Making the decision to study and live abroad for the first time is chaotic. I was really practical when I chose to study in Singapore. The United States dollar was doing well against the Singapore dollar, the school had a great Communications major, and the main language English. Plus, everyone always tells me how clean and safe it is, which seemed like a win-win for a young single female. With my bags packed I boarded a plane and was ready to start my new adventure.

 

Once I arrived and grabbed my luggage the automatic doors of the airport opened and at 10pm I was hit with a wall of humidity. Holy heck it was humid! I came from the dry city of San Diego and the humidity of Singapore (minimum 64%) I would find to be the hardest adjustment to make.

 

Since my living conditions were provided by the school, my main concern was finding food. Luckily Singapore has AMAZING street food. If you are ever really lazy just flag down a taxi and ask them to take you to their favorite hawker stand. They’ll think you’re a little funny, but be sure to use your Singlish and they’ll be sure to acquiesce. “Uncle, to the nearest hawker stand. Can do-lah?”

 

Once there there’s tons of yummy food! On a budget? I often lived off of toast and Kaya. Kaya is a delicious jam made of coconut, sugar, and egg.  For a late night snack, my personal favorite was finding a roti-parata stand. The Mexican in me likes to compare these to quesadillas, but you can find them filled with sweet, savory or more neutral flavors.

 

The best part? When you eat at a hawker stand, there are usually tons of tables in the middle of the stands, like in an American food court mall. Unlike America, it is acceptable, and encouraged to join someone else at their table. This is a GREAT way to make local friends. Grab a seat and their curiosity will surely lead them to answer questions about your home country and you’ll undoubtedly get an invitation to get a tour of their neighborhood or to their house.

 

You may find the English hard to understand at first, but with time you’ll find yourself speaking Singlish (the local dialect of English) fluently. When you don’t understand what someone is saying just respond with, “catch no ball.” That basically means that while you understand they said something, you don’t understand the meaning.

 

Of course, not everyone in Singapore speaks Singlish fluently. There is a significant number of expatriates who get out and about. They often are at a happy hour meet up. Of course the best way to make friends is to find other international students at your school. Be friendly before and after class and plan outings for others to join you on! Many people want to explore the city, but are unwilling or unable to find exciting things to do. If you look into attractions and invite people out, you’ll make friends and see the city!

 

   Where to start? The Singapore Botanical garden is a UNESCO site and quite gorgeous, but it is a bit expensive. On the cheaper side, Singapore also has tons of free museums to enjoy. The Singapore City Gallery is an interesting spot I’d suggest to visit early in your visit to learn more about how Singapore came to be the country it is today. The Singapore Art Museum is usually $10 Singapore dollars, but on Fridays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, you can get in for free! Check out the famous merlion as you walk the Esplanade and find a listing of free upcoming performances and sometimes find free art exhibits.

 

Another key way to save money is to avoid the cabs. The taxis aren’t overly expensive, but purchasing an EZ-Link card and refilling it to use the bus and MRT. The MRT is RIDICUOUSLY on time, and on the off chance that they are late, you can ask the employees to write you a note which I guarantee you your school will accept. They take great pride in their transportation being punctual, and when it doesn’t work, they take the blame.

Also called the “Gateway to the West”, the city of Saint Louis, MO connects Missouri with Illinois and it’s the second largest city in the state of Missouri. It was called “one of the finest cities in America” by French Pierre Laclede Liguest who, in 1763, discovered the place where the city is today. There is a lot of history in Saint Louis, Missouri and many historical sights to visit, but not only. You will be able to plan a perfect summer day in
Saint Louis, see the city’s most important places and have some fun as well.

Start your day early in the morning with a visit to the Zoo, located in Forest Park at One Government Drive. The park is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday. It’s better to go in the morning because the animals are more active and you don’t risk a sunburn-the heat can become a problem on a very sunny day around lunchtime. Admission to the Zoo is free, however if you are visiting with children you can also buy tickets to animal shows or you can choose to feed the animals.

The whole area is very clean, very well organized, you can get a free map right at the entrance which will show you what animals are located in each area of the park. If you choose to walk around St. Louis Zoo, it will take you about 3 hours to visit all animal areas but you can also buy a tram ride or a Safari one-day pass which will ensure your entrance to most of the animal shows and it includes the tram ride as well. That’s a very good option if you’re visiting with children.

Parking at the Zoo can be tricky if you go on a very busy day-they offer 2 paid lots and limited street parking in Forest Park. So, if you travel by car, make sure you arrive early or choose a parking place further from the Zoo and then walk to the park. In case you want to use the city transportation, you can take Forest Park Trolley, the MetroBus or MetroLink.

Drive from Forest Park to Downtown Saint Louis to check the other sights that the city offers-and there are plenty! You can take Washington Ave or Broadway Street to admire the old buildings, the skyscrapers and the wonderful parks located all over the city. But no matter what street you take, the Gateway Arch will rise over the skyscrapers and on a clear sky you can see it from any angle. It’s definitely the symbol of Saint Louis and it’s a must see attraction.

 

You can enter the Arch for free, you will pass security check and get to a whole area of museums, souvenir shops and most importantly, buy a ticket to get to the top of the Arch, that is the ultimate experience of Saint Louis and most importantly, buy a ticket to get to the top of the Arch, that is the ultimate experience of Saint Louis! You will ride a small tram to the top, it’s like a capsule with 5 seats and it will take you 4 minutes to go up and 3 minutes to get down.

 

But, once you are up, you get amazing view of the city on one side and the Mississippi River on the other side. It may be a bit scary, but definitely worth the 4 minutes tram ride-you must not miss it! It’s an amazing feeling to be on top of everything at 630 feet (192 meters) high, the city’s skyscrapers will seem nothing compared to the height you’re at on top of the Gateway Arch. The Arch’s history is impressive as well, you can see movies about it at the ground level.

To make things even better, check out the summer events taking place at the Gateway Arch, most of those are free and very entertaining. You can even do yoga by the Arch! So, imagine how diverse the events and activities are by the Arch. The park around it is also a good place to take a walk, jog, ride a bike or have a picnic. It’s an awesome place to spend a few hours, take some pictures, enjoy the nature and breath the fresh air.

River Mississippi is right behind the Arch, so you can go down the stairs and take a closer and better view of the water. There is also a heliport where you can go and check the helicopter rides prices, times and other details in case you want to fly over the river and the city.

After getting on top of the Gateway Arch, it doesn’t seem there’s much left to do in Saint Louis, in only a day…but there is! You can go up on Washington Avenue or Broadway Street to get to Laclede’s Landing to have a drink or just enjoy a walk on the quiet historical streets of old downtown Saint Louis. There are plenty of bars and restaurants you can choose from and many of them have tables outside as well.

In the evening you can head to the Loop on Delmar Boulevard – it’s a vibrant, lively street where most of the students from Washington University in Saint Louis go out. It’s located close to Forest Park and Saint Louis Zoo and it’s one of the main nightlife spots in Saint Louis. You will have plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from, people are friendly and the atmosphere is amazing. If you feel young, you have to go on Delmar Loop, that is a must!

 

A HISTORY LESSON

On 3101 Walnut St Philadelphia, Pa 19104 rises one of the greatest university of all times – University of Pennsylvania.

University of Pennsilvanya has a long and peerless history in the American academic field. Founded in 1740 by the time’s visionary Benjamin Franklin, Penn succeeded to be a pioneer of its times.

First medical school in America, the first scholastic institution named “university”, a new ENIAC, the world’s first large – scale computer are only a few of the university’s achievements. All these were possible by the great minds who attended here, including signers of the Constitution, Declaration of
Independence and Nobel Prize winners.

 

ROOM WITH A VIEW

There is no greater and more impressive campus as the Pennsylvanian one: 12 internationally recognized schools, the biggest double-decked college football stadium in the country, 165 research centers and institutes – all these are true UPenn heritage.

If you happen to be on a visit in the campus there is no better place to stay but the The Inn at Penn, an AAA Four Diamond hotel located in the center of the university’s green campus.

 

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO VISIT

As soon as you get in the campus you should erase the word “boredom” from your vocabulary!

Do not worry about how you’ll spend your time, because you’ll be busy attending an exhibition at the Arthur Ross Galery or even see a play, musical or a dance show at the Annenberg Center for the performing arts. If you are interested in the relationship between plants, people and earth, then you must visit the Morris Arboretum historic public garden. But, if you want a break from all of these, the university’s library – founded by Benjamin Franklin – and one of the first in the country- is the place to go.

And because here at Penn the focus is not only on arts but on technology too, you must know that the University has its own Penn Gazzette Arts Blog and a listener supported public radio.

 

OUT FOR A JOG

Sports activity at UPenn has famous supporters since the time of George Washington and it is known that the official colors of the university – red & blue – are related to his visit here.

As a proud member of the Ivy League, University of Pennsylvania is an active promoter of a healthy lifestyle through sports, therefore no less than 17 sports are practiced here.

A 2900 feet stadium that has been serving even the local community, a wellness & fitness program with annual health fairs and free health screenings for the university’s employees, woman and man basketball championships, volleyball and wrestling games played in the Palestra – the most storied gymnasium in the history of collegiate athletics, they all are impressive and important components of the sports policy that runs in the Campus.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

There is no coincidence that in 2009, due to its research programs and the civic engagement, Penn University was named “number one good neighbor” and there is no exaggeration when we say that Benjamin Franklin’s dream for educating leaders of public services had been achieved. So that through hard work and dedication the research department at Penn is one step closer to solving great mysteries of the humankind medicine. It was only last year the research budget was approx. $800 million, this year however Pennsylvania University will lead a 22.5 million project on restoring memory loss and will also elaborate a partnership with the local administration in order to increase access to high quality, locally produced food.

 

UPENN’S RISING STARS

It is known that a great school like University of Pennsylvania will ensure you a great destiny. The following people are not far from the truth: Warren Buffet and Donald Trump- two of the world’s richest men, John Legend – musician, Elizabeth Banks – actress, Noam Chomsky – American linguist, philosopher, political commentator and activist, Sharon Stone – actress, Safra A. Catz – Co – President and Chief Financial Officer at Oracle, and many more.

 

HOW TO GET HERE

Working hard you’ll say and that it’s partially true, but you can also walk, and this is also true! You can walk from 30 th< Street Station, it will take you only 15 minutes! If you’re not a walking person you should take a cab or use the SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (one stop to 34th and Market Streets). Driving there is also an option, but you should know that the university does not validate parking tickets. No worries though, there are several parking facilities near the campus. Also note that the meters street parking are limited to either two or three hours and they charge 2$ an hour. From Philadelphia International Airport you can take the SEPTA Airport Line which runs directly from the airport to the University’s City Station, you’ll get there in 20 minutes.

University Hotel Network offers great deals on hotels near University of Pennsylvania. For hotels click here

What are your plans for this year’s summer vacation? Are you heading to some exotic location or modern city abroad? Are you looking for sunshine, pools,
tanning and beaches? Great! You and some other few million people will probably choose the same, which will increase your travel expenses and make your
vacation packed with people who are just looking for fun. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you may want to be different, you may want to change
something about a typical summer and you may want to do something better for humanity. And yes, volunteering can be that fulfilling experience where you
can make a difference, for once in your life. We have piled up a list of suitable places where your simple presence would make someone happier, healthier
or just normal.

Let’s start with Bagamoyo in Tanzania. They speak Swahili &amp; English and pay with “Shilling”. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bagamoyo means “Lie down
your heart” in English, and somehow the name is not random, it is a special place where you can assist infants and children, improve their education or
support sick people with HIV/AIDS. The city is located across the island of Zanzibar at the Indian Ocean and it offers numerous options for spending your
free time, from going to the beach to taking dance lessons and taking the boat to Zanzibar for few days to explore the island.

Next on the list is Cartago in Costa Rica, where people speak Spanish and eat Gallo Pinto, a dish made with rice and beans, traditional for both Costa Rica
and Nicaragua. Most of us know Costa Rica for its biodiversity, myriad ecosystems and friendly people. Moreover, the country offers free education and
universal healthcare which determined citizens from other central American countries to come to Costa Rica. Therefore, the immigration rate has increased a
lot over the last years.

As a volunteer in Cartago, you can assist with the care of infants and children, improve the quality of care for people with disabilities or improve health and the sense of dignity among the elderly. Although

Cartago is a wealthy city, in its suburbs there is a completely different environment, people are very poor and quality of life is very low.
Don’t miss however touring Cartago, visiting the famous Basilica which is the largest in the whole country and also the old ruins, as well as taking a tour
of a coffee plantation where you can learn about the organic process. You may also want to take advantage of learning some Spanish, cooking some rice and
beans, ziplining at Manuel Antonio National Park and horse riding at the foothills of the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna. Costa Rica is also home to several
active volcanoes, so you may also want to explore Arenal Volcano, one of the country’s most active volcano.
Rabat, Morrocco – salam to a wonderful experience!
Fairly close to Europe, at about a 4-hour drive from Gibraltar, Rabat is Morocco’s capital city where people eat couscous, speak Arabic and pay with
Dirham. Everything is eye-opening here, and you just need an open mind and a good attitude. People in Rabat are eager to learn about other cultures, so you
may easily get in touch with a lot of locals, become one of them for a while and absorb as much information as you can while you’re there.
Being an Islamic country, Morocco has strict rules for its inhabitants and since children born in unmarried couples don’t follow the rule, they usually
become homeless, abandoned or living on the streets. Your volunteering experience may lead you to helping these children, by assisting them and improving
their education. And in your free time, you can explore Chellah, take cooking classes, visit the low-key coastal town of Essaouira or visit Marrakech –
known also as the Pink City.

So, what is you summer destination this year? Think about whose life you’re going to change soon.

How Can Students on a Budget Have a Tour of Seattle?

 

Seattle may not be the capital of Washington State, but it is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. There’s definitely more to the city than being the land of famous coffee chain Starbucks. Its frequently-damp grounds have a gorgeous landscape with views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. It is also home to the Space Needle, Amazon.com, T-Mobile, the University of Washington, Boeing’s assembly plants, Nintendo and Microsoft. Whether you’re a student temporarily living here or a tourist who is scheduled for a short visit, you will not be lacking for things to do and places to see in Seattle.

 

Exploring Seattle on a Budget

 

Let’s say that you are a student who is exploring Seattle on a budget. You may not necessarily have the funds to book rooms at an upscale hotel or have dinner every night at fancy restaurants, but it does not mean that you will be missing out on all the fun. Here are a few quick tips on how you can explore the city without breaking the bank:

 

Get a Seattle CityPass.
If it’s your first time in Seattle and you would like to have the full city experience, get a CityPass. One ticket will allow you to get the most out of your money, since it includes admission to the Space Needed, the Seattle Aquarium, the Pacific Science Center, Argosy Cruises, the Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, as well as the Woodland Park Zoo and the Museum of Flight.

Compare the low rates offered by winemakers and vineyard owners.
There are many wineries and vineyards which offer free or cheap wine tasting sessions. Some of your options include Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery, Januik/Novelty Wineries, Silver Lake Sparkling Cellars, the Woodhouse Family Cellars and more.

Catch free public concerts.
During summer, free public concerts are held in downtown Seattle. This is every Wednesday and Friday, lunchtime.

Visit the Seattle Center for free.
If you don’t have funds for a CityPass, you can simply explore the grounds of the Seattle Center for free. The 74-acre park is where the World’s Fair was held in 1962, and is now home to some of the most popular landmarks in the city.

Other ways to explore Seattle on a budget.
You can also go museum hopping, chill out by one of the scenic parks in the city or explore downtown Seattle via the Metro buses.

 Book Your Accommodations through UniversityHotelNetwork.com

While ironing out your travel itinerary, you also need to book your accommodations in Seattle. Again, if you’re on a budget, there is no need for you to pay an arm and a leg for a fancy hotel room somewhere fancy. Simply visit sites like UniversityHotelNetwork.com so that you can book more budget-friendly accommodations. You can even make same-day hotel reservations through the site, or do the opposite and book 11 months in advance so that you can take advantage of great rates.

Seattle may be damp most of the year, but the real beauty of the city lies in its many tourist attractions. If you’re a student on a budget, don’t hesitate to explore this truly interesting place because there are many pocket-friendly ways that you can check out the different sites here.

Why Visit Seattle University?
If you`re looking for prospective universities, you should definitely put Seattle University on top of your list. Here, we will take a look at the reasons why you should pay the city of Seattle a visit, have a brief look at how Seattle University came about, and which facilities are available for students in the area.
Seattle, Washington

 

With the Space Needle in Downtown Seattle dominating the landscape, Seattle is a must-visit city – being the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It has earned the nickname Emerald City because despite the fact that it rains most of the year, Seattle is spectacularly green and has excellent views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. It`s also a business and cultural center, and is home to two universities: the University of Washington and Seattle University.
A Brief Look at the History of Seattle University

 

Whether you`re a parent who is looking for prospective schools for your college-bound kid or if you are a would-be college student yourself, there are many reasons why it pays to consider Seattle University. The educational institution ranks sixth among the 121 regional universities in the West. It also offers a wide array of programs including the following:
64 Undergraduate Programs
31 Graduate Programs
28 Certification Programs

 

Now, how did Seattle University come to be? It was founded in 1891 as a Jesuit Catholic University/law school. When it was first starting out, the university owned 50 acres of land in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Seattle. They also did not offer higher education back then, but the institution was named Seattle College shorty after it granted its first bachelor`s degrees to students.

 

Later on, a night school for women were also created and it was only in 1948 that the name changed to Seattle University. One of the highlights of the university`s operation was in 2009, when it managed to finish the largest capital campaign in history, overshooting their target campaign goal by $20 million. This resulted to new scholarships being granted, and an improvement in the university facilities.
What are the Facilities Available at the University for Students?

 

Next, what are the facilities available at Seattle University? The current campus is situated in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, near downtown Seattle. The educational institution excels in sustainability due to the recycling, energy conversation, food waste compost and similar green programs that they have. Here`s a quick list of the facilities available for students at Seattle University:
The Chapel of St. Ignatius is part of the campus, whose design earned an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1998.
There are facilities available for students at the Albers School of Business and Economics; the College of Arts and Sciences; the Matteo Ricci College; the School of Law; the colleges of Nursing, Education, Science & Engineering, and Theology & Ministry.
Dining, parking, water stations, sports and practically all the other facilities that students need are also available at the campus.

 

Visiting Seattle University

 

The exact address of Seattle University is 901 12th Avenue, Seattle Washington. When you visit the official website of the university, driving directions from the north, south, east and west are indicated in detail. There are also several bus routes which serve the university so you should not have any problems getting there. Finally, you can book a standard, extended or group visit so that you would have an idea about the facilities available and see the campus yourself. The official website of Seattle University is www.seattle.edu.

For Hotels near Seattle University  click here

Are you an incoming freshman or an older student who returns to college campus life? Well, that can be a tough experience or it can and should be the best experience of you student life, if you start college properly, taking into account some advice from professors, alumni and even parents.

 

First of all, keep an eye on your college budget. It is best to set a weekly budget for all your expenditures concerning non-educational activities and items like shopping or going out. Try to avoid having a credit card, but if this is impossible to achieve, set a monthly limit on your account balance which you must not exceed in any case, and manage your bank account and taxes on your own – don’t ask mom or dad to fill in your bank paper forms. And learn the habit of saving money! It will help you so much during and after college.

 

Pack wisely for college. Don’t take too many clothes with you, but enough to get you through two weeks between washings. Also, keep in mind that you have a roommate and most probably the space you are going to share with that (new) person will be quite small and you will need storage boxes for your things. Don’t stress too much over this packing thing, just imagine you’re moving out for a bit more than a summer vacation.

 

Set ground rules with your roommate. As mentioned before, there are high chances that your future roommate will be stranger for you, at the beginning of course. So how do you cope with unknown people with whom you’re supposed to share your private space? Well, first of all, get to know the person a bit, understand their likes and dislikes and try to agree on how you will share the room – set a cleaning schedule, discuss about inviting friends over, agree on study time and so on.
Watch your diet. Campus life is different than what you’ve been used to so far, starting from the independence that it offers you, to the responsibilities that come with it. You may not be aware that eating healthy hasn’t probably been a priority for you, as your family always took care of this part. But now you’re on your own. Pretty scary, right? It really doesn’t have to be this way, as long as you pay attention to your meals, count your calories and have a regular eating schedule, or a routine. You don’t need to learn how to cook, but you should learn about healthy eating.

 

Dealing with college stress. All these new people and things in your college life will create a lot of excitment and enthusiasm, but they may also cause some stress at times. Whether it’s a bad grade or just feeling homesick, stress can be avoided by exercising regularly, eating healthy and sleeping enough. Just be proactive about the challenges that college life brings and make the most of them, as this is a once in a lifetime eperience.
Get a part-time job. Not only you’ll increase your monthly budget, but you are also more likely to become better at organizing yourself and prioritizing. Besides these advantages, you also get to know more people, socialize more and even make more friends.

 

Last but not least, go to classes! Part-time study is not an option, unless you choose this type of education. However, if you’re in college, and especially a freshman, expect hard work during classes, a lot of homework and professors watching you! Not only the final grade is important, but attendance to classes is crucial. You get to have a better college educational experience and you are more likely to be better than your colleagues.

You want to see the Bahamas in your own way, at your own pace. Good idea! But it’s still best to have a bit of a plan and to take some local advice before you rent the car and venture out on the roads of New Providence.

First tip: don’t leave early. You’ll only be testing your patience in the island’s morning rush hour. Instead, kick back, have a leisurely breakfast downtown and plan to head out about 9:30 AM. You can use the time to look over a Bahamas Trailblazer Map – it’s free and available almost everywhere – to get a general idea of how you’re going to get around this 21- by 7-mile island.

Second tip: take your time and plan to stop here and there along the way. The British Colonial Hilton hotel, a sprawling yellow structure at the western end of the downtown core, is easy to spot and a good place to start your tour.

A Historic Beginning – It is also a place with a long and chequered past. The original Fort Nassau was built here by the British in 1697 to guard Nassau Harbor. It was attacked and destroyed six years later in a Spanish-French invasion, rebuilt in 1744, then razed in 1837 to make way for military barracks.

The Colonial Hotel, predecessor to the British Colonial, was built here in 1900, destroyed by fire in 1921 and rebuilt in 1922. It was recently renovated with great attention to the details of the original building. The complex now includes the Center for Commerce, home of the Bahamas International Stock Exchange.

Head east from the British Colonial Hilton along Bay St. – a two-lane, one way thoroughfare. The second building on your left, Vendue House, was the location of an 18th century slave auction. It is now home to the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation. As you drive along you will see Nassau’s bustling straw market on the left. Make a note to stop here later to check out the bargains on such things as straw hats and bags, clothing, place mats and coasters, shell jewelry and carvings – great souvenirs and gifts for the folks back home.

Shopping Mecca – You’ll notice that both sides of Bat St are lined with upscale stores. They offer duty-free prices on all manner of luxury goods: jewelry, watches, fragrances, clothing, shoes, leather goods, linens, swimsuits and much more.

At the center of the downtown stretch you’ll pass Parliament Square on the right, dominated by the statue of Queen Victoria. Flanking Her Majesty are the pink Parliament Buildings, including the House of Assembly, Senate and Supreme Court. On your left, directly across the Parliament Square, is Nassau’s centerpiece – Rawson Square, where the bust of Sir Milo Butler, first Bahamian Governor-General, is located. The square was named after Sir Rawson W Rawson, governor from 1864 to 1869.

Set a time to come back for a proper walkabout downtown. You can take a guided walking tour with a Bahamahost-certified tour guide for a minimal fee. Ask at the Ministry of Tourism’s information center in Rawson Square.

Bridges to Paradise – Continue driving east along Bay St, past the shops and restaurants. About a mile from downtown, on your left, are the two one-way bridges to and from Paradise Island. The original bridge, built in 1966, was two-way until December 1998, when the new bridge was opened, easing congestion, and streamlining access to and from the island. Under the eastern bridge is Potter’s Cay, a fish and produce market and home base for inter-island mailboats.

Make a point of coming back another time to explore Paradise Island, home to millionaires, an authentic Augustinian cloister, the famed Atlantis Resort and Casino and some of the most prestigious real estate in The Bahamas.

Driving straight on, Bay St becomes East Bay St. You’ll pass several marinas and see Nassau Harbor on your left. When the road curves to the right, look left again to see Fort Montagu on the western point of the Montagu foreshore. Completed in 1742, this fort guarded the eastern entrance to the harbor. It was named in honor of the Duke of Montagu, whose grandfather had been an ambassador at the court of Charles II. From Fort Montagu, look across the Montagu Bay to a view of the eastern end of Paradise Island.

Continue on and you will pass the Montagu fish market – a great place to pick up fresh fish and conch. Just past the fish market, East Bay St becomes Eastern Rd, which is a two-way street so remember to stay left. Eastern Rd winds along the north east coast to the far eastern point of the island. Many established Bahamian families live in fine homes along this stretch. You won’t see some of them because they have high walls but you will get an occasional glimpse. One home in particular is impossible to miss. The big white lighthouse on the left is not lighthouse at all, but a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house built to look like one.

MacPherson’s Bend – At the far eastern tip of New Providence, a bend in the road provides unobstructed ocean views, Here, you can pull off the road, much as the bend’s namesake did eighty-odd years ago.

The story goes that Harry MacPherson, owner of the first real estate company, and the island’s first car, used to park at that very spot when he was courting the woman who later became Mrs Harry McPherson. And so it became MacPherson’s Bend.

When you resume your drive, continue around the point and turn right at the second street, Prince Charles Dr. Follow this road until you reach the traffic light at Fox Hill Rd. Turn right again and continue until you reach Freedom Park, a large open area known for its Fox Hill Day parties each August. These festivities celebrate the emancipation announcement of 1834.

Back Towards Town – Continue around Freedom Part to resume driving on Fox Hill Rd, over the hill and down to Eastern Rd again, where a left turn send you back towards town. At Montagu Bay, bear left at the fish market (you’ll have to) and drive along Shirley St, a one-way street going west.

Shirley St, one of Nassau’s busiest thoroughfares, was named after Major-General William Shirley, governor from 1758 to 1768. One of the more interesting of the many historical buildings along here is the Nassau Public Library, an octagonal pink building, built between 1798 and 1799 as a prison. Soon after the library, Shirley St ends abruptly at the Central Bank, and you have no choice but to zig, zag onto Duke St, passing Government House on your left. Keep to the right, and turn right on Cumberland (switching to the left lane) to Bay St and the British Colonial, where you began.

As you pass in front of the British Colonial, keep left, as the road is now two ways. Follow the curve and head west. On your right stretches the Western Esplanade, a beach and popular picnic spot for locals. Haynes Oval, a cricket pitch where the national sport is played, is visible to the left, and overlooking this field sits Fort Charlotte, built in 1789 to guard the western entrance to the harbor.

Look right again to see Arawak City, a popular outdoor eating spot. This is the perfect place to stop for a lunch of conch salad or some fresh fish. After lunch, walk across West Bay St and enter the 18-acre Botanical Gardens on Chippingham Rd. Stroll through the 600 species of tropical flora, paying special attention to the yellow elder, the national flower of The Bahamas. If you have a soft spot for animals, walk or drive a little further up Chippingham Rd to visit the Bahamas Humane Society, and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center.

Go Slow Bend – Back in the car on West bay St, put on your sunglasses, and continue west into the afternoon sun. A mile or so along brings you to Saunders Beach on your right. Soon after, the road bends sharply to the left at Brown’s Point, also known as Go Slow Bend, for obvious reasons. From here, the stunning vista across Goodman’s Bay includes Cable Beach and the hotels along the strip.

Continuing along the curving road, you approach a roundabout, and Goodman’s Bay, a public park and running track along the beach. On your left is the Cable Beach Gold Course. Drive slowly through the hotel district of Cable Beach, where crosswalks allow pedestrians’ access to the three-quarter-mile landscaped promenade down the center of the road.

At the end of the hotel strip, a residential area, combined with smaller hotels and timeshares, begins. Take time to explore some of the back streets or continue on West Bay St, through an area where casuarina trees make a sweeping arc over the road and expensive waterfront homes stretch along the shore.

A little further, a bridge allows boat traffic in and out of the canals of Sandyport, the gated community on your left. Delaporte, a waterfront residential community, sits on the point to your right. Follow a long and winding part of West Bay St along the water and enjoy the unobstructed views of the ocean to the north. Natural caves on the left side of the road tell you that you’ve reached Caves Point, both a location and a housing development on the ocean.

A Beach Called Love – Further along West Bay St, enjoy the ocean views of Orange Hill Beach until you reach the village of Gambier. You’ll know it first by the sign, and second by colorful Compass Point restaurant and hotel on the right. Continue on from here to Love Beach, named not for romance, but for the family who once owned a plantation. Views of the ocean are obstructed from here on, but the homes are worth admiring.

As you carry on along the West Bay St, you’ll reach the roundabout at Lyford Cay, an exclusive private community of canalfront homes. The development was founded by William Lyford Jr in 1788, and continues to thrive as one of the poshest neighborhoods in The Bahamas, which is why you can’t go in for a look.

At this point our tour ends, but you may wish to continue to the south side of the island, to explore South Ocean, Adelaide and Coral Harbor on your own.

To return to downtown Nassau, either retrace your route or start back along West Bay St and take the right hand fork where West Bay St splits. Drive along Windsor Field Rd to go past the airport and along the edge of Lake Cunningham on John F Kennedy Dr, onto Thompson Boulevard and then Nassau St into town.

If you’ve been taking the time to explore, you’ll be just in time for dinner at one of Nassau’s fine restaurants. Bon appetit!

Lehigh University is a relatively small private school located in Bethlehem, PA, city famous for offering some of the most unique Christmas holiday experiences to its locals and visitors which include Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, First Night Bethlehem and much, much more.

The university is home to Taylor Stadium, known to be the thirds oldest collegiate stadium in USA, and was also the place where Jesse W. Reno studied – the inventor of the escalator, who graduated from Lehigh University in 1883.Another interesting piece of information about Lehigh is that, in ’92, it was the first in the country to create an independent satellite network which was used to broadcast a class nationwide. Also, the Lehigh-Lafayette football game is the most-played football rivalry in the nation, drawing numerous sports fans in the area each time it takes place, the two teams playing against each other every year since 1897.</p>

Perhaps, the most useful tip for aspiring students to keep in mind (especially during finals) is that it is considered bad luck to step on the university’s seal engraved in the Leadership Plaza pavestones, outside the Alumni Memorial Building.

For Hotels near Lehigh University click here

Who doesn’t want to travel abroad, to see exotic places, to learn about different cultures or to taste fine, traditional cuisine? Well, probably the answer is simple: everybody wants to travel! So, what should you do before leaving your country and during your international travel experience? We have gathered a few tips and recommendations for you and your family regarding international travel.

 

First things first – make sure you have a valid passport for at least 6 months after your trip and check if you need a visa for the country you are going to visit. Also, prepare some copies of your passport (electronic and on paper) to take with you and leave also with someone you trust, just in case your passport is stolen or you lose it during your trip – this way you can prove your citizenship. If you want to be even more cautious, register with your embassy in the country you’re traveling to and check if you have all the vaccinations required done, especially if you’re going to less developed countries or places where there are health risks that might concern you. If you travel with children, then double-check all these aspects – passport, vaccinations required and visa.
Staying healthy during a vacation should be a priority for yourself and your family, therefore if you have already a health insurance check with the company the conditions in which they can cover you outside your country of residence, and if there are issues with that, think about a separate travel insurance – it may help in extreme situations. However, once arrived to your destination, respect some basic rules of personal hygiene, drink only bottles water and don’t eat from the street vendors or in places that don’t look secure for your health.
Once you have all the documents and papers ready, make sure you understand the potential risks of the country you’re going to visit, if it’s a place for which your government issued some warning notices think again about it and if you still want to go there, learn about the local culture, things and places to avoid as well as some basic words in the respective local language.
Clothing? Well, that’s easy especially if you’re going to a warm place for its beaches or sea, or in the mountains to ski. But, how are you going to handle a continental weather? Read reviews about the average temperatures and weather forecasts for the period you are going to travel and take some extra care about the different clothing recommended – unless you’re a shopping fan and you have to buy some clothes from there!
Then, if you travel on your own, you should book everything in advance – your hotel room, tours, train tickets, rental cars and even restaurants if you really have some preferred place to go to – you might not find seats available if the place you’re going to is a touristic area, especially during high season.
Other travel tips:
Financials – check the currency of the country you’re visiting, understand the conversion before you go there and prepare some local cash. Don’t take unnecessary credit cards with you or other bank documents and check if there are any entrance fees in the country you’re traveling to.
Electronics – there are high chances that you might need an adapter (not many countries use the same charger, plugs and voltage), so check the country’s plug systems and voltage to see if you need an adapter on one side, and also to see if you can use the voltage of your own electronics in the country you’re visiting.
Events – how about a concert, a local festival or a celebration during your trip? You may experience one of these if you check before you leave the events taking place in the city or area you’re visiting.

You’re now all set to go! You know the basics, pack comfortable walking shoes for you and your family, forget your daily concerns and worries, be positive and get ready for a wonderful vacation abroad! You are now an international traveller with a great destination. Have a safe trip!