Rachel Amspoker


Bridge Pathways •

Student Life on the Campus of Philadelphia University

The campus of Philadelphia University, a Bridge partner, is located in a beautiful, park-like setting right near the heart of the bustling and historic city of Philadelphia. While studying at PhilaU, students focus on their classes first, but they also have an impressive array of extra-curricular activities to choose from right on campus! Learn about fun activities for students at PhilaU, which are perfect for breaking up class-time, meeting other students, and enjoying the true American colleg
Martin Resorts •

Kid-Friendly Spring Break Activities | Martin Resorts Blog

With the sun shining, the flowers blooming, and Easter preparations in full swing, Spring Break is the perfect time to visit the Central Coast with the kids. In addition to spending time at the beach or exploring the outdoors, there are also some fun kid-friendly events coming up in the next few weeks that are perfect for Spring Break. If the kids are out of school and there’s time to explore, here are some great things to do on the Central Coast that the whole family will love. This weekend is
Martin Resorts •

Dog Friendly Wineries | Martin Resorts Blog

Your dog is part of the family; if you ever go on a vacation, it just makes sense to want to bring your pet along! Luckily, San Luis Obispo is one of the most inclusive dog-friendly destinations in California. In addition to being great for tourists, San Luis Obispo also looks out for its own. Last weekend – April 8th and 9th – the city participated in Wine for Paws, a charity that raises money for the Woods Humane Society animal shelter. Over 70 participating wineries, and some olive oil compan
Martin Resorts •

Best Stargazing Spots on the Central Coast | Martin Resorts Blog

This KOA is a private campground space with yurts, cabins, and even a nine-hole disc golf course! Near Santa Margarita Lake and its rustic open spaces, this KOA campground is perfect for stargazing due to the remote location and clear country skies. The Central Coast Astronomical Society holds regular star parties there, which you can learn more about here. If you’re staying in San Luis Obispo and want a stargazing experience that is a bit more accessible, head to downtown SLO to pay a visit to
Bridge English •

5 Reasons You Should Study Abroad in Denver

Why study abroad in Denver, Colorado? The “Mile-High City” is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, an icon of the West, and a city that offers amazing access to the great outdoors. But Denver is no small town; it’s a cosmopolitan city with a buzzing downtown, plenty of culture, a near-obsession with sports and a lively social scene. Even better, Denver is affordable and multi-cultural, making it the perfect place for international students to study abroad and get a taste of real American culture
Martin Resorts •

Lunchtime Delights: Best Sandwich Shops in SLO | Martin Resorts Blog

For a small town, San Luis Obispo has an astronomical per-capita supply of hearty, non-chain sandwich shops. From heaping portions of BBQ on a soft bun, to a traditional ham and cheese with only the freshest ingredients, you will find all your sandwich-related dreams coming true with just one visit to San Luis Obispo. In our land of huge portions, you can buy one sandwich, eat ’till you’re stuffed, and still have enough left over for a snack later in the day. It’s the Central Coast way! Here are

10 Reasons Why You Should Teach in Chile This Year

Natural beauty, great food and wine, and friendly people – Chile has it all. The New York Times even put this country #2 in its list of “Places to Go in 2017,” and it’s not hard to see why. What you may not know, however, is that Chile is also a great teaching destination, with flexible requirements for teachers and plenty of demand to teach adult professionals. Whether you choose to get TEFL certified right in Santiago, or take an online TEFL course before you to, here are 10 reasons you need t
Martin Resorts •

Wine Tasting Essentials – What to Bring | Martin Resorts Blog

So you’ve planned a perfect Central Coast wine tasting afternoon, you just need to pack a bag. Don’t forget these wine tasting essentials, so that you can be comfortable and prepared, leaving more room for enjoying each winery! You might be using your phone a lot while wine tasting, for taking pictures of the rolling vineyards or getting directions to your next stop. Bring a portable charger to make sure you get where you need to go, and don’t miss a great photo op! Wine tasting can be a leisu
Martin Resorts •

California Drought Update | Martin Resorts Blog

It’s no secret that California has been in a brutal drought for the past few years. It started all the way back in December 2011, when parts of northern and southern California became “abnormally dry” – the least serious classification of a drought. But at the height of the drought in 2015, more than half of the entire state of California was under “Exceptional Drought,” – the most extreme classification – and all of us, from the Central Coast, to San Diego, and of course the farming-centric Cen
Bridge TEFL •

Why Get TEFL Certified if you Have a Master's in Linguistics?

Lisa Goddard, 24, is a TEFLOnline.com graduate from Boston, Massachusetts. During her graduate school studies, she spent a year teaching English in Taiwan with the Fulbright teaching assistantship. Her next step was to become TEFL certified in order to build on her experience and become even more qualified to teach. Since graduating from the University of Edinburgh with an MSc in Linguistics, Lisa has been looking for further teaching opportunities – this time in Italy! I had been studying lang
Bridge TEFL •

Your 3 Step Plan to Deal With Culture Shock While Abroad

Hello! My name is Rachel, and I’ve just started working for Bridge after studying English in college. As I’m sure many of you reading can relate, I was afflicted by “wanderlust” at a young age – I had a burning desire to discover new cultures and go everywhere, from the places I learned about in history books to places I didn’t even know existed! I made this dream reality by studying abroad in a couple smaller European towns: Amboise, France in 2011 and Granada, Spain in 2014. Both were unforge
GoAbroad •

5 Things to Look for in an Online TEFL Course | GoAbroad.com

Are you interested in becoming TEFL certified through an online TEFL course, but not sure where to start? There are so many options out there that it can be hard to sift through them all, especially if you don’t know what to look for. You may also have been warned to beware of “fly-by-night” TEFL providers and to make sure to choose a “legitimate” online TEFL course. But, how do you know which one is legitimate? If TEFL certification online is something you’re interested in, you should know wha
Bridge English •

5 Quirky Thanksgiving Traditions in the USA

If you plan to study English in the US, part of learning the culture is taking part in American holidays. Thanksgiving is a national American holiday that occurs every year on the fourth Thursday in November. Banks and offices are closed by law and most people take the day off work to spend time with family and friends. A tradition since colonial times, the holiday has evolved into a huge national celebration of community, food, giving thanks, and helping others. However, you might not know some
Martin Resorts •

5 Health Benefits of Mineral Hot Springs | Martin Resorts Blog

On the Central Coast, you can relax in mineral hot springs with naturally-occurring and healing minerals that will relax and sooth you. Soaking in hot mineral spring baths isn’t exactly a secret. It’s a practice that has been in use for thousands of years! Since the ancient Egyptians and Romans, people have experienced the benefits of mineral hot springs, and you can too! Imagine soaking in a secluded Jacuzzi with the skies and lush trees as your backdrop. At The Paso Robles Inn, relax as the su

This September – SAVOR the Central Coast of California | Martin Resorts Blog

When else can you have unlimited samples of the most delicious things the Central Coast has to offer – locally-sourced food, or delicious Paso Robles wine? Or when can you explore the area with guided tours with names like “Indulge in Ocean Rose Abalone on the Cliffs of Cayucos,” or “Find your Muse in the Gardens of the Paso Robles Inn?” Volvo Presents Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast was destined for those who, well, savor the best parts of life – its an epic foodie adventure that’s become an epi
Martin Resorts •

10 Craft Breweries to try on the Central Coast | Martin Resorts Blog

The Craft Beer movement is exploding, especially along the Central Coast. Although it’s a fairly recent trend, there is no shortage of locally-brewed beers to try out in the area. The growing number of options is a little overwhelming! To help simplify your beer-touring vacation on the Central Coast, we’ve complied 10 local craft breweries that have great quality brews with good variety and are representative of their communities.  Here, in no particular order, are 10 great craft breweries that