Check out the Journalism School's coverage of the 2011 China Open program:

Missouri Journalism Students Produce, Coordinate Press Coverage of the China Open

Sure, you’ll be doing a lot of studying during your semester abroad. But don’t
think you’ll be too buried in your books to look at the brand new world you’ll be
immersed in. If so, why would you go abroad in the first place?

Each day abroad should give you the opportunity to discover something new in
Europe, and weekends will probably be the best time to explore.

And to help you make the most of your weekends, there are organizations that offer
tour packages in different cities across Europe.

Weekend Student Adventures (WSA) is one of them. All you have to do is sign up
and get to the rendezvous point, and then you’re off on what the company says is an
experience that aims to empower you to become immersed in the cultures that you
visit.

Where in Europe can WSA take you? (click on a link to see information about the
tour in that city.)

• London, UK
  
• Venice, Italy
  
• Paris, France
  
• Barcelona, Spain
  
• Prague, Czech Republic
  
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
  
• Rome, Italy
  
• Gimmelwald, Switzerland
  
• Dublin, Ireland

Nine cities you can visit, with WSA offering you:

• 2 nights in a top-rated hostel
  
• Sightseeing and “skip-the-line” entry to museums and key sights
  
• Walking tours led by locals
  
• Bike tours
  
• Full-time service of WSA professional guides
  
• All local transportation

… and more, depending on the tour you choose.

What WSA says is really special about their tours is the size of the groups –
significantly smaller than on most tours – and the expertise of the local guides.

The price for tours is €250, besides for the tour to Gimmelwald, which costs €195.

If you’re worried about the cost of flying from the country you’re studying in to the
one with the tour, remember that there are companies that offer very (ridiculously)
cheap flights across Europe.

• Easyjet.com
  
• Ryanair.com
  
• Vueling.com

The WSA site doesn’t yet have the tour dates for next year, but keep WSA in mind as you
make plans next semester for your weekend adventures. Judging by what they offer,
it’s not something you’d regret!

Whether new to the skies or a jet-setting veteran, flying makes everyone a bit nervous. But, fear not! In this week's What We're Reading, MSNBC's Chris Rodell busts some common myths about air travel:

Common Air Travel Myths--Busted