Where is the best place to study abroad?

August Hubbard: Here are a few great places to study abroad in Europe, that are less obvious and touristy:1. Czech RepublicThere is so much more to this country than the crazy nightlife and dirt cheap (cheaper than water!) beer that attract people to its capital city, Prague.First off, if you are at all into history, this place is full of it. From the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to Nazi control, to Soviet invasion, this country has seen it all. Remnants of the many regimes are everywhere. Castles that rival Disney, churches more ornate than your grandmother’s gaudy jewelry collection, and depressingly gray communist constructions (and ruins).Cities of note are Kutna Hora (home to a church made entirely out of bones), Plzen (from which Pilsner-style beers get their name and the site of the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery), and Terezin (once home to the Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt).2. SlovakiaRight next door to the Czech Republic is its slightly smaller sister Slov! akia. Once joined with the Czech Republic as a single country, Czechoslovakia, many would say Slovakia was given the short shrift upon the split. But this is no reason for you to write Slovakia off.The capital city, Bratislava, is definitely worth a visit. With beautiful baroque churches, cobblestone streets, and a picturesque castle juxtaposed against minimal communist apartment buildings, Bratislava is almost like a smaller (less touristy!) version of Prague. Also, its proximity to Vienna (Bratislava and Vienna are the two capitals closest to each other in all of Europe) makes it easy to check two cities off of your list with one trip.There is much to see outside of the city as well. If you find yourself studying abroad in Europe during the winter, the Tatras, breathtaking mountains in the north of the country, are a must for any ski bunny. Also, be sure to try the halusky â€" a popular national dish of little potato dumplings served with fresh sheep’s cheese and bacon ! (optional for those herbivores like myself).3. BulgariaBulgari! a is a vast, beautiful country that lies right at the crossroads between East and West. Seldom thought of as a top European destination in the US, Bulgaria is a great place to go if you are looking to escape the sea of tourists and get a heavy dose of genuine eastern European culture and hospitality.Though my stay in Bulgaria did not allow me to see much outside of Varna, a beautiful city on the Black Sea, I did get to see quite a bit of the countryside while driving through by car, and I can say that the rest of the country is stunning.In terms of Varna, things to expect include beautiful beaches (with beautiful people), incredibly fresh (and cheap!) Mediterranean-style food, and great open-air clubs right on the beach with parties that go strong into the wee hours of the night.Many central and eastern Europeans choose Bulgaria as the destination for their summer beach vacations, but few Western tourists make the trek. You aren’t likely to hear much English spoken here. ! This makes Bulgaria (and Varna in particular) a great alternative to the more obvious European beach destinations such as Spain, Italy, and the south of France.4. CroatiaOf all my trips while studying abroad in Europe, Croatia was my favorite. The perfect balance of history and natural beauty, my stay here was at once both a fascinating learning experience and a rejuvenating escape.The gorgeous Dalmatian coast is the perfect destination for backpackers and those seeking a little fun in the sun. There are cities and islands worth visiting all the way down the coastline, from the border with Italy in the north to the city of Dubrovnik in the south. The only difficulty is deciding which ones to choose.In my opinion, the most notable places were Split (an historic port city centered around an ancient Greek palace), Hvar (a popular island with trendy night spots), Korcula (another, slightly less popular, island with remarkable ancient architecture) and Dubrovnik (a fortified cit! y riddled with history and bullet holes).The beautiful rocky beaches an! d cliffs jutting into the Adriatic Sea were a highlight. You will definitely want to leave some time to lay on the beach, bask in the sun and eat ice cream, which, combined, seems like some sort of Croatian national sport. But with all of the turbulent history surrounding the Balkan region and former Yugoslavia, at least make an effort to do your professors proud and learn something....Show more

Alma Twomey: in case you have an interest approximately cuisines italy is the superb.they have quite reliable cultures, you're gonna consume actual sphagetti, pizza, lasanga...you're gonna drink actual coffees, wines=))