Bringing education-related news and trends to the forefront of the conversation.

Have you thought about study abroad programs this Spring? Many students decide to spend a semester or two abroad to study in another country, get to know other cultures, sight-see and learn foreign languages. Sound like a dream? These types of programs are more available to you than you may think.  In fact, over 300,000 American students study abroad each year, and most of them apply for scholarships and financial aid.

So what are you waiting for? Choose your favorite locale from our list top 10 study abroad destinations, apply for available scholarships, and you might just find yourself in Brazil or Spain this Spring!

1. Italy

Italy is great and exciting place to visit due to its rich culture and history. The country is also well known for its passion for sports (especially football), and for those who are interested in the world of runways and designer clothes, Milan, Florence and Rome are among the most important fashion capitals in the world. And don’t forget, if you visit Italy, you’ll be able to taste the best pizza, pasta, gelato and espresso ever made!

2. Spain

Spain, which is well known for its folklore, music, and flamenco, also has one of the most diverse landscapes and climates in Europe and attracts scores of tourists each year. Because of the terrain, however, culture, music, and even languages may vary in every region.

3. France

If you want to learn French, a language spoken by 270 million people worldwide, what better way than to visit the country? Not only you’ll be able to see the famous Eiffel Tower and immerse yourself in the language, but also you’ll be able to sample some of the most interesting cheese varieties!

4. Germany

A great place to visit for nature lovers, Germany is covered around 30% with forest and woodlands (does Black Forest Cake sound familiar? ;). The three largest cities, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg, are also worth visiting for their great cuisine – especially during Oktoberfest, for which the country is known.

5. Japan

Located in the Pacific Ocean, this island is where much of the leading scientific and technological research is taking place these days.  So if you’re interested in the latest technologies, Japan is the place for you! Many are also drawn to the country’s rich culture – sushi, origami, manga, karate and sumo all originated from Japan.

6. Ireland

Ireland is like a melting pot for the cultural influences of England, Scotland, and Wales. This island is known for its beautiful medieval castles and Celtic culture, which is still seen in today’s jewelry and art. And we certainly can’t forget that we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day thanks to Ireland. So if you’re interested in history, architecture or art in general this is a great place to visit!

7. England

As part of the United Kingdom, England actually consists of over a 100 smaller islands. It is known for many talented artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and – more recently – Adele. England is also known for its rich culture, architecture, and historical landmarks, such as the mysterious prehistoric Stonehenge.

8. Brazil

As the largest country in South America, Brazil has a very diverse terrain and a fascinating culture that was shaped by European and African influences.  Brazil is the only Portuguese speaking country in Americas and is very famous for its football players and true passion for sports.

9. Switzerland

70% of the country is covered by mountains and lakes which makes it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts. Besides that, Switzerland is well known for its culinary signature- chocolate and a very unique traditional type of music – yodeling.

10. Argentina

The climate in Argentina ranges from subtropical to subpolar due to its geographical location. Argentineans are very passionate about the film industry, producing eighty movies annually! So if you’re interested in the film production industry, Argentina is the place for you. Not to mention, you can brush up on your Spanish skills while you’re there!

We hope this brief overview of the top 10 study abroad destinations will help you in the decision making process. Again, don’t forget to apply for scholarships and financial aid, which may help you finance your incredible adventure abroad!

This year is a new year and today is a new day! It’s time to grab life by the horns and give it all you’ve got! If you are looking to go back to college but have those doubts in the back of your mind or fear what it’s like to be an adult learner then I look to inspire you with my story! Making your dreams come true isn’t easy and it can be scary but it CAN be done!

At the age of 26, I found myself feeling the need for more in my life. I was the mother of a two year old and a newborn and I felt like my life wasn’t going anywhere. I had dropped out of college, due to way to many excuses, and found myself working as an un-certified Pharmacy Technician for a local retail store. I was just barely making it through my days and just barely helping to pay our family’s bills. I decided that this wasn’t the life for me. I made a commitment to myself that by the age of 30 I would have my college degree! I was scared and I didn’t know what to expect but I listened to that voice inside me and I let it guide me.

It was time to go back to school! To do what you ask? I had no idea! But I knew that I needed to start again before I found a way to quiet that resilient voice inside and once again come up with too many excuses. I started taking the rest of my elective classes at the local community college. English, Communications and Biology were on the to-do list! I was officially an adult learner.

After my stent at the local community college I transferred to a local private University that offered online degrees. I began taking classes in Business Management. Learning the ropes of the online atmosphere was a bit tough at first but after a few weeks of working hard I had it down. I spent the next 2 years working myself as hard as I could in school while balancing a full time job and caring for my family. I have to admit that at times I thought of throwing in the towel but knew I would end up right back where I was and I knew I didn’t want that.

After 3 years I was finally in the home stretch. I was on track to graduate in May just 3 short months before my 30^th birthday! On May 1^st, 2010 I walked down the center isle towards that platform with gratitude and happiness, I finally did it! This was my dream coming true!

We can all do it we just have to listen to our hearts. If listening isn’t enough then try taking an online trial course, go to information meetings, meet with a counselor and see what your options are. What have you got to lose? It’s now or never. Visit University Decisions to see your options for taking that leap of faith like I did.

We spend a lot of our time browsing the Internet and learning new skills, and now there’s a way to get recognition for it and boost your resume at the same time.

“Make Today’s Learning Happen Everywhere.” It’s one of the mottos of the Mozilla Foundation which, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, developed an Open Badges Project that expands the benefits of online learning. The Mozilla Foundation explains that the Internet and other places provide great opportunities for learning. Users can take online courses, learn from mentors and discussion groups, volunteer or participate in after-school programs. And now, thanks to the Open Badges Program, people can earn badges for their work.

Any organization can participate in the program and award learners by their own seal of approval. The Open Badges Project is being recognized by institutions like the Department of Labor and potential employers.

Does the Open Badges Program carry the same weight as a college degree?

Even though, the badge on a resume can help in the job seeking process, it will not replace a college degree. “The badges are meant to recognize a set of ‘soft skills’ that aren’t so easily apparent based on traditional forms of credentialing,” according to the Mozilla Foundation. It means that when you have a certain college degree, but want to enhance your chance of getting that dream job, it is very likely that an Open Badge will help you by showcasing your skills that a regular degree can’t showcase based on traditional credentialing. Simply, an Open Badge can set you apart from the competition by demonstrating a unique set of competencies.

How to participate in the Open Badges Program?

Now, that you know how beneficial it can be to have your skills showcased on your resume, the question is how to get involved. According to the Mozilla Foundation, it’s simple. Through work experience, online courses and peer mentoring you can obtain Badges and display them on your resume, website, social networking profiles or other places where you can demonstrate your skills. You can find more information by visiting openbadges.org.

The Mozilla Foundation says its “mission is to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the web.” And without a doubt the Open Badges Project is a great opportunity for those who are self-motivated and want to continue their education.

For far too long we’ve had to question the stability of the job market. It’s hard to remember a time when we knew there would be a plethora of openings available and could foresee job growth. Well, hold on, because we’re about to unleash some optimism.

According to The Collegiate Employment Research Institute, the college labor market is continuing to expand opportunities. In fact, total hiring across all degrees is expected to increase by 4 percent for 2011-2012. Much of this job growth comes at the bachelor’s- degree level, which will increase by about 7 percent, according to a recently released survey of 4,200 employers seeking full-time talent.

“This year’s market appears to be broader and a little deeper and shows a more consistent pattern of growth across industry sectors as well as by company size,” according to The Collegiate Employment Research Institute, based out of Michigan State University in East Lansing. “Uncertainty has lessened somewhat among these employers and is reflected in a higher intention to hire college students, approaching the optimism of the 2007-2008 college labor market. More confidence is leading more employers to increase their hiring targets.”

So, you’re probably wondering what you need to study to take advantage of this job growth.

The Research Institute indicates that nearly 40 percent of employers will be hiring people from all majors because they are seeking the best talent regardless of what the people studied. However, computer science majors are still in demand. Grads with college degrees in accounting, engineering and finance are also expected to do well. And some of the strongest growth will be in marketing, advertising and public relations.

Explore UniversityDecisions.com to discover new opportunities, whether you have some college experience and are seeking a degree or are just getting started.

Looking to go back to school? Look no further. UniversityDecisions.com is the place to be. The site offers everything from career resources to the school finder allowing you to find information on various schools based on modality, program and zip code.

Finding a school that is right for you is up to you, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Find your passion: Do some research on potential jobs and then find out what program or degree is needed for that job. The career assessment on UniversityDecisions.com is a great place to start.
2. Look at cost: Finding funding for college is an important first step. Take a look at the Financial Aid page on UniversityDecisions.com to help you determine what options are right for you and be sure to factor in tuition (in state or out of state) when estimating a budget for school.
3. Ask about the faculty: Ask what the student to faculty ratios are and about the level of experience and credentials of the instructors. Who and what you’ll be learning is important in choosing a good school.
4. Where are the alumni? Many colleges have an alumni association. Take a look at where the alumni of the college have ended up in terms of occupations. This can be an indication of how successful graduates from a particular college are and help you in determining if a particular college is right for you.
5. Last but not least…go with your gut: Find a school that you feel comfortable with. There are a lot of online schools, but not all are equal. Choose wisely and carefully. Be sure to look for an accredited institution and if you can, find a school that specializes in the program of your choice. For example, if you know you want to be a legal assistant, you may want to seek out online schools that specialize in legal programs.  

Finding a degree program that’s right for you can seem daunting- but if you do a little research, you can be enrolled in a program in no time. Good luck & happy hunting!