Take a walk by the picturesque canal.

Get a taste of the countryside and delight in the awe-inspiring architecture of the medieval cathedral. Enjoy the local markets and buzzing nightlife during the weekends. And maybe see the part of the Magna Carta while you are there!

Visit cultural hot spots

“Salisbury has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, which is surrounded by an enormous garden.”

Spend some time studying in the beautiful gardens of Salisbury Cathedral.

Built in the early 1200s and boasting the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom, Salisbury Cathedral is one of Britain’s most historic and beautiful places of worship. Not only is it a medieval masterpiece, but it is also home to one of the four original documents in the 1215 Magna Carta, which is available to view in an interactive exhibit in the 13^th century Chapter House. The Cathedral also offers space for contemporary art exhibitions, along with paintings, sculptures, textiles, and architecture meant to complement spiritual impact and heighten the overall experience. Many of our students love to visit the grounds and enjoy relaxing, studying, or chatting with friends in the large garden.

Tip provided by

Khaled Saad Alharbi, Saudi Arabia

Take advantage of Salisbury’s transport

“I would recommend that students buy a weekly bus pass, as the buses are really easy to use and will save you having to buy tickets each time.”

You can walk or take the bus, you choose!

Thanks to Salisbury’s excellent bus and rail infrastructure, it is easy to get around and fairly cheap to use the transit system. Not only will buying a weekly bus pass save you money (and time) the bus network is a great way of navigating around the town, making it easier to discover the local area. And think of what you can do with all that money you save! Maybe have a nice meal with friends or enjoy a bit of shopping at one of Salisbury’s many independent shops and boutiques.

Tip provided by

Chloe Truelle, France

Explore the area with your friends

“I definitely recommend going to pubs in the evening to learn about life in the area. And, if the temperatures rise over the weekend, it’s worth taking a trip to Bournemouth beach.”

Explore the town with your friends.

With easy transit access, Salisbury offers you the experience of life in the country while still being able to jump over to London or a seaside town like Bournemouth. If the weather is a bit gloomy, you can visit one of the many pubs or restaurants. The United Kingdom has a rich pub culture, so why not spend a lazy afternoon by the fire catching up with friends or practicing your English? And if the weather is nice, grab a train to Bournemouth and you’ll be at the beach in just over an hour. Though Britain is not famous for it’s sunny weather, people definitely take advantage of the sunshine when they get it!

Tip provided by

Volkmar Grimm, Germany

Enjoy traditional British cuisine

“I recommend you that you try a dish called cream tea, which is considered to be one of England’s most traditional customs.”

Indulge in a fashionable English meal of crumpets and tea.

One of the best parts of living in a new city is trying out unfamiliar foods and visiting new restaurants. Salisbury has a wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafés, offering everything from Indian cuisine to French, Italian, and traditional English. It is definitely worth checking out the Market Place and many of the historic streets in the city center if you are looking for interesting and affordable food. Every September, the city hosts an annual weeklong food festival ending with the Food and Drink Market in the Market Place. So whether you are looking for a nice sit down meal or some tasty street food, there are plenty of options to choose from. A lot of our students particularly enjoy the Indian restaurants in Salisbury, especially one of the many that offer weekly discounts for students. One of the main popular culinary traditions worth trying is the time-honored English Cream Tea, which commonly includes tea and fresh scones and jam. This is served in most cafés in Salisbury.

Tip provided by

Khaled Saad Alharbi, Saudi Arabia

If you would like to know more about studying abroad in Salisbury, take a look at our school guide.

For information about some of Kaplan’s other UK destinations, check out:

• London
• Liverpool
• Bournemouth
• Oxford
• Bath
• Cambridge
• Edinburgh
• Torquay

The post Kaplan City Guide: Salisbury appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Thanks to Måns Zelmerlöw winning for Sweden last year, Eurovision 2016 will take place in beautiful Stockholm.

Why We Love Eurovision

Stereotypically, Eurovision hasn’t been taken very seriously. Who can forget in 2012 the Russian Grannies that performed for the world with a massive disco oven behind them? They sang, cooked a loaf of bread, and still managed to come in second place. Ukraine’s act in 2007, Verka Serduchka, danced across the stage in a costume made of tin foil and a big silver hat shaped like a star.

Once you separate the serious competitors and the comical acts, you are left with an enormous, bright stage and an incredible opportunity for singers throughout Europe to showcase their music and make their country proud. But have you ever considered, when faced with this colossal and unique opportunity to perform for an international audience of millions, what language the competitors choose to sing in?

Performing for a Large Scale Audience

English is the language predominantly chosen by artists at Eurovision. In recent years, the amount of acts singing in English has increased massively. Those who choose to sing in their native language seem to have far less success because it narrows down the size of the audience that will understand them. Most winning songs were performed in English, 26 times to be exact. Back in 2010 Alexander Rybak took the stage for Norway and won the competition with ease, and his winning song turning out to be the biggest European hit since Love Shine a Light in 1997. Even six years ago, Alex told us that English was the main language spoken and sung throughout Eurovision both on and off stage. Although Alex won the competition with the song ‘Fairytale,’ he didn’t choose English only because of its ability to reach a larger audience. In Alex’s words, “I like to mix genres and cultures together. With ‘Fairytale,’ it was a Russian beat, Norwegian folk melody, and the lyrics were English.”

Alex won back in 2009 and is ready to cheer on the artists this year!

Delight in the Spectacle

Johan Seil, who will be dancing on the big stage this Saturday representing Russia, has shared with us that “most artists sing in English in order to reach out to as many people as possible. Since English is massively spoken, it’s an obvious choice.” Johan believes that “even behind the scenes, everyone speaks English with each other; it’s the most common language among us.”

Here is Johan Seil with Sergey Lazarev who will be performing in the 2016 final singing ‘You Are The Only One’ for Russia.

It’s clear that the English language is important if you want to easily communicate with different nationalities and reach out to more people in the music and film industry. If you are considering studying English check out our language schools all over the world! Enjoy Eurovision and cheer on Johan!

Consider also checking out:

• Fun Facts about Eurovision
• Eurovision 2014
• Eurovision 2015

The post Brace Yourselves For Eurovision 2016 appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the benefits of studying abroad. For those who are worried the financial cost might be a bit more than they themselves can afford, the following tips (along with these ways of studying abroad for cheaper!) can help you convince your parents to help pay for it and get you achieving your dream!

Educational benefits

It will develop your language skills faster

Studying English in an English-speaking country is one of the best (and fastest) ways to develop your language skills. When studying English in an English-speaking country, you’ll be forced to immerse yourself into the language by interacting with locals. You’ll use English on a daily basis, where you can practice your language skills in everyday life instead of speaking in your native language.
Convince your parents: Emphasise to your parents how much extra time will be dedicated to practising your English. Instead of speaking in your own language after classes, you’ll interact with students from different nationalities with whom you’ll only be able to communicate in English. Furthermore, living and learning in an English-speaking country means you’ll frequently use English outside of the classroom – from using public transport to ordering food in a restaurant, every conversation you have will need to be made in English, therefore giving you the opportunity to develop your language skills at a rapid pace.

You will learn from a native English speaker

Another advantage of studying English in an English-speaking country is having the opportunity to experience the way that native English speakers speak when they interact with each other. You’ll learn authentic pronunciation, and be able to observe the way that English speakers interact with each other.
Convince your parents: Focus on the authenticity of your language experience. By learning from and interacting with native speakers on a daily basis, you will improve your pronunciation, your accent and your fluency, and will not only speak English, but will quickly gain the confidence to speak English like a native speaker.

It will aid your university applications

For international students that are applying to English universities, a study abroad experience is a huge advantage. Not only do university admissions officers recognise how committed students are to their education by studying abroad, they also recognise that they are comfortable and capable of studying in a host country that doesn’t speak their native language.
Convince your parents: Emphasise the academic benefits and the increased chances of being accepted into an English-speaking university. As an international student, you display diversity and commitment, and demonstrate that not only are you fluent in speaking another language, but that you are also capable of living in an English-speaking country. When admissions officers read your application, they want to see why you want to study your chosen course, and the obstacles that you have tackled and how you overcame them. Studying abroad to further your academic future demonstrates that you are committed, hard working, and very adaptable, all skills which are favoured highly by admission officer, and skills which are likely to improve your chances of being accepted into an esteemed university.

Have the opportunity to apply for universities abroad.

Professional benefits

It will increase your employment prospects

Like admissions officers, future employers are looking for employees who speak more than one language. In a society where jobs are increasingly competitive, speaking another language puts you one step ahead of your competitors, while living in a foreign country demonstrates your independence and your ability to put your language skills into practice on a daily basis.
Convince your parents: Emphasise how studying abroad will set you apart from your competitors. Hundreds of students who apply for jobs speak more than one language, but can they indicate how they put their language skills into practice? By studying (and living) in another country, you are not only showing your employer that you are culturally aware, but you are also capable of, and comfortable with, putting your language skills into context.

It will prepare you for an international working environment

Aside from being able to speak another language, another key benefit to studying abroad is the way it prepares you for working in an international environment. Studying in a foreign country encourages you to be more culturally aware, and opens your mind to new knowledge and international expertise.
Convince your parents: Focus on how studying abroad makes you more employable. Anyone who is able to write on their CV that they have studied abroad can demonstrate their ability to work in a culturally diverse and global environment, a skill set which is highly desired by employers. Employers value employees with a global outlook and those who are culturally aware, so studying in an international environment is a great way to build upon these skills.

Have the opportunity to make new friends and explore different cultures.

Personal benefits

You will develop personally

In addition to all the academic and professional benefits that you’ll gain from studying abroad, it’s important not to overlook the personal benefits that you’ll also gain from studying in another country. Aside from the lessons you learn in the classroom, by living and studying in a foreign country you’ll not only become more independent and open-minded, you’ll make friends from all over the world, network with a range of different people, and become more confident as you learn to adapt and to live comfortably in a different culture. In addition to these skills, it’s likely that your exposure to new cultures will encourage you to challenge yourself by trying new things, and develop your thoughts and values.
Convince your parents: Focus on the life skills that you’ll develop. Becoming more adaptable and building on your confidence and communication skills are something that are not only beneficial to your career, but also to your personal life. Living on your own in a foreign country will test your ability to problem solve, will challenge and encourage you to adapt to diverse situations, and will teach you how to question everything around you and become more self-reliant.

Experience living and learning in a new cosmopolitan city.

You will see the world

Last but not least, one of the biggest (and most popular) reasons that students decide to study abroad is the opportunity to see the world. During your time studying abroad, you’ll gain exposure to new cultures, new languages and new religions, all whilst experiencing a new and exciting country. Since studying abroad often means you’ll be studying on a different continent, you also have the opportunity to utilise your weekends by exploring your immediate and more distant surroundings. With discounted student fares you’ll have the chance to visit neighbouring countries and cities, while many study abroad programs even have field trips that are included within the curriculum.
Convince your parents: Focus on your travel abroad experience in the wider picture. Emphasise the opportunity to see areas of the world you wouldn’t usually have access to, and the chance to experience different cultures, customs and religions. While seeing the world is ultimately a fun aspect for you, it will actually force you to become more worldly and cultured.

From improving your language skills to increasing your career prospects, it’s evident that studying abroad has a varied selection of benefits. While you’re going to have fun, you ultimately need to to focus on the unique educational experience that you’re going to have, and the tangible life skills that you will be able to take away from your experience. Check out our variety of study options to find the perfect program for you and get your experience started!

The post How to convince your parents to let you study abroad appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Head to Australia!

Fancy making history?

This English lesson was no ordinary class – in fact, it was quite unique. The classroom, rather than a boring brick and mortar building, was the iconic Bondi Beach. Around 3000 students were in attendance, hoping to break a new record for the most nationalities in attendance during the 4-hour open-air English lesson. The students made history whilst learning by the sea, meeting new people, listening to live music and looking over the beautiful Australian horizon – doesn’t seem like a bad lesson at school! Kaplan’s very own Chris Hall from our Sydney City school was involved with the lesson planning and was one of the teachers on stage.

The students’ enjoyed this view during their lesson.

As if breaking a world record wasn’t exciting enough, during the night amazing prizes were given out which varied from a $3,500 Scooter, to a holiday and many incredible experience days. In order to win these prizes, students needed to enter a photo contest showing them in their favourite part of Australia and explaining why the land Down Under is the best destination on the planet to study!

The class was intended as a very fun opportunity to thank international students for choosing to learn English in Australia and join the growing movement of students connecting the world together through the power of language.

Students celebrate breaking the world record with 62 nationalities in attendance before the lesson started.

Here’s a quick look at how the day went!

February 12, 2016:

If you couldn’t make it to Bondi Beach on the 12th but fancy an opportunity to have a permanent class schedule in Australia, consider studying at one of Kaplan International’s two locations in Sydney.

Experience Australia’s fury friends.

The post Making History in Australia: Witness the Biggest English Lesson in the World! appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Meet Juri – a Kaplan student from Japan who is studying in London

English for your Career

Juri signed up to study a 6-month General English course at Kaplan, and, for her, the class schedule was ideal. It was the perfect balance between lessons and free time, which allowed her to balance her courses with the cultural and social side of living abroad.

“The General English course has 2 lessons per day. I really learned a lot. Moreover, I can use the rest of the time for self-study or sightseeing after class, so I have such a fulfilling day.”

The class structure at Kaplan is made up of boosting grammar, improving your reading, writing and listening skills, and working on your pronunciation. You’ll also constantly be practicing the fundamentals of the language. Group work and interactive learning are an important part of the lessons.

“I speak a lot in class, so I feel like my speaking is getting more and more natural every day. All the staff and teachers at Kaplan are friendly. I have really enjoyed it here – more than I expected.”

Study groups allow you to practice speaking English

Many students choose to study English at Kaplan, either during their university studies or just after, with the purpose of improved career prospects. International businesses, no matter where in the world they are based, usually conduct business in English, and candidates applying for a job who can speak English stand out from others.

Juri has big plans after studying with Kaplan: she needs English to further her education and has spent time at Kaplan improving her language skills. Once she’s at a higher level, she wants to put her English skills to good use continuing with her education and working hard to one day build a career.

“I’m going back to university in Japan to start preparing my thesis and job hunt. I’d like to get a job where I can use my English skills. In addition, I want to travel to many countries to see the friends I met at Kaplan.”

Student Life in London

For Juri, studying in the Covent Garden School in London has been an amazing experience. Our school is set in a beautiful historic building in the heart of the city; you’ll benefit from large social spaces and a lovely outdoor garden, where you can relax between classes and make new friends.

“The school is located in central London, so it’s easy to go sightseeing, do some shopping, see the theater, and even hang out with friends. Museums and galleries are all free, so London is absolutely the right place for people who love history, art, music, and fashion!”

Make friends with your fellow Kaplan students

Aside from all the exciting things you can do while studying, you’ll also be able to meet people from all over the world and learn about their culture as well. Juri insists that all students arrive at Kaplan a little bit nervous, but the best way to tackle this is to be open and honest and share your concerns with others.

“You might get nervous and afraid at first, but everyone is the same even if they’re from a different country. Once you share your anxiety with them, it’ll change into confidence. You’ll become even more confident by living in a foreign county, seeing that many people have different cultures, and learning about their cultures. Even if you don’t speak fluently, just speak to them about your worries. Don’t be shy!”

Once you’ve overcome feeling nervous, you’ll have the opportunity to meet all types of people from all over the world and learn about different cultures. This new knowledge and exposure to a different life will enrich you and add to your Kaplan experience.

“There are many students from European countries at Kaplan Covent Garden; you can make many friends from all over the world. I really enjoy studying English together with them and understanding their culture.”

“I have been having such a lovely life here, so I’m sure your life in London will be absolutely awesome as well.”

For more tips on studying in London, read our blog and find out how much of London can you see in a day.

The post Student Interview: A Life Experience with Kaplan appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Visit Arthur’s Seat

‘If you are in Edinburgh you have to climb Arthur’s Seat, the views are fantastic.’

One of the most popular tips amongst our students was the shared thought that no trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to Arthur’s Seat. Less of a seat and more of a walking route, Arthur’s Seat is in fact a collection of hills, and once at the top, offer amazing views of Edinburgh. With 5 different routes offering varying views from all different angles, this is the spot to visit with friends.

Tip provided by
Hanna Marietta Stampfli, Switzerland

Enjoy beautiful views over Edinburgh

Head to Finnegan’s Wake

‘In my opinion, the best place for going out is Finnegan’s Wake because it represents a typical Celtic bar – unique group music and an atmosphere that is typical of the lively ambiance found in Celtic pubs.’

If you want to experience an authentic Scottish pub, Finnegan’s Wake is the choice of one of our Kaplan students, Cédric. He
describes it as the best place for going out as it represents a typical Celtic bar. Located in the city center, it’s close to the Royal Mile and St. Giles Cathedral and makes the perfect pit stop between exploring the city or after a fun day out.

Tip provided by
Cédric Haricot, France

Visit Finnegan’s Wake after exploring the city with friends

Go to Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival

‘If you enjoy theatre and comedy you shouldn’t miss Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival.’

As a city that is famous for it’s Fringe Festival, the Fringe Festival is something that is recommended by many of our students. As the largest arts festival in the world, offering everything from dance classes, stage shows and pottery demonstrations, the festival offers something for every one of all ages. According to Swiss student Hannah, every August Edinburgh is always crowded because of the festival, which is great for those who enjoy crafts, theatre and comedy.

Tip provided by
Hanna Marietta Stampfli, Switzerland

Enjoy one of the best comedy festivals in the world with Edinburgh castle as the backdrop

Walk the Royal Mile

‘The Royal Mile is a great spot to visit because there are lots of pubs to enjoy a pint.’

Another firm favourite amongst our students is to walk the iconic Royal Mile. For those of you that don’t know, the Royal Mile is the name given to a succession of streets that run throughout the Old Town of Edinburgh, connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is littered with pubs, bars and shops, and is considered to be a great place for shopping, eating and drinking while enjoying some of Edinburgh’s most historic scenery.

Tip provided by
Myriam Gallego Martinez, Spain

Enjoy the beautiful Royal Mile

Where to eat

One of the best parts of living in a new city is trying out new restaurants and new foods. Many of our students were so impressed by the food in Edinburgh that they found it hard to pick their favourites. Luckily for you a small handful of them did manage to narrow down their favourites, so be sure to check out their recommendations.

• For French student Cédric, his favourite place to eat was at an excellent Indian restaurant two minutes walk away from the Canal Point student accommodation.
• For Hannah Marietta, Café Class, near to the student’s residence, was her dining place of choice. She said everything in the café was delicious, even the ‘haggis and black pudding’ which is a local delicacy that you get if you order a Scottish breakfast (which she fully recommends by the way.)
• Chinese restaurant Lian Pu was another favourite with a number of our students, as was Shanghai Pub and Finnegan’s Wake.

Enjoy the culinary delights of Edinburgh

Have you visited or studied in Edinburgh and know of any local gems? Let us know! If you like to learn English, check out our school in Edinburgh.

The post Kaplan City Guide: Edinburgh appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Download our new brochure

No matter what course you pick, how long your time with Kaplan lasts or when you begin your journey, once you’ve joined the Kaplan community, you’ll take home more than just English language skills.

It’s with this idea in mind that we proudly decided to feature an actual student on the front cover of our new 2016 brochure – we wanted to give prospective students an insight into what life at Kaplan is really like.

Gianluca Grassi, one of the lucky students picked for the front of the new brochure cover, spent 10 weeks taking an Intensive course in the Covent Garden school.

Why London?

With London famous for beautiful landmarks and a popular destination for tourists, it’s easy to understand why students would want to study there. What does Gianluca think?

London is a beautiful city, and not far from Switzerland like the US. A friend too has gone [to the Covent Garden school] and advised me. I loved the parks where you can both relax and find friends to play football.

London is a popular city for students to study English

What’s the motivation?

Students come to study at Kaplan from all over the world, and we wanted to know what motivates them to learn English. For some, it’s career progression and for others self-development. For our featured star, he says his motivation was “because English is the main language in the world.”

What are the benefits?

With his future plan to start university in Switzerland, his newfound English language skills will not only be a valuable tool as he moves forward with his studies, but his experience will be a great addition to his CV.

As part of studying at Kaplan International, there is a focus on the social side of learning. This is designed to help students pick up conversational English in a relaxed native English-speaking environment.

With students as young as 19 like Gianluca, taking the step to move cities can initially be a nerve-wracking experience. Many new students, if not most, will be stepping out of their comfort zone. This means there is real potential to gain confidence, not only in the ability to speak English, but also in oneself. The fact that so many of our students flourish at Kaplan, and walk away with new friends and improved English, shows prospective employers confidence and the ability to network and take initiative.

Make friends during your time at Kaplan

The start of a Kaplan journey…

When it comes to the easiest and hardest part of a student’s journey, Gianluca gives us an insight into the real worries that face a student at the start of a journey.

At first I thought it was difficult to live in a big city like London but I just realized it was not so. It is a beautiful city, very welcoming. Certainly the weather could be better! The easiest thing has been meeting new people at school and the residence where I was.

Success really does come to those that work hard, and there is no better feeling than walking away from your experience at Kaplan having succeeded in more than what you first set out to do.

If you feel ready to be inspired to take that next exciting step and become part of the Kaplan community, take a look at our new 2016 brochure. With exciting cities on offer, a range of courses to suit all abilities and comfortable, world-class accommodation, you won’t be disappointed.

The post Student Features In Our New Brochure appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Today we learn all about Matteus’ Kaplan experience at Covent Garden, and discover his motivations for studying English.   

I decided to study with Kaplan because a friend of mine studied with Kaplan and said it was the best place to learn English.

My biggest motivation for studying English is because I want to move out of Brazil. English is an international language that is spoken by many countries, which makes it easier to communicate with other people.

After I’ve finished studying I plan on getting a job in London, or going back to Brazil and finding a job and learning another language.

Other than improving my English, my favourite part about studying with Kaplan has been my relationship with my new friends and teachers. The teachers have made me feel so comfortable and welcome, and it has been really easy to make nice friends.

My Kaplan experience has been better than I thought it would be as I have made great friends. I didn’t realise that London was so multi-cultural – it helped me to feel at home and settle in quickly.

Before I came to study at Kaplan I was very nervous as it was the first time I’ve ever left Brazil. I miss the food in my country, but I don’t feel homesick or miss home as I have made nice friends. The people here are very kind and open minded compared to Brazil.

The best piece of advice I would give to future students is to go with the flow and to explore the city. It’s hard not to feel at home here if you explore the city and get used to the transportation. 

The best thing about my Kaplan Experience has been the classes. They’re always funny and make learning English fun.

I love everything about living in London. If I had to choose, I would say I love the attractions most – the beautiful parks, free museums and wonderful landmarks.

Learning English with Kaplan will help me with my future goal of leaving Brazil and living in an English speaking country. Apart from teaching me English, it has opened my eyes to the world and a new vision. Living in Brazil is like living in a bubble, whereas London is so liberal and open minded.

For more testimonials and student interviews, head over to our ‘Life@Kaplan’ section on our blog to hear all about our student’s Kaplan Experiences.

The post Life@ Kaplan: Matteus’ Kaplan Experience at Covent Garden appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

Visit the CN Tower

The CN Tower is the most recognised landmark in Toronto and it can be seen from all over the city. A visit to Toronto is not complete unless you take a trip to the top of the tower and experience the amazing views of the city and Lake Ontario – on a clear day you can also see Niagara Falls! There are three observations levels to visit, you can also take a walk on the Glass Floor, eat in the revolving restaurant and take a walk on top of the tower as part of the tower’s newest attraction the ‘EdgeWalk’! 

Discover a New Sport

Torontonians love sport and fanatically support the local teams – even if the results aren’t always good!  The city is home to the MLB team the Toronto Blue Jays; the only NBA team in Canada, the Toronto Raptors; the NHL team the Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL team the Toronto Marlies. Lacrosse is also a national sport in Canada and you can go see the local team, the Toronto Rockin action.In July and August, Toronto will host the2015 Pan Am and ParaPan Am Games.Thousands of athletes from 42 countries will arrive in the city to compete in a range of sports including athletics, swimming, cycling, basketball, baseball, tennis, water polo, waterski and much more!

Visit a Museum

Toronto is a great place to experience some culture and some of the top places to visit are the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), theArt Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Bata Shoe Museum– yes Toronto really does have a museum dedicated to shoes!

See the Giant Pandas at the Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s premier zoo and home to over 5,000 animals. In 2013, two giant pandas – Er Shun and Da Mao – arrived at the zoo on loan from Beijing, so be sure to go see them when you visit the zoo!

Listen to Live Music

If you’re a music lover, then you will enjoy Toronto’s huge range of music venues and music festivals that cater to all musical tastes. Top venues include Massey Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, the Molson Amphitheatre, the Horseshoe, the Garrison and the home of the Canadian Opera Company, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.In summer, thousands of people attend one of the big music festivals in the city such as Canadian Music Week, NXNE, Digital Dreams, the TD Toronto Jazz Festivaland OVO Fest.

Canada’s Wonderland

Get your summer thrills at Canada’s largest theme park, Canada’s Wonderland. The theme park is home to one of the world’s biggest and tallest rollercoasters, Leviathan, as well as lots of other rides that get your adrenalin pumping! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to try a funnel cake, which is a popular North American treat!

Visit the Toronto Islands

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the spectacular view of the Toronto skyline from the Toronto Islands – don’t forget your camera! The Islands are only a short ferry ride away or for an especially memorable trip you can join other students from Kaplan and canoe to the Islands and then enjoy a campfire and toasted marshmallows on the Islands. 

Explore the Distillery District…on a Segway!

The Distillery Districtis one of Toronto’s oldest and most beautiful neighbourhoods and the home to over 70 designer boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and bars. A unique way to explore the old Victorian architecture of the Distillery District is on a Segway! Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a Segway before as you will receive a short lesson at the beginning of the tour.

Rub shoulders with Movie Stars

Every year Toronto welcome’s the movie industry to the city for the Toronto International Film Festival– the world’s largest public film festival.  For 11 days in September the city hosts world premieres, showbiz parties and gala, and multiple red carpet events. You don’t need to be one of Hollywood’s A Lister to attend the festival though as there are also over 400 screenings for members of the public to enjoy!Don’t worry if movies aren’t your thing – there are so many other huge festivals in the city for you to enjoy, including the Canadian National Exhibition (the Ex), Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, Hondy Indy Toronto, Luminato Festival and Nuit Blanche.

Niagara Falls

Now, we know Niagara Falls is not technically in Toronto, but the Falls are just over an hour from Toronto, so awe-inspiring view of one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls is still a top place to visit for students studying in Toronto!  The best way to experience the Falls is by taking a trip on the Hornblower and feeling the mist on your face – you even get a lovely red poncho to keep as a souvenir! There are so many other attractions a few minutes’ walk from the Falls, including the Skylon Tower, Clifton Hill and the Niagara SkyWheel. 

The post 10 Things to Do In Toronto appeared first on Kaplan International Blog.

The Pan Am Games – short for Pan American Games – is a major sporting event where thousands of athletes from the Americas come to compete in a variety of events. They are the third largest international multi-sport games, coming behind only the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games.  The Games take place every four years, in the year preceding the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.

In Toronto, spectators can expect to see 10,000+ athletes, coaches and officials from all over the world, along with 20,000 volunteers working to make the event a resounding success.

The games attract thousands of athletes from around the world.

36 sports are represented in the Games, including archery, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, football (soccer), gymnastics, wrestling, and many more. The games take place from July 10 through July 26, 2015, and some venues are only a few minutes’ walk from KI Toronto! Click here to see a full list of events and their schedules.

Much like in the Olympic Games, the athletic events are complemented by opening and closing ceremonies at the beginning and end, and competitors coming in first, second, and third place in each event receive gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively.

Just after the Pan Am Games are the Parapan Am Games, which run from August 7 through August 15. Athletes with physical disabilities compete in these games in 15 different sports. The program has been steadily growing over the years, and Toronto’s Parapan Am Games are the largest in the event’s history.

Learn more about the events on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Even before the athletes and spectators arrive, Toronto is a buzzing, cosmopolitan city.

Practice your sports terminology while you learn English in beautiful Toronto, international center of finance, business, arts, and culture.

Which event are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

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