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| Krakow, Poland |
As a general rule, college students experience a lot of stress. On
breaks from school, it’s important to take time to blow off a little steam.
Since most of us are still young, traveling the world makes for a great way to
unwind. Of course, we also seldom have much money, but that won’t get in the
way of traveling as long as we are careful. Here are a few tips I've found
useful when globetrotting during breaks.
I am commonly asked how I afford my travels. This is a fair
question; most college students are in debt from loans and other bills. Me too.
At first, my travel buddy recommended I do some research to see which types of
resources could be available to me. According
to Credit Card Insider, many students get a travel credit card that gives
them rewards, which help offset their expenses. This worked out great for me
even though I spend very little money on things other than airfare when
traveling. Although I work a regular job while school is in session, I have
found it helpful to borrow some of the money for my journeys; this way, I don’t
need all the money up front before I go. I use the card to pay for most of my
travel expenses. Then when I return from my trip, I pay back the money with
earnings from my job and it works great.
The credit card helps with more than just financing different
vacations. Unlike cash, a lost or stolen credit card can be easily reported and
replaced. It’s also a lot easier to keep track of than cash; I keep mine inside
an ID wallet that I always leave in a zippered pants pocket. I can then use the
card for payment at most establishments, although I keep a little cash to spend
at outdoor markets or small local pubs. The best part of the card is the
automatic exchange of currencies. When you’re bouncing around from country to
country, the last thing you want to do is exchange your cash at a little store
because they’ll charge you with a heavy fee.
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Many people also ask me what I pack to take with me on my travels.
In short, I take as little as possible. It’s much easier and cheaper to travel
with a small amount of items. For luggage, I use a small, lightweight
backpack that fits easily into lockers for safe keeping at hostels as well
as into compartments on planes and trains. Packed, it weighs about 10 pounds.
In it, I pack a couple basic travel outfits, all made from wrinkle-resistant,
water-wicking fabric. I always include a travel-friendly collared shirt and
dress shoes so I can get into clubs with a dress code. Instead of a bulky
umbrella, I pack a lightweight travel raincoat. Other essentials include a roll
of toilet paper for emergencies, a power converter, a couple locks to secure
belongings and a chamois to dry off after showers.
Inexpensive lodging is pretty easy to find as long as you know
where to look. I use an app called Hostelworld
on my smart phone to help plan my trips. When looking for
accommodations, you need to keep a few things in mind. First, always make sure
your accommodations allow 24-hour check in. Arriving after hours might result
in loss of a down payment as well as no place to stay the night. Most hostels
will offer lockers for guests to use, but be sure this is the case before
booking your stay. Also, locate hostels that offer student discounts. These can
help cut costs of lodging as well as food and drink. A nice amenity to have at
hostels is Wi-Fi, but it isn’t as important as other things.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy yourself while seeing the
world, consider using these tips to do some of your own globetrotting. Just
remember to bring your student ID along with you so you can take advantage of
the student discounts available around the world.
KC Owens has
written and submitted this article. KC is a college student who loves
traveling, college life, fitness and a good survival kit. He enjoys studying
different cultures, meeting new people and leaving his footprint somewhere most
people only read about.
If you'd like to write a guest post for De San Diego à Paris, please contact me at desandiegoaparis@gmail.com to discuss the possibilities.
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