If you love to travel but find it difficult to do because you are still a student, check out these tips to help you afford traveling while in college. The post How you can afford traveling in college appeared...
Along with the new places, traveling exposes one to a lot of new cultures, people, experiences, and lessons. Though traveling is a fulfilling experience at any age, traveling as a student (when you are full of energy and flexibility) is the best.
But as a student, it may get a little tough to travel because there are other things to consider too. You have limited resources- time and money. Your schedule is packed with classes, projects, exams, extra-curricular activities at college. Let me share with you some amazing tips that would help you make the most of your resources and manage your travel well.
1. Set a budget/fund for travel
Set a separate fund for your travel and create a bucket list for places that you want to travel. That would give you a fair idea of how much you need to have in this fund to manage your travel. With a clear goal, you will try to save more.
2. Set your priorities
Who doesn’t like to party every weekend and splurge on things you love? But you have to set your priorities. If travel is something that you are really passionate about, cutting down unnecessary expenses won’t be an issue. Do you really need to buy that expensive cup of coffee and order food every day?
3. Ask for money/ cash gifts/gift vouchers from parents/ relatives
On occasions like your birthday, festival, etc, tell your parents in advance that you’d love to receive a cash gift. Alternatively, you can ask for gift vouchers that you can use for purchasing things that would help you travel.
4. Offer your services for a payment
Find something that you’re good at and offer your services for a payment. This could be writing, editing, video editing, tutoring, babysitting, delivery, etc. You can earn and save some money even if you spare some hours every week for these gigs.
5. Find volunteer opportunities or exchange programs- hostel, farms etc
Another amazing way to find travel opportunities along with finding a good place to stay and learn is volunteering and exchange programs. Many organizations, hostels, schools, farms regularly seek volunteers for different kinds of work. In exchange for the services you offer, you may be provided with a place to stay and meals. Also, you get to learn a lot. You can find these opportunities through online communities.
6. Find friends/ relatives who live at a place that you may like to travel to
Sometimes your parents may consider you too young to travel on your own and not allow you to travel to distant places. In such situations, you may want to connect with your family friends, and relatives. Check if there’s someone you or your family knows, living at a place you would like to travel to. It would not only help in providing local information about the place but might also give you a safe and free place to stay.
7. Travel during off-season or when there are some offers discounts
Another way to save some money is to travel during the off-season. You can get huge discounts on rent and other tourist attractions. Finding offbeat destinations to travel to can also help you save some money as famous tourist places are more expensive.
8. Find free things to do at your destination
One of the things that I still do when I travel around is find free things to do at the destination. For example, temples in India are worth visiting and usually have no entry free. Often there are days when entry is free for tourists at some attractions like museums, look out for these. You need not always spend money to experience some amazing moments during your travels.
9. Use your student status to get discounts and offers
This is quite obvious but still, I’ll reiterate you should always carry your student ID with you. You never know where you can find a chance to save some money! Wherever and whenever you’re going to spend some money, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for discounts/ offers/ upgrades/ complimentary stuff.
10. Connect with a local
Connect with a local person ( online/offline, whatever works for you) to know the cheap ways to make the most out of your trip. It could be tips about using public transport, good but reasonably priced places to eat, what’s worth spending money on and what’s really not.
Plan your trip and budget well and stick to it otherwise, it would lead to unnecessary expenses
11. Find a travel buddy/ companion
Traveling solo has its perks but having a travel buddy helps in splitting costs for travel (if you need a taxi), accommodation, trying new food at a restaurant, etc.
12. Pack smart
Pack light but remember to pack stuff that you know you will need. Sometimes forgetting something and then buying it in urgency makes you spend more than you’d usually do. Pack your meal for the journey and the next meal too if possible. Also pack some healthy dry snacks like granola bars, nuts dry fruits, etc.
13. House-sitting and pet-sitting
There are many people who don’t want to leave their house or pets unattended when they are going away for some time ( could be a day or more). It’s easy to look for such opportunities online. You can earn some money or you can find a place to stay for free this way.
14. Join college teams/clubs
Join college clubs, sports teams, etc. Often colleges organize various inter-college events, meets, and competitions that are held at places other than your own college. This would give you a chance to travel to other cities and explore things.
15. Be a local guide
Can’t imagine yourself doing any job that’s not travel-related? Worry not, we’ve got you covered. Explore your own backyard and become an expert about your own city (and nearby areas). Click some photos and stay active on online communities. Providing service as a local guide and conducting city tours for the people visiting your city can be a great way to earn some bucks!
With so many ways to afford traveling in college, do you still need to wait? Find your best fit and get started with saving for your travel fund!
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