Students "blog" from abroad: students studying abroad are recording their daily experiences.

The "living, breathing version of the study abroad handbook," has debuted, says Drew Olanoff, technology specialist at Educational Directories Unlimited. Known as www.BlogAbroad.com, it's a place where three designated college students record their daily abroad experiences via an interactive web log, or blog. Hundreds of students audition for this opportunity but only three are chosen to star as the bloggers. "We see the blog as a tool for study abroad advisors to educate students who are looking to study abroad," Olanoff says. Students considering studying abroad can communicate and pose questions to the bladders. "It eases their concerns about studying abroad and answers questions that often aren't addressed in study abroad books or brochures."

Since its launch last November, the site has proven to be a success. The large amount of web traffic and feedback from users--about 3,000 to 4,000 study abroad advisors use the blog as an information tool--attest to its popularity. In forming the site, Educational Directories Unlimited partnered with MindSay, which provides the hosting and bandwidth for the blog. "The site's purpose is to introduce the blogging medium to students and administrators and encourage students to study abroad," Olanoff says.