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Study in the USA on an F-1 visa

If you wish to study in the USA, you will most likely require an F-1 visa. This visa allows you to study at an academic institution in the US, such as a university or secondary school, or to take an English-language course. This is different to a J-1 visa, which is for participants of work- or study-based exchange programmes. The F-1 visa is also distinct from the M-1 visa, which is for international students taking a vocational or non-academic course.

Day trips from Paris are a great idea if you want to discover more of France and experience an alternative way of life to that of the big city. Why not take in one of the smaller towns or villages on the outskirts of the city, go for a hike in the surrounding hills, or visit an out-of-town activity centre? This will allow you to create a visit that is different to everyone else’s experience of the city. You can take a break from hectic city life and experience a slower-paced version of the country you are visiting.

In a new series, Send My Bag takes a look at some of the best day trips from a number of Europe’s capital cities. This week, we explore the top five day trips from Paris.

Shopping trips are for many the ultimate way to experience another country and have great fun at the same time. While many global brands can be found in almost any city, there are still many retailers that are unique to their own country. A shopping trip to foreign country is a chance to sample the local wares and gain fascinating insight into the country’s culture and people. The spread of global brands also means that shoppers have to travel further afield and beyond the high street to source unique items. A shopping trip abroad can be extremely enjoyable, but there are a few things to be aware of to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Following on from our guide to the top European shopping destinations, Send My Bag has put together some tips to help you plan your shopping trip abroad.

Checked baggage is a significant revenue stream for airlines, with customers often being charged to check in bags in the first place, being stung for excess and oversized baggage and frequently forced to check in overweight hand luggage at the gate. Despite the high price of checking baggage for the customer, there is no guarantee that their baggage will arrive at their destination at the same time as they do. 

For some, group travel is the perfect way to experience another country, while socializing and making friends. For others, it is the definition of a holiday from hell. Indeed, group holidays seem to have just as many benefits as they do disadvantages. On the one hand, group travel means that you are never lonely, and that there are a wide range of conversations to be had. Yet, on the other hand, group holidays mean that you can’t do exactly what you want and that you must cater to or, indeed, put up with, other people’s personalities.

Today air travel is something to be endured. The excitement of jetting off on holiday that we used to experience has been decidedly diminished by endless cancellations, delays, lost baggage, extortionate add-on fees and being herded like cattle from check-in to boarding. And we’re not just imagining it – things are getting worse. Flight compensation company EUclaim has recently published data that reveals a dramatic increase in the number of claims for compensation they have received from passengers against the UK’s main airlines.

Finding the best shopping areas when on holiday is a pastime for many people. Even better is going on a shopping holiday. This way you get to visit a different country, sample the culture and visit the sites, but you can also while away hours looking at what products are on offer and feeling freer than usual to purchase what appeals to you. Europe offers a wealth of cities renowned for their excellent shopping holiday opportunities. In order to get best enjoyment out of your shopping holiday, you should plan carefully which city best suits your tastes and your budget. To help you, Send My Bag has picked out some of the best shopping destinations that Europe has to offer.

Why not take an unusual holiday in Europe this year by choosing a destination that you would not normally think of visiting? You could find that you discover some of Europe’s hidden gems. To get you started, Send My Bag have picked out some unusual holiday destinations that you could try.

Overseas contract jobs are an attractive propsition for some workers who wish to move away from the traditional working life of 9-5, Monday to Friday. Taking on contracted employment abroad means workers get to shake up their routine and see other areas of the world. Of course this type of work also has its disadvantages. Homesickness, jet lag and living in temporary accommodation are among the problems faced by these workers. There are aspects of contracting abroad that you can prepare for, however, and Send My Bag has put together some top tips to help people who work away from home plan for their next job abroad.

Sports holidays and activity holidays are becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers who want to do more during their vacation than visit a few tourist attractions. Recent years have also seen an upsurge in the number of people tuning in to watch sports tournaments on TV and on the internet. So how do the host countries of recent major sports tournaments measure up as sports holiday destinations?