We all experience a little wanderlust from time to time. But being a college student means you have to fund your studies, and this makes it nearly impossible to travel. So does that mean we're destined to be stuck where we are until we graduate? Or even worse, until all of our student debt is repaid?
Surprisingly enough, there are quite a few ways to travel and even live abroad for a very small price. Here are some of your options:
Couchsurfing
While it is quite big over in Europe, many Americans are not familiar with this way of travel. Couchsurfing.com provides a connection for members to access global community of travelers. Or in other words, stay with someone for free in order to exchange ideas and gain a little insight into their culture.
To many people, Couchsurfing is a bit sketchy. And I understand the concern! However, you can choose to stay with only verified members as well as thoroughly searching through an individual's reviews.
I have actually Couchsurfed myself, and it was one of the coolest experiences I've had while in Germany! I went with a group of friends to Leipzig, Germany, and stayed with a really cool Couchsurfer. He took us to a bonfire and a birthday party, and he spent the whole weekend with us showing us around the city. You really can't beat a personal tour guide like this!
Become a WOOFer
Are you interested in agriculture and organic farming? WOOF is the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and it's a movement that links volunteers with organic farmers in order to promote cultural and educational experiences based on non-monetary exchanges. The ultimate goal is to help build a sustainable global community. You can find WOOFing opportunities literally all over the globe! Depending on the individual farm, you can stay at no cost anywhere from a few days to a few years. It's an amazing opportunity to experience any culture that you may be interested in.
Work at a Hostel
Hostels, especially youth hostels in Europe, are a super unique and fun atmosphere. Many hostels provide a work exchange, providing you a place to stay in exchange for work at the hostel. A number of websites list hostel jobs, inclduing hostelworld.com, which also has a message board. Some hostels may be apprehensive about hiring someone from abroad; depending on the place, some may require you to hold a working visa before your arrival. The key is to do your research ahead of time!
So if you are like many other college students who think they are too broke to travel, think again! There are some great opportunities out there if you do a little research!
