Many equate activities in New York with the unpleasant ca-ching of of their hard earned paycheck heading straight into the cash register of some overpriced restaurant, museum, or theater. But enjoying all the city has to offer dont always have to cost an arm and a leg it just takes a little creativity.

Where to Stay
Head south to Jane Street. The Jane (113 Jane St.), a cool Greenwich Village hotel is probably the cheapest deal in the city when it comes to hotels, as opposed to hostels. A solo room there will run you $79 (weeknights) and $89 (weekends). The rooms are tiny, but charming - and not charming in a sketchy realtor sort of way. Fun Fact: The survivors of The Titanic stayed here during the initial investigation of the sinking. Cost for 2 nights: $178

Friday
Where to Eat
Lunch: Blue 9 Burger (92 Third Avenue) hamburger ($3.30) and french fries ($2.75).
Dinner: Crocodile Lounge (325 E. 14th St.) Each beer you buy will get a personal sized pizza. They’re not NYCs finest, but theyre free. Cost for 2 beers/2 pies: approx $10.

What to do:
Early afternoon, head downtown to the Federal Reserve Bank (33 Bank St.) for their 60 minute Gold Vault Tour. Cost: Free. Later in the day, take in a show at P.S. 122 (150 First Avenue), the East Villages popular experimental theater venue. Tickets rarely go over the $25 mark, and there are tons of different showings including theater, music and burlesque. Cost: $25

Saturday
Where to eat:
Breakfast: Grab a quick buttered roll and coffee at any of the corner bodegas that flock NYCs streets. Cost: $1.75
Lunch: Table Tales Caf (243 Water St.) Try their hot sandwiches which average around $9.
Dinner: Panna II (93 1st Ave.) Come here for the ambiance, love it for the prices. Get a bowl of mushroom soup ($1.95), veggie samosas ($2.25) and chicken kurma ($6.95)

What to do:
During the day, head down to the Southstreet Seaport for the 1 hour Manhattan cruise on the Zephyr Seaport Liberty. Cost: $27. Afterward, take in some shopping or grab some ice cream and enjoy the sights and musicians on the pier. In the evening, head uptown to the Upright Citizens Brigade (307 W. 26th St.) for one of their world famous improv shows. With an average of five shows a night, youll have a good array of options to choose from. Cost: $10

Sunday:
Where to eat:
Breakfast: Brown Cup (334 8th Ave.) French Toast Cost: $3.50
Lunch: Spice (199 8th Ave.) Their $7 lunch special gets you an entre and a free appetizer.

What to do:
Chelsea art gallery walk The popular Chelsea neighborhood plays host to some of the most fantastic art galleries in NYC. Grab a coffee and spend your afternoon leisurely strolling through the exhibits that dot the areas between 23rd and 26th streets, bordered by 10th and 11th Avenues.

Lauren Fairbanks is a Brooklyn-based writer and the Founder & Editor of LifeStyler,  a NYC-centric guide to budget living.  She has covered lifestyle, small business and personal finance topics for various online publications including Gen X Finance, Gowanus Lounge and Good Plum. Prior to her writing career, she worked in nonprofit management. 

For Americans, it’s getting easier. As of 2007, Australia and the United States have entered a reciprocal visa agreement allowing Americans to stay in Australia for up to twelve months for work or study for a portion of that period. This is a great way to earn while you travel, meet new people and gain insightful experiences. If you’re between ages 18 to 30, possess a return fare, and meet the criteria requirements, then there’s an opportunity for you.

Australia has a lot to offer young individuals looking for a change. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can offer internship opportunities in large companies that will look great on your resume, and are the centre of business, partying and good times. Of course if you’re looking for a smaller place, think the Gold Coast, in south east Queensland, with its wide hospitality and tourism industry. Here you can work at night (earn by the hour plus get nice tips from generous locals and tourists) and chill out on the beach throughout the day, learn to surf or if you prefer, study or get a day job.

Usually work visas are granted for up to 12 months and internships for up to 6 months. If you are interested in an internship it’s worthwhile checking out AIFS which is a great organization for professional placement programs with Australian companies which will help you gain valuable experience.

Having spent almost two decades growing up in Australia, I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to work and travel. It’s a fantastic place to meet great people, gain new experience for future employment opportunities and experience a relaxed way of life. Just remember Aussies are hard working people so if you want to keep up you have to do the same. Slackers need not apply!

If you’re looking for an internship or work, here are some useful sites:

www.workingin-australia.com
This is a great general site with advice on opening a bank account, getting accommodation and most of the general information you will need if you decide to work or study in Australia.

www.workinaustralia.net
Information on AIFS: a professional placement program.

www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/visa-options.htm
Up-to-date visa information.
 
www.seek.com.au 
One of Australia’s most popular job search sites.

So, how do you find out about these programs? How do you decide if study abroad might be right for you?
Whether you are enrolled at a university pursuing a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree, are registered at a community college, or even if you are still attending  high school, there are numerous study abroad programs to explore at all levels.  A simple Internet search will cough up programs all over the world. 

The first place to get information is at your college or university’s Study Abroad or Office of International Education Programs. The advisers will guide you toward the array of programs, and provide you the specifics about which courses are transferable and which are not.  Be sure to get their commitment in writing regarding transferring credits.  Specific university departments such as the Law School or the College of Business have resources about programs within those specialties for both undergraduates and graduates.  High school guidance counselors are very knowledgeable about these programs also.

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t, where, when, and why of study abroad programs
Who is eligible to study abroad?  Students must apply and get accepted into the study abroad program that they choose.  You’ll find that each program has different requirements.  Most college study abroad programs expect applicants to be at least 18 years old, and have a minimum grade point average (GPA), and provide college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and letters of intent.  Programs for high school students have their own special requirements.

What subject will you study when you go abroad?  Whether accounting or art history is your passion, you will need to declare your choice; each program has a list of available subjects that you can pursue. Maybe you are going to Barcelona to improve your Spanish skills or headed to Rome to learn about ancient civilization.  You must decide before completing the application.

Where in this big wonderful world do you want to study?  The possibilities of location seem endless. Do you have a city or country that is screaming your name, such as Madrid or Vienna or somewhere in Germany?  Think about favorite vacations you’ve had, fascinating cultures you’ve studied, climates and terrains that appeal to you.  Can you think of anything more exciting than skiing in the Alps on the weekends—after you are done studying, of course?  

When do you want to study abroad?  There are long-term programs that will have you involved for an entire academic year.  Shorter programs cover a semester, a summer, or even only a few weeks.  And how soon would you like to leave? Are you ready to pack those bags pronto, or are you thinking ahead to a couple years from now?

Why leave the good old USA to study?  Besides saying bon voyage to the comfort of your dorm or small apartment to get credit in a foreign country, what other reasons are there for you to travel abroad while in college?  Interesting volunteer opportunities await college students in Africa and in countries such as Greece.  Spend time in China teaching English to school children or teaching another subject, such as science. Or why not do your business management interning in Australia?  Think of all that you will learn from your host family.  You will return home with a lifetime of wonderful and interesting experiences.

What about how?  You’ve searched some study abroad websites and perused some of the literature you’ve received and just fell out of your seat when you saw some of the prices.  Remember to read what is offered in these programs such as travel, housing and other essentials.  And, relax.  Financial aid, grants and scholarships are available, as they have been with your college education.  Your university will help you locate these resources for study abroad.

You may never again get the chance to travel as inexpensively and with so many ways to learn about other cultures.  Studying abroad, even if only for a few weeks, is a wonderful opportunity for college and high school students. 

Just a few feet from the falls, the water becomes placid and settles into hazy blue pools.  Moss grows on the rocky outcrops nearest the falls, and one of them looks too much like a man’s face to have been naturally carved by the falling water. It is eerie, and beautiful, and not over-run with tourists—my kind of place.  I take some pictures, shoot some footage for my video blog, and thank Andrew for leading me on this little off-the-beaten-path adventure. 

For me and the other backpackers, this little detour was an awesome and unique addition to our trip. For Andrew, it’s all in a day’s work.  Andrew is a driver and guide for Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours a backpacker-friendly, adventure bus tour company that offers more than just a ride from A to NZ.  Flying Kiwi employs local guides who know the twists of every trail, and are happy to slip on their tramping boots or hop on a bike to show you things that most tourists miss. 

I had decided to jump on the Flying Kiwi bus to see what this tour could offer a jaded globetrotter like myself.  I opted for the Grand Traverse trip, a 2-week-long journey that would take me from the bustle of Auckland to the whitewater of the Rangitata river, and then from the spectacular fiords of the Milford Sound to the touristic booze-fest of Queenstown. 

What I discovered on my trip wasn’t found in the glassy reflection of the Franz Josef Glacier in St. Peter’s Pools, and it wasn’t in the surrounding temperate rainforest.  It wasn’t in the bubbling thermal pools of Wai O Tapu or the on the golden sandy shores of Kaikoura. What I discovered on my journey with the Flying Kiwi Adventure Tour was a new found appreciation for group travel.  I was reminded of one of the cardinal rules of travel: oftentimes, it’s more about the people, than the place.

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Know Your Options
When choosing a bus tour, you’re going to want to do your homework and make sure you choose a trip that is well suited to your travel style.  Hop-on-hop-off bus tours like Magic Bus and Kiwi Experience are gaining in popularity every year.  They offer an affordable and convenient way to see the country, and are usually full of young, adventurous and shall we say, socially-oriented travelers.  Whoever you end up booking with, make sure you don’t miss out on one of the best parts of group travel – the group.  When people are hopping on and off at every stop, you never really get the chance to form the bonds that can make group travel so memorable. 

With the Flying Kiwi bus, you always have the option of hopping off the bus, and staying longer at any stop (although, you’ll have to wait 9 days for the next bus to come through town), but most people opt to stay onboard for the duration of their trip.  You ride the bus together, you camp together, you cook and eat together, you hike and bike together, and in the end, you become one big bizarre, dysfunctional (but somehow oddly functional) family. 

Go Green by Going Group
In the days of organic produce and inconvenient truths, even in the travel industry, green is gold. One overlooked bonus of bus tours is that traveling with a group helps to seriously reduce your carbon footprint.  Instead of 30 people in 15 rented campervans chugging down the highway, Flying Kiwi gets everyone where they need to be with one fuel-efficient bus. Guides are trained to understand the natural environment and how to protect it. Campsites and accommodation are usually locally owned, recycling is always available, and all trash is carried out of national parks.  Personally, I’d like to see a tour group with biodiesel buses and solar-powered charging stations, but considering that Flying Kiwi won the 2007 Nelson Environment Award, I’d say they’re on the right track.

Back on the Bus
Backpackers often dismiss organized bus tours, deeming them outdated or even ingenuous travel. 

Geriatric travelers can enjoy the go-with-the-flow simplicity of a planned out package tour, but younger travelers often feel like they are missing out on the chaotic adventure that can make solo travel so appealing. 

Still, there is a time and a place when a bus tour is the best option for any traveler.  If you have long distances to travel or multiple destinations that aren’t easily accessible with public transport, and if you don’t want to buy or rent a car, you should look into hitting the road with a backpacker bus tour. 

Companies like Flying Kiwi, Kiwi Experience, and Magic Bus are great options for backpackers who are tired of planning their own transportation.  These tours are built for young, independent travelers, so forget about everything you thought you knew about bus travel and get on the backpacker bus!

Justin Jones is an American travel writer, currently based in New Zealand.  Follow him on his very slow trip around the world at www.JustinWasHere.com.

“Advertisers who seek to connect with young people recognize MTV’s strengths and its reputation as a leader in market research,” said Bill Roedy, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks International. Recent key findings show that the MTV demographic are the most avid travelers of today, and it becomes natural that tourism boards targeting this demo group are keen to collaborate with MTV.

At the latest World Travel Market exhibition the Tourism Secretary of the Philippines, Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano, stated that 70% of their tourists are youth travelers. This survey reverberates in the United States and worldwide. According to the Student and Youth Travel Research Institute, a majority of 12 to 18 year old travelers in the United States spend almost $10 billion a year. Young travelers aged 25-38 are even a stronger market force as they enjoy a higher disposable income. Last October, travel tour operator Hands up Holidays recorded a noticeable spike in volunteer travel bookings from young professionals. According to the company, the economic downturn is inspiring some to seek meaning and enrichment through travel.

So how will MTV Revelations differ from other travel and adventure programs? “MTV Revelations is all about being hip, edgy and modern,” said Mr. Roedy. “We have many activities planned that will get the viewers pumped.” One of these activities includes an interactive contest asking viewers to submit their best kept personal experience with the Philippines. They will also offer viewers a way to personalize their Philippines experience by creating their own road trip material. MTV will incorporate all these elements into on-air, online and on mobile for today’s tech-savvy generation.

The MTV Revelation content itself will focus on activities Philippines has to offer including water sports, recreation and eco-tourism. It aims to show Philippines as the ultimate hot spot for leisure travel in Southeast Asia. Overseas viewers will get to experience the fascinating side of the Philippines through MTV VJs, whom they can really relate to as they live the lifestyle of today’s youth.

Not only my wallet, but my driver’s license, every last bit of currency I owned, my debit card, my international calling card and a copy of my passport had vanished.

As hurried customers pushed past me in the frenzied market teeming with key chains, postcards and other souvenirs, my mind started to scramble. No wallet? Where had I left it? When did I last use it? That’s right, McDonald’s earlier that day. Did I set it on the counter while I paid? Had I ever for one moment loosened my tight grasp on my purse since leaving the fast food joint?

I couldn’t remember.

My thoughts were interrupted by a rhythmic stream of Spanish phrases being fired at me. The salesman was speaking to me, but I was too flustered to understand or piece together a coherent answer.

After all, I wasn’t even a fluent Spanish speaker. And I wasn’t in my home country. I was a 19-year-old American girl in Costa Rica. And I had been robbed.

Had I known how to deal with this incident, my experience with robbery in a foreign country might have been a little less chaotic and frantic. In hindsight, I wish someone had told me beforehand how to respond to such a situation if it occurred. But I had only been advised how to avoid it. 

I had been studying in Costa Rica for almost a month by this time. In fact, the day in question happened to be my last day in the country. I had spent the last three and a half weeks living as a boarder in a Costa Rican woman’s home and attending language school every day.

I had constantly been warned about Costa Rica’s reputation for petty theft since deciding to study there. My entire stay I had conscientiously followed the typical travelers’ recommendations and safety tips. I kept my money in my front pockets and grasped my purse against my hip. I had even worn my backpack in front of me when walking in downtown San Jose, and I never kept all of my money and credit/debit cards in one place—until that one fateful day. I had kept both eyes open and remained wary at all times—at least I thought so.

But it was my last day in the country, and nothing had happened to date. I hadn’t even heard of any robbery incidents occurring with any of the other American students at my school.

So I relaxed a bit and became comfortable with my surroundings as I shopped in downtown San Jose with three American friends that afternoon. Maybe the theft wasn’t as prevalent as I had been told after all.

Well, it was.

Page Two: I had been robbed!

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Back in the marketplace, the Spanish-speaking salesman began asking me all sorts of questions about where I had been and when I had last used my money. He and the crowd that quickly gathered around chattered away their advice to me.

Had I not been in such a fuzzy state of mind, this advisory process might have gone a bit more smoothly. But after my multiple interjections asking for something to be repeated and stating I did not understand, the salesman and his posse finally convinced me to go back to McDonald’s to look for my wallet. They also urged me to cancel my debit card as quickly as possible.

My best friend, Erin, who had traveled with me to Costa Rica, set off with me to find the McDonald’s. After asking for directions a few times, we finally found the fast food franchise, but no wallet.

The fact sank in that I had been robbed and was now pretty much destitute in the dinero department. So we set out to find the bus stop to take us home. As we wandered in circles searching for the bus stop, it began to rain. And by rain, I mean pour. Basically, the weather went just about as well as the rest of the day was going.

You see, I was really in a jam. I had no bus fare to take me home, no calling card with which to cancel my debit card and no $26 for the tax required to leave the country.

Erin spared me some change to get me home, but the situation put her in jeopardy as well. She had been borrowing money from me because her debit card was dysfunctional in Costa Rica. At this point, the few coins Erin still held onto were not going to do either of us much good.

Well, I borrowed a calling card with four minutes on it from a friend to call the bank to cancel my debit card. Not surprisingly, the number wouldn’t work from Costa Rica. I quickly turned to Plan B, and after a one-minute explanation of the situation to my parents, they rushed to the bank to cancel my card. They were too late to stop the thief from charging $45 to my card at Pizza Hut, but early enough to put an end to his night out on the town.

I borrowed money for Erin’s and my taxes from my host mom and a friend who lived nearby.

We made it back to the States alive, but it was still an experience I wouldn’t recommend for anyone.

As many of you college students and young adults study and travel abroad these days, you may find yourselves in a situation similar to mine. As you embark on your journeys, you may not realize the dangers you could face as a young American in a foreign country.

Page Three: Four steps to deal with getting robbed while traveling abroad

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OK, maybe you’ve read the travel safety tips. You’ve been advised to wear your backpack in front of you, to hide your money on you or to always travel in groups. These guidelines are helpful in avoiding violence or robbery, but they still leave you in a tight spot when an incident occurs despite your attempts to prevent it.

Let’s face it. The odds of getting robbed or just losing your wallet or important documents when traveling abroad, especially if your stay is extensive, are decent enough. So if and when this unfortunate event happens to you, here’s how to deal with it.

1. Take immediate action. Unless you have a firm belief that you may have simply misplaced your wallet or and have a good idea of where it may be, don’t waste time searching for it. If it wasn’t theft in the first place, but it’s been a while since you misplaced the item, it most likely will have been stolen before you can track it down.

I went on a wild goose chase searching for the McDonald’s where I had last pulled out my wallet. Once I finally found it, I spent a long time floundering in my broken Spanish with a Costa Rican guard who lectured me on being careful with my belongings instead of offering me any assistance or advice. So instead of wasting your time…

2. Get to the nearest phone as fast as you can. You may have to go back to where you’re staying or somehow obtain a calling card, but find a phone to use. When in doubt and if you speak the native language, ask directions to avoid wasting time searching for your destination. If you lost a credit or debit card, it’s very important for you to get in touch with your credit card company or bank to cancel the card quickly. If you don’t have the numbers for these institutions or cannot get in touch with them, call a family member or friend at home who is familiar with your information and ask them to take care of it.

3. Call the local U.S. embassy. If your passport was stolen, the embassy needs to be notified that someone may try to fraudulently use it and will also help you to replace your passport to keep you from being stranded abroad. If only a copy of your passport was stolen, there is no need to contact the embassy. A thief cannot do anything harmful with a copy.

4. Get a refund. After canceling your card, if it was a debit card, ask your bank to inform you of the purchases made since the theft. I simply went to my bank after returning home and told them I needed a new card because mine had been stolen abroad. They filed a claim against Pizza Hut for accepting the fraudulent payment and returned the $45 spent to my account. If you lost a credit card, dispute the charges with the company.

So ultimately, don’t let inconveniences like petty theft spoil your trip. Travel the world with the confidence that you now know how to handle the incidence of robbery. I handled it. So can you.

Once the novelty wears thin, most of us crave a travel lifestyle beyond rented linens and bunk beds and start looking for hotel bargains. But instead of leaping directly to pricy options look to divine intervention and creative solutions to sleep on the cheap.

Convents, monasteries, yurts, college dorms, and European mobile homes generally offer more privacy and amenities than your typical hostel. It just takes a little ingenuity and planning to find the right fit for your needs—without compromising your budget.

Convents
Nuns have been renting out rooms in convents for years, and warmly open their doors to non-religious guests. Rooms are usually modest with twin beds, a desk, and wardrobe dresser with a shared or private bathroom. Breakfast is normally included with a variety of local pastries, coffees, and juice.

While some convents only allow women and children, others are co-ed and welcome non-married couples. Keep in mind that many convents enforce a curfew, sometimes as early as midnight, but if you’re not a night owl and interested in enjoying a quiet evening after sightseeing all day, it’s well worth the savings.

My convent stay in Rome’s city center cost under $100 for two, and we embraced it as a cultural experience unmatched by a standard hotel stay.

Monasteries
Similar to convents, monasteries also offer unique lodging to guests of all ages and religions. Rooms are usually simple with twin beds, plain décor, and private baths. Others might offer perks like heated towel racks, updated showers, and shared common areas with television. 

My stay at Don Orione in Venice boasted stunning courtyard views, ornate hallways, and updated showers and amenities.  The building was a former orphanage and later a monastery where the friars ran a printing press.  Their antique equipment was still on display, sending my graphic-designing husband into a tailspin of nostalgia and envy.

Our room ran well under $200, a bargain compared to area hotels running $300 to $400. Our 1:30am curfew left plenty of time for late night dinner and drinks and a stroll along the canal before turning in.

Page Two: yurts, dorms, and mobile homes

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Yurts
Non-traditional camping options, like yurts, can help save a bundle on your next overseas vacation while offering a touch of luxury. Large, weather-resistant tents feature real beds, table and chairs, and often provide an opening to view the stars while you sleep.  Most yurts operate on a private campground style concept with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Yurts are also ideal for keeping nature at your fingertips without skimping on simple luxuries like beds. Do your research, or start with InclinedtoLuxury.com for yurt lodging in France for about $70 a night. It’s important to note that most yurts operate seasonally and often accommodate only two people per tent. 

Dorms
During summer months and holidays, many universities offer empty dorms to travelers looking for an inexpensive lodging. Try an online search, go to tripadvisor.com and look under ‘Specialty Lodging’, or contact local universities directly about available options.

Dorms are also an innovative way to see how international students live while considering a study-abroad program for yourself. My recent stay at Kenneth Mackenzie Suite in Edinburgh, Scotland offered a clean and simple room with private bathroom and free breakfast for about $70.

Although our room was so tiny my husband and I could hardly stand in the middle of it at the same time, we had a stunning view, quiet quarters, and were in walking distance from dozens of local restaurants, bars, and the train station.

Vacation Mobile Homes
If your overseas vacation is taking you to the countryside or on the outskirts of major cities, try mobile home lodging. You can start by doing an online search for organizations including Eurocamp.com offering mobile homes, tents, chalets, and private apartments in the French Alps, Germany, Sicily, Portugal, Tuscany, Paris, and dozens of other locations.

Vacation mobile homes are ideal for group travelers looking for multiple bedrooms, private kitchen, outdoor space, and room to spread out. Most mobile home rentals offer weekly discounts and ongoing specials. You can usually find a 7-night deal for under £400 with a little pre-planning and flexibility. Share that with the cost of 3 friends, and you’re looking at £100 or less for a week abroad.

Regardless of where you sleep on your next overseas vacation, remember that half the fun is experiencing a new culture and lifestyle you can’t find at home. Get creative and find lodging that balances culture, comfort, budget… and bragging rights about how much you saved when you get home.

Susan Finch is a freelance writer living in New York and specializes in the challenges of budget travel. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, The LA Times, and Family Travel Forum, among many other outlets. Her upcoming book, Best Easy Day Hikes Columbus will be released under Falcon Guides this spring.

Now that I’m back, I put together a few tips for Young Money readers on how to truly be a world traveler. It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money, just a lot of openness and a willingness to try to new things.

Check out these tips, and then start booking your trip:

Go Local. I was in a tapas restaurant in Quito, Ecuador, and asked the locals where the best place was to purchase cloths and hammocks. They gave me a tip about a local market near Cotopaxi with the most gorgeous goods imaginable. A similar thing happened when I was in Liuzhao, China. We asked two local girls what they do on Friday nights and we ended up going out for dumplings, having a blast at a great nightclub and then found a spot with great views of the city.

Pack Light. Less is more when you travel. If you forget something, you can always buy it when you get there. If you over-pack, you’ll end up having to leave clothes behind that you may not have planned on. Make sure to leave room for souvenirs so you don’t have to carry two large packs down a mountain in Asia – trust me, I’ve been there.

Participate.  If you’re halfway around the world, feel free to let loose a little and join the party. At my hostel in Sydney, there was a David Hasselhoff Beach Party one night. I went in full garb and left with a group of friends to tour the city the next day. Student travelers flock to all sorts of places looking to meet new people, find adventure and enjoy life.

Book a Tour. If you’re leery of traveling by yourself, you can pretty much guarantee a great time by booking a tour. During my World Traveler Intern trip, I had a great experience with several different tour companies. Tours make it easier to meet other travelers and you’ll be sure to hit all of the hot spots without having to do any of the planning.

Get a Student Discount Card. During my trip, I used my ISIC student discount card all over the world. It was especially handy with currency exchange. With ISIC, I got free currency exchange at any Travelex location. It is also an internationally recognized ID, so you’ll have no problem using it to get into any clubs or bars.

Take on a Backpacking Lifestyle. If you plan to live like a backpacker, you’ll likely end up saving money and being able to splurge when you want to check out a nice restaurant or pick-up a cool souvenir. Try to get good value for your money when you travel. Hostels are not only inexpensive, they are also great places to meet other travelers. The street food in Asia and South America is pretty tasty and usually cost less than $2 for a meal.

Get a Credit Card. I was charged $5 every time I wanted to use the debit card my bank at home issued me when I was on my trip. Credit cards do charge a small fee for paying in a different currency, but they get better exchange rates than you get paying with cash. It’s also easier to cancel your credit card than cancelling a debit card tied to your checking account.

Follow these tips and you’ll have a great time on your trip. Don’t forget to stay in touch with family and friends while you’re gone. I had an international mobile phone to use, which was really convenient. I also documented my trip in videos, photos and a blog . My blog and videos were great ways to keep my friends and family informed without having to take significant time out of my trip to call home.

Good luck and safe travels!

Pat Blute, freshman at Columbia University and 2008 STA World Traveler Intern.

Keep an eye on your stuff. Don’t leave your backpack or luggage unattended or with a stranger, particularly at airports and train stations. With tighter security controls, you don’t want to experience delays from having to retrieve a bag from security.
 
Get travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover your emergency medical needs (including exams), baggage protection, travel accident protection, trip protection, and 24-hour emergency assistance. STA Travel offers this type of coverage for about $5 per day. http://www.statravel.com/travelinsurance.htm

Don’t show off your valuables. You don’t want to invite any trouble by showing off an iPod or nice digital camera. You can still use these items; just keep them in your pack until you are ready to use them. The same goes with money and ID. Leave a copy of your license, passport, and credit cards with your parents and hide a second set of copies in your backpack. Spread all of this among your money belt, backpack, and daypack. If anything is stolen or lost, you’ll be able to replace them faster if you have a copy. When you’re traveling during the day, just take what money and ID you need for the day and put the rest in a hotel safe.

Lock up your luggage. If you’re sporting a backpack, try to keep the zippered sections locked. Most hostels and hotels and public transport systems are completely safe, but you don’t want to be stuck in a foreign country without any gear or money if something is stolen.

Get tips from locals and guide books. If you aren’t familiar with an area, consult your guide book or a local at your hostel or hotel. They can tell you superb places to eat and great events going on. They can also tell you where not to go and local customs that will help you blend in.
They can also share some key local phrases that can help you out in a bind.

Start off right. Book your hostel or hotel room in your next destination before you leave for it. That way, when you’ll arrive, you’ll have a place to sleep. Also, try to arrive during the day. It’s better to hit a new city during daylight than after sunset.

Avoid money problems. You can avoid most money pitfalls by planning—and sticking to—a budget. Carrying a variety of forms of money from credit and debit cards to travelers’ checks and cash is also a good idea. Make sure to only deal with authorized currency agencies to ensure that you get exactly what you should.

Just because you are in unfamiliar territory you shouldn’t fear for your safety. Just use common sense and employ these tips and have a great trip.

Patrick Evans is the marketing communications coordinator for STA Travel, the largest student and youth travel organization in the world.

Many students spend their Gap Year traveling or working in a foreign country, either in a volunteering or paid capacity.

If a Gap Year sounds interesting, here’s some advice:

Start With a Budget. Even if you aren’t sure what countries you’ll visit or when you’ll be there, put together a preliminary budget of what you expect to spend. Also, consider what time of year you expect to travel. The summer months will be more expensive than the winter months. Also, consider what type of experience you want in each destination. If you’re looking to volunteer or work, you’ll need to work with the timing of the program you want to join.

Get Your Shots. You’re probably in pretty good health and you want to stay that way. So, you’ll want to make sure you receive any of the vaccinations necessary for your destinations. For example, if you decide to go to Nigeria, you’ll need shots to protect against Hepatitis A and Typhoid. If you’re visiting Venezuela, you’ll need a vaccination for Yellow Fever.

Travel Insurance. Travel insurance covers you if you have to cancel all or part of your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. Plans provide reimbursement of some or all of the cost of your trip in the event of an illness or death in your family or if there is a labor strike or a terrorist attack in a city that is on your travel route. Without travel insurance, you could be out hundreds or thousands of dollars if something interrupts your trip. STA Travel offers travel insurance provided by Travel Guard from $5 per day (based on a 30-day policy). 

Get Guide Books. Especially if you plan on visiting multiple countries or know that you will have limited Internet access, guide books from companies like Lonely Planet are indispensible. Lonely Planet offers advice and expertise for budget travel, visiting a particular city or country or even for a whole region. You can even pick specific chapters from different books to create your perfect guide book.

How to Stay In Touch With Family and Friends. Cell phones are like our third arm these days and you don’t have to cut that off just because you’re traveling internationally. Just get an international cell phone. For $39, you can get a cell phone with a low per-minute rate making it really easy to keep up with family and friends.

Packing. Packing for a Gap Year can be incredible daunting. First, try to plan your trip so that you move from colder climates to warm climates instead of the other way around. As you move into warmer temps, ship your coat and heavier clothing home. You can also opt for layers. Bringing clothes that can be layered can eliminate the need for a heavy (space-consuming) jacket.  For shoes, consider all of the possible occasions. Boots if you are hiking or good shoes for walking the city are a must. A pair of nice shoes for a special dinner can also come in handy.

Do You Need a Visa? Some countries, like France and Ireland do not require a visa for United States citizens staying 90 days or less. But if you are planning to visit a country like Argentina or Turkey, you’ll need to plan ahead of time to make sure your visa is secured by the time you arrive. STATravel.com has a complete listing of countries requirements and the process to obtain a visa. 

Take advantage of your gap year and explore as much as possible. Just make sure to stay safe and within budget to have the best time.

Patrick Evans is the marketing communications coordinator for STA Travel, the largest student and youth travel organization in the world.