Youth is the perfect time to travel the world, discover new countries, learn about different cultures, taste the local cuisine, and meet new, exciting people. Unfortunately, many young people have to choose between studying and traveling. Is there an alternative? We asked experts at gpalabs.com for advice and are ready to share it with you.
Study online
The world’s top universities are already massively offering their students the opportunity to study online. The global pandemic and lockdowns have affected the education system and led to the popularization of the online format. You can be anywhere in the world and study with the best professors. If you have enough self-discipline and are comfortable with this kind of learning format, all you need is a laptop and access to the Internet. You can study in the Philippines, the Faroe Islands, Hawaii, or while traveling around Europe and gaining new knowledge.
For learning in this format, we recommend creating a clear daily schedule. You should devote time to listening to lectures, reading, and doing your homework. You can enjoy the local color, visit new places, and enjoy your youth in your free time.
Study abroad
If you have lived in one country or even one state or city all your life, you may want to consider moving abroad for your education. For example, you could go to Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. Not only will this be a valuable educational experience for you, but it will also allow you to see new places, immerse yourself in a new culture, and possibly change your place of residence.
Travel during breaks and weekends
Nothing is stopping you from taking mini trips and planning your travels during the vacations or weekends. Do you have three days off? Don’t spend it in front of your laptop screen watching another TV show. Buy tickets to a city you haven’t been to yet, go on a hike or a road trip. Two or three days is enough time for a change of scenery and time to reboot.
Participate in volunteer programs
If you want to help others and work on your karma, consider participating in volunteer programs. Not all of them are for long periods. It is recommended that you carefully review the terms and conditions of the program you choose. Some offer only free lodging and meals, but the volunteer must pay for the tickets. Some promotions provide full payment for all expenses of the trip, and then you can go abroad absolutely free of charge.
Participation in competitions and contests
If you prefer living closer to campus but would still like to mix it up with travel, you can be an active student and participate in various international competitions and contests. These often involve traveling and visiting new places.
Take a gap year
If you are going to university for the sake of going to university, it is worth thinking about whether you need it so much now. Taking a gap year might not be a bad idea to rest after the exhausting preparation for admission, reward yourself with new impressions and emotions.
How to plan a trip as a student?
Many students put off traveling because they don’t have enough money. We’ll give you some tips on how to save as much money as possible for student travel.
- Accommodation. Think of all your distant relatives and acquaintances. Did you have a childhood friend who had moved to another country? Why not pay her a friendly visit and stay with her. You can also use Couchsurfing and stay totally free with a local (but you should read the reviews carefully). If you are traveling with friends, you can rent a large apartment together, which will be cheaper than a hotel room. And, of course, do not forget about hostels.
- Transportation. One of the best ways to save on travel is choosing low-cost flights and keeping an eye out for promotional offers and discounts. Another great way to save on travel is to choose the right time to travel. For example, you shouldn’t travel “in season” or during holidays. However, if you book your tickets in advance, you can get quite a bargain. While abroad, try to avoid cabs and give preference to public transportation or bike rentals, which will cost an average of $15 per day.
- Food. Do not try to eat in expensive restaurants abroad. If you really want to try some of the local cuisines, try to find out in advance where you can buy food without paying a lot of money. As a rule, you should go a couple of streets away from the city’s tourist center, as prices are half as much. If you live in an apartment, you can buy food and cook yourself, which will be much cheaper.
- Entrance fees. If you have a student id, you will have discounts on transportation, cafes, restaurants and stores, visits to museums and attractions. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity for additional savings.
As you can see, it’s a matter of planning and setting your priorities. Good luck with your studies and travel experience!
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