At a glance, it might seem like travel and being a college student don’t mix. After all, you’re probably as short on funds as you’ll ever be in your life. On top of that, you don’t have free time between classes and whatever else you have going on. Even if you’re filled with a sense of wanderlust, you may feel as though this is the worst time to try to fulfill it. However, there are several reasons this is a great time to travel, and various ways you can do it.
Student Discounts
One reason this can be an ideal time to travel is because of all the student discounts on offer. From transportation costs to restaurant meals to various entrance fees and more, you probably won’t enjoy this many cut rate opportunities again until you’re a senior citizen. Do your research and find out where the discounts are to enjoy the same experiences as others at a fraction of the price.
Budgeting
Whatever type of travel you plan to do, you’ll need to find a way to pay for it. That might mean making a budget for the first time and looking for places where you might be able to spend less. Another option might be using a credit card to cover costs. Choosing the right credit card is important because you want to get something with a reasonable repayment plan that will help you build a strong credit history. You can review a student guide that will help you pick the best credit card for students.
Study Abroad
One great opportunity that you have is the chance to study abroad. This might involve going overseas with professors and students from your school, or you might go on your own. You could even enroll in a foreign university. Tuition may be comparable or even less than what you pay at home, and you may be able to use student loans to cover costs. Just make sure that your credits are transferrable.
Working Domestically
Summer is a great time to take advantage of short-term work opportunities to see other parts of the country. Some of those opportunities might be internships, but if you can’t or don’t want to do an internship, there are plenty of other possibilities. Many national parks hire seasonal help. If you’re outdoorsy, this is a great opportunity to spend time in the parks in a way few people ever get to. If you’d rather be in a city, you could also consider relocating for the summer and picking up work in the restaurant or retail industry.
Travel and Work Abroad
A few countries have agreements with the U.S. government that allow American college students to legally work there temporarily. You might also be able to do some volunteer work abroad. Travel is a possibility as well. Those student discounts mentioned above aren’t just for domestic travel. Rail passes, youth hostels and cheap tours aimed at college students in many different countries all make it possible for you to see the world much more inexpensively than you might imagine.
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