Travelling can teach you a lot of things. It can stretch your abilities adapting to other cultures and getting along with other people. It can also show you the world physically with natural attractions and structures and socially - how policies and economies impact lives. Most college students and fresh university graduates however thinks that travelling is expensive. At some point, it is but you'll be surprised how cheap it ic compared to the latest gadgets and fashion fads. Moreso, there are ways to travel without really straining your finances that much.
Don't confine yourself with the idea that travelling is something you can't afford while you're still in school. There are great destinations for young people in almost every continent and to get there, sometimes you just need to be a little creative.
Gear up and check out these 3 cheap ways to travel during and after college:
1. Prioritize and Save
Make travelling a priority. List the places you'd like to go and the dates you'd like to visit. This way you know how much time you have to prepare.
Be willing to make small sacrifices along the way. You have to save some money to finance your trip so you have to intentionally save and build up your travel fund. This might mean taking some jobs instead of partying during your spare time. This could also mean buying only the things you need and not going for the latest gadgets and fashion fads.
Also, be smart when making your travel arrangements. Wisely choose your flights both in terms of flight and value. Simple things like checking the price difference between different hours and days could stretch your dollars a bit further.
Another way is to exhaust transport systems. If tbuses and trains available, get a map and skip the car service. This would save you some bucks and at the same time make the experience more exciting.
2. Overseas Scholarships and Trainings
Foreign scholarships is probably the oldest way college students get to travel cheap or for free for the first time. This is a great opportunity for your people because they get to have their international experience with their peers. It's a great way to see and explore the world.
Moreso, the environment is often guided with program advisers and coordinators that will keep students aware that while the parties are nice, there are credits to be earned.
Check with your university and school system for scholarship programs overseas or visit Scholarship Portal, FastWeb and the College Board. All these offer searchable databases where you can search for awards for your program of choice or piece awards together to make a more expensive program possible.
While federal financial aid will cover eligible programs, financing can be tricky. So be sure to check what are included in the scholarship program you'll be applying for. Some might cover airfare while others doesn't, some offers include dormitories while others don't and some provide for living allowances. Be sure to read the terms carefully and make sure they are clear to you before signing agreements.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers get to travel the world and do some good. Some volunteer through their church ansd others through their local community organization. If you're looking for a particular area of interest or a destination, then see opportunities available at Go Overseas. If you are service-oriented and would like to go around America then volunteer for AmeriCorps or Teach for America, you might be elegible for student loan forgiveness or get paid as a full time employee as an educator for Teach for America.
If you're feeling a little bolder and would like to see the world, then sign up for the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a government-run volunteer program that focuses on social and economic development in over 60 countries.
