Most people are familiar with the typical study abroad setup: living with a host family and taking classes at a university with local students for a full semester. Area universities offer a plethora of options for students interested in broadening their horizons through such study abroad programs. In addition, short-term immersion programs over spring, winter or summer breaks have become increasingly popular.  

Goetta brownie? Got it. Goetta burrito? Got it. Goetta egg roll? Definitely got it. No matter how you like your goetta, this meat and oats jamboree known as Glier's Goettafest has got it all, sans perhaps a goetta swimming pool. (Maybe next year?) This celebration has grown every year since it began, increasing to over 100,000 visitors from all 50 states in 2009.  

Get ready for tractor pulls, blue ribbons and enough funnel cake to make that ride on The Scrambler pretty unpleasant for your friend squeezed beside you in the cart that seemed bigger when you were 12. It's one of the summer's first county fairs of the Tristate area and it lasts all week through July 30. Don't miss the chance to walk through the various department buildings and salivate over the county's best Devil's Food cake, buckeyes or apple pie.  

Whether it be your pedigree pooch or lovable mutt, canines of all shapes, shades and sizes are welcome to this month's Second Sunday on Main. In celebration of the Dog Days of Summer there will be a Puppy Parade and Dog Show to watch with your best pal. Even if you consider yourself more feline (or perhaps fish) friendly, you can still expect plenty to do and see this weekend.  

Start your Independence Day celebrations early as typically quiet suburbia lights up and rocks out with a Rozzi's Famous Fireworks show and a performance by movie-theme-song-king Kenny Loggins. Come just for the fireworks or stay all day. More than 50,000 people attended last year, so expect plenty of traffic and crowds.  

Don't miss out on Cincinnati's best celebration of the country that brought us democracy, the Olympics and Skyline Chili. This big fat Greek festival has plenty more to shout "Opa!" about. Check out the traditional Greek dances and bouzouki music, and try out some new moves of your own after 10 p.m. Be sure to munch on a gyro and some baklava, or try out something a bit more exotic like a galaktobouriko or some melomakarouna.  

Back in the 19th century when goetta was first brought to Cincinnati by German immigrants, it was eaten as a breakfast patty served with ketchup, syrup or honey. Since then, goetta has become a celebrated novelty gobbled up by Nati natives by the ton at ballparks and festivals throughout the region each summer. Now you can try out not only the original but also goetta pizza, goetta burgers, goetta chili, goetta Ruebens and goetta omelets.  

Don't forget to grab your bangles and bindi before heading to Cincinnati Opera's Bollywood-style party, "Curtain Up!" Inspired by the Opera's upcoming production of Indian folk tale rendition, 'A Flowering Tree,' this celebration helps kick off the company's 2011 season. There will be henna tattoo painting, Indian cuisine, dance performances by two University of Cincinnati groups (UC Dhadak and Bearcat Bhangra) and music with DJ House of Havoc.