Studying abroad in London? Backpacking Italy? Just always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in person? Making your trip happen is more affordable than you think. Flights to Europe are already cheap through StudentUniverse, and they just got even cheaper! Now you can save more on flights to Europe with United Airlines. For a limited time only, take an additional $20 off one way flights and an additional $40 off round trip flights to Europe on United Airlines with our exclusive promo codes. Don’t wait to book – this discount is limited and only available until May 31, 2013! Get your promo codes now and start planning your adventure, only at StudentUniverse.
Looking to experience the adventure of a lifetime? For one day only StudentUniverse is offering an additional 25% off four select tours. Check the Happy Hour Salepage starting at 10am (EST) on May 16, 2013 for the revealing and your chance to book. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation or immersion in a local culture, these tours are sure to exceed all expectations. You only live once so take advantage of the opportunity to see the world from a new perspective while you can!
Customer submitted photon: Britaney Vazques
Higher education has come a long way – and so have the costs. At 18 million college students in the US, we’re past the days when the typical student is the first in their family to attend college. Every year tens of thousands of students are graduating college with upwards of $100,000 in debt. The college degree has become more and more expensive, but is it enough? The competition for jobs that will allow those students to pay back that debt is fierce. Students are no longer competing for jobs with their classmates or students from around their country. They are competing with students from around the world. The standards have been elevated. When a master’s degree has become the new bachelor’s degree, parents and students should ask themselves, how will I stand out?
When an employer flips through 300 resumes all including a great GPA from a respectable university and 2-3 relevant internships, one thing that is guaranteed to catch their eye is an experience abroad. In a globalized economy, employers are increasingly interested in candidates with international experiences. Spending time submerged in a foreign culture gives students a new perspective on the world that they live and will work in. It demonstrates to an employer that you are willing and ready to adapt to new environment, are open to different perspectives, and have the self-confident to take risks. It lets an employer know that they can put you on a project knowing that you are able to think outside of the box and draw from a diverse range of experiences to see things differently.
Regardless of your career path, international experiences are always noted on a resume. However, a lot of people are put off by the idea as it seems expensive from an outside perspective. In actuality, tuition abroad is often cheaper. Therefore, the cost of tuition plus travel is often equitable to the tuition you’re already paying, or even cheaper – especially when you take advantage of student travel agencies. It’s one of many reasons why some universities are actually requiring a semester abroad as a part of their degree program. Oh and by the way, a semester abroad is a ton of fun. It’s one of the once-in-a-lifetime college experiences that far too many students miss out on.
Other stats
With only 4% of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad, this helps gives college students who study abroad a leg up against the competition (source: http://www.vistawide.com/studyabroad/why_study_abroad.htm).
By studying abroad, you’re exposed to a brand new environment and different cultures, helping to prove you’re able to adapt to different environments. More likely than not, students also have the opportunity to take different courses that aren’t provided to their counterparts studying in the US during the same semester, providing them with an enhanced education to help them with their post-college career. There’s also a high likelihood that the language you learn while abroad will stick with you throughout your lifetime and add an extra benefit on your resume.
Employers look for college graduates that are self-aware and understand what their strengths and weaknesses are, and how to apply those to one’s career. Spending time abroad makes it easier for a student to gain that sense of self-awareness and learn things about yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise experience if you didn’t study abroad.
“Nearly 90% of study abroad alumni found their first jobs within six months of graduation compared to only 49% of recent college graduates in the general population who found jobs within a year.” Source: IES Abroad Survey – http://blog.studyabroad101.com/2012/07/stats-studying-land-job/
“In addition to getting…jobs that aligned with their career-track, most respondents secured jobs that were full-time and require college degrees [earning] on average, $7,000 more in starting salaries than those from the general population of recent U.S. College graduates.” Source: IES Abroad Survey – http://blog.studyabroad101.com/2012/07/stats-studying-land-job/
Rule of studying abroad #1: Don’t panic! You are not alone. The first feeling you’ll face is depression. It felt like my dog died or something. When it comes to living alone for the first time you’ll know what I mean. The only cure – start working. What else do you think you came here for? I’m joking. The best cure is “party time” – and if you are in Budapest, that’s the right place for it. Hungarians are crazy. They can party all night long and in the morning they go to WORK! There are night clubs all over Budapest. There are even some in abandoned factories.
Hungary is a beautiful and a very interesting country with a culture completely different from what we know in the United States. The city of Budapest, with its old district Buda and the new Pest, has a pulsating city atmosphere that was truly amazing. Because of its architecture the city was nicknamed as the “Paris of the East” and if you ever have a chance to visit don’t miss out bathing in one of the many natural thermal baths, some of which originate even from the Ottoman Empire. Do you know that they made the first subway station in the world? It’s their yellow line. Don’t forget to punch your ticket in that orange box on entrance; the fine is around 50 Euros.
If you meet a beautiful Hungarian girl and you want to go somewhere in the evening with her, don’t worry, usually they put subtitles to the movies at the cinema. After a cool movie evening, she probably will try to show you national Hungarian food. Don’t even think that you can find a diet national Hungarian meal.
Trying to communicate is another challenge, but will help immerse you in the culture. Try out these common phrases:
- “Yo eshtet kivanok” – “good morning”
- “T-chus” – “bye”
- “Kusie” – “Thanks”
- “Bochanom” – “Sorry”
And That’s all you need to know! Trust me, Hungarian language is so difficult; only 20M people know it. All Hungarians knows English.
Written By: Alex Petryck – International student and citizen of the world. You can check his website here or write an Email.
Customer submitted photo by Elizabeth Baugh in Malaysia
You graduate from college with a degree in a field you (hopefully) enjoy with hopes of getting a great job that pays well enough to afford the real
world bills that ensue shortly after receiving your diploma. Then reality sets in – finding a job is not that easy! With the unemployment rate at about 8% in the US and thousands of students fighting over the same jobs, you need to either be highly competitive or know the right people. Or there is a third option: GO ABROAD!As alumni you have options. If you aren’t tied down, there is an entire world out there with opportunities to work and a population of young professionals like yourself. We did some research on the CIA’s World Factbook and came up with a list of 5 countries you never thought to look for jobs. The average age in these locations are mid-20s and unemployment rates lower than the US.
Capital: Phnom Penh
Average age: 23 yearsUnemployment rate: 0%
Industries: tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Capital: Guatemala City
Average age: 20 years
Unemployment rate: 4.1%
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Average age: 27 years
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia – rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semi-conductors, timber processing; Sabah – logging, petroleum and natural gas production; Sarawak – agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging
Capital: Vientiane
Average age: 21 years
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Industries: mining (copper, tin, gold, and gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Average age: 21 years
Unemployment rate: 4.5%
Industries: sugar, coffee, woven and knit apparel, wood products, cigars
Source: CIA World Factbook
Your hard work and dedication has paid off. You’re here with degree in hand and wondering what’s next? One of the most exciting parts of this time of your life is the fact that you can do anything. The world is waiting for you to discover every nook and cranny: learn a new language, immerse yourself into a foreign culture and enjoy an adventure of a lifetime.
Reality will be here before you know, but now is the time to celebrate. You’ve enjoyed the freedom that college has brought you and now you can truly experience the freedom of travel. So the big question is… where will you go? Check out these destinations named the “top 10 graduation trips” by StudentUniverse employees.
-
Phuket, Thailand
Customer submitted photo by: Britney Vazquez in Costa Rica
-
San Jose, Costa Rica
-
Tangier, Morocco
-
Sydney, Australia
-
Cape Town, South Africa
-
Prague, Czech Republic
-
Rome, Italy
-
Lima, Peru
-
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
-
Beijing, China (Great Wall)
Note: These destinations were picked based on a combination of research and personal opinion. If you have additional suggestions, let us know!
We realize that you savvy travelers all enjoy being able to find great deals on your phone and search for cheap flights while on-the-go. That’s why we’ve decided to give our mobile site a makeover and make it easier for you to check your flight status, book a room and of course, find the best flight deals around.
So… what now?
Do it all on your phone
No computer needed. You can do it all – anywhere, anytime. Check availability, find low prices, and book a flight.
Keep us in your pocket
Add us to your home screen so that whenever inspiration strikes and you want to book a trip, we’re there for ya!
Stop searching through thousands of emails
Now you can easily access your itinerary and other information about your trip on the way to the airport. How? Just go into “My Trips”
That’s not it
There’s much more you can do on your mobile device now, and much more coming in the future! So take the mobile site for a spin – search flights, view your trips and start traveling!
Psssst- We also want your feedback!
Since we made a lot of changes and are still working on making it even better, we would love to hear from you in terms of what you would like to see in the future, what you love about it, or any issues you may have with it.
Drop us a line at help@studentuni
As a new college student, whether national or international, you know that textbooks, food and other daily expenses can add up quickly. Now that you’re on your own, you may find yourself responsible for managing how and when you spend your money. It is important to limit your spending, but you do not want to sacrifice your social life either. How is it possible to have both?
Think different
Start by developing a more frugal mindset. This does not mean you need to sacrifice fun in order to save money. It means knowing that you can have fun without spending a lot, and understanding that a little bit of saving goes a long way. Here is some advice for thinking more frugally:
Do I really need this?
America may be a country of consumers, but that doesn’t mean you need to fall prey. Before you make any purchase, ask yourself if it’s something you really want or need. If you can easily think of something you’d rather buy, then it might not be worth it. For expensive items, try saving extra for a few months first to lessen the blow on your bank account.
Take advantage of the Free Things
While it’s important to explore your college town or city, sometimes all you really need is to surround yourself with great company. Get together with your friends and watch a movie in your dorm, go to the dining hall together, check out a student play on campus or hang out on the quad when the weather’s nice. You’ll realize that you don’t need to spend a penny to have a good time.
Get working
If you don’t have enough money to cover your expenses, you can always look for a part-time job to increase your income. You will have to check your Visa to ensure you are eligible to work. If you are restricted, you could tutor your friends or high school kids to earn a bit on the side. Just make sure that you don’t compromise your class schedule, get your homework done and work only if you really have some spare time.
Set some Goals
You have to have certain goals to keep you going and to make sure that you stick to your budget and rules at all times. Write down your goals and put them up on your fridge or your wall so that you will be reminded of your goals every day. Of course, you need to make sure you can reach your goal. Also, try to put a little money aside for a little savings account at the end of every month. Doing this will help you save money for the future and it may even serve as an emergency fund.
This is a guest blog post by Nadine Lubkowitz from peerTransfer, the easiest way to pay your tuition fees in your home currency, letting you save money by offering a best rate guarantee. For more tips, tricks and advice on being an International Student in the U.S., read their blog!
While your college years may represent some of the best ones of your life, they do not have to be the most expensive ones. Anything from tuition fees, textbooks, housing, food and entertainment can add up quickly. The following tips and easy steps should help all college students save money by cutting back on expenses, without becoming overwhelmed with rules, limitations and details.
Budget
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to create a budget. If you do not know where your money is going, you can easily lose touch and overspend. Write down all the income you receive, from loans and scholarships, up to your savings and potential allowances from your parents. Figure out what your fixed costs are, such as rent, food, cell phone bills, etc. and deduct it from your total income. Finally, see what types of expenses are important to you and where you could spend less money on things that are not as essential (i.e. dining out every single night). This should give you a good overview of where you stand and make it easier for you to create a weekly budget knowing which costs are important and which ones can be avoided.
Textbooks
We all know the ridiculously high prices of textbooks, so do not hesitate and take advantage of your school’s library. Most campuses have extensive libraries that will allow you to borrow textbooks and save on buying new ones. Becoming a member of the town’s public library can also help you do your research. If you do decide to buy your own books, try out the college bookstore where they usually offer second hand books, compare textbook prices online, or try finding used books online, such as on Amazon.com. You can also consider sharing books with classmates, or ask fellow students to borrow theirs. Another alternative is using ebooks or free textbook alternatives.
Student Discounts
No matter where you are going to school, local communities are used to having students around. Hence most restaurants, movie theaters, travel agencies and clothing stores offer student discounts. Make sure to always ask for your discount with your student I.D. You will be surprised how much money you can save! Coupons can also be a college student’s best friend. Become a member of the bigger grocery stores and receive free coupons in the mail. There are plenty of student specific deals sites or group saving deals online,which offer anything from hair cuts, to restaurant vouchers and other deals at up to 75% off.
Paying Tuition from abroad
For all of those students who come to study in the U.S. from abroad, ditch those crazy bank wire transfers to pay for your tuition fees. peerTransfer processes tuition payments for international students without all the hassle. It doesn’t only let you easily pay in your home currency with a few clicks, it also lets you save money by offering a best rate guarantee.
We want your photos! We’re looking for any travel photo that you’ve taken during a vacation, semester abroad, on tours or any other fun adventure. If we were to go into specifics, we would ideally like to get photos of you and your friends enjoying travel together!
Winning photos that are chosen will be published in a variety of our marketing materials.
This contest is ongoing so keep submitting photos because you could be named next!
All you have to do is add your photo(s) to our group on Flickr.
Be sure to let us know where your photo was taken!
Disclaimer:
By entering this contest, you certify that you are the author or sole owner of the material you are submitting to StudentUniverse, and that the material does not violate the copyright of another creative work. StudentUniverse and its licensees may reproduce, distribute, publish, display, edit, modify, create derivative works and otherwise use the material for any purpose in any form and on any media. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless StudentUniverse from and against all loss, liability, damage or expenses which may be incurred in connection with the material.
