7 Ways You Can Travel as A College Student
As a student, among the stress of deadlines and organizational activities, there’s nothing more pleasant than taking a break and doing something you love. While hobbies such as reading and playing football might be a bit more achievable, traveling as a college student can be a bit tricky. Without even including your tight schedule in the equation, securing the funds to go on a trip can prove to be a huge issue.
Having said that, being an occasional or even full-time traveler as a college student is not entirely impossible. Should we follow the cheesy old saying, even the word itself said “I’m possible.” Though in all seriousness, it can’t be denied that to succeed in both aspects, you will need to put in a lot of effort, commitment, and time to accommodate both your trips and study schedules.
But do not worry about it! You don’t have to fully start from zero and figure the way out yourself, as here we have concluded some of the ways you can ease the whole traveling process as a college student. Let’s check them out!
Cappadocia, Turkey
Do Your Research
If there’s one thing that all college students can do, it’s research. Thanks to technological advancement and you being a part of the generation that grows up with it, research can be done quickly only using your Android phone.
The good news is that if you’re reading this article, you’re already halfway there. So, make use of the internet and read up on other college or budget travelers’ experiences to find which one suits you best. Afterward, don’t forget to make a thorough plan consisting of the answers to everyone’s favorite 5W+1H questions.
Take Your Classes Online
The one thing we can take away from the pandemic is the fact that online studies are doable. Due to this, educational institutions around the world have decided to continue adopting the method and offer hybrid or fully online programs. So, try to speak to your program director and see if you can take the basic modules online and use the opportunity to travel simultaneously.
If you’re still looking into universities to apply to and you want to travel full-time, then you might benefit from applying to a fully online course. Because this way, you can have the flexibility of arranging your own schedule instead of being tied down to a time zone. Moreover, you can also progress through the curriculum structure at your own pace based on your own convenience.
Do Some Turf-Exploring
One of the most common misconceptions about traveling is that you must go abroad, for it to be fun. The truth is, the simple fact that two identical houses can have different interior designs should be telling enough that there’s always something new you can discover in other regions of your country.
More than anything, traveling domestically might be easier, as it won’t require as much time and budget as when you go abroad. Moreover, familiarity with the surroundings will often help you gain unexpected benefits throughout your trip. So, pack your bags, bring your camera, and let the exploration begin!
Join Volunteer Exchange Programs
Who doesn’t want to get paid for traveling? Well, with programs like WorldPackers and WorkAway, you
can enjoy housing and meals free of charge in exchange for some volunteer work. The beauty of this volunteering experience is the knowledge you can also gain throughout the program.
Another good news is that you can do a wide range of work as a volunteer, from working with animals and coordinating events to helping with some farm and housework. All you need to do is simply choose. Be ready to face all challenges and pack your sunblock with you to protect your skin from the UV sun rays as you work.
Take Your Studying Abroad
If you’re not already studying in another country, then this one is for you. As to be enrolled in a foreign university might require more preparation and funds, look for exchange or fellowship opportunities both from your institution and external parties. This way, not only traveling, but you can also broaden your horizon by experiencing a different educational system.
Furthermore, the benefits of studying abroad don’t just end once you go back home. The connections you’ve made throughout the program and your experience might come in handy as you write your dissertation and even your career in the future. If you join a fellowship program, you might even get paid and be able to spend the whole program period for free.
Hack Your Travel
At its core, travel hacking corresponds to the way a frequent traveler saves money while traveling. Though, as Forbes’ resident writer, Rob Berger mentioned, it’s more than finding good deals on the internet. But it’s going the extra bit of miles that opens up a whole new world of travel opportunities.
One of the most common ways of ‘hacking’ your travel is to use each airline’s credit card when you want to book a flight. Another way is to watch out for deals and discount codes from travel bloggers or influencers.
Take Full Advantage of Your College Student Status
Despite the limitations, being a college student comes with many privileges. One is the collective understanding that most of us still have yet to be financially stable and sustainably independent. Thanks to that, you are privy to many discounted prices for items and services, so make use of that!
A tip is to look for student prices, discounts, and education pricing. Moreover, some companies might require you to make a separate account and verify your status as a student. So, make sure to plan, as these processes will typically take a bit of time.
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