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How College Students Can Travel on a Budget

Nicolle Kain | Jul 16, 2021

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Tips and Tricks for the Broke College Student Fulfilling Travel Dreams

Have you ever noticed how life seems to interfere with your dreams of travel? When you’re young, you have the time and mobility to travel, but you don’t have the money. Then, when you’re older, you have the money and mobility, but not the time. Upon retirement, you have gained money and time, but at the cost of mobility. The irony and frustration of this is not lost on me.

While there isn’t too much one can do about time and mobility, I have found a few ways to tackle the costs of adventuring as a broke college student.

As someone who has held a passion for traveling from a young age, I have been desperately searching for ways to see the world while working on those college loans. Here are a few tactics I’ve come up with:

  1. Study abroad: Study abroad programs are designed for college students and offer a safe and inexpensive way to explore the world without putting your education on hold. Not only do you get to study in a beautiful change of scenery, but you gain incomparable knowledge and exposure to different cultures. Studying abroad is a great a resume booster at job interviews.
  2. Contests/giveaways: Somebody’s gotta win, right? My mom has won multiple trips by listening to the radio on her way to work. Google search “trip giveaways” and you would be surprised at how many different trip sweepstakes pop up. Be warned, however, to always read the fine print, or you may get your inbox flooded with advertisements instead.
  3. Mission trips: Mission trips are a great way to see the world while giving back. Many programs sponsor volunteers, especially college students. You can find these opportunities in a variety of places, from religious organizations to various philanthropic societies. There are many options for combining your love for volunteering with love for travel.
  4. College ambassadors: We live in a world of influencers. Take advantage of it. I am currently a brand ambassador for a travel organization in which I receive a free trip by recruiting people.
  5. Find travel deals and monitor flight prices: There are a plethora of online resources available to compare prices, receive alerts for deals, and find discounts
  6. Consider opting for a backpack: If you’re like me, you’d rather have stamps on your passport than clutter in your closet. It’s all about prioritizing. I personally tend to overpack when going on a trip, but you save money by leaving the suitcase at home and opting for a backpack. Not only is this cheaper to fly with, but the limited storage helps you resist tacky souvenirs that you may regret purchasing once you land back home.
  7. Hotels vs Hostels: Hostels are your dorm room away from home! Hostels are a form of low-cost lodging with the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. They may not be as formal or fancy as a traditional hotel, but they won’t break the bank.

With all of this in mind, remember to keep safety as a priority as you chase your travel aspirations. Spending money on an affordable travel insurance policy will ensure that you and your trip are protected. Our Liason Student Travel Medical Insurance gives you and your parents peace of mind while you are exploring abroad. Get to know how travel insurance can enhance your dream travel experience!

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