Everyone wants to be able to see the world, and your twenties are a perfect time to do just that, but traveling requires money.
Here are three ways to get around the world as a student, without breaking the bank.
Volunteer abroad
There are a host of volunteering abroad programs, GVI and GoAbroad are some of the popular ones. These websites link you to a network of people looking for help in their day to day lives or businesses. In exchange, you’re given the opportunity to travel overseas with accommodation, and often living expenses taken care of.
Emma Fookwe, a 3rd year social work student at Stellenbosch University (SU), has recently secured a trip to Amsterdam in December through WorkAway.
A yearly membership fee to WorkAway is required, thereafter, you can set up a profile and start looking for hosts from across the world.
“The company’s main focus is on sustainability and eco-friendliness so majority of the hosts own permaculture farms or are climate neutral,” says Fookwe.
She adds that “hosts and workawayers come from all over the world, like the Himalayas, so you can work in really cool places.”
The work involved is often community driven, such as running mindfulness and wellness retreats, or animal rehabilitation sanctuaries.
Au pair
Jen Allen with her host family on a beach in Spain. PHOTO: Supplied
Au pairing is another great way to travel cheaply, and earn some extra money along the way. You’ll need to be capable of looking after children, though.
Jen Allen, a management accounting honours student at SU, has recently completed a trip to Spain through Aupair World.
“It was so easy to sign up, you just answer some questions about yourself and add some questions then say where you would be keen to go,” suggests Allen.
She mentions that the host families are usually very inviting, and you might find yourself spending weekends with them or going on trips.
“My first weekend there I went to my host mom’s cousin’s wedding,” says Allen.
She believes the experiences you have, far outweigh the somewhat lowly salary you receive, but the opportunity to travel and having food and accomodation provided makes it worth it.
“Eating their food, learning their traditions and language, their politics – you just don’t get that when you don’t stay with people from the area.”
Furthermore, you’ll find yourself exposed to many different people from across the world, which often become close friends, as Allen highlights.
“My favourite thing about it is the amazing network I have created. I am actually going back this December to see my host family and meet up with my au pair girls,” intimates Allen.
University exchanges
Carla Johnson in Hong Kong during her exchange program. PHOTO: Supplied
SU offers a host of opportunities for students to travel overseas, through semester exchanges and summer/winter schools at partner universities.
Carla Johnson, a final year civil engineering student at SU, recently took advantage of this opportunity and travelled to Hong Kong for summer school.
Apart from an administration and processing fee, and a deposit on your room incase of damages, the trip is fully funded by the university.
“The university gives you a set sum that you purchase your flights with and then whatever you have left over, goes towards your trip,” says Johnson.
“We were there for six weeks with about 500 students from all over the world. You [get] to engage with people of different cultures, different ages, different backgrounds.”
“The experience was once in a lifetime,” she adds.
You can find more information on education abroad opportunities on the universitys’ website.