Being a student is a great time to travel, especially if you haven’t got any other commitments or responsibilities. However, many are put off by the expense. University fees are higher than ever, as is the general cost of living, but traveling is a great experience you shouldn’t miss out on. It is also thought that traveling, and having life experiences outside of the classroom, can make your studies more successful. You might just need to plan, and budget, a little more carefully. Here are some great tips to help you see everything you want to, without breaking the bank.
Prioritize
While you may want to see the world, you don’t need to do it all right now. You have got the rest of your life. Make a list of everywhere you want to go, and prioritize. Some destinations might make amazing family holidays in the future while others are better without responsibilities.
Travel Out of Season
If you study online, perhaps an online masters in social work, you may have the opportunity to travel whenever you want. As in in-school student, you might still have some flexibility, but avoid the main holiday seasons for the best prices. You may also find traveling in quieter times means you see a more genuine side of local life. Consider looking at less popular, as tourist focused destinations, can be a lot more expensive and don’t always give you an authentic experience.
Shop Around
As with everything else in life shopping around for deals can save you a lot of money. Compare different airlines and travel firms. Also, consider booking in advance, or last minute deals. Last minute deals are a great option for the online MSW student who isn’t tied to a set timetable.
Book in Advance
It’s not just flights and accommodation that can be booked in advance. There are also public transport passes for while you are there. Booking tickets for attractions online before you travel is another great way to save money.
Save While You’re Away
Saving money on expenses while you’re on holiday is much the same as when you are at home. A lot comes down to budgeting. Make sure you stick to any financial plans you make. Two of the easiest ways to save money are food and travel. While it’s tempting to eat out a lot, it can be very expensive. Speak to the locals, pick up some food and recipe ideas, shop at local markets and learn to cook local cuisine yourself. This will also give you some skills to impress your friends and family with when you get home. While public transport in many countries is quite cheap, walking can still save you money. You’ll also get to see a different side to local life. Exploring on a foot is a fantastic way to see the sites.
Try to make the most of your travel time; you deserve the break. The rest of the time you’ll be working hard, studying, or out on field placements. Enjoy the time off, explore the sites, but make sure you take the opportunity to rest where you can.
Finally, there’s nothing quite like the freedom that comes hand in hand with being a student! It’s the one time in your life where you can travel without a care in the world!
However, for many students money can be an issue! But as you can see after reading this article, this shouldn’t affect your travel plans too much as there are lots of ways that you can see the world on a budget! And remember, if you do find yourself in a position where your flight is delayed or cancelled, make sure you are on the ball when it comes to claiming late flight compensation! You never know, it could provide you with much needed money to fund your next trip!