webpage to see a preview of this year's contest front-runners and take a peek at last year's finalists: http://www.goabbeyroad.com/abbey-road-summer-programs/alumni.shtml

We know you are super excited, and so are we! So, you eager beavers, HERE IS HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Visit the Abbey Road Facebook Fan page and click the link on the wall to get to the 2010 Alumni Photo Contest.  Or you can go directly to the event page by clicking HERE.  Upload your fabulous photos directly to the event fall wall no later than Monday, October 18th. Once everyone’s photos have been uploaded, the Abbey Road Summer Staff will go through and narrow down the competition. Then, you and your fellow Abbey Roaders will get to Rock the Vote on the Abbey Road Blog! Vote for your favorite pics from among the finalists and decide this year’s winners! Previous winning photos were mailed a slew of prizes,and made appearances on the Abbey Road website, blog, and even in the Abbey Road Brochure!
HERE IS HOW TO GET STARTED:
Look back over those hundreds of photos you probably took this summer. As you relish in all the amazing memories they recall, pull out your favorite images keeping in mind the following 5 categories:
Scenic/Artistic- Scenic photos taken from your amazing daytrips, photos from around town or even artistic photos assigned to you in class.
Candid Photos- Photos of you and your friends in action in and around the city. Award-winning candids can be anything from laughing over a gelato to shouting out over a bad World Cup call. Candids capture life’s spontaneous moments and are a great way to share the magic of daily life with Abbey Road.
Group Shots- Standard pictures of you and your friends- may the best “mug” win!
Experiential Learning- Abbey Road defines itself through its experiential learning process- getting you out of a standard classroom environment and into the larger community. Think about all of the incredible things you learned this summer- if you can find a picture of it, we want to see it!
Remember, photos may be uploaded until October 18th, so don’t delay, upload today!
If you have any questions about contest rules please contact Emily@goabbeyroad.com

JOIN US FOR WEEKEND BRUNCH THIS FALL!

Abbey Road hosts frequent weekend brunches throughout the country as a way for fine folks to learn about our 2011 summer enrichment programs in a relaxed and intimate setting.  We will be hosting a series of weekend brunches and afternoon tea information sessions in cities all over these fine states so be sure to check the website (www.goabbeyroad.com) , email us (info@goabbeyroad.com), or give us a ring (888 462 2239) to see when we'll be swinging through your city!  This weekend (September 25th) we will be hosting brunch in Houston and afternoon tea in Los Angeles and next weekend (October 2nd) we'll be in Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco!  We can't wait to meet everyone and chat about our amazing summer programs over coffee, tea and fresh pastries!  We will post all future information sessions on this here blog to help spread the word.