International travel is on my list of things to do but when you’ve just graduated college, have student loan debt, and your entry level job isn’t exactly bringing in six-figures, your travel plans are put on hold for the moment. America has some really great places to stay that a broke recent college grad could enjoy and afford. One of my favorite places to go is Cape May, New Jersey. (more…)
There isn’t anything comfortable or energizing about traveling long distances in planes, trains, or automobiles. Spending hours and days and crossing time zones in a cramped seat while your over-processed airline food or gas station candy settles at the bottom of your stomach is a recipe for restlessness. There are a few items that can relieve some of the nightmares of traveling, however, and believe me – they are worth the investment!
For any travel:
1. E-reader – If you are a reader of books or magazines, there is nothing worse than having to haul around a backpack full of heavy books that hogs valuable trunk or carry-on space. Reading material is a must for the hours upon hours spent doing nothing but sitting during travel, but there is a much easier, lighter, and smaller way to bring your library along with you. Up until my most recent trip from Michigan to Taiwan, I was that girl who had a carry-on full of heavy books. But this time, I just packed up my little iPad Mini, stocked with some books downloaded to the Kindle app, and found myself with a whole new world of extra room in my carry-on! It truly is a lifesaver. It is a bit of an investment, but I’ll doubt you’ll regret it. Many e-readers also allow web browsing and have thousands of apps to keep you entertained, as well. (more…)
I first became enamored with Panama City when, as a young girl, I saw pictures of the beautiful Panama Canal in National Geographic and endeavored to learn some Spanish and travel to the region one day. Little did I know then that the city was such a vibrant place. Today, as an older, wiser, and more budget-minded student traveler, I find myself drawn to Panama City for different reasons. Full of life and character, the city also happens to be one of the best places for an inexpensive but exotic getaway. Here’s a quick guide to experiencing the best that Panama City has to offer without spending a fortune.
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One thing to remember about traveling throughout Europe is that they have just about everything you could ever need available in stores open 5-6 days a week. Except peanut butter. Europeans still use hairdryers and tooth brushes. In fact, they have hair dryers with European double prong plugs! This gets rid of the headache of trying to remember where your adapter is. In addition to toiletries, remember that when both academic semesters start (Spring and Fall), they usually correspond to some great sale seasons throughout Europe (either post-Christmas or end of summer sales). Consider packing half the clothes you think you’ll need, and use that as an excuse to pick up some sweet European styles. I’ll list some guidelines below to get you off to a good start, but if you’re able to take a deep breath, and internalize that anything you forget can always be picked up later during your trip, packing for a semester abroad or long backpacking trip is a lot less stressful. (more…)
Much like how carefully planning an itinerary will help reduce the costs of travel, carefully planning meals will help reduce living expenses while in college. You can find many excellent meal plans on the Internet that feature inexpensive and healthy recipes (I particularly enjoy the ones from Clean Eating magazine which change weekly), but the best way to find a meal plan tailored to your tastes is to make one yourself. Spending half an hour each week to outline what you will eat for the next few days can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
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