Berlin, Germany is a beautiful city with a rich history that dates back to the 13th century. Today, it is home to almost 3.5 million people and is the capital city of Germany. It is also a very green city, with approximately 33 percent of the city being made up of forests, gardens, lakes, and parks. It seems like something new is always going on in Berlin, which makes an interesting location to study abroad in. Here are our tips for the things you must do and see while you are studying abroad in Berlin.

1. Enjoy a Long Night at the Museums. The Long Night of Museums originated in Berlin in 1997, and now it is celebrated in more than 120 other cities around the world. During the Long Night of Museums, you can buy one entrance pass and then visit various museums until late into the night (usually the festivities end around 2:00am in Berlin). Tickets are not expensive (usually under 15 Euros) and will allow you to see impressive museums such as the Kulturforum and Gemaldegalerie under very unique conditions.

2. Feel like royalty at the Schoss Charlottenburg. This palace was built for Queen Sophie-Charlotte and is the last standing palace that belonged to the Hohenzollern royal family. It is also the only royal residence in Berlin. When you visit this palace, you have to see the New Wing, which is home to some fantastic examples of Rococo extravagance, and the contrasting winter chambers of Friedrich Wilhelm. The gardens surrounding the palace are also beautiful. This would be a good place to go on a date because strolling through the gardens can be quite romantic.
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Granada is a fantastic study abroad destination and has a lot to offer for students who want to study the Spanish language, history, or international relations. Granada was first founded in the fifth century BC by the Greeks, occupied by the Moors from 711 until the late fifteenth century, and then was taken over during the Catholic Reconquista in 1492. Granada still has a definitely Moorish feel to it, especially in the Alhambra and Albayzin.

Many international students call Granada home every semester, as the city is a major study abroad location in Spain. Located at the foot the Sierra Nevada mountains and only an hour away from the coast, this city has something to appeal to everyone. Here are the things that EDUinReview recommends you do while studying abroad in Granada to get the most out of your experience without breaking the bank.

1. Go on a tapas tour. Unlike restaurants in the other major cities in Spain, restaurants in Granada give free tapas with every drink you order during the night. This means that you can eat dinner for free in Granada. Each restaurant serves different tapas, so it’s best to go on a tour of different restaurants to see what their specialties are. Also, the more drinks that you order at a restaurant, the better their tapas will be, so it might be a good idea to find one restaurant you really like and then camp out there all night, ordering drinks and eating free food.

2. Get lost in the Albayzin. This little section of Granada feels like it has been preserved since the 15th century, when Granada was still a Moorish city. I love spending hours in the Albayzin, wandering through the many shops and drinking té arabé in the teterias, where you can order delicious hot teas in a very relaxed environment. My favorite tetras are Kasbah and Teteria Alfaguara.

3. Gaze at the Alhambra and enjoy live music at the Mirador de San Nicolas. Located at one of the highest points of the Albayzin, this lookout point has a fantastic view of the Alhambra. It’s best to come here in the early evening because there are often musicians playing music here for the tourists. If you are lucky, there might even be some locals dancing flamenco. When the sun starts to set, get a front row view along the wall to see the sun go down behind the Alhambra, a view unmatched anywhere else in Spain.

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Going home for the holidays can be a stressful time with your family. Everyone is adjusting to being under the same roof again and tempers can fly. One way to avoid this is by getting out of the house and spending time with your hometown friends, and if you are over 21, you might meet your friends at a bar for drinks. Or you might go to a New Years Eve party, or some other social event where alcohol is involved. We all like to cut loose and have fun around the holidays, so there’s nothing wrong with having a glass or two of your favorite alcoholic beverage (spiked egg-nog anyone?).

However, there is something really wrong with drinking and driving, even if you are just “buzzed.”

Last year, around 10,500 people in the USA died from driving accidents where there was alcohol involved. The holidays have had higher incidences of these accidents than other times of the year for a long time. So, instead of ending 2011 with a DUI or even worse, how about taking some of these safety tips to enjoy your nights out with friends and family without ending the night by driving under the influence.

1. Have a plan for getting home before you go out. It doesn’t matter what your plan is, but make a plan before you go out for the evening. If there is someone in the group who does not want to drink, then make him or her the official designated driver. If everyone wants to drink, then look for alternative options for getting home, such as public transportation or a taxi service. Many college towns have a community sober ride program, so check if your city has something like this as another way to get home safely.

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Mumbai is the fourth most populous city in the world, coming in after Shanghai, China, Karachi, Pakistan, and Istanbul, Turkey. It is also the most populous and richest city in India. As an alpha city, it plays an important role in the global economic system.

So if you want to study abroad in India, why should you choose Mumbai as the city to live in? It is the commercial and entertainment city of the country, which means you will rarely be bored here. There is also a higher standard of living in Mumbai than in other parts of India. If you have decided to study abroad in Mumbai, here are some of the things that we recommend you do in order to get the most out of your study abroad experience.

1. See one of the best Jain temples in India. The Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple is dedicated to Lord Adishwar. It contains many sculptures and paintings, in addition to idols to eight Arihants. What sets this temple apart is its size; it is much larger than most Jain temples. Since this temple is so large, it might be a good idea to hire a tour guide. You can ask at any hotel who they recommend. This usually isn’t very expensive and will make your trip to the temple much more enjoyable and informative.

2. Wash your clothes at the Dhobi Ghat. The Dhobi Ghat is a large, open air laundromat where dhobis (washers) have been coming for the past 140 years to wash the various clothes they collect from private homes, hotels, and hospitals. Although you might not actually be able to wash your clothes here yourself, it is still a really interesting sight to see. You can also pay to have your clothes picked up from your home and washed here.

3. Treat your taste buds at Basilico and Cream Centre. Basilico is a fresh, innovative  restaurant that is best known for its pastas (for lunch) and eggs Benedict (for a weekend brunch). I love their penne pasta that is served in a creamy tomato sauce. Their grilled fish is also really good; I recommend ordering it with the lime sauce. There are two restaurant locations in Mumbai, and both are excellent. After you finish your lunch, take a walk over to Cream Centre, a cute ice cream parlor. Of course, there are other desserts, but the one that really sticks out is the brownie sizzler dessert. The waiter will bring an ice-cream covered brownie out to you and then pour sizzling chocolate sauce over the entire thing. It is delicious!!

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Hong Kong, China, is easily one of the most interesting cities in the world and has a little bit of something for everyone. If you are studying Asian cultures, international business, or economics, this is a great place for you to study abroad. However, if you are studying Mandarin Chinese, you should not study in Hong Kong because they speak Cantonese. However, it is still a great location to study abroad. Here are our tips for some things you should do while studying abroad in Hong Kong to really get a feel for the city and take advantage of some of the things it has to offer.

1. Learn about Hong Kong’s history. The Hong Kong Museum of History is a very informative museum about the history of this city. There are short movies and displays throughout the museum, which makes it more interesting than your average museum. I think the most interesting displays are those which deal with the city’s more recent history. The museum is only 10 HKD and is free on Wednesdays, so it is a budget-friendly way to spend a day. The museum is quite large, so allow for at least half a day to really see everything. Some other museums you should check out are the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Museum of Art.

2. Escape from the city in Lamma Island. Lamma Island is about a 30 minute fast ferry ride from the Central District of Hong Kong. Lamma Island is a great place to escape the hustle-and-bustle of the city for a day in favor of fresh seafood restaurants, hikes around the island, and some time at the beach. Some of the hikes on this island will give you fantastic views, so make sure you bring your tennis shoes and comfortable clothes to explore in.

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Shanghai is the city with the largest population in China; more than 23 million people lived there in 2010. It is quickly becoming a leading global city due to its influence in various areas, such as commerce, finance, media, and technology. This being said, it is a great place for students who are studying international business, mass communications, and any of the STEM majors to study abroad.

So you have decided that you want to study abroad in Shanghai? That’s awesome! Obviously you have to do the standard tourist things, like visiting The Bund, City of God Temple, and Yuyuan Garden. However, there are a few other things that you should definitely check out while you are studying abroad in Shanghai.

1. Take the Maglev train from the airport. This train ride is sure to please even the most avid speed-demon. The train connects the Shanghai Pudong International Airport with the city, making it easy to get from the airport into the city and vice versa. However, that’s not what is special about this train ride. The Maglev train reaches a speed of 430 km/hour, or 267 mph. That is insanely fast! It only takes a little more than seven minutes to get between the two locations, which makes the 50 yuan ($0.15) trip seem like quite a cheap form of entertainment.

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There was recently an animated movie released that took place in this breathtaking city. However, if this is all you ever see of Rio de Janeiro, you will be missing out. In fact, I’d have to recommend that instead just watching the movie, you study abroad there.

Rio is the second largest city in Brazil and is home to 6.3 million people. This is a fantastic place to study abroad if you want to learn Portuguese, experience Carnival, or get caught up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup madness. It is also home to absolutely beautiful landscapes and a tropical savanna climate, which means it is constantly warm with temperatures rarely dipping below 65 degrees Farenheight.

So you are wanting to study abroad in Rio? Here are some of our tips for things you should do while in this magnificent city in order to really take advantage of everything the city has to offer.

1. Take a train ride up to see Christ the Redeemer. This huge statue of Christ the Redeemer has become an international symbol of Rio de Janeiro. You can take the Corcovado Train up the mountain to see the statue up-close and personal. More than 300,000 people every year venture up the mountain to see this statue, and even if you are not a Christian, this is a fantastic work of art that you should see if you are studying abroad in Rio. Try to sit on the right-hand side of the train to get the best views as the train climbs the mountain.

2. Go to the beach! This is one of my favorite things to do in Rio. There are beautiful beaches all along the coast near Rio, but two of the most famous are Ipanema and Copacabana. Ipanema is also home to great shopping options and trendy cafes, so make sure you bring your wallet with you to this beach destination. Copacabana is a very famous beach and is a great place to take a stroll along the ocean. However, it often gets very crowded – especially on the weekends – so go early and stake out a spot. Both beaches are wonderful for people-watching and soaking up some rays.

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Commonly known as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is a multicultural city that has been influenced by the many immigrants who moved to the city in droves since the 19th century. Today, the city is home to around 13 million people and is a great cultural hub, making it a fantastic place for study abroad students.

Have you decided to study abroad in Buenos Aires? Here are some of our tips for really immersing yourself in the culture and making the most of your study abroad experience.

1. Cheer for La Boca. As it is in most Spanish-speaking countries, soccer is a pretty big deal in Argentina. In Buenos Aires, La Boca is the team to follow. So, embrace the culture and go see a game! Make sure you wear blue and yellow (the team colors) and get ready for a really great experience. This is also a great place to practice speaking Spanish – if you are study abroad to learn a foreign language – because sports fans will be willing to talk about the game with you, especially if La Boca is winning.

2. Dance the night away at a milonga. Milongas are “tango nights.” Unless you already know how to tango, I would recommend watching others before trying to join in on a milonga at la Calesita, a posh venue when men and women sit on opposite sides of the room. If a man wants to dance with a woman, he must ask her by using nods, eyebrow raises, and other subtle movements. However, if you would rather dance than watch, you can check out a more model venue, such as La Marshall or Tango Cool.

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Beijing (which means North City) is the capital of China and is home to more than 19 million people. Beijing has been a cultural and historical center for thousands of years and is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, along with Nanjing, Luoyang, and Chang’an.

Today, Beijing serves as the political, educational and administrative centers of the country. This means that it is a great place to study abroad because there are several popular universities in the city, such as the Beijing Language and Culture University and the Peking University. It is also a great place to study the Chinese language, because the city is home to the national standard dialect.

1. See the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace. Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406 and contains 980 buildings. Walking around this massive area (7,800,000 square feet) can take an entire day, so bring your walking shoes. Afterwards, you should go to the rooftop bar at the Emperor Hotel, Yin. You will have a great view of the Forbidden City and can enjoy a drink while taking in the sights. If your drink contains baijiu, be careful: it can definitely pack a punch.

2. Grill out at Jin Bai Fa. If you are a big fan of grilling outdoors in the USA, you can get a little taste of home at Jin Bai Fa. At this restaurant, you can grill your food at your table on a small personal table grill. This restaurant is also relatively cheep, which is always a good thing if you are trying to save money and live within your budget.

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When most people think of studying abroad to learn Spanish, they think of Spain. However, there’s another country that is much closer to the USA, has a lower cost of living, and has millions of native Spanish speakers. Where could I be talking about? Mexico!

Recently, Mexico has not been the safest place for American tourists, and you should keep this in mind before deciding to study abroad in this country. However, if you have already decided that you want to study in Mexico, then Mexico City is a great place to do so! People have been living in Mexico City for more than 20,000 years and the city is home to more than 2,500 archaeological zones, so you can really get a feel for the city’s long history.

But besides visiting these historical areas, what can you do in Mexico City to really get the most out of your study abroad experience? Here are EDUinReview’s tips for studying abroad in this city.

1. Spend some time in Zocalo Plaza. This city is located by the National Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, so it’s a great place to meet up with friends before visiting these sites. However, the plaza itself has a lot to offer and is a great place to spend a day. There are various street food vendors, so you can grab a cheap meal while doing some people watching. You can also shop in some of the stores that are close by. There are often concerts, political demonstrations, and exhibitions held in this plaza, so you might stumble upon something new each time you visit.

2. Listen to mariachi music at Xochimilco. This area of town is built on an ancient city of the same name. Today, it serves as an interesting spot to spend a day with your friends. Here you can hop on a boat and be rowed through the canals. While you are on the boat, other boats will pass by you and the people on these boats will probably offer to sell you food, drinks, or play mariachi music for you. You can only get this experience in Xochimilco and it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the culture, so I definitely recommend spending at least one day here.

3. Go to a museum. There are many museums in Mexico City. Some of the best include the  National Museum of Anthropology and the Museo de Arte Moderno. The National Museum of Anthropology contains many anthropological treasures and many temporary exhibitions. This is a really great place for anyone who wants to learn about Mexico’s past or see the Aztec Calendar. The Museo de Arte Moderno has a vast collection of contemporary art. However, do not expect to see a lot of art from Europe or Asia; this museum mainly features art work from Mexico and Latin America. Other museums in Mexico City that are worth visiting include the Museo Nacional de Arte, Museo Nacional de la Culturas, and the Museo Frida Kahlo.

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