Far too often I hear people say "I would love to travel but it's too expensive" or "I would love to but it's just impossible". It's really not, there are many steps and resources available if you are willing to do it, how badly do you really want to travel?
1. The Food
Lets be honest, who doesn't love to eat? Yes we have international style foods in America but they are nothing like the real deal when you travel abroad. In most other countries they do not process and season their foods like we do here. And the portions are typically a lot smaller. I secretly think they judge me because they know how much Americans eat.
2. The Culture
This is my favorite part of traveling abroad. I love interacting and meeting new people so getting to indulge in their culture and country is nothing short of amazing! Typically when you go abroad they offer tours for an additional cost. Although the prices are a little on the expensive side I would highly recommend taking advantage of them. They will usually take you off the beaten path of tourism to see what the country is really like outside of the tourist resorts.
3. The Views
I love photography so sight seeing is usually high on my priority list. Almost every country I have been to had some pretty amazing views. I have added some of my favorite photo below. I think they can speak for themselves.
4. You Find Yourself
We often get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget to take a step back and appreciate what we have in front of us. There are a lot of countries that are struggling that we never hear about on the news. This is another reason I recommend going of the beaten path (with a guide, safety first!) because it shows you the inner country and what it is really like. Without going on the tours I would have never known what the Dominican Republic was like outside of our resort on the beautiful beach. It makes you really think about how blessed you are.
5. Relationships
During your time there you will gain friendships and relationships that will always share that special experience. I have always went with my father abroad and it is some of the greatest memories I have with him because we got to experience something new in places that neither of us have ever been. We have gotten to do new things, such as snorkeling in the middle of the ocean with sharks, something you can’t do in the US. It’s experiences like this that you will be able to cherish for a lifetime.
If cost is an issue there are many options available to help. If you are a student contact your study abroad office, you can travel and get credit at the same time! If you are out of college setting a budget and planning accordingly ahead of time can also help you save money. It is truly saddening that travel is often seen as not an option right off the bat due to finances, it is possible. I would recommend using kayak.com when searching for flights, hotels, and transportation.
Some of the places I have been to and would recommend are: Europe, Dominican Republic (my favorite so far), Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Cancun, Mexico. They have all been phenomenal and such great experiences!
