As I sit in bed avoiding chemistry homework and wondering if Meredith Grey will end up with McDreamy (sorry guys, I'm only on season two), I notice a few things scattered on my not-recently vacuumed dorm carpet. 1: Sandals I bought at Goodwill (They still had the tags, calm down). 2: A (mostly) unpacked suitcase I borrowed from my sister. My shoes are now stained and worn, and the suitcase is an awful floral pattern and most likely used to sit in the same thrift store. So...where am I going with this? Spring break is finally over, and my brain is slowly grasping that it must, must, MUST get back in the swing of things. Sadly, (or not so sadly), my brain is still in Austin, Texas, the destination of mine and my boyfriends 9 day, spring break, time of our lives, road trip. Before we left, I'll share the words of my ever so wise father, "Now is not the time to travel. You're already broke. You're way too young. You have the rest of your life..." Out fades dad and in fades fantasies of all the memories I was soon to make. My dad had his points, but I'm here to say... you can, and should, travel in college.
1. You CAN Afford It
So, my boyfriend (Steven) and I splurged by going all the way to Austin from south Georgia. We knew we wanted to do this trip for a long time, and we pinched pennies (hence the Goodwill shoes and borrowed suitcase) until we both had $1,000, and we actually came back with money left over. We figured in the grand scheme of things, would we REALLY miss that $1000? College is a time of eating out, "I deserve this" pedicures, and "I NEED that new Lilly planner" purchases. Ditch those things, get a piggy bank and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.
2. If You Can't...You Can
Student loans are an ugly beast, but some of my best friends have done academic study abroad programs on their loans. Not only do you get class credit, but international travel is AH-MAY-ZING for the soul (and resume). You can't beat the package deal of meals, board, and tuition. Also, mission trips are a great way to spread a good message and see the world! .
3. Now IS The Time
There are so many skeptics, haters, envy-ers, whoevers, out there that will discourage your travel. GO ANYWAYS. My dad had a mile long list of why we should not go, and he is VERY persuasive. He really pushed for, "Wait until graduation." Well, dad. After graduation comes job hunting, marriage, and child-rearing. I would much rather sacrifice the new J. Bieb album than a box of Huggies. College is a time of seemingly large priorities, but it will be much easier to arrange for someone to keep your cat for a week than it would be to keep your kids, dogs, house, and other priorities.
4. I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T
I went with my boyfriend, because I wanted to. I could have gone alone. I could have gone with my girls. At this point in our lives we are surrounded by those who make us feel our best (at least we should be). Traveling with your spouse or family would (and will) be awesome, but traveling with your friends in college is a recipe for unbeatable memories. It also builds character! Managing our money and safety on this trip was solely up to us, and it was exhilarating!
5. It Will Make You A Better Person
I am a novice traveler. This was my first semi-big trip. We ate exotic foods. We heard foreign languages. We were exposed to things I never would have seen in small town, GA...and we only went to Texas! In the spirit of college education, traveling is a one of a kind way to invest in yourself. It will make you a more interesting and culturally diverse person, which are both traits that will help you get a job, a date, or just an interesting conversation!
6. We Are Not Guaranteed Old Age
Not to be morbid, (Did I mention I've been watching Grey's?), but we are not guaranteed tomorrow. The thought of sending my grandchildren postcards from Timbuktu is enticing, but I know I am not guaranteed old age. If I were to go tomorrow, I want my family and friends to be able to say, "Ya know what, I'm glad she saw Austin while she could."
You will not regret the grungy hotel rooms, flat tires, and wrong turns, but you will regret not going. So save, pack, and have the time of your life.
Safe travels,
Ging
