Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the term the Rainbow Nation to refer to his country of South Africa, a term that was brought about due to the vast cultural diversity one can experience in this small nation with huge culture. It may surprise a first-time visitor to experience such cultural diversity, perhaps not expecting a small country in Africa to have so much to offer. Here are five things you should know before you pack your bags for South Africa.

1.  There is vast cultural diversity among the South African people

While over 80% of South Africans are black, there is a vast cultural diversity just among that group. Just to name a couple, there are the Nguni, San, Sotho Sana, Tsonga, and the Venda peoples. Each of these groups brings its own unique cultural flavor to the melting pot that is South Africa.

Of course, in addition to the native African population, there are people of European descent making up most of the remaining 20% of people. These people hail from a variety of European cultures, and over the years, some Asian ancestry has been interwoven as well.

2. Their food is also a melting pot

South African food is a blend of the cuisines of many different world cultures, some you might not even expect. Indian curry, for example, is a major favorite among locals. A bobotie is a local favorite minced meat dish that is Malay in origin. Perhaps one of the most must-try foods is braai, a regional type of barbecue that will make any meat lover’s mouth water. Maize porridge is also a local staple and is hugely recommended for those that want to eat how the locals do.

3. Their music scene is really worth checking out

The South African music scene, influenced by the Rainbow Nation’s cultural diversity, is a beautiful mix of modern and traditional. For example, one of the most popular types of import music, jazz, has a local flavor and has been infused with tribal sounds and instruments. Kwela is a popular offset of jazz played with a penny whistle. In addition, mbube (Zulu music) and kwaito (house music) are quite popular. You can hear interesting renditions of gospel and rock music as well. Even a portion of their national anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, is an excellent example of their diversity, as it is sung in a mix of languages. In fact, you probably know a ridiculously popular mbube song, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which was used in Disney’s “The Lion King”.

4. There is a huge diversity of languages

South Africa has 11 official languages, which have been officially recognized since 1997. These are English, Ndebele, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Zulu, Venda, and Xhosa. Xhosa and Afrikaans are the most popular languages spoken regularly in the household. Due to the country’s colonial history, European languages like Portuguese, German, Greek, and French are also spoken by certain groups. English is the official language used in corporations and politics, but most South Africans actually don’t speak it regularly.

5. There are some amazing Cultural Heritage sites to check out

South Africa is certainly also famous for natural beauty, and there are some great places to check out. Of course, Table Mountain is probably the most famous, offering a majestic view of Cape Town and Table Bay. It’s also very easily accessible for tourists via cable car.

The Cradle of Human Kind, also called Maropeng, is perhaps the most important fossil site in the world, and may be worth checking out if you’re into archaeology. You can actually tour some parts of the area, including the Sterkfontein Caves. It is considered to be the birthplace of humanity, so it may be awesome to return to your roots.

Finally, consider checking out Robben Island, home of a famous prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. The island now houses multiple tourist destinations, including the prison, which can be toured by a combination of ferry and bus.

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Contributed by Nick Bartholomew

China, or maybe you follow that one Instagram famous person from China – but there is a lot more to know before you visit the country for yourself.

We’ve gathered a few facts about China’s culture and history that are worth the read before you hop on that plane.

Meeting People

If someone bows to you offer to shake their hand but do not go in for a hug because many Chinese citizens do not like to be touched by strangers.

Be sure to introduce people with their name and their title. For example, John Lee, CEO of Galaxy Incorporated or Sarah Smith, student at Cambridge University.

And that old saying, “respect your elders,” most definitely applies in China. It’s important to show the most respect to anyone who is older than you.

It’s also nice to bring a small gift when you meet someone for the first time. Expect them to refuse it several times, and be sure to do the same if anyone offers a gift to you.

Body Language

When gesturing always use an open hand, never use your index finger. The Chinese consider this rude.

Do not put your feet up on a chair or cushion no matter how comfortable it may be. While it may be okay at home, it’s definitely not here.

But don’t worry, starring and burping are accepted. So hey, go ahead and guzzle that soda.

Clothing

It is safe to dress modestly and in simple clothes. That means those sport jerseys or that crop top you love are probably best left at home.

Food

Panda Express isn’t what you’ll be eating when you’re in China. They tend to eat more vegetables and meats.

There are no serving spoons for shared dishes. Instead you use the other end of your chopsticks to take your food.

China’s History

There’s not just the Chinese language. There are actually several dialects that make it up like Mandarin and Cantonese.

China is almost the same size as the continental USA. The difference is that China one official time zone while the continental USA has four.

China’s history is marked by dynasties. Each one started when a new emperor ruled. The first was the Qin Dynasty that started in 221 B.C.

Every year is represented by one of China’s 12 animals. 2017 is the year of the Rooster!

It took roughly 37 years to create the Terracotta Army made of 8,000 clay soldiers who guard an emperor’s tomb – talk about a long project!

Fun Facts

The Chinese rarely say “No.” Instead they’ll use other words like “maybe” or “we’ll see.”

It’s better not to give a compliment. Yes, you were probably taught to say something nice but the Chinese do not accept compliments. Instead, they’ll be humble and come back with the truth.

You know those squats you’ve been doing, well they’ll finally come in handy because you’ll most likely have to squat to reach the toilet. And BYTP (bring your own toilet paper).

Some cool places to look at, Snap to friends, or post about while you’re there include The Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall, and the Stone Forest.

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Contributed by Samantha Watkins

While high school is an important time to grow and explore it also makes it a perfect time to travel the world. England has many sites to see, similar customs to the U.S., and best of all you can communicate with everyone there. High school bloggers agree that studying in England was life changing.

Now these sure sound like great reasons to make England your study abroad destination. And if you need a bit more inspiration, check out these bloggers accounts on their abroad experience.

Whatever you want to study, chances are that England offers it.

The classes you take in England are more than likely going to count towards your high school graduation requirements. But there is also room to not only explore a new country but also a new curriculum. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to take an art class or challenge your mathematics ability – well here’s your chance!

There is always something to do!

Whether you’re visiting and snapping shots at local art galleries, concerts, or markets there are fun times to be had. Adelaide Downey blogged about all the sites she’s seen in England while studying there this year, “We started by going to Buckingham Palace… next we went to the National Gallery which is one of my favorite museums ever!” Downey even had traditional high tea with mini sandwiches, scones and cakes that she sad was “so good!”

Comfort food.

While abroad it’s definitely worth to try new food but sometimes it’s nice to have that good old mac n’ cheese that you’re used too. Well lucky for you, England has many similarities to America. Olivia S. went to England at 16 years old and blogged about her experience, “We stopped in a café to get lunch, where I got a toastie (or a grilled cheese to Americans).” There are many cafes too and even common grocery stores. “We also went into a shop called Poundland, which is like a dollar store, except everything is a pound not a dollar,” shared Olivia.

Shorter school days.

Even though you’ll be learning and attending school, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore. This is what Allie Agate blogged about her first week of school, “All of my classes are much easier and shorter than in the U.S. only running an hour. The very British concept of common rooms and free hours were new to all of us.” That’s right, teachers give time for students to hang out with each other in the common room or free time to study, relax, or eat.

Home away from home.

When in England you’ll most likely find yourself taking the bus to school, studying with friends, or grabbing food with others. We shared part of Downey’s blog earlier about the many sites she saw but she also mentioned that soon she felt at home in England. Downey said her days became a routine that she came to love, “Even though it all seems really normal and average for me now, I’m cherishing every second because I know that when I leave I’ll miss all of it!”

Ready to study abroad in high school in England? Let us know in the comments!

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Contributed by Samantha Watkins

Costa Rica is a tiny country about the size of West Virginia in the United States. Because of that, it may not really even be on your radar when you think of places to study Spanish. You might be gravitating toward more conventional choices like Spain or Mexico, but Costa Rica is an amazing place to study as well. Here’s why you might want to consider studying abroad, and especially in Costa Rica.

The Power of Immersion

There are a lot of drawbacks to learning in a tiny little classroom in the comfort of your own hometown. Mainly, you lack the opportunity to use the language you’ve practiced in real situations.

School classroom situations are carefully manufactured and while useful, they are no substitute for the real thing. Also, in a lot of cases, you simply can’t go outside and use the language that you’ve learned, meaning you’re likely to forget it. We call that being in “the bubble.” You learn the language in your little bubble and then go outside and speak English the rest of the day (or week in some cases), popping that little Spanish bubble.

In a place like Costa Rica, where the language is spoken naturally, you can reinforce what you learn in class by going out among the people and using the language, further cementing it in your mind. You also get the chance to experience real language, which is often vastly different from the language being used in the textbook. Face it, how many times have you used “This is a pen” or “Hello, how do you do?” in your daily life speaking English? Well, that’s a downfall of the language learning industry. That’s why you need to get out there and experience “real language” how the locals use it. And that’s why taking Spanish classes in Costa Rica that combine immersion in the community with teachable moments in class is an ideal learning method.

Natural Beauty

Costa Rica is a country rich in natural beauty and a great place to go to experience something truly different and amazing.

The country is known for its beautiful natural hot springs, supplied by the country’s volcanic landscape, and its astonishing wildlife and scenery. Among the things to see include waterfalls, volcanoes, and the expansive rainforest.

Arenal Volcano, for instance, is a gorgeous hike that can be supplemented with an amazing zip lining or rafting experience. There are also an abundance of national parks, both inland and seaside, that allow you to take in the beautiful sights, see amazing animals like the famous sea turtles, and just relax. The natural beauty of Costa Rica is unmatched, and is definitely a very attractive point to studying abroad there.

The Experience of a Lifetime

Studying abroad is an experience you will carry with you for a lifetime. It will shape you in more ways than you can possibly even imagine as you sit reading this blog post.

Take it from a seasoned language learner and study abroad aficionado, a chance to immerse yourself in a vastly different culture will change for perspective and alter your life and your way of looking at the world for the better. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start your new adventure in Costa Rica. It’ll be an experience to treasure for a lifetime.

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Contributed by Nick Bartholomew