Posts Tagged ‘travel’
Traveling on a College Budget
Nothing beats a nice weekend trip to a not-so-far-away city or a mini vacation to another state after a long week of tests and due dates. While it’s fun to travel, it can be hard to coordinate if you don’t have a car with you on campus. Even without your own chauffeur, you can still travel fairly easily these days with a variety of options. And you don’t even have to dig in your couch cushions for some extra money!
MegaBus has become a popular option for college students looking to get from one city to another. They have routes that go virtually anywhere, including the ever popular NYC to the more obscure like Frederick, Pennsylvania. Though ticket price varies, you can travel from your school to another state for as little as $50 round trip. That definitely beats filling up your car with gas multiple times or searching for plane tickets at the last minute. Just remember it is a bus with a lot of other people—be prepared for a neighbor if you’re traveling alone and make sure your iPod is charged!
If you’re planning your trip ahead and traveling a bit farther, plane tickets might be your best bet. Besides Orbitz and and Priceline, you have another option that can often find you tickets for an even better price: Student Universe. This site is dedicated to giving students the cheapest plane tickets possible. They also offer deals for hotels and activities, much like Orbitz and Priceline—though with this site, you really do get the best price possible. So when you’re searching for your tickets, don’t forget to go to this site and fly for less.
Though many people don’t really think of it today beyond being in Sherlock Holmes movies, the train can be a relatively cheap way to travel. Yes, it takes longer than the plane (but what doesn’t?) and often the bus, but it could be more efficient for your bank account and less worrisome when going a long distance than having to confusingly transfer buses. Amtrak offers a variety of reservation options and departure times so you can figure out the lowest cost trip for you. Plus, traveling by train just sounds fun and old-timey.
If you do have a car, an easy way to save money on your trip is to carpool. Since you’re likely not going on a vacation by yourself, pack your car with your friends. Not only will all of you pay little in travel expenses by splitting the gas fill-ups, but you’ll also have a lot of fun while you’re traveling by playing car games. This option will also give you more freedom in terms of departure times, and you won’t have to worry about missing your connections.
Besides saving money on your actual travel costs, you can pad your bank account by getting good deals on where you crash for the night. Bed and Breakfasts are usually cheaper than the average hotel, though some of the really fancy ones can eat up your budget. Check sites like BNB Finder for deals on stays anywhere in the country. And don’t rule out hotels either. There are plenty of chains and other hotels who will offer deals for the amount of nights you stay, number of people in your group or just depending on the time of year. Factor Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz into your search. Hostels are also a cheap way to spend a night on your stay…but make sure to thoroughly do your research first so you don’t end up in a horror movie.
And don’t forget, depending on where you’re traveling to there’s always camping—meaning you can get rid of hotel costs all together! Just make sure you remember the bug spray. And pay attention to where the bathrooms are (if any). Also make sure you all stick together and don’t follow any strange noises in the woods.
As always, be safe and have fun on your travels while you save some Benjamins!
-ToonyToon
I’m reading Am Gov 2011
Popular Study Abroad Destinations
So it seems like all your friends have been packing up their lives into two bags and shipping themselves around the world to study abroad, huh? Fortunately, studying abroad is an opportunity offered at most all colleges. Once you’ve made the decision to go, and have figured out funding whether it be through working multiple jobs, applying for scholarships, asking mom and dad or a combination of the three, the next big question to answer is where exactly you’re going to go.
The key to deciphering the big question of where is to figure out what you want from the trip. Are you looking to connect with your heritage? Are you looking for a party scene? Do you like the rural life? Do you know any other languages or are you open to becoming bi- or even tri-lingual? Speaking with study abroad advisors at your school as well as study abroad alumni like myself are the best ways to go about deciding which place would fit you best.
The most popular study abroad locations seem to be in Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France. Australia, China, and Costa Rica are also popular destinations and here’s why these places are chosen:
One main draw to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia is the lack of language barrier. Of course, there are differences in dialect as there are traveling from New York City to Chicago to Los Angeles to Dallas. There will be different words, phrases, and meaning given to different words. The transition from English speaking country to English speaking country is significantly less, although you will still be learning a completely new culture. It is true that English is spoken in other countries, but who wants to answer to “ugly American, party of one?”. The one major difference between these three places is money.
Studying abroad in England will obviously be a more expensive trip than Costa Rica as you would be converting your money to pounds instead of colones. The currency exchange is something most forget to factor in. Keeping up with the economic and politic state of a country before making the trip is a good way to stay aware on how quickly your bank account will deplete. Think of yourself at the end of your theoretical trip. Money may not have been an issue all trip, but after those spontaneous weekend trips and unexpected purchases it may become an issue. This always seems to be the time the exchange rate just got out of control and now you are resorting to eating meals from street vendors instead of buying organic fruit and veggies or going out to eat with your friends. Keeping in mind that exchange rates change, whatever the rate is in December when you plan your spring semester trip will be significantly cheaper than toward the end of your trip aka tourist season in May. All in all, ensure you can afford the place you are going to. If money is tight, six months in London may not be for you. Just as a person should live below their means when buying a house, remember that this frame of mind is incredibly valuable when traveling.
Also, do not forget that the greater the distance away from home directly relates to how expensive your plane ticket will be. Australia is not a super expensive place to live, but do not forget the thousand dollars it takes to get you there. Check out cost of living scales online as well as pricing flights.
Although money is probably the biggest issue when deciding on a place to live for a few months, there is another more fun aspect to consider: culture. Of course, each country has many different cultures and atmospheres that it offers. For instance, a person could decide to go to Italy, but is then faced with the question of which city or town. Italy offers the hustle and bustle of Rome (along with amazing architecture and food which is true of most places in Italy), as well as the small village of Florence with its Duomo tourist side and the altr’Arno local vibe and then there is the fashion capitol Milan and don’t forget the small town of Orvieto. So once your destination country is chosen, don’t think the decision making has ended there. There are two ways of doing so: one is to decide whether a small, medium, or large city is for you, research all of the cities that fit that description that you are willing to go to, then go from there; second, you can chose a country then search within. The former of the two is usually the better system for most people.
If unsure which setting you would like to be in, ask yourself: Would you enjoy living without a car? Do you mind public transit? Would you like to walk to get your groceries? Do crowds of people bother you? Would you like to enjoy locally grown food? When researching these places, try to not just hear the words studying abroad in Munich but try to picture yourself there, eating the food, interacting with others and living daily life.
Happy researching and enjoy your journey!
-Travel Bug
I’m reading Child, Family, School, Community
Learning the Culture of Your Travel Destination
Whether it’s a vacation, a study abroad trip, or a work trip, traveling without embracing the local culture is not really traveling now is it? Here are some tips to understanding your next destination:
1. If going with people you know, do not stay joined at the hip.
- Staying joined at the hip to another person may limit your networking skills. Never go anywhere alone, but try to explore the area with different people. Different people and personalities may bring out different aspects of the area that you may not have seen before.
2. Stay away from the touristy areas.
- Try to get one or two friends and try to see a place for more than it’s town center. Ensure it is not a dangerous area first.
3. Chat it up with locals.
- If you are going to one place for a long time, become a regular at a coffee shop, sandwich spot, etc. This is a good, safe way to meet locals, unless you are walking into Luna Restaurant (where the infamous Godfather restaurant seen took place).
4. Try to learn the local language/slang.
- This can be done by meeting locals and cracking open a book or two.
5. Eat traditional foods of the place you are visiting.
- This also goes along with staying away from tourist areas. Many restaurants cater to the tourists, dialing down the number of traditional dishes on their menu and adding burgers and fries. This may mean walking a little further to dinner, but the authentic little restaurant famous with the locals will be worth it.
6. Try to watch a television in the place you are traveling.
- Television tells us an unbelievable amount of information about a place. Watching a news segment or sitcom can show us how some people of the area feel about their government. It can explain family values and social dynamics. Even without knowing the language, keying into the body language of the people you are watching can give you a more round perspective of the local people.
7. Read up on the local goings on: political world, economic world, and social world.
- Reading from local papers and magazines are best, but if the language barrier is too difficult, simply staying on top of current events in the area is essential to understanding culture.
8. Do not drink the local water. You know need those cultures, not their illnesses.
- Even if it is safe to drink, your body is used to the water from the place you live. Drinking a few glasses every few days may not be harmful but switching over completely may be. Instead of buying bottled water, which is essentially their water with plastic around it, pick up a bottle with a filtration tap, this way you will not burn through plastic and always have safe water to drink.
9. Get on local time.
- Follow the same schedule of those around you- most Europeans eat a light breakfast, they have a big lunch, take a siesta, and enjoy a late dinner. As hard as it may be try not to nap during the day to help get your internal clock reset to the local time. This may take a few days, be patient with yourself.
10. Try to blend in with what you dress
- Nothing says tourist louder than a fanny-pack, visor, and sunscreen splattered on your face. Research before you pack and try to blend in, without sacrificing one’s own personal style of course!
-TravelBug
I’m reading The Bedford Handbook with 2009 MLA and 2010 APA Updates
What to Wear When Traveling
Off to somewhere exotic for spring break? You’ve got your bag(s) all packed, your ticket booked, but what do you wear to the airport? No matter how warm your ending destination is shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops may not be great to wear to the airport. Most would not think of this twice, but there are actually some safety measures to be followed through.
On passenger airplanes, there have been 308 accidents worldwide between 2001 and 2010, 69 of those being fatal, according to a statistical summary of commercial airplane accidents done by Boeing. This figure is not meant to scare you out of flying, but become more conscious of the safety measures that could be taken, starting with your outfit.
Nylon may be both stylish and comfortable, but the fabric is a major flight-outfit faux pas. Nylon pants, whether it be yoga pants or sweat pants, melt very quickly and will melt onto one’s skin if the cabin is to ever fill with smoke. This could be very painful and can be prevented by wearing jeans, cotton leggings, or cotton pants.
Layers, layers, layers. It is a good idea to wear layers on a flight, especially if you are going from Vermont to the Bahamas or some other drastic weather change. Not to mention, it is generally cold on airplanes and many people get warm running around the airport trying to find their gate or running to connecting flights. Layers also can be helpful in case of a fire onboard.
What to wear on your feet is another problem. Wearing heels, flip-flops, open-toed sandals, or any shoe with plastic is not recommended. Sneakers, sturdy flats or any kind of heavy or leather shoe is best to protect your feet and will not be a hindering to any evacuation process that may occur.
For more tips, click here.
-TravelBug
I’m reading The Brief Penguin Handbook
Thanksgiving Travel Tips
It’s easy to assume that most students will visit family over Thanksgiving break. It’s a great time to enjoy the company of friends and family that you probably haven’t seen since the beginning of the semester; all the while eating to the point of exhaustion. It’s a holiday where you don’t have to pass on the gravy and can get as many plates as you want. I can’t think of anything that would put a damper on this holiday; except maybe the driving part. No matter which way you spin it, traveling across the U.S. in a cramped car with siblings and the family dog is a pain. It’s even worse while sitting in stand-still traffic, not even 100 miles from home. For those flying, I don’t even want to think about the security checkpoint lines. Lucky for you, I’ve dug up some pointers for those who aren’t veterans of Thanksgiving traveling. I’m hoping these can make your trip a little less miserable, and a little more comfortable.
For Drivers:
1. Leave Early, Stay Late. Obviously for some this may not be possible, but the roads are going to be packed. I recommend scheduling a Tuesday-Tuesday trip. You can also consider leaving home Tuesday and coming home Saturday. Regardless of travel dates, you’re going to be competing with obnoxious amounts of traffic. According to Consumer Travel, November 24th is the single busiest travel day for Americans (That is Wednesday before Thanksgiving). On some interstates, the traffic becomes horrendous in the early evening, so this is something I would highly advise for those traveling long distances.
2. Don’t Just Rely on Your Mirrors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the months with the highest car crash severity is November. Also, consider that the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most deadly periods of the year for Americans. So think twice when you’re trying to cut your ETA a few hours by speeding (not trying to be all fatherly, but just saying).
3. Lighten the Load. Remember, you’ll only be gone for a a long weekend, so plan accordingly. There’s no reason to bring extra bags to fill the car to the brim, only creating more stress for your ride. More Space in the Car = Comfort = Better Trip.
4. Cruise on Through. You might as well click on that cruise control once you’re well on your way. This feature has more benefits than keeping pace at a constant speed. Cruise control will save you gas, prevent you from speeding (unless you set the car speed above the speed limit), and give the driver’s legs some much needed rest.
5. Lose the Gas Guzzler. Unless it’s needed, consider driving your smaller car to your destination. It will save you a lot more in gas expenses than driving an SUV. For those traveling with family, an SUV or Van may be your only option. Also, consider whether comfort or price are more important. If someone is squished in the back with the suitcases on their lap, you may want to consider a bigger vehicle.
6. Forecast the Best Route. There’s going to be traffic almost no matter which way you head, but by looking at traffic flow and other factors ahead of time, you can plan the trip more efficiently, saving money and a headache.
7. Bring Snacks. Grab some peanut butter crackers, some drinks, etc. to save a few extra dollars, and a few extra stops. Four stops at a gas station can take up an hour that could be better spent on the highway.
For Flights:
1. Pack Light. This is reiterating what was said for those driving. Make sure you’ve packed the lightest amount possible, because those extra checked bags can be awfully pricy (unless you’re flying Southwest!).
2. Arrive Early. With Thanksgiving being one of the most traveled holidays of the year, the security checkpoints will be extremely busy. Try to arrive at the airport at minimum 2 hours before the flight departs. This time of year, most airlines won’t wait for the stragglers.
3. Fly Smart. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, you better get on that ASAP. The tickets only get more expensive closer to your departure date. Surf around on some travel websites like Expedia or Kayak to find the best deal for you.
4. Avoid Busy Days. If you want to have a less crowded flight, consider flying on days besides November 24th, 25th, 28th, and 29th. This is Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday, respectively. It shouldn’t be too awful if you can’t avoid them, but it would be ideal to schedule around these dates.
5. Be Sociable. Being on a flight is a great opportunity to meet new people and have friendly conversations. Just be careful talking to strangers, try to avoid conversations about politics, religion, or the one percent.
Willhelm
I’m reading Biology
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