BlogAbroad.com, a study abroad college blog and podcast, is the first reality show that lets fans become a part of the story by interacting with the stars.
A study abroad college blog and podcast reality show called BlogAbroad.com follows four college students as they study abroad in Jordan, France, Germany and India.
The blogs and podcasts will be posted on www.blogabroad.com, and anyone can comment in the public forum to create a dialogue with the students and become a supporting cast member of the show. Followers of the study abroad college blog and podcast reality show can actually shape the storyline if they so desire.
The purpose is not only to entertain the masses, but to educate people on the realities of study abroad and to inspire students to study abroad themselves.
“BlogAbroad.com is a breakthrough for the reality show genre,” says Mark Shay, president and CEO of StudyAbroad.com, the company behind BlogAbroad.com. “This new season will continue to innovate and give the audience an influence over the show like never before. Plus, while being highly entertaining, BlogAbroad.com is a terrific educational tool. It is a way to show firsthand what it is like to study abroad, and we anticipate our new bloggers will take us on amazing and unique adventures, expanding our understanding of the world.”
For Joe Barresi, who is from Richmond, Virginia and is studying abroad in Jordan, BlogAbroad.com is an opportunity to show a new side of the Middle East.
He says, "I'm excited to see the perspectives and daily routine of the average Arab person. I feel there is only so much one can learn about another part of the world from reading books and watching CNN or Fox News."
He hopes that through his blog, others can learn what he learns.
The other bloggers are Judd Hower from New Jersey, Gabrielle DeNevyn from California and Michal McConville from Indiana. They were chosen for the study abroad college blog and podcast reality show based on a 250-300 word written audition as well as answers to a few questions. They will compete against each other in tasks during their semester and will post new episodes at least three times a week. All of their episodes will be available for viewing 24 hours a day at www.BlogAbroad.com.
Three previous seasons of BlogAbroad.com were critical successes, garnering international recognition.
Blogging has been growing in popularity since it first made waves during the 2004 Presidential election, and podcasts hit the mainstream when Apple’s iTunes allowed free downloads.
The podcasts are being made possible by Telestial, inc., who donated satellite phones and long-distance service to the bloggers.
StudyAbroad.com
StudyAbroad.com is the Internet’s leading source of information on educational opportunities for students to study in other countries. It is a comprehensive directory of study abroad and intensive language programs organized by subject and destination. StudyAbroad.com is a service of Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (EDU), a leading Internet company serving higher education. Based in suburban Philadelphia, EDU’s steady growth since its inception in 1989 has led to its inclusion in the Philadelphia 100, Inc. Magazine/ICIC Inner City 100 and Inc. 500 lists of fast growing businesses.
Telestial
Telestial Inc. provides convenient, cost-effective telecommunications services to North American business and recreational travelers. Incorporated in the United States and headquartered in San Diego, California, Telestial is the brainchild of Ken Grunski, a former telecommunications consultant and committed globetrotter.
