There is no bigger form of my procrastination than dreaming of vacations while I slave away at essays and exams. I don't have a significant income working as a waitress and party hostess at the moment, however all I desire and crave is adventure and travel. Despite these financial setbacks, in the past year I've still managed to travel Hawaii, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and very soon Thailand as well, just to prove that dreams can be turned into reality even on the smallest of budgets.
Cruise ships are just one of the many ways to travel in-style for an extremely low cost, with non-stop specials and last minute deals online. My gorgeous friend Amber and I recently went on a spontaneous last minute vacation via cruise ship, which was an unforgettable experience where we saw beautiful islands, made lasting friendships, and danced and drunk every night away. We travelled on the P&O Pacific Dawn Island Hopper for only $650 twin share for the week, inclusive of all food and accommodation, however becomes even cheaper when you travel with a group of four.
While I haven't personally been on a Contiki Tour yet but plan to in the near future, a number of my friends have raved about their travels to Europe with the company. For those who aren't aware, Contiki is a budget bus-tour company that caters to 18-35 year old youth and student travellers, and operates in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia. Contiki has earned its reputation as a party on wheels with its non-stop drinking and a fast-paced approach to travelling, however is perfect for young people with a budget like mine, with tours ranging upwards from $500.
Another cheaper way to travel the world is through WorkAway, an international organisation that connects people with families, individuals and hosts around the world who will provide accommodation and board in exchange for some sort of voluntary work. Work opportunities range from helping out a village shop in Colombia, to ranch work in Canada, to wine-making in Italy, and is the ultimate way to really get to know a foreign culture and assist with the learning of another language.
Accommodation:
Hostels and back-packer lodges generally provide the cheapest form of accommodation across the globe if you're not expecting 5-star extravagance. Backpacking is about adventure and independence, and although it often involves sharing a room, you gain more out of your travels by meeting likeminded people and experiencing more of the culture.
Couchsurfing.com is another adventurous way to get accomodation for free, and seems like a truely awesome social experience to meet people around the world who share their homes and hearts.
Air BnB is a fairly new entrance in the accomodation market place, and is an online community for people to rent their homes to travellers, whether it be a single room or the entire property temporarily. The service is a cheaper alternative to hotels and is highly suitable for student and budget jetsetters.
Flights:
Student Flights offer exclusive deals and discounts on flights, holiday packages, and gap year adventures to Australian students and persons under 26 years old.
Scoot is a low-cost airline with a great reputation that offer some of the cheapest flights available.
Tips:
Be slightly impulsive- when you find an amazing deal online, it usually won't last long, so sort yourself out quickly and decide if you have the budget and free-time to take the holiday.
Prioritise travel over other luxury expenses- I can't remember the last time I had a salon manicure or majorly splurged on shoes or clothing, but it's all worth it for the amazing adventure I am about to embark on through Thailand.
Choose holiday locations with cheap travel expenses- Asian destinations such as Bali/Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and India are known for their cheap food, shopping, taxi travel and accommodation.
Use your free time wisely - You may be thinking "what free time with full-time study?" but take advantage of the summer two-month vacation to book your travels, or even for weeks during the semester that don't clash with assessment or important deadlines.
If your studies come before travel but you have a passion for both, sign up for a study-abroad program that allows you to continue your degree in another country, whether for a semester or a full year. In the upcoming years of my study I plan to take a semester in Europe at the Paris School of Business, where I will use my weekends and spare time to explore.
Happy travels xxx
