8 Amazing Places to Visit While Studying Abroad This Summer
Haven’t you always wanted to see the world? Do you spend time daydreaming about a life-changing trip abroad? Well – now’s the time to make it happen! Where would you rather spend your vacation – sitting on the couch binging that same TV series you’ve seen a thousand times, or learning a language in an exciting foreign city? Not only will you gain a valuable skill you can use for the rest of your life, but you’ll be doing it out in the world, exploring incredible sights and landmarks that inspire you to speak English every day.
So, where do you want to go? London? New York? Sydney? If you haven’t quite decided where you’d like to learn English during your vacation, take a look at some of the amazing places Kaplan students have visited during their study abroad adventures.
1. Washington Square Park – New York, USA
Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village – and just steps away from our New York SoHo English school – Washington Square Park is a parade ground for all walks of life. Pass beneath the Washington Arch and you’ll find yourself in one of the city’s most recognizable public spaces. For nearly two centuries it has been a place to play, to protest, to perform and to experience the pulse of one of the most eccentric cities in the modern world.
During the First World War, the Washington Square neighborhood emerged as a center of the young bohemian community. Today, it functions not only as a local park, but also as a campus green for NYU, a performance space and a landmark, attracting a variety of visitors from all over the world.
2. Cliffs of Moher – Galway, Ireland
Unchanged for over a millennia, the Cliffs of Moher rise prodigiously from the western coast of Ireland. On a sunny day, you can stand on the edge and catch a glimpse of the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and the Maum Turk Mountains just across the water. The cliffs range in height from 390 to 700 feet tall and are home to over 30,000 varieties of birds, including the Atlantic Puffin, Razorbuill and the Common Gull. Just a few hours from our Dublin English school , this stunning natural wonder shouldn’t be missed.
3. Wildlife Zoo– Sydney, Australia
There’s no denying that Australia is a host to some of the world’s most exotic wildlife, from the quirky platypus to the infamously gigantic spiders. But what if you could get up close and interact with the animals yourself? Located in the heart of the city, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo is full of interactive displays, immersive habitats and a range of unusual (and legendary) Australian animals. You can even have breakfast with koalas! And the best part? It’s only 20 minutes from our English school in Sydney.
4. Lower Antelope Canyon – Arizona, USA
Also known as Hazdistazí or “spiral rock arches” by the Navajo, the Lower Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed destinations in the United States. And it’s easy to understand why once you’ve descended deep into the heart of the canyon, surrounded by a swirling labryth of orange sandstone carved by years of flash flooding and erosion.
The hike down into the canyon can be a bit difficult, so if you’re looking for something easier you might want to opt for the upper canyon route as it involves less stairs. But if you’re a fan of nature photography, then it’s worth making the extra effort to explore the cavernous curves.
Antelope Canyon is about 8 hours from our Los Angeles English schools and is a popular weekend trip for our students.
Hand-picked related content: HOW TO STUDY ENGLISH WHILE VISITING THE USA
5. Corfe Castle – Dorset, UK
Have you ever wondered what a thousand-year-old castle looked like? If you’re studying English this summer at our school in Bournemouth, you can come and experience one for yourself! Corfe Castle in Dorset has been the home to kings, heroines and martyrs for centuries, acting as a Norman fortress, a treasury and a royal residence ever since the first stone was laid in the early 12th century. Explore the fallen walls and secret crevices and discover the wildlife that has set up home in the beautiful castle ruins.
Corfe Castle is an easy day trip from a number of our other schools in the UK, including London Covent Garden, London Leicester Square and our English school in Bath.
6. Lake Wanaka – Wanaka, New Zealand
The township of Wanaka, located just an hour outside Queenstown, is a popular destination for international travellers, offering a host of wineries, delicious local cuisine and one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Framed by the rocky peaks of the Southern Alps and stunning blue skylines, the glacier-carved lake of Wanaka is an awe-inspiring testament to the natural landscape of New Zealand. If you search heard enough, you might even be able to find the fabled “lone tree of lake Wanaka,” which is a single tree that has grown up from within the water of the lake.
The easiest way to get to Wanaka from our English school in Auckland is by plane, but it’s definitely worth spending a weekend exploring the beautiful landscape (and hunting down the lonely tree).
7. Hollywood Sign – Los Angeles, USA
First erected in 1923, the now world-famous Hollywood sign once read “HOLLYWOODLAND,” with the sole purpose of advertising the name of a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. The letters were 30 feet wide, 50 feet high and the entire structure was studded with over 4,000 light bulbs. Today, the sign we know and love is much simpler and even more iconic.
Although you can’t get too close to the letters themselves, the Hollywood sign is visible from a number of popular hiking trails around the Santa Monica Mountains, including Mt. Hollywood Trail, Canyon Drive Trail and Cahuenga Peak Trail.
8. Banff National Park – Alberta, Canada
This unparalleled stretch of wilderness at the base of the Rocky Mountains is Canada’s oldest national park and one of the most famous adventure destinations in North America. During the summer months, Banff National Park transforms into an ethereal landscape, with stunning turquoise waters, golden afternoons and an abundance of exciting outdoor activities to take part in. Whether you’re looking to experience the thrill of white water rafting or simply enjoy a picnic on the shores of Lake Louise, it’s worth taking the time to experience everything that Banff has to offer.
Banff National Park is about 8 hours from our English school in Vancouver.
So what are you waiting for? Do something incredible this summer with Kaplan International English. Do you have a particular destination in mind? Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comment section below.
