Hello, everyone!

Some of you have contacted the office for more information about the International Student Identity Card (a.k.a. ISIC). Getting an ISIC is an excellent idea! They are cheap ($25), good for one year and you can use them to save money on everything from hotels and food to museum entrance fees and bus transport.

You can no longer obtain an ISIC card in person in NOLA, but you may apply for one online. Please visit the ISIC website for more information. The online order form may be found here: http://www.myisic.com/get-an-isic-card.html.

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.

In addition to basic messaging WhatsApp users can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages.

See the WhatsApp website for more info and to download:

http://www.whatsapp.com/

Those attending the Spetses program this summer will have a chance to enjoy the Spetses Classic Yacht Race, one of the most recent events evoking the island’s naval traditions. Read more, here: http://www.classicyachtrace.com/en/.

http://nytimes.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Whether you’re visiting Venice with the Vienna program or you’re just passing through for personal travel, you’ll definitely want to check out the Festa del Rendentore. This 435-year-old festival celebrates the end of the plague in Venice. Special activities include a brilliant, free fireworks display over St. Mark’s Bay and gondola races! Read on for more information:

http://www.veneziamarketingeventi.it/page/eventoDettaglio?idEvento=295

http://issuu.com/orthodoxmarketplace/docs/1282-jan2013/8

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/best-in-travel-2013/best-value-destinations/

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120906-best-student-cities-vienna

Welcome back! Now that the Spring 2013 semester has arrived, it’s time to begin planning for your Summer Legal Studies experience!

For many of you, planning will begin with finding a good flight. Here are a few tips:

• Try Internet-based travel reservation sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Student Universe. These sites are best for those looking to travel on-the-cheap, as their fares are usually cheaper than those offered directly through the major airline websites. Kayak is also helpful, as it simultaneously researches and displays flight prices from all the major online travel reservation sites.

*Special tip: Research has shown that Tuesday afternoons/evenings are the best times to book a flight online, as more flights are available for booking and rates are generally lower. If possible, avoid researching or purchasing flights Friday – Sunday; the airlines raise flight prices on those days because that’s when folks have the most free time to surf the Internet!

• Read the small print. Taking a few minutes to review your flight dates/times, charges, connection airports, baggage fees, cancellation policies, etc. This will save you time, money, and future headaches.

• If you’d rather not book online, hiring a travel agent is also a good option. Please note that you may be subject to paying commission fees in addition to the flight price, though. For travel agent recommendations, please contact Tori Luwisch at valuwisc@loyno.edu

• Sign up for fare alerts so you’ll be immediately notified when a cheap flight is released. A good fare alert/comparison website is FareCompare.

• Consider booking an open-jawed flight (to fly into one destination and depart from another). Open-jawed flights are often the same price as regular flights and will allow you to see more of the region you are travelling to. To find an open-jawed flight, be sure to check the “multi-destination” option when searching on Internet-based travel reservation sites.

• Consider flying into a large airport near your destination, then travelling by train the rest of the way. It’s more expensive to fly into smaller airports, so using the plane/train option can often lower your travel costs. Example: Rather than flying directly into Vienna, you may want to fly into Munich and then take the train to Vienna.

• Remember to schedule your flights at least 2.5 hours after your exams are complete!

• Most importantly: Don’t be afraid to ask a question! The Center for International Programs staff is always available to answer your travel inquiries!

The Telegraph UK’s profile of Spetses, Greece, site of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law’s newest Summer Legal Studies Program:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/greece/greekislands/9503617/Spetses-Greece-the-idyllic-spice-island.html